Overview & Reviews

There are affordable cars, and then there are cars that offer thrilling performance. Rarely do the two ever converge, but Japanese automaker Mazda has made it a tradition of coming up with vehicles that combine both of these eminently desirable traits.

The Toyo Cork Kogyo Company, founded in 1920 in Hiroshima, Japan, used the name "Mazda" for its first three-wheeled truck, built in 1931. Company founder Jujiro Matsuda chose the word "Mazda" because it was the name of the Zoroastrian god of good and light. Work on a small sedan began in the late 1930s, but development was halted so the company could pitch in with Japan's war effort. In the wake of World War II and the rebuilding that followed, the company refocused its efforts on car development and manufacturing.

By 1960, the first Mazda automobile -- the R360 coupe -- was developed, and the company's foray into the production of passenger vehicles began in full force. Other landmark developments were soon to follow. In 1961, the company entered into a technical partnership with NSU and Wankel to develop and produce rotary engines, a union that led to Mazda's distinguishing itself as the only manufacturer to offer three engine configurations: conventional gasoline piston, diesel and rotary. The '60s also saw the introduction of the company's first pickup, the B-Series 1500, as well as its first rotary-engine vehicle, the 110S Cosmo Sport.

Mazda began selling cars in the U.S. in 1970. In the early part of the decade, the automaker rolled out the RX-2. Powered by the noted 12A rotary, the RX-2 introduced America to Mazda's effort to build cars that were affordable and fun to drive. The decade also saw the introduction of the RX-3, RX-4 and now iconic rotary-powered RX-7 sports car. In 1979, Ford Motor Company purchased a 25 percent stake in Mazda after the Japanese company encountered a number of financial difficulties.

The 1980s was a decade of rebirth for Mazda. The company officially took on the Mazda name (though all its vehicles since its launch in the '20s have carried that brand). It also witnessed an upswing in sales sparked by successful new products like the 323 (which was first called the GLC in the American market) and 626. The 1990 model year saw the launch of a car that would prove a huge hit for Mazda: the MX-5 Miata. Lauded for its ultra-responsive handling and affordability, the drop top has been a consistent favorite, and now holds the distinction of being the world's best-selling roadster.

Mazda began the 1990s with a bang by winning Le Mans with the 787B; it was the first time a Japanese automaker had won the prestigious race, and marked the only win for a rotary engine. Vehicles like the RX-7 and MX-5 Miata scored kudos from automotive journalists, and landed on many top 10 lists. However, save for the Miata, the company's vehicles experienced declining sales in the U.S., and the company's fortunes suffered as a result.

The new millennium has seen Mazda regain its stride, as the automaker has invested in new development. Models like the Mazda 2 and CX-9 have broadened the lineup and won over a whole new generation of fans, while the enthusiast-oriented RX-8 and Mazdaspeed performance models have exemplified the company's spirited philosophy. Most recently, Mazda has focused on designing its cars to be as fuel-efficient as possible while also still being fun to drive and affordable to own.

User Reviews:

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  My Long Term Review After 1 Year - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By Fun2Driver - June 26 - 12:30 pm

  This is an update to my review back in 4/2009, after 1 year plus few months of ownership of my Maz3. The cars still in excellent shape after more than 23k miles of hard driving, mostly long distance highway miles. No major repairs needed besides routine maintenance and oil changes. Overall I have no regret for my ownership. The most major complain though, is from the P205/50VR17 stock tires and Maz3s stiff suspension. The tires are almost worn out (should last 30k miles). They are very noisy. They are all-season tires, but absolutely horrible for driving in snow! Unfortunately, Ive moved to a potholes-ridden and snowy state. That proved to be the most unforgiven condition for my Maz3.

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  uncontrolled steering wheel - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By egay - June 25 - 9:16 pm

  I love my mazda 5, roomie, like the art of engineering,not speedy but good to travel with the family, gas economical,and easy to drive too. But the problem i had encounter was when my car was on park with my engine running for 30 mins and just a sudden my steering wheel got tight with the steering wheel emergency sign went off,how about if it happens when my car was running on a speed it wont be safe for me and to my family.Talked to my dealer and have it check for safety tom.Just also found out that i was the second person who experienced the same thing on mazda 5.

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  love my hatchback! - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By JJ - June 24 - 12:33 am

  After running a 1987 626 to 200,000 miles several years ago (and still going strong!), I looked forward to a dynamic car from Mazda that fit my needs. My 2004 6S hatchback was definitely worth the wait. I may even consider buying out the lease. Pros: Gobs of cargo room, great Bose sound system, wonderful performance for a front-driver. Cons: cloth upholstery and headliner feel cheap, no auto-up/down on all windows, no full-service spare tire, TERRIBLE dealer experience for sales and service at two Mazda dealers in Las Vegas. I highly recommend the car but be wise with your shopping.

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  First Mazda owned - 2009 Mazda CX-9
  By Chamberis - June 19 - 4:56 am

  Totaled our 06 Sonata, been looking at CX9 since it came out in 07. Purchased for wife and kids. Plenty of room, very comfortable. Exterior looks great. So far we have 2k on it and it rides and drives as good as our Sonata did. Handles like a sedan, but you can pack the kitchen sink in it. Great hiway cruiser if you stay away from the 20" wheels, plus the 18" on the touring wont cost $200+ to replace and they look just as good. Overall very impressed. Snagged one of the last 09s in the state, discounts and rebates marked it down almost 6k off the stickers. 2009 looks just like the 2010! Dont see many on the road which is nice, people always asking what we are driving.

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  Great for the money - 2002 Mazda Millenia
  By Art from Florida - June 14 - 3:50 pm

  I bought this car used from a Mazda dealer. I loved it when I first saw it in 2001 (white with gold bottom). This car in 2008 still has its look. In features, except for the navigation system can compete with most of the new ones out there. If you are looking for a nice used sedan, do not forget to consider this one.

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  fun to drive, engine keeps you honest - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By snausage - June 14 - 10:00 am

  In another 2 weeks, I will have owned my P-5 for three years. Its been very reliable, gas mileage is decent, and its fun to drive. The only downside, aside from the tire issue, is the lackluster engine performance. My previous car, an Acura Integra, had a very torquey engine. You step on the gas and the car moves. Trying to get the P-5 to accerate out of a turn or pass traffic on a two lane highway is often very frustrating. You have to rev the engine really high to get the car to move with authority, and then the engine is growling like Im some 17 year old punk trying to run grandma off the road. I guess Im getting too old to settle for economy car performance.

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  Good but Flawed - 2014 Mazda Mazda3
  By Zoey Broussard - June 14 - 6:57 am

  The M3 has nice, soft-touch interior materials and a sleek exterior design that helps it stand out from the crowd. MPG is good, but not quite as good as advertised; I usually average 32 while commuting with a roughly 60-40 split between city and highway driving. Roof/head space can be a bit tight if you sit close to the wheel like I do, but otherwise room and space in the M3 seem fine. Although I find it tolerable, many have said the radio is ugly. Headrests are uncomfortably angled. My biggest gripe though is that the A-frame pillars create blind spots towards the front of the car that I find very noticeable when turning/pulling out at intersections.

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  Yes - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By vhabiru - June 13 - 5:15 pm

  After about 2 years with the 5, Im still really happy. We sold the sedan and bought the 5 when we realized we were having a second chlid. Its been really great and at no point have I had a second thought about the purchase. I only wish I had bought the manual and not the auto, but my wife was not keen to have the extra task of shifting in addition to keeping the kids happy. Overall, a solid A. I would definitely buy again.

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  Best I could do to replace Acura Integra - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By mhouse - June 13 - 6:03 am

  After owning Integra for 17.8 years, finally found something to replace it with. Nice size for one person, nice luxury features. Not as fun to drive as Integra but handles just as well, even better on fast curves, like its on rails. Quietness masks real acceleration compared to Integra which was "throatier". A lot has changed in cars since 1991 so Im still getting used to things like position of steering wheel (further away), thickness of steering column (limits leg room), the explosion of new technology, and in my case, four doors. Bose stereo is good but I do have to have the volume way up to level 40+ hear details (deaf in one ear so this may be me not the car). Mileage in upper 20s.

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  If you own a 2008 tribute beware of RUST - 2008 Mazda Tribute
  By D.D. - June 9 - 1:53 am

  About a month ago I noticed the rear wheel well areas were rusting as the paint is peeling. I took it to mazda who sent me to get a quote from a collision place to get it repaired and they said they had the exact same model in the day before and they decided to check the seems of the doors and under the hood, and the back door and of course all the seems are rusting which the guy told me they cannot repair only do a bandage job on it. I was hoping to keep this SUV for a number of years but he said in a couple years holes will start. It only has 62,000 Km on it and I believe it most definitely should not be rusting!!!...I am waiting to hear back from Mazda.