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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  Ugh, this stupid car! - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Hannah - March 11 - 2:50 am

  Ok, Im 16; got this car for my birthday, have guarded it with my life and taken excellent care of it. But no matter what it always stops running -- has been towed twice because it quit in my drive way. So many recalls its not even funny, airbags went bad, along with its computer. Oh and it rattles so bad. Its currently for sale because I want a vehicle that will start anytime.

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  Three months in - 2014 Mazda Mazda6
  By jmick1 - March 11 - 2:26 am

  Have a 2004 6i auto with 120K, and replaced a 2012 Golf 2.5 with the 2014 6. Very happy so far. No issues. Lots of good cars out there, so small things make big differences to us, like the shielded trunk hinges, covered cup holders in the console, and steering wheel controls. Controls are well designed and easy to use. Interior storage could be better: compared to the 04 6i, the dash pop up is gone, the door storage holds less, and the console loses the dual level storage. For us, the garage door opener sits in the dash cubbie, the book on CD goes in the passenger door cubbie, and the charging phone sits in the top of the console cubbie. That doesnt work in the 2014.

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  Small minivan or large station wagon? - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By PeterK - March 8 - 10:13 pm

  My family of 3 soon to be 4 needed to upgrade from our Civic to be able to carry two car seats some cargo and maybe grandma every now and then. We desperately did not want to end up in a mini van and despite what some categorize Mazda 5 as we love the sliding doors which allow pain-free baby loading into the car seat. Cargo room with the third row folded is sufficient but when the seats are up you cant even fit your groceries. Gas mileage is in the area of 24 MPG with mixed driving, enough power to propel 4 adults and a baby on any road or hill. Highly recommended to those who need larger vehicle but want to remain environmentally friendly.

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  165,000 miles and still running - 1999 Mazda 626
  By Rita - March 8 - 3:46 pm

  My 1999 626, manual transmission (we bought it new) has 165,000 miles on it. It is now a "college car" for my son. The engine went out a few weeks ago and we opted to put a used one in (100,000 miles on this one). $1,800.00 later and the car is running great. We could not find a used car for the price of repairing this one. The body and interior on this car still looks great. Only problems..antenna wont go down, one power window doesnt work (back seat) other than that this car has been almost repair free. I hope we can get another few years on the new engine.....

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  Goodbye VW - 2012 Mazda MazdaSpeed3
  By madpuffin - March 8 - 12:16 pm

  Having been a VW FANatic since I was 16 has been practically destroyed after getting into this beast built by Mazda. I have owned 3 GTIs with the last one being an 07 Turbo, dumped tons of money into this problem fest—maxed out the performance without going the big turbo upgrade route and then the little German car made in mexico (lame) started to cry—all the time. I cant remember when I didnt have some sort of problem light on my dash Unlit. Mazdaspeed is awesome and it allows for amazing tuning for the enthusiast. This is an enthusiast car—given away from the feeling of sheer fun it is to drive this thing, although it can be a rough ride and I love it. Old men and children stay away.

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  Love my New Mazda - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By lisacab - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I have always been an owner of Mazda. I love my SUV and completed satisfied with it! I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a small SUV.

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  RX8 NEWCOMER IS ALL ITS CRACKED UP TO BE - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By sch - March 8 - 2:00 am

  THE RX8 IS A TRUE AUTOMOTIVE LEAP IN TECHNOLOGY, FROM THE COMPUTER MAPPING SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS ALL ENGINE FUNCTIONS TO THE MORE OBVIOUS, AWARD WINNING ROTOR ENGINE DESIGN. I ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND ANYONE INTERESTED, THAT CAN APPRECIATE A BALANCE OF ROAD HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS, THAT MAKES THE RX8 A BLAST TO DRIVE! THE THING IS PRACTICAL TOO... AND THATS WHAT CONVINCED ME IT WAS THE RIGHT CHOICE OUT THERE. THE FRAME TECHNOLOGY TO RETAIN THE RIGIDITY W/O A DOOR PILLAR BETWEEN THE TWO DOORS EXEMPLIFIES THE TIME AND MONEY THAT WENT INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS FINELY CRAFTED CAR. ALL I CAN SAY, IS.... ENJOY THE HELL OUT OF HER!!!

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  Very good so far - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By BJSloth - March 8 - 2:00 am

  My RX-8 is very fun to drive and sure beats my old Neon... Acceleration is amazing and handling is superb. I bought Red which is beautiful.

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  Sporty meets Practicality - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By StarCrab - March 8 - 2:00 am

  The only thing that surpassed the exterior design was the handling and feel for the road while driving. You can literally be merging the freeway on a very curved onramp and floor it, and it grips the turn flawlessly. The center console is by far the coolest feature of the car. The automatic climate control is a little buggy; it always turns on the AC even to raise the temperature, and therefore is unsuccessful. The rpms really have to be 4,000+ in order to get the feeling like youre being thrown out of your seat, but it can be done. I should add that the car rides very well there and is perfectly happy being at 4,000 the entire trip.

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  great fun for the money - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By ron wichern - March 8 - 2:00 am

  great handling,good performance,good price,needs6th gear as 3300 rpm high at 75mph.only bad point is brake dust all over wheels every 400 miles.Gas milage not as good as previously owned Chysler Concorde3.3 on the highway.Great fun to drive quotion makes up for it though.