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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  Showroom headturner - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By rexopg - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I betcha without the Mazda insignia people looking at it will never guess what I,m driving. Love the tiptronic type shifting lets me manually downshift and lets my wife drive it on regular Auto mode. Best quality small car that doesnt feel like an economy car more like a midsize european handling feel on the road.

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  $100 down on a Corolla - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By fleetfeet - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I had $100 down on a Corolla, drove the 3i automatic and went home with the demo.This car gets sweeter by the day. A very nice blend of gas mileage and performance. It is not a really fast car, but it doesnt seem to matter. 32 mpg in rural driving. I go for rides in this thing, something I havent done in years. Poor AC. Maybe I am nuts, but sometimes this car feels much faster than at other times.Not much dickering on price going on.

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  Not a wagon for wimps - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By Zooming - August 21 - 10:00 am

  This is close to a sports car for young families or 4 adults. The Teutonic suspension is stiff, seats are hard, the ride is firm-to-harsh. The steering is precise, very sensitive to input, and has good road feel. A blast to corner, flat and adhesive. Acceleration spirited once the engine winds up. The auto/manual shifter is no substitute for the real thing: too much automatic (with various lags, limits, and early upshifts) and too little manual— encourages pussy-footing. Tunnel vision to the rear. Compared to other wagons this could be a 10 (7 for cargo space). Dont know yet if improves on mediocre reliability of previous 626 model.

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  CX-7 style, performance and utility. - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Rob P. - August 20 - 11:26 pm

  We first saw the CX-7 at the Chicago auto show this past winter and my wife and I decided it was the vehicle for us. Since we took delivery (6/03/2006) weve been very impressed with the performance and styling of the car. The utility features of the CX-7 were in keeping with why SUVs are purchased in the first place. It only has slightly less room than that of our previous Mazda Tribute. I am sure its reliability will be just as solid as any other Mazda - this being our 6th Mazda. The only negative is the ease of scratching the plastic on the dash, glove box and the door panels. It looks rather cheap and it is very easily scratched.

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  Often misjudged for what it is - 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By dancetracks - August 19 - 5:23 pm

  Anyone who has driven a Miata will come away with a smile. But often someone will come along and bash the car comparing it to cars costing $10K more (S2000) or twice as much (Boxter). It is unrealistic to expect Porsche performance at the Miatas selling price of around $25k (sport model). The MX-5 really sits by itself in the marketplace of low-price performance convertibles. Drive one. If you come away with a smile, then buy it and let the fun begin. I cant stop thinking about the next time Ill drive the car.

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  My Unreliable Mazda - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By Joe - August 19 - 4:50 pm

  This vehicle has given us nothing but problems. We have 47,000 miles and the warranty is out. Repairs: we have already had the transmission replaced (we do not own a boat or tow anything except the 2 kids). It took the dealership 3 weeks to get a new transmission because they were on backorder. Mazda paid 1 week on the rental but I was responsible and out of pocket for 2 weeks. The power sliding doors dont work and the dealership cant figure out the problem or take responsibility. The electronic coil on valve #3 went out and Mazda would do nothing to back up the product (cost $500 to replace coils on valve #1, 3, and 5). This was my 3rd Mazda product and now is my LAST.

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  I love my new 3 - 2011 Mazda Mazda3
  By jlmm3 - August 19 - 5:20 am

  I bought a 2007 3s in 09 and loved it until I traded in and got my 2011 3s 2.5 with a 6 speed. This car is awesome it is fun to drive very quick and has good top end speed too. it is very well laid out both inside and out as well especially that dual exhaust.

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  It Aint Sexy, But Its Wheels - 1998 Mazda 626
  By BobbyBaylor - August 19 - 2:00 am

  A good car for the price. Bought this car new and drove it 4 years during college. Boring sedan styling, but Im a boring sedan kind of guy. Looks more expensive than it is to people who dont know its just a re-badged Ford. Wont turn heads, but better than driving an Accord or Civic like everybody else. Unlike other reviewers, I had absolutely no problems with my 626, except for weather stipping around doors that fell out EVERY summer and had to be replaced (under warranty). The car never failed to start. Biggest gripe is acceleration from 0 is nonexistent. Lots of trunk space. Oscilating air vents will wow all your friends!

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  30 Day Report - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By glideslopes - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Well, I wanted to wait 30 days before posting my review. We just love our MPV. We had a Quest prior to this. The size was nice for us. We did consider going larger to the Ody, but the price of the MPV was simply a much better value for us. It is extremely well engineered, built, and uses high quality materials throughout. We did not feel there were any quality advatages to the Ody, and resale is not a huge issue to us as we keep our vans 6 years and put around 150,000 on them. We were fortunate that we found a vehicle meeting our needs on the lot. The DW and I actually attempt to out maneuver each other these days to see who takes the MPV on an event.

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  Good car - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Zukkini - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Good car, handles great, acceleration good. Great exterior style, crisp shifting on the 5 spd. From my previous Mazda (GLC, 85, 200 k) I would expect great reliability and no rusting. Hower, the cons are a/ 160 treadware rating on the tires (that is bad!) b/the front disk brake is held by the hub nut so for replacement the bearing assebly will have to be pulled; c/ difficult access to oil filter; d/ did not like the dimples on the steering wheel/shift lever e/ no head rest on back seats f/ the front wheel rims were bent on my model which gave shimming on the steering.