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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  5 yrs & 50K miles - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By Lynda Marie - August 27 - 4:43 pm

  Bought new and still love the van. None of the problems some others on this site seem to have; just new tires, oil changes and recommended maint. Still getting 20 mpg in town and about 25-26 hwy. (Yes, I do drive it nicely - most of the time.) Excellent size for running around town and adequate storage space for trips.

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  Millennium ED - 2000 Mazda Millenia
  By Clint - August 26 - 7:23 am

  I bought the car 4 months ago at 50,000 miles. The most comfortable car with a really decent amount of performance. I love the car more than ever but I have been worried about letting the mileage stack up. It is such a unique car you want to retain possession of it but dont want anything to go wrong with the 2.3 miller cycle engine. The only people that can work on it is the dealer. Any other place will mess up your engine or charge you a lot more cause they dont realize its a somewhat experimental engine. All this said you CANNOT find this amount of luxury, performance, and good looks for the price you can currently buy these for. Try like crazy to find one low miles with a clean history.

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  The affordable practical sports car - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By DavidS - August 25 - 11:43 pm

  Handling compares favorably with the RX-7 I used to have. Heater is incredibly fast. Get leather with heated seats and you will never touch cloth again. Makes my 80 mile daily commute very pleasant. Some say its small, but I prefer a tighter, sportscar-like cabin. Most Americans like to sit in a cave when they drive, I guess.

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  BAD TIRES! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By nlhjacob - August 24 - 9:30 pm

  Bought this car because it had extra seats and fair mpg...in comparison to others w/ extra seating. The tires are awful! Should not be on this car. They were replaced at 19,000 miles. Got new ones, rotated once, took in to rotate again and was told that they cant be rotated because my rims are bent and that would cause steering wheel vibration (to be worse than it already is). Rims get bent from potholes because the low profile tires on this car do not protect the rims. The tires/rims on this Mini-Van make this car a very bad purchase. If regular tires were on it, it would be a pretty good car, but theyre not so it is a very big mistake to buy a 5. Itll keep on costing you money!

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  great little cuv cx5 - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By tdhun7 - August 23 - 2:59 pm

  I bought my mazda cx5 2014 GT/Tech package a month ago and im loving it, Fun to drive, performance wise, more than enough power to handle any terrain,and it handles absolutely great...only issue that i have is road noise and cup holder is awkward...but they were just minor issues...

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  Very happy. Exceeding MPG estimates. - 2009 Mazda Mazda6
  By Rick in NC - August 22 - 10:50 pm

  So glad after 5 months I chose this car. I got the i touring 2.5L auto, with the convenience package. The only thing that made me hesitant was the gas mileage. I am consistently averaging 28 mpg per tank. I dont do any stop and go driving, but not much highway either. I got over 32 mpg on one long trip. Mileage suffers about 10- 15% if you go over 70 mpg. All the other positives the editors discuss hold true. Roomy, comfortable, GREAT handling. Blindspot monitoring option is very helpful. No regrets what so ever. I was looking at the Altima, Altima Hybrid, Camry and Accord and am glad I chose the Mazda6!

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  High tech traditional sports car - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By cactusrose - August 22 - 8:16 pm

  A sports car. Rear wheel drive, light snick-snick gear box and a hunger for the twisties. And you get to check the oil, and warm it up before buzzing the engine, just like an old Triumph. Yet if you know how to look after a rotary, unlike an old Triumph this car is tediously reliable, at least it has been for me. The car has a slightly overdone exterior, but draw your own conclusions on the looks. Yet from a practical perspective the interior is like the Tardis (check with a British friend for the definition of Tardis) and very well finished. I wasnt going to buy a car like this, but one test drive had me hooked. I havent looked back - buy this car!

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  High Quality on a Budget - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By MTWnSTL - August 21 - 9:03 pm

  I just traded in my 2000 Eclipse GT V6 (loaded) for a brand new 2008 Mazda 3 Grand Touring (even more fully loaded). The dealership checked every box, including navigation, sunroof, and the Bose multi-changer cd. The fit and finish in this car is hard to beat in the class and price range. Everything about this car is high quality. So far, in my first 500 miles, I havent found anything to dislike. I was worried about "trading down" from a sports car, but I think Ive really come out on the winning end with performance, economy, and an upscale interior with all of the amenities one could want.

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  Great Car - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By aiseop - August 21 - 8:05 am

  I bought it new and had to let it go when my son was born. Owned it for 56K miles. Never had any problems with it. I commuted from NJ to CT every three days and the car was very comfortable, excelled well on I-95 and the Merrit Pkwy, and had great fuel economy. No complaints. Would have kept it forever, however, the rear seats, once my son moved beyond the infant car-seat stage, became too small. Great for a couple or if you have older children in front-facing booster seats. Miss the car!

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  Undervalued and Awesome - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By 2010mazda3 - August 21 - 6:00 am

  I purchased my Mazda 3 two months ago over the Honda Civic. The gas mileage is a little lower but the power difference is amazing. The car feels like it should be valued at about $10000 more than the sticker. So far I love it.