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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  My first Mazda - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By superddawg - September 26 - 12:23 pm

  Wow, this car is fun to drive! I can definitely tell a power difference between it and some other cars at which I was looking. I cant believe the acceleration from a 4-cylinder engine! I also enjoy being able to change to manual shifting for winding roads. It is also a plus for cruising on the Interstate when approaching a big hill ... just drop it down into 4th gear and theres no loss of speed. I am impressed with how quiet the engine and road noise are at 80 MPH. In addition, the extra storage space will come in handy after the after market stereo and speakers are installed. This was a big problem with my previous car ... I lost all of my trunk space. The headlights are awesome!

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  Commuters Dream - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By TOMKAT50 - September 25 - 11:03 pm

  Wanted a ride for my 60 mile commute to work thats fun to drive, looks good and gets good mileage. 10K miles later no regrets. Handles fantastic, solid on highway, excellent brakes, good quality interior with nice layout, decent stereo, comfortable seats and driving position. Around 36 MPG, and lots of looks even for a 50 year old guy like me.

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  Mazda6 Sportwagon - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By Bruce - September 25 - 9:33 pm

  Comfortable and sporty - much more fun to drive than my old Odyssey (but I miss the extra seats). Winter driving has been a pleasant surprise - the traction control really works. Factory finishes are good - Michelin tires, leather interior, etc. No problems in 14,000 km of driving. A very reasonable ($50) dealer service. The only "shortcoming" is with cruise control - accelerating with the steering wheel button often causes the transmission to kick down to a lower gear rather than simply accelerating in 5th. Fuel economy is not as good as expected but it runs fine on regular gas - something that cant be said for a lot of the other cars I considered.

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  Great car for the money - 2012 Mazda Mazda5
  By joelb57 - September 25 - 7:23 pm

  We enjoy the 2012 Grand Touring Mazda5. It is quick & nimble, seats 6 comfortably, and although not fast, still provides ample pickup. 70% of our driving is hwy, 30% city - - we avg about 25mpg. Seats provide good support & decent leg room. Heating and A/C are good. Fit/finish is excellent and opening/closing sliding doors is a breeze. Interior is well laid out although headliner and visors feel somewhat cheap. Seating is fine for 4 adults + 2 children although space beyond 3rd seat is limited. Nice ride although some air noise is detectable at hwy speeds. Excellent vehicle for the money - would recommend. Biggest plus is its fun to drive! We got a great deal through truecars.com

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  PROTEGE 5 STILL A WINNER - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By mustangleader - September 25 - 2:40 pm

  I have written a couple of reviews. Bought new in May 2002. Reviews stating car is bad, guessing that either bought car used, abuse it driving or in bad weather areas. Im in So Cal. Runs great after 195,000 miles. Only a fuel pump at 80,000 and a new alternator recently. Normal maintenance. Still original clutch. Thats reliability. Drives like a go kart in twisties gets 31 highway 24-25 in town. Combine: 27 mpg. Complaints light bulbs burning out 2 often - its bulb holder the problem, not bulb. Just drove 2011 Mazda 2 selling 4 what I paid 4 PR5, no comparison. 2 slower/smaller. Tested Honda Fit, sits 2 high. Not as fun 2 drive. Also smaller. 2 bad Mazda stopped making PR5.

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  mazda3 by Katie - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By jeromy - September 25 - 11:53 am

  A totally great little car. Mine is a stick shift and its my first car. Easy and fun to drive. The only thing that was a little weak was the horn. It was like a circus clowns car. My Dad changed it for an Air Horn like a Ferrari.

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  Great little car! - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Sam - September 24 - 6:13 pm

  I love my Pro 5. The only aspect I would change is the headroom. I am 6 tall and I like to keep the seat bottom a little higher for better visibility. Mine has a sunroof, which decreases the headroom a bit, so Im right at the roof. Of course, I wouldnt mind a little more HP and better gas mileage, but I think it is a good balance. Ive found the interior transporting capacity to be surprisingly large with the back seats folded all the way down. The seats arent the most comfortable, but the leather feels good and has been durable so far. The ride is a little firm, but with the low profile tires, this helps offset the smallish HP when turning and maneuvering.

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  A Great Car for a Great Price - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By Tick131 - September 24 - 7:30 am

  I recently purchased a Mazda 6 at the beginning of this year after an accident left my Honda Civic totaled. I looked at Pontiac G6s, Hyundai Tiburons, Civics, a Lexus and even BMW to replace my beloved Honda. After testing a BMW 325, I discovered a Mazda6 sitting on the lot, intrigued by its designed I took it for a drive, and was blown away. Id never thought to even look at Mazda, but this had exactly what I wanted: great looks, great equipment (almost fully loaded), great handling & performance, and a value I couldnt pass. The manual is much sloppier than my Civic, but feels like a rocket ship despite its competitions better numbers.

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  Great Everyday Car - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By mustangleader - September 23 - 7:00 pm

  This is the best overall car I have owned for everyday use. I just purchased 2007 Speed3 with turbo which is obviouly a faster car. However, I like the PR5 because it drives like a go-kart. Original power was good but added a turbo muffler, cold air intake and had the computer reprogammed. Total cost was $800 which was well spent. I have plenty of power to pass on So Cal highways. I have 143,000, same clutch and only water pump had to be replaced. With slight modifications which I did, the car is great: fun to drive with its cornering ability, highway over 32 mpg if I keep the speed under 80. A great, dependable fun car. Speed3 is faster, but PR5 is easier to drive.

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  Excellent Auto - 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Bud-man - September 23 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Have had it for one year and with no problems of any kind. More fun to drive than you could imagine. Cant drive it with the top down without getting comments from other drivers on how great it looks. But the performance is amazing - it handles curves like a dream - at 120 mph. it feels the same as 60 mph. - the milage is pretty good at around 35 highway and 30 city. If you are considering buying a Miata, by all means dont overlook the Boss stereo system, best system I have ever heard (and I am 60 yrs. old by the way and have heard my share of systems). I give it a big thumbs up.