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 Car for the Price - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Ever15 - March 19 - 4:00 am

  Ive always wanted a Lexus IS but am currently not in the income bracket to own one yet. I love the features and the look it has. The new Mazda3 was like a dream come true. While I was looking at the Civic on YouTube, I stumbled upon the Mazda3. Although its not a Lexus, it has a lot of features that are similar to it, for less the price! This is my first Mazda. Im not that big on cars, but I defintely like the new Mazda3s. My previous car was a 2003 Toyota Corolla S. Although, in my opinion, the exterior body of the car could be better (the front grill), to me the interior is what matters. I spend more time driving the car than looking at it.

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  Enjoy the ride! - 2001 Mazda B-Series
  By Defer - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Little bouncy on the ride. Little thirsty with the gas. Steady driver and a warm vehicle in the winter. Reliable performance at all times.

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  Great Car! - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Portac - March 14 - 5:20 am

  Weve had our MX-5 for a couple of weeks now. We love it! This is a great car for the money.

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  Almost perfect--except transmission! - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By HB - March 12 - 5:16 pm

  Bought my P5 brand new and loved it up til now. At 110k miles the overdrive gear went out now I have to buy a new transmission. All maint done like clockwork, drive like an old lady, so I dont get it. Mazda reliability has always been good. Most say I must have got a bad transmission or early mechanical failure due to wear. I do put about 18k miles/yr commuting, but geez, this is not acceptable. Toyota 4wd truck w/ 140k and NO problems!

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  MX-5 experience - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By mx5 sport - March 12 - 10:23 am

  I like the Miata for its sporty feeling and it is fun to drive. It is the roughest riding car Ive ever owned and definitely wouldnt want to drive it on a long trip. This car is like its glued to the road which is good for handling but not for ride comfort. It rides like it doesnt have springs much like a Go-Kart. The road noise inside car is quite loud also. Power wise it has no problem for get up and go. Miata is probably the best bang for the buck as far as little sports cars go. When driving in heavy rain you better slow way down as this car will get scary as it will hydroplane easily.

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  626 - Everything but the transmission - 2000 Mazda 626
  By JohannDS - March 11 - 10:00 am

  The 626 has decent handling and good road feel for a midsize. Steering is crisp and braking excellent. The six cylinder is not exactly powerful, but adequate for passing trucks at highway speeds without shifting out of overdrive. You can get onto the highway and up to traffic speed safely. The transmission, however, is truly diappointing. It shifts rough through every gear, and the shift from first to second in stop-and-go traffic is jarring. Its been back to the shop 8 times for this, but I was told it was operating within specs! Worst shifting car I have ever driven. Because of this, I wont buy another one.

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  Be Careful - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By thenetz - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I have had a clunking noise from my 2001 Tribute for about 1 month now. The dealership keeps telling me they cannot find anything wrong. They rotated the tires and changed a shock. They say it was my fault for not rotating the tires every 5000 miles, after only 17000 miles there should not be such a problem that it feels like a constant flat tire, but that is what mine feels like. The dealership doesnt seem to care that there is a problem. Be careful who you buy from how their customer service is.

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  Great Car for the money - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By mazdantech5 - March 11 - 8:06 am

  Being a honda and toyota guy for many years. I have finally step foot inside a Mazda dealership to check out the final year release of the 2009 Mazda 3 hatchback. Hey ,they are practically giving these away right now & with 0% APR. I like the styling , boy racer look thats me. I couldnt understand why I have bought and sold my previous 08 4 door civic si and 09 corolla s within 6 months time, their styling was not really my cup of tea. I quickly got tired of the 6 speed manual and ridiculous righ revs on the honda and the boring ho/hum corolla styling, and its slow/weak acceleration. Mazda did a great job with the exterior and interior styling. I added the 18"mazdaspeed wheels and I am done

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  Great Deal out there - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Danti - March 10 - 7:06 am

  Hi all. Im from Atherton, CA. Just got a new mazda 3 touring celestial blue w/ tech and roof packages a few days ago 06/07/10 after came to terms that I like driving more than going with the hybrid Insight (feels like you floating w/ Insight). Cant comment much since the maz is still new to me. Handling is good but not quite in the line of bmw 3 and that says a lot for the money. I would recommend readers to explore the lease option currently offer from mazda. I ended up leasing after a good finance guy explained and compared buy/leasing terms to me. My deal--$200 over invoice; 3.4 apr/15000 miles lease over 3 yrs. love the deal; no worries after warr. expires

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  Zoom-zoom refinement at a bargain price - 2011 Mazda Mazda6
  By lcmunson - March 9 - 2:42 am

  Picked up a 2011 black 6 six-speed during a year-end dealer blow-out. At a price less than a new 3, I am very happy with this vehicle vs the 08 3-touring that I traded. At 1200 miles, engine is starting to loosen up a bit and fuel economy ranges from 29-35 mpg; might still improve. The aerodynamics of this design are amazing .... on moderate downhill stretches it just rolls. As an old stick-shifter, this is an amazingly slick transmission! Get one before the bean counters decide there are not enough customers. In my opinion, nothing in this price range comes close to the value.