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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  Great for Short driver - 2012 Mazda Mazda5
  By lvt1 - October 3 - 1:30 am

  I am only 5 ft. tall. I usually drive vans/jeeps for better view while driving. I fell for this minivan for several reasons: 1. best height adjustment I found for manual 2. great visual field for driver 3. all six seats are fine for me 4. handling feels good 5. not much road noise 6. better mileage than a Grand Caravan 7. middle row seats can slide by 6 inches

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  Fits the bill! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Anti-Minivan - September 29 - 10:33 am

  We have 2 kids (7 and 5) and a dog. As the name says, no minivans allowed (been there, done that). Wife was leasing an 02 CR-V which was a great vehicle in itself, but with price for the CR-V getting up there, the Mazda5 caught my eye. I had the wife, go test drive one expecting her to not like it (she is a staunch Honda person). Turns out she loved it, so we decided to lease one. Of course this was 1 week before the recall so we dont get it until October. So far we are loving it. Fun to drive, just took 6 to breakfast (4 + 2 grandparents), and the sliding doors are keeping the carnage down in the parking lots. Overall a tremendous value for hauling the family around!

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  Follow Up (2nd review) - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By mike - September 28 - 1:30 pm

  This is my second review on my Mazda S 2.5L auto. I think "everyone" should know this as I did not in my first report. I get City 19 mpg at "best". The most fuel I can put in the tank is 12.5 gallons in a 15.9 gallon tank and thats when the car has run out of gas. The dealership nor Mazda can tell me why I can only go 223 miles on one tank of gas though the cars computer estimates 364 miles at fill up. The Mazda Consumer hot line is worthless and a waste of time. If I had it to do over again I would have bought a Civic b/c this 4/5 day stop at a gas station is a total disappointment as was the dealerships and Mazdas response to fix the problem, other than that the car is fun to drive.

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  My axela experience - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By Axela3 - September 28 - 6:30 am

  I love the car hands down. It makes me happy whenever I turn it on. Sound system is decent along with everything in it. Only complaint is the fuel economy. If it can be improved by like 2-4 more miles Ill be happy. Im planning to add an intake system to increase mpg along with horpsepower. The value of this car is tremendous and I love it as much as my better half.

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  Amazingly Expensive - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By themare - September 24 - 11:32 am

  Bought it used at 76k miles, and had it until 86k miles for only one year. One of the most fun to drive cars, but also one of the most unreliable and expensive cars to own. Spent over 12k in one year in maintenance alone. PROs and CONs are listed in the full review.

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  No longer a Mazda lover - 2007 Mazda Mazda6
  By kat01 - September 22 - 4:16 am

  I had owned 3 previous Mazda cars. Thought with this new car I was going to get same quality. Boy was I wrong. I have had to take this car back to dealership for 3 different repairs. Oil pan leaked, air conditioning motor went, now battery is leaking acid and has corroded the wires. Now I found out there is a Ford motor in the car. Cant wait to see what is next. All this and it hasnt been a year. Thank goodness for a warranty. Lot of time wasted, though. I do, however, like the drive and the interior is very spacious. Plenty of room for the kid and all his toys. There are lots of cubbies to hold things. Regardless of the interior space Mazda has lost me as a life long customer.

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  better than my 01 - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By Bucky C - September 21 - 10:00 am

  this is my second.Went in for service (sway bar links)and while it was being fixed ended up with a new one. Had a DX V8 4x4 now have the loaded ES 4x4.leather moonroof the works. two years made a nice improvement,plus a better warrantee,was looking into an Explorer but was too pricy.Thought Id give the Tribute one more try.The 01 had 22,000 miles when traded.

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  Problems with my Tribute - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By Maria - September 20 - 2:23 am

  I love driving my Tribute, wonderful in bad weather, great visibility. It is noisy, but generally I have liked it except it has had lots of problems. Electrical - completely died in traffic at 30,000 miles. Had to have computer reset. Transmission problems at 34,000 miles. Now I just had to have radiator and coolant system replaced at 42,000. All covered by warranty and service excellent but I am afraid to keep it. I need reliable car to travel to see elderly parents.

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  Just purchased - already impressed - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Blague - September 18 - 6:40 pm

  Like other posters, I compared the Usual Suspects (Golf, Civic, Impreza) and, feature for feature, none of the others came even close for what I was looking for - both in terms of purchase price and the 0% finance incentive. Ive only driven it for a few days -and will post again once Ive broken it in- but I very much enjoy driving it, the Bluetooth features, the Bose sound system, the seating position and the suspension setup. In short, I truly feel Ive made the right decision.

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  Oil Leaks Wont go away - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By OilLeak - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I love the way the car looks and handles, but This is my third trip back to the dealer with oil leaking problem. They had to drop my AT transmission to get to the rear main seal. They messed up the AT and power steering. After all that and about 3 weeks without a car, the dam thing still leaks. Im currently filing Lemon Law Papers. Anyone else have oil leaks?