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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  best car of its class, maybe other class as well - 2011 Mazda Mazda3
  By gothamquan - July 6 - 11:28 pm

  bought my self this Mazda 3 and just loving it. the look, handling, everthing about it is great. this is actually a COOL car to drive and to look at. interior is much better than a lot of more expensive cars. exteior also polished! it is a cool car for cool people. it is not a car that tries to be cool. ( corolla s and civic) anyway, very happy with purchase. at last, great price!

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  Lexus?? - 2009 Mazda Mazda6
  By Cookie - July 6 - 6:13 pm

  I totaled out my 07 Mazda CX-7 and fell in love with the 2009 6 after test driving one. I purchased an i touring and have no regrets with the 4 cyl. The styling of this car is amazing. The car has been mistaken for a Lexus three times. This is the best car I have ever driven. There is tons of room for the family and you never feel like you sacrificed style or performance. If you are looking for a great performing, look at me style vehicle for a great price, this is the car for you. Great job Mazda!!!

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  Im lovin it.... - 2009 Mazda Mazda6
  By mark - July 6 - 4:56 pm

  From the date of purchase I loved this car and the way it handles, it thrills me whenever I drive this car on the highway to find out how fast it can accelerate with little effort.

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  Imperfect for all the right reasons! - 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Captain Flounder - July 6 - 4:35 am

  Looking for a great convertible that makes no pretenses about being anything else? Look no further. The 2016 Mazda Miata is a rolling smile factory. Quick enough with limits low enough you can exploit them daily. Try to say that about an exotic sports car. You cant. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. It is loud. It is cramped. There is little space for anything. In the end, it doesnt matter. The car is just fun. Mazda knows convertibles. The heater can probably melt lead. The seat heat works quickly. You can drive this in any weather. It has all the convenience features you need like bluetooth and USBs but nothing is state of the art. Who cares when the top is down and youre driving briskly through curvy roads? Well done Mazda! Updated with just over 5000 miles: Ive used the vehicle as a daily driver now for over six months. My only true aggravation is the lane departure warning system. It is EXTREMELY sensitive even when set to its least sensitive setting. If you turn it off, you have to deal with an annoying light on the instrument panel. If you pack smartly with flexible luggage, you can get a fair amount in the trunk. Bluetooth works well even with the top down and driving at highway speeds. That was a little bit of a surprise. And the car is still loud. When you start it, youll think a window is cracked. But in reality, none of this matters because the car is engaging to drive. Id buy one again in a second! Updated with 10000 miles: Still love the car. It is still loud and impractical. No mechanical issues and gas mileage continues to be ~ 35mpg in mixed driving (and I do not baby the throttle). Aside from wishing it had a wee bit more leg room, not too much else to complain about. Buy one; you wont regret it!

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  Very Happy - 2010 Mazda Mazda6
  By Lynn K - July 5 - 9:53 am

  I bought the Mazda 6 after quickly falling out of love with my 2009 Hyundai Tucson. I owned the Tucson for only 9 months (that was long enough). I loved the styling of the Mazda 6 inside and out. I like my model (the Touring Plus) because it has the blind side monitoring and the underside of the door handles light up when you unlock the car at night. The interior is solid and designed nicely. The exterior is sleek and good looking. My only complaint would be the acceleration being somewhat sluggish when starting from a stopped position. If I had to do all over again, I would absolutely buy this car again. I highly recommend it.

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  Two weeks in a Mazda 6 - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By olddriver1933 - July 4 - 10:00 am

  Rented a Mazda 6 for two weeks and traveled mountains and plains in Montana, Yellowstone and Idaho.The automatic with manual shift option came in handy in the mountains. As a four cylinder it strained a bit on steeper inclines, but otherwise buzzed along at 80 mph with ease on Interstates and 75 on ordinary roads. But the car is quiet and quick and well worth considering although less refined than my Accord.

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  Excellent vehicle - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Ed Weissman - July 2 - 4:30 pm

  Not only is this car a head-turner, its the most fun to drive vehicle Ive ever owned. Combine this with decent gas mileage (yes, there are economy cars with better mileage, but but they also have less low end torque). The auto trans is extremely smooth, the handling tight without being go-kartish, the suspension taut but still comfortable enough for highway driving.

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  go with 6-cylinder - 2002 Mazda 626
  By zymur - July 2 - 2:00 am

  Originally had a 4-cylinder and traded up to a 6- cylinder.Lots of pep and STILL get 26+ miles per gallon! ( Even when driving at 80MPH!) Have over 63,000 miles and my wife has over 83,000 miles on her same model with no problems on either car.

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  love this car!!!!! - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Edward - June 30 - 8:13 am

  just purchased my 3 yesterday, dealership approximately 60 miles from my home, loved the ride back, very comfortable, feels like youre driving a BMW, looks like a 325i from a distance, the car looks really expensinve, interior is beautiful, shoppped around for about 8 other cars but this one kept jumping at me, finally decided to shop for this car, once i test drove it, I WAS SOLD !!!!

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  a better compact car - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By good car - June 29 - 12:03 am

  Well my wife decided on the mazda 3. I believe it suits a female pretty good, although Ive been driving the heck out of it lately(62 220lbs). It surely beats my jeeps(11-13MPG) getting on average 29-31 MPG. Its peppy with plenty of commuting power, not a race car though. Very comfortable and very stylish inside. Overall its a very good car to own and drive. Although Ive been leaning towards the hybrids-45-50MPG. Im commuting on average 200 miles a day with the mazda 3...OUCH!!! I strongly believe this car gets above average MPG for a car this size and non-hybrid.