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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  Makes My Day - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By miatame - December 24 - 10:00 am

  Hey, I did my time in minivans. This is my "other" car. Have been smiling ever since hubby bought it for my anniversary present last summer. Always have very silly grin when driving. I make up excuses to drive whenever it is sunny, and always take the long, long way home.

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  Mazda Magic - 2004 Mazda MPV
  By Chris Read - December 24 - 10:00 am

  Wonderful mini-van; perfect size; not too much a goliath like most. And the second seat windows go down!(Only mini-van in which they do.) Wish the second seats folded into the floor. A couple of small design glitches, like you cant see the A/C button behind the gear selector when driving. Has been problem-free (11000 miles).

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  ZOOM ZOOM - 2004 Mazda MPV
  By Rick Bogey - December 24 - 10:00 am

  This mid size MPV has the soul of a sports MPV. The handling is great and the size is an advantage. The gas mileage is a plus. This is the second MPV I have owned. We have also owed a Toyota Sienna.

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  review - 2004 Mazda MPV
  By lmatt464 - December 24 - 10:00 am

  this is my 3rd mpv and i would not buy anything else. i have driven other minivans and the mpv is by far the best van on the market.

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  Zoom----Zoom - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Mosquito - December 23 - 7:46 am

  It is a great car. This is my first Mazda, I have owned 2 Subarus prior. For the money I couldnt go wrong. It has all the bells and whistles of most major luxury car makers at a fraction of the price. The design, both interior and exterior are well thought and beautiful. I get people asking me all the time what kind of car is that! It catches peoples eyes for sure. After I tinted the windows it took on a totaly different look. I would love to see Mazda put the 6 cyc. in the 3. It would make it even better!! It is quick now, but with the 6 cyc. WOW!

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  Zoom, Zoom - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By industrogoth - December 22 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had my car for a few weeks but Im very impressed. I actually bought the car without test driving but it was a gamble that paid off. Its very fun to drive, often come up with any reason to get behind the wheel. It rides smooth, has great handling and comes with every feature standard. A/C works great and the sound system is pretty good too, also gets great gas mileage. To sum it up, this is possibly the best car Ive ever owned and I advise you to check it out.

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  zoom-zoom = fun - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By trwitte - December 22 - 10:00 am

  We bought this vehicle after much research on Edmunds & other sites. Originally purchased to transport our large Rhodesian Ridgeback. However, WE LOVE OUR TRIBUTE! Its fun to drive, turns corners without feeling top- heavy. Test-drove Escape, Honda, Nissan and chose the Mazda Tribute and have not been sorry.

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  After one week - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By awolowa - December 21 - 4:21 am

  This car makes weird noises. The motor sounds like birds chirping and it makes me nervous. Is it supposed to sound like this? Sure wish I had a rear camera. The visibility is bad over the shoulder. Interior noise is fair. Car is bulky for its actual size. Handling is pretty amazing. Really holds the road. Very fun drive. However very little power, but probably enough for normal driving. Not a race car, but kinda handles like one. Boasts some good gas mileage, but havent experienced that yet. I hope its just because it needs to be "broken in".

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  Still reliable after all these years - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By caneshooter - December 20 - 4:10 pm

  My fourth consecutive Mazda. Still very reliable at 112k miles, only routine maintenance performed thus far. ES models 2.0 motor is peppy even with the 4-speed automatic. A major negative is road noise. DX & LX Proteges were already noisy and the ES models low profile tires take it up a notch. Thats why I only rated the car a "5" for comfort.

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  So far so good - 2009 Mazda CX-7
  By pega - December 20 - 5:53 am

  In 9 months I made put 25K km (17K in miles) and everything is perfect. Ive been to a few long trips, its such a fun to drive this car at these long trips - this is where its a its best. Gas mileage is a bit on the high side, especially at winter, but hey, you cant have everything. Im a bit worried reading all the bad reliability reviews for 2007 that I decided to write this one. So far, I love this car.