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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  Love our MPV - the ultimate family taxi - 2001 Mazda MPV
  By Johnny Mac - August 26 - 10:00 am

  Our family loves our MPV. Great size, easy to manuever and holds everything weve needed to haul. The tumble-under third row seat is a great feature. The kids love the working rear windows.

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  My NEW (to me) Miata - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By brianne12782 - August 25 - 4:24 am

  I just bought a 1999 Mazda Miata. Shes cherry red and with the beige lether interior, Bose sound system, P/W and P/L. I love her!!! Ive wanted a Miata since before I could drive and my mom refused when I was 16 years old to get me one, citing it was unsafe. I understand where she was coming from- plus when I went to college, in MAINE, my Miata wouldve been a silly choice. However, I live and work in Boston and I love this car! No, I wont be able to take her out in the winter that much but shes a second car and well worth it. She was just over $8,000 and had only 28,000 miles on it! I know right!!! She had one owner who kept her in a garage at his cape cod house! WHat a steal- mint!

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  Awesome car - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Frank Rizzo - August 25 - 4:20 am

  I just love this car. It is without a doubt the best car I have ever owned. And I have owned quite a few cars over the last few years. This car is very reliable and a pleasure to drive. I drive about 100 miles a day and when I get out of work it is a pleasure to drive 50 miles to get home. This car also handles great, last weekend I got off an exit ramp with a speed limit of 40 mph while going close to 100 mph, unreal handling, sure my wifes hair was standing on end and the three kids were screaming in the back seat, but what fun. Great car, highly recommended.

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  Wonderful Car! - 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Roger - August 24 - 8:20 pm

  I have owned nothing but Miatas since 1989, and this is my fourth. My last one was a 2004 Mazdaspeed which was a great car, but this one is even better. The driving dynamics are just sensational with a ride quality that is exceptionally smooth combined with excellent handling. In fact much to my surprise I dont even wish for more horsepower, because the power feels just right for the car. Ive always had a preference for red Miatas, but this time I got the marble white with the brown top and tan interior, and its just a beautiful car which could easily be mistaken for a $100,000 Jaguar. I have now driven over 400,000 in my 4 Miatas and have never gotten stuck. Thank you Mazda!

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  M.A.V. elous - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By islandreamer - August 24 - 4:03 am

  Liked it the first time I saw it. Knowing that underneath its skin it comes from the popular Mazda 3 just reinforced my eagerness to drive and own one. Great looks inside/out. Excellent driving position with available tilt/telescopic steering. Much needed gas mileage rating. This one gets heads turning.

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  Perfect Car for Young Family - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By memazda - August 24 - 2:43 am

  In our opinion there is no better car for a family with young kids and realistic size needs. This is a fun, well thought out and economical car. We love having a manual which is just not an option with most minivans/small SUVs. Also fun to have a car that turns peoples heads! We consider this a station wagon with the added bonuses of seating for six and sliding doors versus thinking of it as a mini-minivan. We have the base model with no added options and it is amazing how much Mazda has packed into this car for such a good price. It is a hard to beat combination.

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  Best Thing On Four Wheels Under 50 Grand - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Dan - August 24 - 1:53 am

  The RX8 is absolutely the best handling car under $50 thousand, bar none (yes, including even the Boxster). It is also the most FUN you can have on four wheels. Ive owned my velocity red RX8 for just over a year. Its great FUN on twisty mountain roads, and with its 106" wheelbase, its an exceedingly comfortable GT for long road trips. The styling is unique and very distinctive (but not eccentric). Ive replaced the 18" stock wheels with BBS CH Plasma Finish ones which gives it a very elegant, "I gotta have it" look. It turns a lot of heads. Say what the "professional" reviewers will, Id buy this car again in a flash before considering a Porsche Cayman at twice the price.

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  Good car after 2 months - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By amoozed - August 24 - 12:10 am

  Quite a nice ride so far. Im averaging 30 mpg 50/50 city/highway. My question for those pushing 40 mph-how do you drive 60 mph on the freeway? I live in San Francisco, CA, and you will literally get run off the road for driving under 70 mph on the freeways here.

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  Practical yet cool SUV - 2009 Mazda CX-9
  By tiruvan - August 22 - 2:42 am

  Let me start by saying that I am not a fan of SUVs. But I got one since every other car on the road is a truck of some sort and in the event of a crash I want my family to be safe. The CX-9 was the only SUV that received 5 stars for front and side crash and 4 star for rollover in ratings. Reliability has been superb so far with regular maintenance. We drove the Pilot, Highlander, MDX as well and hands down the MDX was the best of the 4 but at $10K more than the CX-9 it was expensive. The gas mileage was lower as well. Pilot was too boxy and the highlander costed as much as the MDX (which is lame). After a couple years and 20K miles its still as solid as the first day! Recommended!

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  Great performance and surprising comfort - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Chris - August 21 - 11:33 pm

  I work out of my car so I wanted something that was comfortable and had good cargo room, but was also fun to drive. Looked at the Matrix and Impreza, but they felt cheap compared to the Mazda. Plenty of room in the hatchback with the seats down for all my cargo. The interior is really comfortable, I can spend all day in and out of the car and still feel great. My drive is 70% city 30% highway and with a light foot, Im averaging about 27 mpg. It takes discipline though as the car is so much fun to drive fast. Its smooth on the highway, a blast in the curves, and nimble in parking lots. On a rough road there is some road noise, but no more then my 2007 Accord had. I love this car!