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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  First and Last Mazda - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By jacho59 - December 20 - 6:47 pm

  Bought our 2003 MPV new. It only has 60,000km on it but it has cost us a lot of money and time to keep it on the road. PCV hose, TCM and various little unrelated things. The real pain is the dealer dings us $110Cdn every time they hook it up to the computer. We bought this van because we thought Mazda was a reliable and durable brand. NOT SO. This is our first and last Mazda vehicle...

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  Not as expected - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By datulip - December 11 - 9:45 pm

  So, I have had this car for about a year and my biggest complaint is the performance. If you dont drive on the freeway this may be the car for you. If you need to get moving quickly - dont even think about it. Secondary issue is the gas mileage. Advertised as 26 city and 32 highway. I have averaged 22 in the city; 28 highway; and 23 mixed. Not much of a consolation for the lackluster engine. Overall the design is pretty good and handling is fair. It does get quite a bit of wind noise. It has been reliable over this first year of ownership with no issues. Last issue - keyless entry isnt really keyless. Must have the key in hand to unlock the doors with this model.

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  posting an update of problems - 2006 Mazda Tribute
  By Michael Loughnan - December 9 - 11:16 pm

  At 3100 miles, transmission broke and was replaced. New transmission sometimes searches and kicks into gear, its back in the service department now going on 3days. Now have 4700 miles on it. Rear windshield wiper assembly fell off when I was washing it. After hitting the pavement, I have a nice scratch on it. Noticed an indentation in the middle of the dash about 3-4 inches long. Right front lower door sheet metal has 5 lines in it. Very poor workmanship and quality. Am starting mediation with factory right now. I feel ripped off. Wonder what will break or fall off of it next. I do not feel safe in this vehicle and recommend to those who might buy one, not to. Nothing but problems since I bought.

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  fun while it lasted. - 2009 Mazda Tribute
  By black_widow - November 28 - 8:27 pm

  I bought my Tribute with 7300 miles on it and I loved it. I traded it in with 35500 miles on it because the transmission had gotten really sluggish over the last 15000 and I was having problems with the breakes. It had been in the shop 5 times within the last 6 months and they still squeaked loudly. As far as the transmission Ive read numorous reviews on the tribute/escape/mariner regarding the transmission issue and consumers needing new ones so i traded mine before it could give me problems. I loved the layout and the look of the vehicle. the 12v outlet in the back came out of its compartment and the one up front was loose. I got about 22-25 mpg city and 26-28 hwy.

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  Bucking Bronco - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By jimmy5510 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I test drove my Trubute, with no bad feelings, but after the purchase, I dtook it for a long ride, and to my supprise, It was the worst mistake I have ever made in a vehicle purchase. The road noise was extreamly loud, and the ride was worse. So now I am stuck with a car (Horse) that I cant take on a long ride. I didnt know it was made by Ford, or "Forget it" Anyway, life goes on, I cant say that for Ford.

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  Best of Times, Worst of Times - 2002 Mazda Truck
  By Bob Bennett - October 21 - 9:16 am

  The interior is comfortable and we have taken many long trips in this truck. Its handy for around town, trips to the builder supply store, and the antique shop. Its my work car, and has been reliable so far. All these are offset however by the poor performance and abominable gas mileage: about 13 mpg all the time. My previous car was a full-sized sedan that got 10. Some improvement. The transmission has to work hard all the time and the truck barely keeps up with Bay Area traffic. I had wanted the four-cylinder, 5-speed model, but let myself get flimflammed into this model. Its my fault, but I would never buy this truck, or shop at that dealership again.

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  Dont buy a Mazda 6 - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By Rome - October 18 - 5:43 am

  I purchased my car 2 years ago. I bought it brand new. What I find so irritating is that I cannot go to my local auto parts store and purchase an oil filter nor can I go to lube place and get it changed. I have to drive 20 miles to get my oil changed at the dealership and I find that annoying. My clutch gave out on me at 40k. I ended up paying $1,400 in repairs. My first car was Saturn and the clutch has not given out as of yet. The mechanic did a horrible job, now it is leaking fluid. I feel that I was horribly ripped off on the quality and I cannot even go to my local auto shop and buy parts for preventative maintenance. I am FORCED to go to the dealership for parts and it stinks.

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  Uncomfortable seats, rattles and weird noises - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By neems - October 7 - 1:55 am

  I never thought I would be one of the "those people that writes unhappy reviews but here I am. 1. The basic cloth seats look good, but theyre hard as rock. I dont know if there was some switch-a-roo but my seat barely have any padding and I can feel the seat structure of the chair. 2. For a two week old car, it sure rattles a lot especially on the passenger side 3. Theres an unusual humming noise coming from the middle of the car. It doesnt sound like idling or accelerating so Im concerned.

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  Fun with 5 speed, but materials/build okay - 2000 Mazda 626
  By boost4 - October 3 - 1:40 pm

  This car is my 2nd 626 and 3rd Mazda. The others were turbo 4 cylinders which are still lasting longer than I imagined. My current 6s V6 is fun to drive and makes great high revving sounds, but is a bit low on torque. What I have found quality-wise leads me to believe it will not hold together like my circa 80s cars did. So far the coolant expansion tank has sprung a leak, so it was replaced. The drivers door power lock motor ate itself making a horribly loud noise while operating. Both are common issues for this model, and it did help that both parts were acquired from the dealer for around $50. I refuse to blame these quirks on US assembly, as my previous ones were both US & Japanese made and both were excellent.

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  2007 Mazda 3 - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By ship_phi071 - September 27 - 4:34 am

  Purchased this car 6 years ago, car has 50,700 miles on it. Overall it gets me from point A to point B, however I have had to replace brake cable, calipers, rotors and brakes as well as the rear and front supsension. Apparently this is a not uncommon issue with the vehichle. Car warranty should be better as well only 3 years 36K miles