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:

• 

  NEVER AGAIN - 2008 Mazda Tribute
  By PAINT IT AINT - July 25 - 5:06 am

  I am very disappointed with this purchase, paint has been chipping and continues to bubble on pieces that had been repainted noise in front sounds like needing new breaks this was all in 3 months of purchasing. Headlights had to be completely replaced, washer fluid leaks on hood, tie down in back fell off and again paint bubbling all with in 6 months of owning vehicle. If own the lt sage, please go over it and check for bubbles of pin head paint. It squeaks like an old truck on very hot days and long rides in stop and go traffic, does not have pickup, the dash color reflects on the windshield which is somewhat distracting. Never will I purchase a Mazda.

• 

  money pit - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By laylow26101 - July 20 - 5:56 pm

  do not buy this vehicle. they are money pits. the coil packs go out in all of them over and over again. the pvc hoses always crack in them, the power door cables break in them, and the newest problem is the radio, interior lights, and power doors quit working and none of the fuses are blown. noone knows how to fix the newest problem. these vehicles are built to fail and to be a money pit.

• 

  CRAP-mistake to have bought this piece of junk - 2010 Mazda Tribute
  By a524157 - July 7 - 12:01 pm

  2010 Tribute bought new (I thought) had a recal to recalibrate tranny...gas milage got worse, rear wiper has failed and worse still I cannot get the wiper arm off to replace the motor..even tried a wheel puller but no go. Rusting under lip of the hood and the hatchback. Had to replace resonator because weld let go. had to change purge valve because it is made too cheap. Wheel lugs are constantly coming loose on mags even after being torqued to manufact specs. Now I was told that there is rust on the roof above the drivers side door in the roof rails that appears to have been fixed before we bought the car According to a Ford dealer looks like car was dropped-explains funny clunk closingdoor

• 

  The worst car I ever had - 1999 Mazda Protege
  By Mariya Gromyko - July 4 - 4:50 am

  A lot of noise from the road. Transmission failed after 46,000 miles. Bad customer service.

• 

  ***Turbo Nightmare*** - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By **CX7 - JuNK!*** - June 27 - 3:16 am

  Every single day I drove my car I have loved it! One day driving home from taking my daughter to school my car starting making a loud clanking noise and smoke came from the back of the car. I took it in for regular maintenance and was told that my turbo was blown and the coolant to the turbo had a leak. I took it to the mazda service department and they told me it was not covered under warranty and I would pay about 4,000-5,000 for new engine/turbo. What a nightmare, now I am paying a car note on a car that is parked in my garage. I cant afford the repairs and I am soon forced to file bankruptcy to have this nightmare end!! *** BEWARE

• 

  P.O.S!!!!! - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By turtle21 - June 12 - 9:30 pm

  I had my car for 4 years and it is the worst car ever! Ive had 3 engine replacements and 3 transmission replacements. The car has left me stranded numerous times and the brakes even go out on me. Ive also had to replace my coils every 3 months. And once the warranty is up good luck trying to get the thing to run!! It overheats and shuts off when driving long distances. It looks nice but runs like crap I wish I never got this car. And now getting rid of it is even harder due to all the problems it has.

• 

  Buy a real sports car not this one - 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Made a big mistake - May 26 - 7:03 pm

  Have owned real sports cars (vetts, S2000, porsches) downsized to this, with such great reviews got this thought my wife would also like it, terrible ride not even closed to the handling of an S2000. I not talking about raw power, but handling, how can anyone call this a sports car WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT will sell as soon as I can. If you want to save a few dollars buy a used S2000 or Boxster you will be driving a real sports car.

• 

  Never again, never Mazda! - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By DC Sienerth - April 13 - 5:46 am

  Absolutely the worst vehicle Ive ever owned. Purchased with 84000 miles, at 88000 the transmission blows up (luckily it was under warranty).Two weeks after trans is replaced, the famous ill-designed PCV hose has to be replaced (not under warranty, cost $300). Now it refuses to run in the rain - water apparently getting into the other famously ill-designed item: coil packs have a vent that allows water to get into pack and interfere with spark! Do yourself a favor and avoid Mazda products - I can guarantee I will avoid like a plague!

• 

  Terrible! A huge regret! - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By bumbieb - March 15 - 7:29 am

  My mazda is 3 years old, has broken down on me 4 times, and I am now told by Mazda that my car needs a new engine. I regret buying this lemon. Terrible customer service too. Stay away!

• 

  sickofmazda - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By jb2590 - March 12 - 12:56 am

  I bought my Mazda 6 used and it was perfect... At first.. The first problem was the cd player. Only likes select cds and ruined every cd I put in it. Another problem I experienced was the interior. I dont know what kind of fabric it is but water.. Stained! Impossible to clean then it felt like my transmission started slipping but couldnt pin point it because it didnt do it all the time. Went from that to check engine light staying on to the wiring system being messed up to getting stuck in 3rd gear to stalling out. This is all in 3 years. I loved my car at first but now I will never get a Mazda again..!