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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  Mazda Lemon - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By No Zoom Zoom Here - February 17 - 10:00 am

  Some of these cars may have a manufacturing fault with wheelbase and castor settings. This causes the car to drift and wander, necessitating constant correction on the steering. This results in an exhausting drive over longer distances or in adverse conditions. I see another reviewer has had front end/steering problems and wouldnt be surprised to bet they are the same as on my car. Definitely my first and last Mazda.

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  Needs more horses! - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By cactusrose - February 17 - 10:00 am

  This car is a hoot to drive, or it wold be, if it had a bigger engine. Everything about this car says "zippy" - the looks, the tires and especially the chassis. But when the pedal is down, wheres the zoom zoom we hear about? It just feels like an underpowered rental in the engine department. Kick the ponies up north of 175 and this car will perform like it looks and handles.

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  Mazda Protege LX sedan 2003 - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Luigi - February 16 - 11:03 pm

  I love my Mazda. It works well and Ive never really had a problem with it even after someone hit me going 40 when I was at a complete stop. Not that much damage done to it when it was hit, but it did cost a few thousand dollars to get it fixed. Very fun to drive. Pretty fast (obviously not a Corvette or BMW, but still fast enough to make you happy). Very good handling and easy layout of controls (minus the power windows switch for driver. I always press the back ones on accident). Other then that Im glad I have it. Gas could be better especially with the prices the way they are now.

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  door lock actuators fail a lot NO Recall - 2000 Mazda MPV
  By mpvfixer - February 16 - 2:13 pm

  Good overall van, BUT be ready to spend $150 plus for the door lock actuators when they fail about every two years. This is the price for the PART ONLY for each door. This van we have has both front door actuators that have failed within weeks of each other in 2003. Should be a recall item as MANY others have this same problem, but Mazda does NOTHING. Be warned! Oh if you have the dealer do the work, you are looking at $350 P&L and up per door!

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  Great small minivan - 2004 Mazda MPV
  By Chris - February 16 - 11:40 am

  My wife and I did a lot of research before buying this minivan. We narrowed it down to the Toyota Sienna and the Mazda MPV. The size of the vehicle was the primary concern because we have a small two car garage attached to our Cape style house. I drove both the Sienna and the MPV into the garage when test-driving. The MPV is smaller, and therefore was a more comfortable fit. When we test drove both vehicles, the Sienna had a smoother ride, but the braking was more laborious. The MPV felt more sporty, and the braking was much easier. The Sienna had slightly better gas mileage (1 mpg better). However, the MPV just had so many more features for less money - and all of that with a government 5 star crash rating.

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  Great Little Car with Character - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By gege - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Overall great value

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  Mazda RX* - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By PtBreak - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Love it. It is a great car, great look, great experience. Excellent ride. Handles very well and engine is powerful.

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  Ex Tribute Lover - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By ExTributeLover - February 15 - 10:00 am

  I loved my 2001 Tribute then I made the mistake of trading it on a 2005. The Gear Shifter now takes of most of the space in the front. The heater/air controls now have little light-up buttons that cannot be seen in daylight. NO WAY TO TUNE THE RADIO, NO CASSETTE PLAYER. Cheap looking plastic on dash board in. NOT the fun to drive suv that the 2001 was, AND IT EATS UP GAS, 14-16MPG. Even with top pkgs chosen, you DONT get many extras like: WHEEL LOCKS, BUG DFLCTRS, A/W MATS. The 2005 Tribute is an OVERPRICED GAS GUSSLER that lost its zest for life.

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  New Mazda Hatchback - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By jasonamurray - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Love the car. Sure there are a few things that bother me, such as the quality of the materials used in the interior of the car, but you get what you pay for. With leather, nav, and the moon roof, the car looks, feels, and acts like a much more expensive car. Acceleration, Handling, and Stopping are all top notch. Stock stereo is nice, too. I looked at every car in this class (and drove the Sentra Spec V w/ full Nismo mods) and this car blows them all away. It may not be the cheapest, and it may not be the fastest, but its the most well-rounded of the bunch.

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  Very close to loving it - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By tiredofmanual - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Mazda did a great job making this car feel quite German on the highway. Its a quality that is very hard to define, but those that have driven good German cars know what Im talking about. This car is composed, quiet, and confident at high speeds. I unfortunately cannot say that I wholeheartedly love it. I have rattles in my doors that the dealership "cant" hear. My brakes sound terrible in the morning, and I think the rear pads stick. At low RPMs the engine sounds like a 20 year old Toyota that hasnt been maintained well. Its not until you push it that it actually sounds nice.