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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  Amazing Car For All Ages! - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By JSAP123 - November 10 - 1:06 pm

  I bought a Mazda 3 in Winning Blue straight out of the showroom...all I can say is wow! It is a very "rich" looking car, but doesnt kill your wallet. I purchased mine for $21,000, tax and title included. It now has 15,000 miles on it and its been nothing but happy days. Just look around and youll see that the Mazda 3 is at the head of its class in almost every category. What amazed me was that insurance was cheaper for my 06 Mazda than for a 06 Honda Civic, 05 VW Jetta, and a 06 Honda Accord. If youre looking for a sporty, sophisticated, and fun car the Mazda 3 is it!

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  Wowwy Wowzer - 2009 Mazda Mazda6
  By Wowwy Wowwy - November 10 - 12:16 pm

  If you have never taking this car for a spin around the block, man are you missing out! We test drove one on the freeway and before i knew it i was over 100mph!!! Superior acceleration and handling over others and the proximity keys, memory seat, sunroof and Bose make a great combo. HUGE truck even with the seats up. Jet black leather with heated seats. Hands-free bluetooth is AWESOME!

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  Nice Car at a Fair Price - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By genetix - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for my wife and I find myself "borrowing" it often. The car has great styling that are agressive but too agressive. You get a lot of nice things for the price, For example really look great and light up the road well. The interior and features are nice as well. The steering wheel Audio controls the "quasi-manual" transmission are great features. The rear seats can be folded down from inside the truck. Things that annoy me: Creaks from the suspension when you go over rough roads or speed bumps. Things that annoy me: Creaks from the suspension when you go over rough roads or speed bumps. The truck release is nowhere near the fuel door release. Engine is peppy, needs more HP!

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  Run it to death - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Canton Chris - November 10 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is my workhorse, as far as packing on the miles. In 1.5 years, I have put 47,000 miles on this car. New tires, front brake pads, and periodic oil/air filter changes are pretty much the only costs so far. Gas mileage keeps getting better are the car gets more miles on it. I love the pickup it has in traffic and around town. It is zippy when you need it. Its a great car.

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  GREAT CAR!! - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By browsnaz - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Great price, great gas mileage, inexpensive insurance, very appealling to the eye!

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  This car zips, errr, zooms - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By AtlOutlaw - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car as a second vehicle, I have an f 150 supercrew as well and I needed something with better gas mileage for around town. I havent driven my truck in over a week, I love this car so much! It handles very tight and sporty, it has amazing pickup, and it looks great! The gas mileage is a little over double my truck (Im getting almost 30mpg in mixed city/hwy driving). Plus, I routinely leave behind the tricked out imports in my area. The car is fully loaded, leather, automatic with sport mode, xenon and tpms, rear bumper step plates, autodimming mirror with compass/thermometer, cargo mat and net. Its easy to park, rides pretty smoothly and looks great!

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  Hats off to Mazda - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By MikeownsMazda - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Mazdas redesign of its previous compact is right on the money. The 160 hp engine fits the size of this car. Not only is it is peppy and fun to drive, it looks like a car that would sell at twice its price. Congratulations to Madza.

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  Evaluation By VW Passat GLX Owner - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By Gaspereaux - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Really fun car! I would not be caught dead owning an SUV/wagon but, because of the nature of my projects, I need more than a sedan. I also want a car that has good performance. I bought it on Friday PM and we left Boston for Chester Nova Scotia Saturday AM. My wife and I found the controls and instruments to be well designed and the gas mileage to be reasonable (23.3 mpg at 79 mph) and (25.3 mpg at 75 mph). The car is very comfortable and I found that there was less road noise than in my Passat GLX. Its road handling is fantastic! I have a fairly aggressive driving style and I found that it took the corners of the Nova Scotia country roads effortlessly. Well done Mazda!

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  Luv my latest Mazda - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By 3rd Mazda for me - November 10 - 6:43 am

  This is my third Mazda in a row. Ive had amazing reliability (obviously since this is my third and I put about 40,000 miles on the car per year) and Im so happy with this one too. Each Mazda gets better and better. Options on other cars are standard on the Mazda and the price remains comparable to other makes. Nice! My fuel economy on my other Mazdas has always been better than manufacturer estimates and so far its the same on this one so Im concerned about some of the comments Im reading about less than expected gas mileage. Ill wait and see on that.

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  Mazda5 Sport; The jury is still out - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By PFZ - November 9 - 12:56 am

  Bought "Zoom-zoom" 10 days ago to replace a 1992 Mitsubishi Expo 2.4 which died a natural mechanical death. The Expo beat this Zoom-zoom hands down for roominess, steering, visibility. Zoom-zooms SMALL third side window prevents decent rear visibility for backing up. From the front seats the front of the car is out of sight, the shifting console lights are misplaced, the steering wheel covers the top third of the speed indicator dial, the key is built into remote control case. The outside trim is too close to the ground. The lack of separate bumpers look like an attempt at profiteering. My ratings reflect lack of trust rather than long standing observations.