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 car for dry weather - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Abna - August 14 - 4:50 am

  I bought this car after researching the Focus, Civic, Fit and Corolla. It is definitely better than those cars. I missed a crucial factor when making my decision: I live in Seattle where it rains a lot and gets slippery. It also snowed a lot this winter and this car was a total disaster. It got stuck twice in my apartment complex and took more than one hour and lots of effort park it. This car is fun to drive, very sporty and handles tight but is meant for dry weathers only.

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  zoom zoom - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By john - August 14 - 1:50 am

  I traded a Hyundai Elantra for the i6 4 cylinder and have been pleasantly surprised. It is fun to drive, has peppy acceleration, gets good mileage (28 mpg on a recent trip with three adults and luggage at 70-80 mph) and sticks to the road. My wife says it is nicest driving car she has ever driven. It is very quiet with a great stereo. Lots of room in the trunk. Back seat leg room is a little tight, and the interior fabrics are not the best. The A/C in extreme heat is marginal, with tinting of the windows works great. Added a satellite radio in the upper glove box and it is now a fabulous long distance road car. I would buy again.

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  Disgusted - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By disgusted - August 13 - 11:03 pm

  Today 5/06/05 was the 7th time the vehicle has been in for service. At 50,000 miles it needed new brakes. It has been in for service 3 times for the transmission, only to be told each time that there is a new software download, which is what I was told today since I could not get it to go in reverse the last time I drove it. Now I have to take it in to the dealer again only this time the warranty has expired!

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  Mazda is the best - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By george H. Pannell - August 13 - 4:26 pm

  This Mazda3 has been an exciting and very dependable car to own. The comfort and the ride of the car has been great. I picked this car over the Toyota Corolla because of the body style and performance. This car has more horsepower than the Corolla.

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  Zoom-zoom - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By sshpilot - August 13 - 2:20 pm

  1500 miles in 3 weeks, city and highway and I love it. An absolute joy to drive. My wife wanted an automatic and I was dead set against it. Everyone knows an auto saps the power and destroys the driving experience...not in this car. There is plenty of power and Ive come to really enjoy the paddle shift even though it took some getting used to.

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  Amazing little car! - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By sexylondonboi - August 13 - 11:26 am

  We bought our Mazda brand new off the lot. Our commute to work and back is nearly an hour each way and 9 mths out of the year is during the harsh canadian winter so we needed something that could stand up and be reliable. Our Mazda was nothing less then that. Being young drivers with our first car we werent quite aware of "regular scheduled maintance" - we just drove. Our car currently has 256,000 kms on it and the only thing we have replaced was the alternator last year. This car is amazing, its been in the ditch twice, hit a deer and yet the darn thing keeps on going. It is going in for its second tuneup of its lifetime this Thursday so we can get another 256000 from her

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  Zoom Zoom Zoom = Fun Fun Fun - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Joy joy - August 13 - 2:00 am

  Purchased my Protege5 six days ago, so I cant say much on reliability and build quality quite yet, but it is fun to drive. Very peppy and stiff handling. The options dont cost an arm and a leg either. Good wind noise protection, but bad road noise at 60 plus mph.

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  A beautiful and sophisticated SUV - 2010 Mazda CX-9
  By Terrific Car! - August 12 - 7:50 pm

  We have owned the car for just over 2 months and it so far has been a terrific automobile. The build, and performance is excellent and it seems to be far superior to our previous SUV, Ford Freestyle. When I first drove it I was in awe of its appearance, handling and performance. It is just a very beautiful SUV with a large WOW factor. I am glad I purchased it for my wife.

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  Great Little Car - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Jack - August 12 - 2:26 pm

  Brought Mazda new and have never regretted it. Fun to drive and a sporty look even after 7 years - I think Mazda made a mistake with the new Proteges - my Progete5 looks better then the new updated versions. Price and reliability are first rate, with good gas mileage and great interior room. Only thing Ive replaced are the low profile tires - went up to 205 from 195 - does not change look and tires dont wear out - 195 are expensive to replace and dont wear well and are hard to find.

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  Road Noise, Radio - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By charlesc32 - August 12 - 1:31 am

  Nice car. Love the back-up camera and blind spot warning system. However, the road noise is excessive. It came with Yokohama Geoearth tires. Very noisy. At the behest of my tire dealer I changed to Michelin Defenders. Touted as the quietest tires available. Dont believe it. The road noise reduction was not noticeable. I just wasted lots of money. Told him so. He was not inclined to change his advice. Didnt expect him to do so. It would seem the Japanese engineers could address this road noise problem as the GM engineers have. I think, in retrospect, I should have bought an Encore. So far, CX-5 Touring is reliable.