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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  I like mine - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By Scratch - August 27 - 2:00 am

  Could get better gas mileage but thats about my only disappointment. Has great acceleration and rides and handles smoothly. Lot of people compliment the looks of the vehi

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  Great car overall - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By jimida - August 27 - 2:00 am

  For the money I cant think of anything better. The drive is so fun I find myself making excuses to go out driving.

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  MX 5 pulls us out of a rut. - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By dkieffer - August 26 - 11:46 am

  This car is not for a person who wants basic transportation. This car is for someone who truly enjoys driving. With four children we had become the typical kid hauling, van owning parents. Not having driven a stick for 15 years, I had forgotten how much fun it is to go through the gears. Especially the way this car shifts and welcomes high revs, it really puts a smile on my face. My wife and I are enjoying short getaway trips and evening drives. We now look forward to traveling the winding country roads of southeastern Ohio instead of avoiding them. Our MX 5 has pulled us out of our rut.

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  The only car that Ill ever buy - 2001 Mazda Millenia
  By Milleniaman - August 26 - 10:00 am

  I brought this car home brand new from the dealership and fell in love with the car as soon as I saw it in the parking lot. The car looks great and people even mistake it for a Lexus or Infiniti. I paid $29,000 rather that the original price of $32,700. But I had the fuel tank door replaced under warranty because it opened when it wanted to and the Bose radio was replaced also under warranty because my CD got stuck and I could only use the radio. But other than that the car is a dream and I recommend it to anyone who wants a good looking car at a decent price.

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  Love our MPV - the ultimate family taxi - 2001 Mazda MPV
  By Johnny Mac - August 26 - 10:00 am

  Our family loves our MPV. Great size, easy to manuever and holds everything weve needed to haul. The tumble-under third row seat is a great feature. The kids love the working rear windows.

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  My NEW (to me) Miata - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By brianne12782 - August 25 - 4:24 am

  I just bought a 1999 Mazda Miata. Shes cherry red and with the beige lether interior, Bose sound system, P/W and P/L. I love her!!! Ive wanted a Miata since before I could drive and my mom refused when I was 16 years old to get me one, citing it was unsafe. I understand where she was coming from- plus when I went to college, in MAINE, my Miata wouldve been a silly choice. However, I live and work in Boston and I love this car! No, I wont be able to take her out in the winter that much but shes a second car and well worth it. She was just over $8,000 and had only 28,000 miles on it! I know right!!! She had one owner who kept her in a garage at his cape cod house! WHat a steal- mint!

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  Awesome car - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Frank Rizzo - August 25 - 4:20 am

  I just love this car. It is without a doubt the best car I have ever owned. And I have owned quite a few cars over the last few years. This car is very reliable and a pleasure to drive. I drive about 100 miles a day and when I get out of work it is a pleasure to drive 50 miles to get home. This car also handles great, last weekend I got off an exit ramp with a speed limit of 40 mph while going close to 100 mph, unreal handling, sure my wifes hair was standing on end and the three kids were screaming in the back seat, but what fun. Great car, highly recommended.

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  Wonderful Car! - 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Roger - August 24 - 8:20 pm

  I have owned nothing but Miatas since 1989, and this is my fourth. My last one was a 2004 Mazdaspeed which was a great car, but this one is even better. The driving dynamics are just sensational with a ride quality that is exceptionally smooth combined with excellent handling. In fact much to my surprise I dont even wish for more horsepower, because the power feels just right for the car. Ive always had a preference for red Miatas, but this time I got the marble white with the brown top and tan interior, and its just a beautiful car which could easily be mistaken for a $100,000 Jaguar. I have now driven over 400,000 in my 4 Miatas and have never gotten stuck. Thank you Mazda!

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  Fun car, but replace tires every 12,000 miles! - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By mrobveeus - August 24 - 8:17 am

  The car, itself, is fun to drive and packs some punch. Gas mileage in the city is not great (my experience has been around 20-22mpg), but on long trips, my experience was 32-34mpg highway. THE REAL PROBLEM with this car is the tires wear out very quickly! My oil change guy noticed that the original tires were wearing badly at 8,000 miles! At 10,000 they were done! The second set of tires lasted about 14,000 miles. The current set has approximately 10,000 miles and need replaced! The soft compound, speed rated tires are very expensive to replace and will bubble or blow out when even a small pothole is touched. I doubt tires were factored in enough to the True Cost to Own, so buyer beware!

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  M.A.V. elous - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By islandreamer - August 24 - 4:03 am

  Liked it the first time I saw it. Knowing that underneath its skin it comes from the popular Mazda 3 just reinforced my eagerness to drive and own one. Great looks inside/out. Excellent driving position with available tilt/telescopic steering. Much needed gas mileage rating. This one gets heads turning.