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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  Still Skeptic (trying to be positive) - 2011 Mazda CX-7
  By izus - June 18 - 7:59 am

  there has been some problems so far. we hace 2400 miles on it. the air con is not the strongest, during our hot summer in Orlando it does not cool off no matter how far you drive. Mazda told me the days are just too hot being over 100 degrees. we suffered for about 2 weeks this summer with a brand new car that cant cool off. then yesterday i noticed a strange smell coming from the engine compartment. i made an appointment and not sure what the problem is now. im beginning to think we should have purchased the Toyota rav 4

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  So good, but so bad... - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By DC_Mike - June 14 - 1:23 pm

  I thought for a while before I wrote this. And I think my title describes my 6s perfectly. It really is all good, and all bad. Great to drive, sharp looking, so much more exciting than an Accord/Camry type. But Ive experienced horrible reliability problems from day one. Brakes replaced twice. CD player not working. Engine fan. Power locks. Etc. I havent even begun to describe the horrible build quality--rattles in the dashboard, drivers seat, passengers seat, sunroof, headliner, glove box. I used to own a VW Jetta, and joked that it was like a beautiful girlfriend who treated you like dirt--you cared and cared, and it never cared back. My 6 is just as bad. Ill never buy a Mazda again.

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  No more Mazda for me - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By MikeL23 - June 14 - 7:20 am

  This is a fun car when its not in the shop. Gas cap replaced; turned on engine service light. Transaxle went out 22,ooo miles. Fuel gauge showed half tank, I ran out of gas on major city highway during rush hour. Fuel sending unit replaced. Turbo went out 42000 miles. Original tires lasted 20,000 miles. (soft tread) Ive tried 5 different mazda dealers and have had the worst service Ive ever experienced. Their techs and mechanics are incompetent. Ive been lied to about oil changes. Had to take car back 4 and 5 times for repair issues. Example: floats not adjusted properly after sending unit replaced, digital key malfunction, they damaged fenders said my fault. ETC. Buy another brand

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  Almost bought it - 2016 Mazda CX-9
  By Anton S - June 13 - 9:12 pm

  So I am looking to replace my small CRV second car to something bigger so my whole family can use it when we get tired of our Pilot. CX9 looked perfect on paper. After reviewing it online and seeing several on the roads I went to the dealership. I was ready to test drive it when I got behind the wheel and was very disappointing with the driver seat. It does not go low and far back enough. I am only 5 11 but the seat was way too high for me when doing elbow test. I also could not straighten my legs out all the way and was sitting with knee bend. I wanted to make this my commuter car but with that seat no way it might happen. May be my wife will be OK with it, but we switch a lot so it will be a no for me until its fixed. Update 8/7/2016 So I went back to the dealer and can confirm - the driver seat is not 8 way power seat. It is 6 way power seat with lumbar support. Lumbar usually does not count as a way power seat and goes on top of how many ways the seat is powered. The driver seat only goes up (whole seat) slides and back moves. It does not have front seat height adjustment. This is really disappointing since any 8 way power seat has front seat changing height with back remaining in same location.

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  Mazda 6S - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By Snowdy - June 10 - 7:33 am

  I purchased my MAZDA 6 in May 2003. To date I have 52,000 miles on it. This car looks great but is one of the most undependable new vehicles that I have ever owned (of 17). This car has been towed in 4 times, 2 times for the "knock sensor". The battery blew up, the transmission locked up and now the master cylinder has gone out on it. These are in addition to the 5 times that the "check engine" light has come on and they cant tell you why. This car will break me before it is over, even though I started with several thousand dollars equity, I am now in several thousand dollars negative equity. Learn the lesson from me, NEVER buy the first year of a new model.Terrible resell value!

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  Dont buy an rx8 Mazda will not help you - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Lou - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Hello I purchased an 04 rx8 in April 2010 I have 135,000 miles on it now worst investment ever. There are recalls after recalls and if the car has more than 100,000 miles Mazda could care less unlike Toyota who fix their mistakes Mazda wont. Lets start with the airbag recall $1200 to fix Mazda wont fix it for me bad harness, crack in clutch pedal $600 Mazda wont fix it, lower ball joint I replaced roughly $50 Mazda wouldnt. All of these items are recalls. Also lousy fuel to power ratio and extremely high maintenance and cost. Go to a search bar and type Mazda rx8 complaints and recalls pages and pages will come up.

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  Transmission Failed - 2000 Mazda MPV
  By MPV Owner - June 7 - 11:06 pm

  I have been driving this car since the start of 2001. Overall it has been solid and has required only basic or required minimal repairs... until now. At only 80,000 miles the transmission has completely failed. This will cost over $3,000 to repair, more than 1/2 the value of the car. Mechanics seem surprised, but say it is a closed system, and if it goes... well it just goes. This is a real bummer and has really turned me off on this car.

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  Way Over Rated - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By natelogggg - June 5 - 11:45 pm

  The build quality seems cheap. It feels like some one built it out of legos. Lots of road noise, and not very comfortable. Best gas milage was 26 mpg. The suspension is rickety as well. Within 3000 miles, it was in the dealership because it was pulling to the right. They did the alignment for me and sent me on my way. A month later I had it back in for the same issue. This time I was accused of putting the car in the ditch since they found mud under the fenders. I live a mile up a dirt road, and it rains alot. The dealer tried saying that this is not normal wear and tear. After an argument and a threat to call BBB, they fixed it again. Now the transmission is shifting hard. Car has 60k mile

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  Thank Goodness its under warrenty! - 2008 Mazda CX-7
  By AMB - May 31 - 11:06 pm

  Yesterday was the second time in less than 2 weeks that the car broke down and I had it towed to the dealer. After about 2,000 miles I had to have the brakes replaced (the car shimmied with each application of the breaks). At 26,000 miles I was told by the service manager that I should replace my tires. No one at the dealership seemed to think this was outrageous. Last week, the air compressor quit and a belt broke. It took the dealer 4 days to repair. Yesterday, I heard a clunk, my battery light went on, then the car quit. I have 28,400 miles on the car. This is a lease vehicle. When I turn the car in 12/2009, I am done with Mazda!

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  Mazda has no air cond*** - 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Gigi Hernandez - May 25 - 2:12 am

  if you are tempted to buy a cute little Miata like I did ... its adorable ... faster than you can dream... everyone loves it ... but there are 3 problems with this car the air conditioning is weak .... it never gets cold !!! Its hot in Oklahoma right now , so I left the convertible top on , turned my air up all the way , kept waiting for it to get cool ... just barely cool... this is a brand new car !! obviously they assumed if you are going to have the top down you wont notice the air conditioner anyway... but its hotter than #%@$$ ...and the paint job is cheap ... it looks like I drive it thru the brush every day ... I live in the city ... there are tiny scratches all over it ... and we when we had ice in Feb the ice actually left a scrape around the bottom of the car... and the last thing is the radio ... it doesnt search out all the stations like my old car did ... and the speakers are not powerful ... I would get the Sirius option for the radio but I have been trying to read the 300 page instruction manual that was obviously written by a 21 year old genius and not meant for anyone else to understand