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 my Mazda5! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By NJ Mom - August 14 - 12:20 pm

  The Mazda5 drives like a car, has the storage capacity of our old gas guzzling Explorer when you fold all the seats flat in the 2nd & 3rd rows, and has the convenience of an ugly minivan with the sliding doors and 3rd row seats. Its larger than the Toyota Matrix but smaller and infinitely more attractive than the typical minivan. Its a great little car!

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  A Winner! - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By MPVer in Michigan - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Did my research. Honda was our second choice, but the interier was too boring and the vehicle was bigger than we needed/wanted. The MPV was the perfect fit. Size and features are very nice and the price very competive. I didnt want a van, but now I love it!

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  getting old, bought a mini-van. - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By dadof2 - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Had planned on buying a Nissan "Quest" GLE, but the MPV ES blew it out of the water in all aspects except for the onboard entertainment system. Have been a loyal Nissan owner with (2) Pathfinder SEs and a "Hardbody" P/U, but the MPV has changed all that.

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  P5 - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By pwn - August 14 - 10:00 am

  This is a super fine car for the money. I think I paid about 19,000 fully loaded. It turns heads even on Miami Beach where everyone has a fine car. Only thing this car needs is more horsepower. Other than that it beats spending $30,000 on a BMW 3 series that everyone has.

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  Solid and Reliable - 2007 Mazda Mazda6
  By Juan - August 13 - 5:16 pm

  I bought this car new in June 2007. Now its Feb 2010 and 45,000 miles later I only have praise for this car. Solid and Reliable. I bough new tires at 40k and also a new battery at around 34k. Other than that, I have never taken this car to the shop. Still rides and looks like new. I would buy it again. I have owned a couple other new cars before, and they all had minor problems after 2 years (power windows broken, gas pump failure, etc). Not this one. The quality of this car is superb.

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  How a Family Sedan Should Be - 2014 Mazda Mazda6
  By rhagel - August 12 - 9:02 am

  Impressive performance, good looks, reliable, great fuel economy not to mention value priced and extremely fun to drive. I almost dont have to say more. This is such a great car. My 4th Mazda and I keep coming back! Ive had the car for just over a month, but my job keeps me on the road with about 3,300 miles on the odometer. My commute requires some light traffic, rolling San Diego hills and speeds of about 75-80 and am consistently seeing 34 mpg having fun passing cars along the way. Its comfortable, has a great interior and the engine and transmission combo is oh so smooth... Hands down, you will not find an overall better value in this segment. Hesitating to buy? Do it!

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  Wonderfull car - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By wilfred5 - August 12 - 5:36 am

  I have owned this car for 6 months and have put 12000 miles on it so far. The car is fun to drive, has wonderful power and gets reasonable gas mileage. My wife exclaims "I love this car" everytime she gets into it. The only concern we have is that two of the tires had too much wear for the mileage but these are being replaced under warrantee. I would recommend this car.

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  Fun Car, but too many problems - 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By B Love - August 11 - 6:55 pm

  Soft top replaced twice. Transmission replaced twice due to gears breaking (yes - they break). Both are known problems with TSBs, and the transmission failure will leave you stranded. But, the biggest is that the master brake cylinder failed in traffic. I could have been killed as the car wouldnt stop at a traffic light. The car is fun when it works, but significant problems will strand you (transmission failure) or kill you (master brake cylinder failure). All of the above occurred before 5000 miles and the car was not driven hard. Sold the car at a huge lost, but am glad to be alive.

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  Im Hooked! - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Wayne - August 11 - 5:26 pm

  Only had it about 10 days, but I cant get out of it. Hardly had the top up. Great little machine! Superb handling and driveabaility. Body style is eye-catching and gets lots of stares and compliments. Engine performance is excellent for a 2 liter 4 and is more entertaining than any car I have ever owned. Very responsive.

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  Just simply a great little truck! - 2003 Mazda Truck
  By da_funk - August 10 - 10:00 am

  I have had my B4000 for a year now and I cant say enough good things about it. After I did a few things such as performance exhaust, K&N filter, raised the torsion bars, tinted front windows, and a Tornado (not sure about that one...but hey, why not give it a try...), the truck runs and looks great! From road trips to 4-Wheeling in Moab, this thing does it all. I am finally getting about 18 MPG HWY which I think is acceptable...but still not great. Plus, I had to put all that junk in to get it....but the power is there so I cant complain! Definitely a solid alternative to anything out there!