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:

• 

  Design Flaws - 2010 Mazda CX-9
  By Jason - December 18 - 11:20 pm

  A few areas have made us not pleased with our choice. Gas mileage is much less than advertised. The car is too heavy - sluggish when passing on highway or going up hill, poor gas mileage. There is a design flaw with the doors. They are big, unnecessarily heavy, and balanced wrong. When parked level, they will naturally fall hard to a full open position. As the doors are so big, they will catch any wind and open hard. The check strap on the door is under-engineered for such a heavy door. Within 45 days, the check strap broke, the door slammed back into car body. $1500 damage and Mazda will not even return phone calls or acknowledge issue. Not happy with the CX9 or Mazda, give both a pass.

• 

  Not real happy with it - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By Derrick Petree - December 5 - 11:23 am

  We should had gone with the Honda. At first it was a great van. Then we had an overheating problem. That had it in the shop 5 times. We had to take it back 3 times for the same recall. Then at 60,578 the transmission went out. Just after the warranty went out. Dealer wont fix because we 578 over on miles. Cost us $2400 to fix. Poor gas mileage about 18 hwy, 15 city.

• 

  Ill never buy another Mazda - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By cs - November 14 - 8:10 am

  I have owned this car for 1 1/2 yrs. and have brought it back to the dealer too many times to count for recalls, cd player replacements (3) and many other problems including vibrations, bad shifting, etc. Am bringing it back this week due to a throttle positioning problem/check engine light. Mazda is NOT customer friendly when it comes to repairs! They tend to blame the customer for any problems - they "cant locate" the problems, although local mechanics can. I have even tried to file a lemon law claim to no avail.

• 

  Would NEVER own again!!! Coil & Engine Problems - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By Todd - November 4 - 8:37 am

  I owned the 2004 Mazda Tribute ES V6 Fully Loaded. I was the second owner. I loved the look of the car and the leather interior with the heated seats. The first few months were fine but then it started to rain and the check engine light would come on and then go off when it stopped raining. I went on forums and found this was a big problem with this model due to the misfires in the coils with the engine. I mustve replaced around 5 coils while owning it. Also had to have the exhaust replaced. Then the transmission dipstick completely disintegrated and caused all kinds of tranny problems. Then the final straw was the Torque Converter had to be replaced and no way I was doing that. After around $2500 in repairs I unloaded this lemon of a vehicle. Reason I wont give it one star is because the exterior and interior were great but the engine was AWFUL. Too bad because I really enjoyed this car when it worked! But in the end BUYER BEWARE these engine coils with the moisture are a recurring problem. Research it for yourself.

• 

  worse value loss; cheaply made - 1999 Mazda 626
  By shana - October 19 - 1:10 am

  This car blew its engine at 116,000 miles; you be the judge of if thats good or not. It was very well maintained. I work in appraisals of cars and the Mazdas lose value very quickly and are not the best engineered vehicles by any means. Looks of the car lead me to it and also purchased it before I entered my career of knowing now what holds value better than other vehicles and which vehicles have a better track record on performance than others. Looks cute, drives okay. No value and cheaply made.

• 

  Unhappy with my zoom-zoom - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By cherie - September 23 - 2:10 am

  I have had a very bad experience with my vehicle. I am only getting about 14- 18 miles per gallon ( supposed to be in the 24-36 range). I was given the run around and basically told that there was no problem with my vehicle.

• 

  Its a Canadian Lemon - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By RT27 - August 14 - 3:16 am

  By far the worst example of customer service Ie ever experienced. Car is 9 months old, had a hesitation problem from day 1. Been in the shop 6 times for 23 days, couldnt fix the problem then Mazda said it was normal. I requested a replacement and they refused. Went through arbitration, an independent test was ordered and confirmed my complaint that it doesnt run properly. Mazda Canada was ordered to buy back the car. I wanted to purchase another but Mazda Canada is refusing to lease me another because "theyre all like that and I wouldnt be happy with another" Bull, Ive driven 6 others and they were fine. Mazda wont refund the $450.00 extended warranty!

• 

  Biggest Mistake Ever - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By fsufan0025 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  After being a Honda or Toyota person for years, I bought this car due to a GREAT salesman, and excellent finance offers. What a mistake! Took it in for service, and the next day a hubcap came off. But--hey not the service departments fault. And--well sell you a new 1 for $70. Brakes make noise at 14k, and already rattles and noise. Great sales experience, but the cars quality and the service dept ensure that Ill be getting out of this car asap and will NEVER have another Mazda

• 

  Disappointed - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By Dissapointed - August 6 - 4:50 am

  Original Owner. Well Maintained commuter car. 50K miles. 6 Cyl. 5sp manual. Loaded. Squeaks and rattles everywhere. Lots of problems: Trany, Engine replacement, Brakes, exhaust, electrical, engine performance, suspension, steering, seat breaking, to name a few. Approx 20 times / year to dealers a year on average. Bad Dealer experiences(not very knowledgeable, poor service, poor quality work) and Mazda Customer Service did not seem to care. So much for Mazda advertising quality and taking care of the customer. Not in my experience. Did not like them doing computer updates without my permission. Hurt cars performance and they refused to reverse the updates.

• 

  Please dont buy - 1999 Mazda 626
  By Cobie - August 2 - 2:23 am

  I got this car as a gift, though it has been reliable I DO NOT recommend anyone buying it. I wouldnt have bought this car for myself.