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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  Great handling and looks but lacking. - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By RDB - August 6 - 10:00 am

  This car is very fun to drive. Without question the best handling car for the money. This car has a great engine and a nice interior. Small things need changing to make this car the best small car.Rear window is hard to see out of when backing up. Gas mileage could be better. Expierenced average of 17.3mpg in mixed driving. Best highway mileage expierenced was 24. Both way below the sticker. Only other complaints were build quality and broken trunk release. Build quality not up to Honda or Toyota.

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  Zoom Zoom - 2005 Mazda MPV
  By Good MPV Van - July 31 - 5:53 pm

  Great MPV for its price. Paid about $20,500.00 for LX model with LX Plus pPackage and power sliding doors (great Needed option). Gets about 21 mpg on mixed hwy/city driving (35/65). It does not have clunky transmission problems as others have reported. Its slow to shift sometimes when you wanna pass people on the interstate. Solution, turn off the overdrive and bring it down to a 4 speed ... zoom zoom. Turns tightly on curves like a car. We picked this because the Toyota and Hondas were just too expensive -- $23,000/$26,000 for low end models. And because it gives a standard 4/50,000 warranty.

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  Love it Hate It - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By BK - July 31 - 2:50 pm

  This car gets looks. The engine isnt annoying. The problem is the car has a tendency to flood. Tow truck drivers tell you that youre not the only one. They are towing these quite often. That is the hate it part. The love it part is this is a fun car to drive. Then engine has poor low-end pick up, but one you pass 3,000RPM, the car is fun to drive.

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  The Best Sports Wagon for the Price - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Teepee - July 30 - 10:00 am

  We bought this in Delaware because none of the NY dealers could/would get us the Vivid Yellow one in the Summer of 2001. Been perfectly reliable and the subject of a great many enquiries at stop lights. Far the best looking vehicle in its class. So much fun to drive it is difficult to keep within the lease miles :-) Handling is great but probably needs more rubber in the front, particularly in the wet. You need to keep the tire pressure correct to maintain the handling. Brakes excellent. Good for tall (63") and short (51") drivers. Plenty of room for the Mother in Law in the back.

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  Fabulous Eight - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By 8ball - July 30 - 10:00 am

  This car is absolutely fabulous. The electric steering is perfect, the balance of the chassis is fantastic. Exquisite interior and exterior styling and build quality. Most satisfying is the engine and the short throw 6 speed shifter. The guages and dash layout should win an award. The various "little" details are also neat.

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  fast &fun - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By andy arch - July 28 - 10:00 am

  I purchased in April, 2002 P5,it is a blast to drive,it does great going uphill in these Colorado mountains,I still need to get used to being so close to the ground,and the higher road noise,overall a great little car for the money...24-27 mpg consistently,plenty of power if driven right,the +,-,tranny is so neat.Do all these low profile cars sound like loose boards when driving over bumpy road,or maybe I need struts?

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  Rust problems - 2008 Mazda Tribute
  By Mazda lover - July 28 - 10:00 am

  My 2008 Mazda Tribute have been working fine until recently that I found that the rear door seems and rear fender are rusting. The exterior face of the fender is peeling off and the inside is rusted. My vehicle has less than 60k miles. I usually wash my car during winter almost weekly to avoid this type of problems. The vehicle also has been in a garage all nights so I dont get why only a 2.5 yrs old car is rusting. I talked to the dealer where I bough it and they told that has a rust 5 yr warranty but covers everything that can make or made a hole in the body. They need to take pics and send it over to the regional warranty guy for approval. Im trading in for a real Japanese car.

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  Car just great - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By gfschoone - July 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought brand new a 2004 rx-8 and had no problems, for 5.5 years. Not bad. had 75k on it when in 10/09 discovered the oil cooler line(s) was/were rusted. Common problem (they should have been anything but rust-prone metal), and they were recalled in Canada. Anyways, the car sat for 9 months ($2500 repair approx), and was started with not much problem. I temp repaired it with a hose clamp and drove it for a month now (still leaks a good bit) , but it drives nearly as good as in march 2004. You either love this car or hate it, and i do feel for those who "have towed it 8 times to the garage in its first year", but i have had NO reliability problems; peace; out!!!

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  So Far So Good - 2009 Mazda Mazda6
  By zoomtex - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Bought used with 8K miles. 6sp Manual fun to drive but could be geared taller. Very close ratios, do not use all 6 in normal driving. But if you want to thrash it, its fun. Impressed with trunk. Headed on trip in old minivan with 5 people, but it broke down. Switched all people and gear to Mazda and went on 3Kmi road trip. Immense trunk swallowed luggage with ease. Got up to 33 mpg @75 mph. Enough room in back to prevent fratricide. Came back from that trip very happy with vehicle.

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  My 2002 Protege 5 - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By nfm - July 24 - 2:00 am

  The car is really fun to drive. I love the option of the manual shift. Performance is great as long as you keep it maintained,(oil chg) Having gone from an SUV to the mazda, was a shock at first, but once I got used to being so low, I now love it! (much better gas milage.) The one thing Im not crazy about is the tires.........they seem to need filled more often, and you can sure tell by the pull when driving. The interior is cheap, but I like the design. (the SUV had all leather) Overall, I would give the car an 8.