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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  Hot Car - 2016 Mazda CX-9
  By ES - December 21 - 9:00 pm

  My wife and I traded a 2014 CX-5 for a 2016 CX-9. The vehicle is outstanding in all respects except for one glaring and unforgivable fault. The air conditioning system is woefully inadequate. The car has been to the dealer twice and I have been told that there is no fix possible. It is an engineering fault. That said, Mazda Corp tells me that it is within specs. This cannot be true as the air temp wont blow any colder than 54 degrees. According to my research air conditioning should blow between 40-45 degrees. In the hot humid summers of central Kentucky the cab is stiffling and is barely adequate on even 75 degree fall days. I dont care about all the other wonderful attributes of the vehicle. If its not comfortable in the cab, then to me it is worthless. Since experiencing this problem, I have found one review that gives the CX-9 rave reviews but found themselves "roasting" on a 80 deg day. They hoped that this was not a problem with other vehicles. I sincerely regret buying this vehicle and am in the process of trying to get a buy-back. Heed my warning. Mazda Corp has not been cooperative.

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  Mazda owner - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By sylvia - December 14 - 10:03 pm

  My Mazda at first take off, feels like Im riding over rocks in the road. Ive always liked the body of the Mazda cx-7, but the interior isnt as roomy as Id like and I also wanted the interior to be cloth, but not the kind that if drop something on it it would be difficult to clean. The gas mileage I was hoping it would be better than 19 in town. The handling of the car around curve is very stiff and feels very dangerous to me and driving in the rain is very dangerous to me as well, it doesnt handle on the road very well in the rain.

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  Dont Do It - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By Joe - December 3 - 5:03 pm

  Heres the thing: The transmission is a joke. It constantly wants to downshift on interstate hills to jerk your neck out of joint. Then at low speeds it has an abupt upshift and it feel like someone has rear-ended you. Did I mention that the fuel economy stinks? I didnt? Well, it does. Did I mention I had body rust in the fourth year? Im an angry white MPV owner, man. Good thing they quit making this bomb.

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  2008 mazda cx9 Grand touring awd - 2008 Mazda CX-9
  By tcm - November 27 - 11:03 pm

  Dont do it. This car was fine for the first 18,000 miles. But now it has all kinds of electrical problems. TCS light, BCM light, engine coolant light all flash on and off. First time was told it was brake booster, 2nd time same thing, they replaced BCM module, 3rd time, there still working on it. Horn stopped working, since been fixed but now has been beeping for no reason. Doors wouldnt lock or unlock. Faulty wiring. Keeps getting worse.

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  Would not buy again - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Halfaford - November 26 - 12:30 pm

  Replaced the turbo after 16,000 miles & brake rotors cut down at 17,000. All covered under warranty but still shouldnt happen. Gas mileage is TERRIBLE. As long as the turbo doesnt kick in (which w/the 4 cyl. it always does) Im getting 12.5 MPG. This is NOT a car for aggressive drivers! Doesnt handle well on corners, lots of roll. With Premium gas only, I spend $400+ a month just driving to work. (6 days at 70 MPD)Trading it in after a year!

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  GOT A LEMON - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By jnetk - November 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought a new 2004 Tribute LX on Thursday and had to be towed to the dealership the following Tuesday. With only 340 miles on it - it has to have a new transmission. The dealership had to call the engineers in California to find out what was wrong. Ive now been without it for 8 days. The dealership is real nice and is furnishing me a rental car but oooooh I wish I had my 1999 Ford Taurus back! (duh! I traded IT in) Theres no telling how long I will be without it. Im sick!!!

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  Wanna Be Honda/Toyota - 1999 Mazda 626
  By nv888 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car w/22K miles. Drove it from SF, to LA, San Diego, and back and forth from SF to Seattle 4 times. I never felt safe in this tin can. The fan belt broke on me, the pass.wind stopped working, the CD broke after 60K, and the transmission always made me nervous. I gave it to my sister 2 years ago and bought a LexusGS300 (which ive had problems) The car is reliable,cheap transportation, but Id never concider it again.Turning radius SUCKS. Parking in dwntn Seattle and SF is embarassing. Go for the real thing. Accord or Camery This car leans so badly on turns, no ABS and brakes SUCK.Pwr Ant.broke. Problems after 60+K miles

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  Mazda Is Horrible In Snow - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Scott Mayer - November 3 - 3:40 pm

  I would be happy with my Mazda if it werent horrible in the snow and ice - absolutely ZERO traction. And the braking system they have in it is awful as well - loud and unnerving.

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  Average car for below average cost - 2005 Mazda MPV
  By leprofd - October 27 - 5:03 am

  You get what you pay for. The ride is harsh and the space limited for a minivan but if you compare with small to mid size wagon and have only one or two children to transport, then its an OK vehicle with a few extras for a limited budget. The model is discontinued and for good reasons. If you can live with the limitations you should get great deals from eager dealers. Just do not expect a Sienna or an Odyssey.

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  So Disappointed!! - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Annie - October 23 - 8:33 pm

  Was so excited when I got a great deal on this car. I have been disappointed on the performance since that day. I am averaging 15-16 miles per gallon, and It takes premium gas!! Ouch!! The car feels like its trying too hard all the time. The transmission light has come on twice now, and they are upgrading a computer as I write this review. Lets see what happens. Also no outside temperature on the Sport model. Whats with that??