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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  Piece of Crap - 1998 Mazda 626
  By Chris in Austin - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Since buying this marvel of technology weve had the transmission die at 60,000, the front axel brake, the drive chain fall off, the fuel sensor die causing us to loose all acceleration power while driving on the highway, and a recent intermittent ABS failure. If it werent for an extended warranty, we would have cut our loses long ago. I would like to add that the many other cars weve owned in our lives (no other mazdas) have not had these problems.

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  Worst Car I have ever owned - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By Jops - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Riddled with problems. Built-in fogging problems, rattle ,visor,alignment, etc. Buy this if you want headache. Expect to visit the dealor a lot for warranty repairs.

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  Dont buy it! - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By dudesk - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Ive had to the car into the dealership once a month since I purchased for various problems with the brakes and the check the engine light.

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  DO NOT BUY! - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By POSRX8 - October 13 - 5:33 am

  i bought the car 10 months ago. It has been in the shop for over 60 days total so far. It gets horrible gas mileage; I have never got better than 15 miles to the gallon. It burns through oil like crazy. mMy car has had 3 engines in 10 months! Mazda has replaced and paid for everything because there is a bigger problem with their engines that they dont want to get out, Im smelling major RECALL! Not reliable at all, uncomfortable seats, very slow off the line. Do not buy this car, because if you have the same problems and try to pursue the lemon law like i am, Mazda will just ignore you and not return your phone calls, so do not buy this car!

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  Crappy Vehicle...dont buy one - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Greig - October 2 - 11:10 pm

  This has been the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I tell everyone to stay away from it. Poor Quality Interior, lots of mechanical problems, terrible gas mileage. The dealership I have been using has no competent technicians - parts have fallen off after servicing. Will be going Honda or Toyota next time.

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  great value and fun - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By tommy dee - September 10 - 2:00 am

  The 2002 Mazda Protege ES was purchased for my 17 year old daughter to accomodate her senior year in high school and evenutally her college years. The family agreed the looks of the Protoge were greatly imporved in 2000 and the tight handling of the car was a welcomed break from our SUVs and other mid-sized vehicles like a Chryslers Sebring Coupe. The interior room is very comfortable and looks great. For an economy car loaded up with a moonroof/side airbags has only some common features missing compared to higher priced cars - no trunk remote and useable console armrest. This is off-set by getting a fun sporty ride and its stunning front end styling.

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  Engine Failure CX7 @ 70K miles - 2008 Mazda CX-7
  By ruby23 - August 7 - 12:04 pm

  We bought a Certified CX7 2008. A year and a half later the car is completely giving out. We take MAJOR care of all our cars with Synthetic Oil, so when they told us it was due to "Sludge" it was definitely a slap in the face. The engine needs to be replaced at only 70k miles. We talked to a mechanic and he told us that the turbo overhearts the engine turning everything into sludge and even melting it. Although we have a platinum coverage, the insurance is doing everything they can to blame it on us. Ive been looking at reviews and it seems ALOT of you are having or had the same issues! Its horrible to keep paying for a car whose engine dies of its own malfunction. Its time Mazda owns up!

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  Stay away from this Car and all following years - 2007 Mazda CX-9
  By Anthony Chestnut - November 5 - 4:25 pm

  I got the 2007 as a used car 2013. i purchased this car from a dealership and they perform no working on the car. I had to give the car a full check up from my pocket. I had to change the tires. I can understand these situations but when you hear about. Now I am hearing the Mazda dealer ship they have to check the suspension and the same day the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened investigation into suspension it starts to make you wonder if Mazda is hiding something. It seems like they are selling a lemon hear. http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/feds-probe-2007-08-mazda-cx-9-after-suspension-complaints.html

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  I will never buy another Mazda - 2000 Mazda MPV
  By Chris - October 14 - 6:33 am

  I have taken my Mazda to the dealer 3 times because it will not keep running when it is cold.Gave the dealer $300.00 to fix it and it is still broken - now they want another $250.00 to replace a part that they think may be bad. And the AC has died ever summer. And it cost about $200.00 every summer to get it fixed. I custom ordered it from the dealer new in 2000.

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  This self biodegradable rust - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By monsieurmarc1 - May 29 - 3:53 am

  This self biodegradable rust and so we do not see the rust when it is too late, its awful, if you see surfaces with rosettes loan goest indicating the rear wheels of rust, the outline of wheels it is too later. One year after the car is good for parts, water ready drivers foot hole in the floor and in the trunk, too rusty to be repaired and this morning the windshield broke the rusty structure was break the fast, the car is good for parts, total loss caused by rust, the vehicle design is the cause it destroys itself, can resist the normal duration of a vehicle in a Canadian winter , calcium and abrasive on the roads