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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  Let me tell you!! - 2008 Mazda CX-7
  By lykeisha - March 19 - 7:26 am

  I got this car with 18k miles on it and I initially loved it despite the premium gas and the gas mileage it was great. We took it on family trips from Ohio to Florida on 3 occasions. 60k noticed an oil leak-engine ouil cooler was defective-not covered under warranty but Mazda was aware that this was a known issue and was doing nothing about it. Cost-$600+. White smoke out the exhaust-Vent kit needed-known issue not covered. Cost-$700+. At now 98k all of a sudden rattling took it in low on oil by 4 quarts?? No oil light came on or service light came on?? A week later guess what same thing..and the engine is blown! Talk about Angry... I still owe on it and I am just going to junk it.

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  Wifes Mazda - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By timc46 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Got home with it and had to take it back for a rear seal leaking. Then had to have the gas tank replaced. Then had to have the door locks replaced, they wouldnt lock, even trying manual. New brakes and rotor at 44K, which cost $400+. Rear washer motor had to be replaced. Too much for only 44K.

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  BUILT FOR SMALL PEOPLE - 2004 Mazda MPV
  By RONI J - March 19 - 2:00 am

  WE LOVE THE LOOK OF THE EXTERIOR BUT THE INTERIOR LEAVES ALOT TO BE DESIRED. INTERIOR CARPET CHOICES OF LIGHT GREY AND LIGHT BEIGE SHOW EVERY MARK OF SHOES.BETWEEN MIDDLE AND FRONT SEATS HAVE DISMAL LEG ROOM. OUR 2 YEAR OLD GRANDAUGHTER CAN KICK THE FRONT SEAT. ARM RESTS ON FRONT SEATS ARE WAY TOO LOW TO BE OF ANY USE WHATSOEVER. WE LIKE THE ROLL DOWN WINDOWS ON SLIDERS AND NO CUT LINE IN THE BODY FOR SLIDERS. GAS MILAGE IS WAY BELOW WHAT WAS ON THE STICKER. IT IS SUPPOSE TO GET 25 HWY. WE GET 20 ON TRIPS AND LESS IN TOWN

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  MPV POOR VAN - 2004 Mazda MPV
  By NO MORE MPV - March 19 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS THE WORST VAN I HAVE EVER BOUGHT.IT IS HORRIBLE IN SNOW AND LOOSES TRACTION ON 15 DEGREE UP HILLS.AS FAR AS FUEL ECON ,IT IS NOT WHAT THEY SAY ,ITS LESS.AND FORGET TOWING ,TOU MINE AS WELL TAKE A 20 GALLON RESERVE TANK BECAUSE YOU WILL NEED IT..THEY SHOULD HAVE KEPT IT 4 WHEEL DRIVE,FRONT WHEEL DRIVE IS POOR ON TRACTION AND IF IT RAINS ,HYDROPLAINING IS THE MAIN FACTOR.I HAD OWED 15,OOO.OO ON THE VAN AND FOUND OUT IT WAS WORTH 11,500.00,POOR RESALE AND DEPREC.RAPIDLLY.BUY SOMETHING ELSE THAT HOLDS VALUE.I RATE THIS VAN A TOTAL OF 3.

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  Some good advise to current owners - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By wlu - March 11 - 2:45 pm

  Here is my advise to those who still own a 2007 CX7. 1. Pay the $600 (or so) and have a mechanic open engine to clean any sludge that may have accumulated over the years. Make sure they check over the timing chain and VVT actuator. 2. Dont follow Mazdas service plan, perform oil changes every 3000 miles. My Mazda dealer switched to 5w-20 (instead of 5w-30) because it is more durable with the turbo. You might want to do the same. I loved the performance of the car the short 2 years I had it. Build quality is ridiculously cheap! Parts are crazy expensive! I traded our CX7 in yesterday for our first Ford (always owned Mazda until now). I wish you all good luck with this car.

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  Shifting issues & gas mileage - 2010 Mazda Tribute
  By Sandra Paris - February 8 - 3:23 pm

  Would like to comment on the shifting smoothness from 20 mph up to 40-50 mph. Car seems to hard shift on accelerating, like a drag, and on down shift, strong feeling of jerking into gears. The gas mileage seems to be hurting from this situation. No help from the dealer service manager and Mazda area rep, all say normal. No check engine light has come on. Waiting for some answers from another dealer. Have driven a 2010=6 cyl Ford escape and did not feel this odd shifting. Also, the interior has black shiny dashboard, attracts a lot of dust. Sure wish they would go back to dull finish.

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  Hello shop - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By mom3anddog - February 6 - 6:36 am

  Bought my MVP new, tired of going to the shop with my old car. 3 kids wanted a new vehicle so I would only go in for regular maintenance. Sliding doors would not stay shut first few months, started shifting hard (been in 3 or 4 times in the last three years), Brake pads 1st year, brake pads-rotate rotors 2nd year, end of stabilizing bar replaced, doesnt want to come out of park sometimes (actually told I needed to put my foot on the brake to take out of gear - automatic - been driving for 20 years). Been in the shop now 3 times in 5 days to fix the lack of power, missing, was vacuum hose.

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  cheap car - 1999 Mazda 626
  By master g - January 29 - 10:00 am

  the door seals came apart, it has no abs brakes so braking is bad, the power windows are really slow to close or open, radio is cheap, ride is smooth but turns are scary if speed is high, resale value is poor.

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  NOT good - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By Anne Koch - January 8 - 11:43 pm

  I owned this car for 26 days when, like many of the reviews I am now reading say, it stopped cold. Not only was I uninformed about the fact that this can happen secondary to "flooding", I was not told of a safety recall at the time of purchase. 6 days later I am still waiting to get my car back from the shop. My last car I had for 12 years without a problem, this one for less than one month and it breaks down and leaves me stranded. VERY frustrating. It also does not drive very fast (the automatic). At times when Im merging on the freeway, I feel like Im driving a big boat. I much prefer the Toyota Corolla I now have as a rental car!

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  Love performance, hate the new exterior design - 2017 Mazda CX-5
  By Pamela - January 2 - 5:26 am

  I currently own a 2014 Touring CX-5 and love it! I was considering trading it for the 2017 until I saw it in the show room. I was shocked at how much they had changed the exterior. It now looks more like the CX-9. What I really liked about the CX-5 was the fact that it was a small crossover SUV. It no longer looks like a crossover. The new design is ugly and too big. They totally ruined the appearance of this car. Im so disappointed!