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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  Waste of money - 2006 Mazda Mazda6
  By Chuck - November 14 - 2:46 pm

  I bought a mazda 6 GT fully loaded in April 2006, and I had some small problems (rear defroster stopped working, lights went out) but nothing big until a year later the engine started making noise, so I brought it in and the service manager says it will cost $15,000 to fix(with a straight face) apparently it is not covered under warranty, Same thing happened to my cousin but she had a Mazda 3.

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  Gas Hog & Rattle Trap - 2006 Mazda Tribute
  By christi - November 11 - 8:40 pm

  Purchased used with only 600 mile so it was pretty much new. 1 year later I have spent 600.00 for brakes and my tires need to be changed already. I average 14 mpg in my V6 so is really is a gas hog. When gas was at its highest I was putting 63.00 every 3 to 4 days, I am not happy with the mileage at all. I thought it was pretty good in the beginning but now I drive 80 on the freeway the whole thing shakes. The resale value is terrible. The value 13 months later is about 8000.00 and I paid 17000 for a used. Will never purchase a Mazda ever again.

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  Somewhat Disappointed - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By tributedriver4now - November 6 - 11:26 am

  I have 50,000 miles on our Tribute and I must say that I have been disappointed in the gas mileage (nowhere near what was rated). I purchased the 4 cyl to get better milage but often get below 20. The 4 cyl isnt quite enough power for this vehicle. When it is loaded down and the AC is running it cant pull small hills without shifting down. The seat material shows every spot and has to be cleaned very often. But the price was right compared to the Ford Escape twin. Much of the features would have cost more on the Ford version.

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  Clickin Truck - 2001 Mazda B-Series
  By Wbjk96 - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Mine has a 4cyl.,5-speed, and a/c.I am not impressed with the gas milage and the seats are very uncomfortable.The shifter is very rough and since about 10k miles, there is a clicking noise from the engine. It sounds like a valve tick.The dealership said there is nothing wrong.I have tried high octane fuel, but that does not help.This truck is painful to ride in and the motor is weak.I am not impressed with this Ford...Mazda.

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  not a happy camper - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By david - October 30 - 3:40 am

  Many problems - Ill never buy Mazda again - - oil leak started at 70000; dealer "fixed" but fix only lasted 30000 miles - manifold cracked - very noisy on startup - catalytic converter needed to be replaced at 125000 - replaced 2 coils at $200 a piece. This is not what I call reliability.

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  Shifting problems 6 cylinder tribute - 2010 Mazda Tribute
  By Sandra Paris - October 23 - 6:13 pm

  Previously had a 2003 & 2005 - 6 cyl Tribute and this new one is doing strange things in down shifting at different speeds and jerking. Met with Mazda Guru and he said this is normal and because of computer and some other tech language, I have to settle for this, but driving the car you can feel the down shifting at 40 mph to 20 mph and then it jerks at different speeds. The gas mileage is terrible and yes I also feel the poor design of the back up camera, messy looking install. Black interior attracts to much dust, the shine is nice looking, but not practical, would Rather have dull interior. The wind noise from front side mirrors is just as bad as before. They know, and working on it.

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  ROTTEN EGGS - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By DISAPPONTED - October 17 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has constant high levels of sulphur dioxide odors which can even be smelled inside. Dealer cannot fix. Blames high suphur in gas. I understand there are a number of MPV`s which have this problem and Mazda disclaims responsiblity saying it is "normal". I hesitate to drive this van on any extented trip due to the excessive odor.My MPV is a loser!

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  Good if you own a tire factory - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By CWF - September 29 - 11:33 am

  Bought new in 08 and initially really liked the sporty handling and versatility. But, tires got really loud before 10,000 miles. Dealership was useless; said we should rotate more often, even though we always rotate at 5-6K. Disappointed in Edmunds and other car sites for not warning about design flaw that eats tires, and has been doing so for years. A Google search will turn up hundreds of complaints about excessive tire wear. Looking at another car mag, it appears that Mazda may have fixed the suspension problem in the 09s. To bad for us that we bought the 08. Anyone looking to buy a sharp looking, tire eating, used micro van?

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  shifting troubles - 2002 Mazda Truck
  By clark, md - September 4 - 2:00 am

  Styling on the b2300 are nice. I bought this truck because of its automatic transmission. What a mistake, it has a clunk when it shifts gears. In one 140 mile trip, it did this 165 times. The dealer tells me this is normal, madza refused to do anything. Also it is the ROUGHEST riding truck I have ever been in. Hitting a rough section of highway is an adventure. I have 250 lbs of weight in the back and run 25 lbs of air in the tires to try to help this. This will be my last madza (ford) purchase. Anybody who considers buying one is a poor misguided soul.

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  Worst Car I Have Ever Owned - 2006 Mazda Mazda6
  By xlr824 - September 3 - 10:13 am

  Lets start with the good parts. The car handles great and looks great. It is very comfortable. Now the bad. The car has been in the shop 12 times in 14 months. Everything from lumbar supports breaking (twice) to a fuel pump failure and several things in between. This is the 4th new Mazda I have owned in the past 6 years. I have been waiting a month for Mazda to make any decision on what they are going to do to satisfy their "good" customer on a car that has been a true "piece". The true quality of a company is shown not when everything is well but how they handle it when it is not well.