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:

• 

  Anticipation was worth it! - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By wpavlik2 - January 1 - 3:56 am

  I have wanted one of these cars since I saw the first sneek peek in Motor Trend over 2 years ago! First impressions are that it has me grinning from ear to ear each time I get in it. I know the fuel economy stinks, but thats OK. I didnt buy an economy car, I bought a sports car. Insurance costs are only slightly more than the car it replaced. (Mitsubishi Galant) You wont regret it!

• 

  Very good value - 2007 Mazda Mazda6
  By Happy _overall - December 31 - 12:50 am

  I bought the 4-cyl, 5-speed Value Edition after driving a 4-cyl Altima for 7 years. The value is unbeatable, it looks great, excellent handling, good gas mileage. The interior is good, with a number of features I did not expect at this price. Front seats are very supportive. The ride is stiff but not harsh. The engine is not as responsive as Altimas, and does not feel as strong. Another complaint is somewhat short gearing, the engine is close to 3k revs at 60 mph; it gets buzzy at higher speeds and MPG suffers. The stereo sounds great, but there is occasional static on FM stations; this did not happen in any other car.

• 

  Mazda 3 Hatch - 2013 Mazda Mazda3
  By tuckerk801 - December 29 - 1:14 pm

  This car is amazing, it is fun to drive and gets excellent gas mileage. Glad when mazda built a gas miser they didnt forget their roots of zoom-zoom!

• 

  little blue devil! - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By monk - December 29 - 4:00 am

  Everything in the car is great. : ) i give it an A++++++. i traded my Honda Accord for this bad boy. Its handling is superb and gas mileage is great; interior is like driving a BMW. I recommend this car to everybody.

• 

  Initial review: Great! - 2013 Mazda CX-9
  By syndic8r - December 29 - 2:04 am

  I shopped around and looked at a number of reviews and test drove a number of vehicles before deciding on the CX-9 Grand Touring Tech to replace my 04 Highlander. Great vehicle for the price. The ride is very nice and although the 20s do make the ride a tad rougher (as reviewers have said), overall the ride is more than acceptable. Vehicle has good power, which is helpful as I live in a hilly area. Gas mileage is right at 18 in a mix of city and highway driving short distances each day Finish is great, quiet, tech package is very good and easy to operate. Very happy with the car.

• 

  Good car minus the navigation - 2013 Mazda CX-9
  By skgpo3 - December 27 - 1:57 pm

  I have owned this car for two years now. I got it when I had two kids I now have 3. Overall we have run out of room. My 65 husband puts either the driver or passenger seat all the way back causing cramping in the 2nd and third row. It creates constant fights with my kids as they then both adjust their seats trying to get more room. You cant fit 3 car seats across the 2nd row. I can barely do a Costco run with 1/2 a third row up. The navigation is horrific and always freezes leaving me to pull over and enter my destination in my cell. My husband hates my navigation and refuses to use it. When it does work, the directions are not great.

• 

  My 6 - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By Happy 6 Owner - December 27 - 1:16 pm

  Since Ive only had my 6 two months, I cant say how well it will last or whether or not itll break down at the least opportune moment. I can say, however, that its been a blast to drive it. The handling is very nice, and the color is fantastic (I have blazing copper metallic - very cool). I love the leather seats, and my parents love the "wall of airbags" and steering wheel mounted controls. One negative thing Ive noticed is that it takes awhile for it to really accelerate (I think that its due to the automatic transmission - it has to be pushing the gears to the edge before it shifts). Everything else about the car I love - it is my first car, after all.

• 

  My New Mazda 3 Sport 5 Door - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By Andy - December 26 - 6:10 pm

  I recently purchased a Mazda 3 5 Door Sport after leasing a Honda Accord for the past three years. This car is GREAT! I had a couple friends recommend it and after the test drive I knew it was the car for me. Its got great styling, good fuel economy, and is fun to drive. The Sport version is loaded with a ton of standard features that were upgrades on other cars I looked at. The 2.3L engine has plenty of power both off the line as well as to get up and go on the highway. I went for the automatic (for my wife) but the manual shift option performs very similar to a manual transmission, giving you a little more control. All-in-all I am fully satisfied and would recommend this car!!

• 

  A new car - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Haihu - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I just bought a automatic protege this july. I like it. The internal space is big enought to make me comfort. Mint in steering and braking. However, when I use cruise control at 70 mile/hour, the engine is at 3100 rpm. A little worried about that since the other cars (civic, sentra and corolla) only need 2600 rpm to maintain the speed.

• 

  Whoo Hoo - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By KellyK - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Great Fun sar. Better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow ... but this car is not slow. Had it for 6 weeks and have not driven it with the top up yet! Snug fit but thats part of the fun. It was the Miata or the MINI Cooper S. When I thought about reliability, (top down) fun factor and styling the Miata won. Ive got a minivan for the 2 kids. This is a Sports Car.