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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  It is horrible in the snow. - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By LisaC - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love the looks of this car and how it drives in anything but the snow. It is horrible in snow and slush. The tires are expensive as all heck! Why put a tire on a lower priced vehicle that costs like $162 a tire to replace? I am very disappointed in this car right now and unfortunately I am more than likely going to trade it in and loose my butt on the trade. I just cant stand the idea of spending that kind of money on tires that who knows if they will actually make the car go any better or not????? I would definitely NOT recommend this vehicle to anyone!

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  Great CUV - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By stevem8 - March 3 - 2:06 pm

  As lots of others here, I drove lots of other CUVs. I traded in my Audi A4 Quattro. I was very worried about losing performance and handling of the A4, but with the CX its all here! It still blows me away when I hit it off the line. Its so fast for this size of vehicle. The gas does suffer while doing quick starts, but to me its worth the performance! The other CUVs in its class were boring and felt numb. This is a CUV for people who love to drive!

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  Great family car with sporty look! - 2010 Mazda CX-7
  By Sebastian - March 3 - 8:27 am

  I loved driving the car for long and short distance rides with my wife and 15 month old son. The big light truck tires are exactly what you need on Michigan roads with tons of potholes. The car is quite heavy, but still handling was great in all whether conditions. I was driving on wet streets, in ice and snow (having snow tires) and always felt a bit ahead of the other guys, because the car is very stable.

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  Just a rental by an 04 Mazda 6 V6 owner - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Jeff - March 2 - 2:20 am

  Rented a new 3 on a biz trip. This car didnt appear to be very heavily optioned, but I was surprised at how peppy it was. Interstate ride VERY smooth and quiet, just a little wind noise from driver door weatherstripping. Great sound system, great AC.

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  mazda 6 good but lowsy interior - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By dead_catz - February 28 - 3:26 am

  First car, First of all it drove great and is fun to drive, i put a Cold air and magnaflow on her (2.3) sounded beautiful but the interior was a peice of trash, the LCD notoriously on mazda 6 went out great cool 150 bucks to replace... the mapbox above the radio sucked and the lid broke the 6 disc cd changer cds no longer cycle well... overall 90k miles no problems except for the trashy interior

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  What Can I Say!!! - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Senna 27 - February 27 - 2:00 am

  Owned the car for 36 days now and its been in the shop for 10 of them! They cant solve the engine problem, hesitation, poor acceleration, poor gas mileage. Defective air bag sensor, part back ordered. Cant drive car until fixed. Theyre not sure when that will be! So not impressed with it so far!

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  Baby BMW - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By mazdaman - February 22 - 1:46 pm

  If BMW built a compact car this would be it, handling, design, interior all are great for the price. No problems thus far and when pushed to limit corners like a sports car.

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  A few comments - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By mikeber - February 22 - 10:00 am

  The RX-8 mixes a long list of qualities, unlike any other car at present: Low price, design, true sports car character, rear seats, 4 doors, easy access to the rear seats, a wonderful gearbox, sporty seats. Actually, it can be consider a mid engine car, since the engine is located behind the front axle.

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  Unsatisfied with the Warranty & Dealer - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Mazda3 itouring 4 dr - February 22 - 5:40 am

  I bought this mazda3 new and 3 months later I had brake/rotor problems. I took it to the dealership 3 times in 11 months, they mechanically fixed my rotors and 1 month later the same problem happened. My steering wheel shook every time i braked. I called Mazda one month later and the dealership and Mazda said i was not under warranty. What? Whatever they did to my car was not sufficient. I am still dealing with the problem and found out today i have a manufactures warranty for 3 yrs/36,000 miles. So, everyone lied to me and still nothing.

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  Fun Car - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By mkztg - February 21 - 6:03 pm

  The RX-8 is a fun car to drive. It is expensive to drive because of poor fuel economy and if you dont put "Super" in your tank you will get poor performance too. I have had a few warranty issues come up since I bought it but the dealership has been outstanding to respond to fixing these issues. Great car, I really am glad I bought it, I just wish the accessories for it werent so expensive.