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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  Very fun, low on guts - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By JHRacing - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I debated between an RX-8 (my wifes choice) and a WRX STI (my choice) for a new car to compliment our Outback wagon. Id have to give the RX-8 the nod for interior and exterior styling and a little more comfortable ride, but after a couple of months Im finding the lack of low-end torque quite a disappointment. The engine has no problem revving, but you have to flog it to the limiter to keep up with traffic away from a light. Not really what I wanted out of a sports car, and poor mileage to boot! Should have gone with my gut and the STI.

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  matts RX8 - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By eraser729 - January 7 - 2:00 am

  the car gets terrible gas mileage, but if you could care less then this is the car for you. it has amazing handling but it is a little slow off the line. I would expect that the man. trans. is a little bit faster with better acceleration. It is a beautiful car and I have gotten nothing but compliments.

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  I LOVE IT !!! - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By SUSHI BOY - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for little over a month now and I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! and I LOVE IT! I love everything about this car, very nice comfort interior with very nice looking exterior and amount of attention wherever you go whenever you go. Gas mileage has to improve but other than that, I LOVE IT!

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  Mazda rx-8 - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Bigalintexas - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Phenomenal handling, good high end power, barely adequate at low rpm but its a rotary!Good seats.

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  An Owner - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Jerry Geihs - January 7 - 2:00 am

  This is the best handling car i`ve ever owned. The price is the icing on the cake.I was hesitant because of the lack of torque. However once I drove it, the thought never came back. The engine is as smooth as an electric motor and is always in the sweet spot once you get used to it. The Renesis engine and slick six speed work great together. For the money, there is no other car, and I`m 60 years old.

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  My Titanium Grey Mazda 3s - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Titanium Dragon - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 5-spd manual, Titanium Grey Mazda 3s Sedan in the beginning of the year 2004. Before I bought this car, I test drove several other cars which included the Civic, Corolla, and Focus. None of the aforementioned cars, IMHO beat what the Mazda 3s provides! The Mazda 3s is the best for a car of its class and price range. The very zippy engine combined with its crisp handling/steering-feel and a solid shifting manual transmission makes for a very sporty and fun car to drive. The ride quality maybe a little too stiff & bumpy & noisy for some. Ive experienced virtually no problems with this car after the 1st month and 1K miles of ownership.

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  One Awesome - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By bbrentl - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Wow, what a nice vehicle! Excellant handling, ride, comfort and awesome performance. This "Sport compact" is way above anything on the market today. Its built quality is right up with any european make! The fit and finish is nearly perfect in every way. 16-valve engine with Variable Valve Timing is great! Very smooth and responsive. And the Sport shift trans. is a kick to drive. The car has available features other cars dont even offer: DVD Navigation; Xenons; etc. This is one SWEET driving sport compact, period!!!!!!!

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  Just got my Mazda3 - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By New Owner - January 6 - 9:50 pm

  I really like the car. Gave my old Lexus ES330 to my sister (realtor) and she loves the comfort of the Lexus. Back to the car. I’ve been shopping for a while. I wanted to get Civic sedan. But 2 things turned me off. The seat was hurting my lower back. Second, they were very proud so price was too steep for the amenities. Very responsive engine. Civic power cannot match. (Also test drove Insight. Insight’s power was dangerously underpowered). My Mazda 3 is not as powerful as G37 but it handles almost as well for so much less (0% financing for 60months too). Drive and power wise, the closest I can compare is my old 2000 Acura Integra. But Mazda 3s seat in much more comfortable.

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  Average at Best - 2008 Mazda CX-7
  By Steve Bylinowski - January 6 - 7:43 pm

  I leased this car in early 2008. I got a good lease deal with no money down but the car didnt perform in the winter. If you live in area where it snows, forget it! I couldnt get up the small hill outside of my house! Everything else about the car is average, not terrible, not great. Also, they nickel and dime you when you turn it back in, beware. I would not get another Mazda.

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  Really nice but it would be so easy to be better! - 2014 Mazda Mazda3
  By 23j96 - January 6 - 1:09 pm

  Fun to drive? Hell yeah! I love this car. Mostly! After 2 years with an automatic (my first) I ditched it and went back to manual shift - with this Mazda3. Oof! And it was a good change. This is way more fun to drive than, say, my MINI (also manual). I love it - its got a great feel, good power, lots of fun. But there are a lot of details that are so close but not there! So, this is more fun to drive than the MINI, right? But MINI gets all of the details right on.