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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  Nice car, fun to drive - 2006 Mazda Tribute
  By Hasan - March 27 - 4:36 pm

  I have the car for a month now. I had a long trip from L.A. to the Grand Canyon. Very powerful with 5 people inside and full luggage including on the top and we had no problem of driving uphill in any speed on the mountains. However over 70 (speed limit in AZ is 75), gas mileage drops 20mpg on highway.

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  Immensely fun - 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Jack Pyle - March 27 - 2:51 pm

  Acceleration and cornering make this an amazingly fun car to drive. It is totally impractical as far as storage is concerned: no glove box or door slots for maps, trunk will hold one carry on and a small tote bag. But who cares? Zoom, zoom. I love the blind spot monitoring and rear warnings of cars behind when backing up. Its comfort is tops. I love it more and more as I drive it.

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  impressive throughout - 2003 Mazda Truck
  By Awesome truck - March 27 - 10:00 am

  This fall I purchaced a new b4000 from a mazda dealer new in town. I was very impressed with the way I was treated to begin with. The truck is everything and then some that I expected out of a truck. The 207hp engine mated to a 5 speed automatic transmission is pure performance. Gas milage is decent considering the vechicle. Build and design both interior and exterior is superior compaired to any other truck in its class. Im very Very happy with my purchace

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  Zoom Zoom in this sporty mini-van - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By Turp - March 27 - 10:00 am

  We never considered a mini-van before. We were headed for a mini-SUV but got side tracked on mini-vans. This van is sporty . It is well designed and with alot of bang for the buck. It rides and handles great on a suspension that is sure and sporty while quietly soaking up the bumps. The engine is very quiet has very good power and torque. The interior has ample room and is nicely flexable. With this on the market why consider a 2WD suv.

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  2002 MPV - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By Steveeee - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned my 2002 MPV for 4 months and love it. I considered every minivan and ended up with the MPV for its sporty look, feel and drive, considering its a minivan. Its smaller and easier to maneuver for my wife and handles better than any minivan out there.

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  sweet spot - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By Vincent DeLeo - March 27 - 1:46 am

  Im a proud owner of the rx8,I only wish it had more off the line,but i guess you cant get much out of the tiny engine,but let me tell you my sweet spot,getting on an exit ramp in 3 gear,hitting the gas to my 9000 redline,wow its really a sweet spot,your doing 40 off the ramp and before you know it your doing 90,ill tell you one thing for such a tiny little engine,it really can move.I got my car in august of 03,i was one of the first ones to have it.since then theres been a few recalls,and a few quarts of oil added,but hey,get this bad boy supercharged,and im trading this one in,yeah baby,i cant wait for that to come out,and we all no it will.

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  Great Car! - 2010 Mazda CX-7
  By Anita - March 27 - 1:23 am

  Purchased the cx7 just before New Years after much research with Crossovers. Couldnt beat the financing deal offered at that time which was probably the decision maker. This car is fun to drive with decent gas mileage. Wish the back seat had some more room. It is tight even putting items down on the floor behind the front seats at times & when putting down the back seats to load something large in the back hatch the front seats always need to be adjusted up for the back seats to go down flat. Just a little tight back there. A little more window space would be nice to in the back seats. People say its dark and tight when riding back there.

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  Upbeat Mazda 3 - 2014 Mazda Mazda3
  By vonpeter - March 25 - 2:41 pm

  Mazda has done something weird and wonderful with their Skyactiv technology. This car drives like a diesel: lots of torque, changes gears quickly, and sports spectacular fuel consumption. I get why it was nominated for car of the year. I felt the Corolla was like driving something front another era, another world compared to the Mazda-3.

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  Love my car!! - 2010 Mazda CX-7
  By brook - March 25 - 8:46 am

  I really love this car! I saw the CX- 7 and loved it! It drives really well and is fun, too. It has all the bells and whistles you could need - Telescoping wheel, outside temp gauge, avg. mpg and speed and much more! The price is right, too. I feel like I got a great deal. Mazda seems to think that they should take care of their customers... hmmm, who does that! I would recommend this car to anyone!

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  It Just Grows on Ya! - 2010 Mazda MazdaSpeed3
  By Will L. - March 24 - 3:40 pm

  I have owned only Taurus SHOs for the past 17 years - all manuals. My last one just turned 190k as I went researching for a honorable replacement. It surely wouldnt be the new SHO as it was released w/o a stick and way too much $$$. As I went to different review and "best of" sites the MS3 was always ending up in the top two spots. Anyway ended up test driving the WRX (not as refined inside + more $) and the GTI (more $ and slower than the MS3). Since I have owned it (the MS3) I have to admit it just gets better every time I drive it - even with that goofy smile in the front. I did have to get used to a turbocharged car as far as shift points and turbo lag but all are quite manageable.