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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  Most Fun Car Ever!!! - 2000 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By JonCheng - December 17 - 2:00 am

  After 2 1/2 years of ownership, I still have no reservations about having purchased a Miata. Id drooled over them for a decade, and when my 10 yr old Protoge finally gave out, I went out and one. Not the most practical car by any standard, but at least I dont have to pick anyone up at the airport anymore!!! Im hard on the car, so Ive had to replace the brakes and tires, but other than that, no problems. Highly recommended!

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  No Complaints - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By M J Boyer - December 17 - 2:00 am

  This is my spouses vehicle...and she truly enjoys owning and driving it. The sun-roof feature allows great outdoors enjoyment, and the tightness and overall appearance both inside and out have brought her many favorable comments from co-workers and friends. Were older individuals, and I would certainly recommend to anyone past 50 to consider this vehicle...the 200HP performance is terrific.

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  Saved our lives - 2008 Mazda Mazda6
  By Seal - December 17 - 12:46 am

  The only thing I want to say in this review is that I was traveling 75mph Eastbound on I-10 out of Texas and had an incident in which I sideswiped a guard rail and it sent me into a skid into the guardrail on the opposite side of the road on an overpass. The car was totaled and the car was demolished. The engine and transmission was ripped from the car as we rolled onto the roof. My wife and I walked away with bumps and scratches, and dirty drawers, but the vehicle saved our lives. The cabin remained intact, and we walked away. Kudos on crash impact for this vehicle. We just purchased the exact same car ;)

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  Awesome - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By COACH BIG DOG - December 16 - 10:46 pm

  Fast and handles like a sports car.The interior resembles a cockpit of a plane.

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  Zoom Zoom and thensome - 2009 Mazda Mazda6
  By Blackjack09 - December 16 - 10:46 am

  After looking at other cars (Altima, Accord, TSX), I knew this was the car for me. Stylish design inside and out, awesome features that you cant find in several other mid-sized cars in this category, and an unmistakable zoom-zoom sports car attitude that no other car, cheaper or more expensive, can come close to touching. The 3.7 is the way to go with this car! For a little less fuel economy than that smaller engine, and a little more money, its worth every penny to get the more powerful engine.

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  I love this car - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By AL - December 15 - 8:06 pm

  This car is exceptionally engineered, from the engine, to the handling performance, all all the way down to the little japanese gadget goodies you find after you drive it off the lot. I have all sport packages including GT, and when I get a new air filter and high flow intake filter case, I should get the gas mileage I need to make this a bit more economical. Without shifting past the engine cutoff (AT at 7500), 1st gear hits about 60mph, 2nd hits 88mph, and 3rd is around 108mp. Not bad for an AT.

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  Amazing. - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By jason - December 15 - 6:10 pm

  Ever since I first saw the Mazda3 I knew I had to have one. So I went about my goal. I had just graduated high school and had saved enough $ for a down payment, so I got the one I wanted. Car is INCREDIBLE. I love everything about it. Looks great, drives great, runs great. Best of all, it has been incredibly reliable - almost 29k miles and NO problems whatsoever. Ive had the car for almost 2 years now and can safely say I recommend it to anyone looking for a world-class car at a great price.

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  Great car - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By BigBear123 - December 15 - 11:40 am

  First, not mine, reviewing my girlfriends mazda3, i drive it a lot though. Think the 5 door is one of the best cars out there right now as far as value and what you get. 2.5l engine is peppy enough to enjoy, but small enough to average 30+ mpg, and the data center in the interior makes keeping track of everything easy and fun. This car looks good head to toe, interior is nicely laid out with lots of great features, from lighting for just about everything, to the good looking tac ometers. Hatchback makes hauling large or odd ball shaped things easy, like 46" flat screen tv. I have nothing really bad to say about this car, I want one, but she already has one... that would just be weird.

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  Review of 6MT Mazda RX8 - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By ccasmoe20 - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Cars like it, NONE. This car is a dream for the price. Rotary Engine is great and silky smooth. Bose audio system is great. Interior and exterior are gorgeous! Handles like no other. When ever I drive it feels like the car and I are united as 1. Huge 9,000 RPM Redline!

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  Definitely Worth A Look - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By badlands - December 15 - 10:00 am

  After researching/test driving every SUV $40K and under I kept coming back to the Tribute. Overall,the Tribute is a winner. With the V6 it has better pickup and crisper handling then almost anything out there in the small/midsize SUV categories. Rides better on dirt roads than my Laredo did. 6in shorter than my old Jeep but still has reasonable cargo area and good front/back interior room. The sound system/6 cd player is equally as good if not better than the Infinity the Jeep had.If you are looking for an SUV with reasonable gas mileage(for an SUV), something thats fun to drive(the zoom zoom is for real), and a better bumper-to bumper warranty than most(4 yrs/50K mi),check out the Tribute.