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:

• 

  I wish I could say I love the car but... - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By jl2157 - July 19 - 10:51 am

  I wanted more than ANYTHING for this car to be the last one I purchased for a while. Fuel economy was great (Avg. 30 MPG City) and its so much fun to drive. Sadly, at around 11K Mi. one of the transmission valves blew. Mazda replaced all the trans. valves without issue. Fuel efficiency dropped to 28 MPG. Then at 19,500 Mi. the transmission gave out entirely. Mazda Roadside was quick to response and the dealer has been excellent. Still, Ive only had the car 2 yrs. and the entire transmission is now being replaced!? This was a $24K car. To say Im very disappointed is an under statement. Sadly, Im now considering trading this in on a more reliable brand once repairs are done.

• 

  so-so for the 3 - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Sillycat - July 1 - 6:03 am

  I thought the 3 was an awesome car, very cute and sporty, but at 3559 miles, it needed a new engine, due to spinning a bearing. Very disappointing! The dealership was not that great at helping me through the situation. I am looking at selling it, because I can no longer trust it.

• 

  Poor Factory Workmanship, Fit & Finish - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By 6S Buyer - June 2 - 10:00 am

  Poor fit & finish, hood, bumper cover, fenders & front end accessories are out of alignment & a bent door. A loose windshield gasket and a rattle in the dash. I looked at Mazda6 cars on 3 dealer lots, each exhibiting similar poor exterior workmanship. I complained to both the dealer and Mazda corporate, all to no avail. Ignored for nearly 120 days, the Mazda factory rep finally told me that the poor workmanship "meets the factory standard." & that the bent door "may be" my fault. Examine your Mazda6, & note the hood & bumper cover alignment & the hoods over hang. I expected acknowledgement & timely service. I should have bought the Altima!

• 

  Looks can be decieving - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By nocode - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Looks great but its been in the shop more times than I can count. From the rear wipers, moon roof switch, air bag, seat belt, molding, visor, oxygen sensor, door jams, windshield and rear glass moldings, headlight leakage... the list goes on and on. While its a beauty to look at and even fun to drive this Tribute has been a royal pain. STEER AWAY!

• 

  Very Good but We Needed More Luxury - 2006 Mazda MPV
  By mercuryhater - May 28 - 9:34 pm

  Never had one repair done to this Mazda. We came from a fully loaded 99 Blazer LT we needed a car fast and we got this the V6 was nice the transmission was also good. the worst thing was the windows werent tinted and the car was awful in the snow the 3rd row was like a board of wood with microfiber on it. the front windshield was huge and the dashboard glared off of it.traded for a mountaineer but that you can read about in my other review which was traded for a 2008 Subaru Tribeca Limited w/NAV

• 

  Run Away From This Car - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By gdcinthebigD - May 24 - 5:50 pm

  The RX-8 is a beautiful piece of sculpture but is useless for city living. I love the look of this car and the handling but didnt expect the gas mileage of a Hummer (11 miles per gallon). Mazda says the engine is running correctly. Plus the requirement to make sure the engine is warmed to mid-line before turning it off is ridiculous. In order to run to the store or the post office I have to drive 6 blocks out of my way or wonder if the car will start the next day. I researched this car to death and found little mention of either of these issues. Do yourself a favor - buy something with a piston engine.

• 

  owned it 1 month & have tried to sell it - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By mary - May 18 - 10:13 am

  Hate it, way too small, cheaply made, inside scuffs easily, only 2 choices for exterior color if you dont want the too light cream interior-ugly gray and too hot black. The front passenger seat is so small its claustrophobic, useless trunk with 3rd row up, 2nd row barely fits 2 small kids and their back packs. The worst vehicle Ive had in 35+ years of driving. My 13 year old van I got rid of for this car was far superior. AC is not intuitive. Car is too narrow to fit my soccer foldable chair in. I guess if you buy cheap,you get cheap.

• 

  big problem sudden acceleration - 2017 Mazda CX-5
  By L. Hinde - May 17 - 1:56 am

  After shopping the other suvs out there we settled on Mazdas Grand Touring CX5...love the red color and the fit and finish. We had a good test drive, no problem. However after picking up the one we ordered and driving it about 10 miles were were slowing down for a flagger at a road repair situation. Just as we got to the flagger he stepped in front of the car to move the sign from slow to stop. Dont know what went wrong but thankfully we were going slow and had my foot on the break but as the man stepped in front of the car the car revved up to 4000rpm. I immediately put the car into park but the engine wouldnt slow down so I had to turn the engine totally off. It was a dangerous situation and could easily have ended in disaster. When the flagger waved us forward I started the car and drove a bit up the road....called the dealer and had them pick the car up. The eyesight not only didnt work but reacted in the opposite of what it was designed for.

• 

  Started out as my dream car..... - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By lenalou22 - May 13 - 12:05 am

  My CX7 is in the shop again, this time with a $2500 repair. It has 45,000 miles on it and needs a second timing chain as well as a new turbo. I also had the AC replaced this summer. I was so in LOVE with this car when I got it, but after putting 20,000 miles on it and paying THOUSANDS of dollars in repairs, I could not be more disappointed. Mazda knows all of the problems with these CX7- yet doesnt stand behind it when they happen over and over again to according to all these reviews, everyone. Some people say they havent had problems yet, they will come. Just wait. Had I known Mazda was made by FORD I would have never bought it in the first place.

• 

  Horrible experience - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By Rbramble - May 7 - 2:00 am

  I have had a poor experience with the car for only owning it for not even 4 months. There is a strange noise in the front right wheel well, and the dealer cannot find anything wrong. I had to take the car back with only 3000 miles because the check engine light came on. They told me after fixing it that it is a recall and that I would have eventually received a notice in the mail. Today I noticed the dash illumination panel, does not display all the features it is suppose to. I was reading through the manual and noticed this. I will have to call the dealer again tomorrow and be inconvienced to take the car back once again.