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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  Why Pay More for Honda and Toyota - 2005 Mazda MPV
  By Justin Owens - February 26 - 7:53 am

  I have only had this van for a month, but with all the features the MPV has, why pay more for the Honda or Toyota? We purchased the ES, with everything on it. It has leather, DVD, moonroof, power doors -- its loaded. Sticker on this MPV was $32,190, but after using S-plan and rebates we only paid $26,718. This saved me almost $10,000 compared to the Honda and Toyota equipped the same. The only thing you lose with the MPV is the room. It is smaller than the others, but it feels more like a car than a van. I have not had any of the issues stated by the editors review. The MPV is a great value and fun to drive, plus you dont see these at every stop light like you do the Honda and Toyota.

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  I love my Mazdaspeed3! - 2010 Mazda MazdaSpeed3
  By Katelyn66 - February 26 - 7:30 am

  If I could go back I would buy it all over again. This is a very responsive & quick car with lots of features to make your ride & needs feel beyond met. I am still finding new features that make my ride exciting, I enjoy the blue tooth I can listen to my Iphone wireless & answer calls while shifting hands free. The Bose system is awesome, my previous car had subs & I dont miss them at all. The blue lights underneath the dash and on the stick are a fun feature for a night drive out on the town. I feel safe in this car without the feel of being in a mini van. The stock dual exhaust sounds great, like a race car. This is definitely a luxury car that is affordable and fun to drive. Zoom zoom!

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  96 Montego blue, PEP + leather - 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By toyluvr - February 25 - 7:20 am

  Bought car w/38,150 miles. Fix brokes are a clutch slave & inner shift boot, total of ~$56. Routine maint. includes wiper blades, plugs & wires, 2 oil changes, diff and trans fluid changes, total of ~$134 Total fuel consumption averaged 26.52 MPG, high tank of 32.87, low tank of 22.88 Fuel cost/mile = .04262 repair/maint. cost/mile = .019 total = .061 per mile I will have to admit it has offered about the least expensive smile per mile of anything I have ever owned.

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  Awesome Car - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By jeff123456 - February 23 - 10:00 am

  The funnest car to drive. I wish it had more HP, and AWD. Only two complaints

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  One of the Best Buy - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By soon2familyof4 - February 23 - 2:46 am

  This is a smart vehicle and one of the best buy in current auto market. I got the sport (A) at a price 2K lower than many midsize sedan sold in my area, like camry, accord, and altima! The 5 is very functional with a combination of minivan and samll SUV. However, I have to admit that some stuff needs to be improved. For example, the front AC wind direction is hard to adjust (I prefer the design of camry in this case).

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  Great MiniVan - 2004 Mazda MPV
  By Walker Family - February 19 - 10:00 am

  We are young Parents and the Mpv has the sporty looks with the family Features

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  Perfection - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Matt C - February 19 - 10:00 am

  In my opinion, Mazda has reached perfection in engineering with the RX- 8. The options available, on top of the standard features, make the car one of the best out on the market today (in its price range). One of the things that most impressed me was how roomy the back seats are. While researching which cars to buy, I sat in the back of both the RX-8 and the Infiniti G-35. Now, no one has ever mistaken me for being tall, but I felt cramped in the back of the G-35, and my head hit the rear windshield. There was no such problem with the Mazda.

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  Best small car by far! - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By lmp180psu - February 19 - 10:00 am

  This is my first "new" car, and it has been very fun to drive. The Mazda3 has the best combination of interior and exterior style around, and I love just looking at it. Aside from very marginal A/C, and excessive rear brake dust, this car have been trouble free (4000 miles so far). The acceleration from the 2.3 engine is smooth and the auto trans shifts very smoothly, and I love the manumatic function. Also the ride is comfortable / sporty without being harsh.

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  Mazda 3i Touring - 2013 Mazda Mazda3
  By bfalck - February 18 - 11:28 pm

  One of the main reasons I choose the Mazda is the way it handles. Good highway acceleration, holds the corners very well with very little sway. The ride is fairly quiet. Six speed AT (with manual option) shifts very smooth. Four wheel disk brakes make stopping very even and sure. Rear trunk has a removable attached cover that conveniently rises when the rear lift gate is opened and conceals everything when closed. Black cloth seats are comfortable and nicely contoured. OwnerÂ’s manual is very complete and easy to understand. Cruise control buttons have raised centers which allow me to keep my eye on the road. Im getting about 30 MPG overall. Good safety features, insurance cost reasonable.

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  MAZDA IS BACK!! - 2010 Mazda RX-8
  By Bill Tolles - February 17 - 2:50 pm

  This rotary demon is impressive and fun to drive. Too many people (piston people) DO NOT understand the ROTARY engine. It is powerful, quick, and its super sporty (R3) suspension make it a demon on the roads. Horsepower is NOT a problem IF you know how to drive the RX-8. Not everyone is meant to drive the RX-8. The RX-8 must first pick you and then you and the RX-8 will bond and become one, only then will you truly appreciate the power, handling and excitement of Zoom-Zoom!! Once the union of car & RX-8 have commenced, then you two will be inseparable, and the road your friend. You will fear no curve, nor any Z monster encountered on the highways & biways of your travels. ROTARY forever!