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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  I Love This 3 - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By LA DRIVER - December 19 - 8:00 pm

  My wife and I bought this car back in 2005 when her Honda went out. Almost 3 years later I still love it. At about 300 miles per tank city/hwy driving cant complain. I just love the performance for such a compact car, leather seats, GPS, 6 disc CD, 5 speed man., when sitting inside it reminds me of my BMW at half the cost. Great power and lots of trunk space esp when rear seats are folded down. The 3 is truly a car in its own, with aftermarket performance tires it handles as well as my BMW and is great to drive through corners and the straights. Over all this is a great car to drive in the city as well as the hwy. avg. of about 32 mpg hwy we make it from LA to San Jose in 1 tank. LOVE my 3.

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  Poor Gas Mileage - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Fun2Drive - December 19 - 6:20 pm

  This car is fun to drive. It lives up to its Zoom Zoom motto but thats it. It requires premium which in this economy not good. Tire life was about 25k miles had to replace relatively early and the tires were expensive $150 per tire.

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  A great car - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By EddieJ - December 19 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Miata, and I still love it everytime I see it and get it for a drive. Build quality went down from my first (a 1990), but I may be nitpicking. Ive driven alot of of other sports cars, but not many compare, because the Miata is so light and communicative. You dont need fancy electronics to get you out of trouble the miata tells you, and the car has the ability to get you out of trouble. Only when you start getting into the 50K+ range do you get something comparable, but still those drive so dryly and clinically. It just doesnt seem to be an experience.

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  P5 Good but Not Great - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By rbb4u - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Its fun, nimble, great value, but as predicted, signficantly underpowered with wind and road noise near limit. Periodic 1st gear (when cold-up to 5min)clutch slip (which, naturally, dealer cant replicate) is crazy making. Gets lot of attention - even in upscale sections of LA where seeing 10 SL500s a day is norm. Hope MAZDASPEED stuff is affordable. Thats next.

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  Love the car - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Bettina - December 19 - 5:26 am

  This is the first time that I have ever owned a Mazda, and so far I absolutely love my Mazda3 S Sport. There are only two things that I am disappointed with. I think with this vehicle there is ground noise, so it is not as insulated as I would like, and the other is I think that ALL cars should be made to have automatic lights that come on (daytime running) and then evening lights. So it is a little nosier then I would like, but certainly not enough that I dont like the car. It is fun, sporty, and I love driving it. Like their logo suggests: zoom-zoom

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  GoodLittle Truck - 2002 Mazda Truck
  By bushdow - December 18 - 10:13 pm

  I purchased this truck September 2002. The gas mileage could be a little better (17 mpg) The truck is high for better road view. The engine could use a little more HP for merging traffic situations.

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  Its a Cutie! - 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Chris - December 18 - 8:56 pm

  Bought the car in late February in Michigan-couldnt really drive it until late March. It was torture to wait! I found out how great it handled from having to dodge all the potholes in the roads coming off of a hard winter. After years with a boring automatic, I can finally shift! Downshifting is one of my favorite things to do while in this car. I bought the dark gray hardtop. I didnt need a showier color such as red. That wouldve been overkill. The car alone says it all. It is understated yet boisterous. Im driving to West Virginia in a week and cant wait to get on those winding mountain roads and see just what it can do.

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  My Mazda Protege - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By Kay - December 18 - 5:36 pm

  My 2000 Mazda Protege has been wonderful to drive. I have replaced the front brakes and all four tires. Also the windshield wipers. I have 68,000 miles on it. I live in Florida and drove it to Des Moines, IA in September of 2002. It handled very good with excellent gas mileage. I have a stick transmission. The A/C runs very cold. I am very satisfied with it.

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  100k and going strong - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By jeremily - December 18 - 11:46 am

  A quick update, Ive posted before. Now over 100k miles in under 6 years, my Mazda3 is still going strong, with no major issues. I am still on the stock, original clutch- though its pretty worn right now. Timing belt is due- which requires pulling the engine. :( With just oil changes and lots of miles, I wouldnt complain about a few more hp to match the superb suspension. Lifetime best tank of 38mpg, typical 30mpg highway biased driving, but not especially gentle. I absolutely love the great visibility from HIDs, and very comfortable seats for long drives. Cupholders and right elbow support could be improved for better ergos, but overall excellent. No regrets about this purchase.

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  My Experience with a 2004 Mazda 3 S - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Larry - December 18 - 11:43 am

  I purchased my Mazda 3 brand new April 10, 2004 .I previously owned a 2001 Mazda Protege ES and I have never had a problem with any Mazda ive ever owned (atleast the Japanese made ones not the ones made by AutoAlliance) the car gets great fuel mileage I noticed driving from South Carolina to Louisiana I averaged 30 MPH on my car and the ride is smooth and comfortable nice stereo system Mazda really took the old basic Protege and did alot of changes to get the 4 door 3 and the 5 door 3 S