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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  Almost Perfect! - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Jennifer - February 6 - 4:00 am

  I love love love my Mazda 3. I did a lot of research of the Honda Civic, Fit, Toyota Corolla and the Volks Jetta. I was almost going to buy the Corolla until I test drove the Mazda 3 Sedan. It was the handling that sold me and the expensive/sporty look of the trim. The Corolla was everything I expected it to be, but the Mazda 3 surpassed what I was looking for.

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  LOVE MY P5 - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By davi3 - February 5 - 4:38 am

  I bought my 2003 P5 new...have had for 10 years now. It has 287,000 miles! I plan to get as many miles as I possibly can out of her. It is a manual trans and Ive kept the timing belt replaced at regular intervals and have only ever used synthetic oil. The thermostat quit once but was a very simple fix. The headlight have always been a headache. I used to would have to replace them seemingly constantly. I love driving this car and dont feel like I will ever like another car as much as I like this one...unless it was a suped up chevelle or something :) cheap car, cheap on gas & fun to drive.

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  What a great car! - 2010 Mazda RX-8
  By pjs_tools - February 4 - 12:53 pm

  Purchased as a car-show dealers demo in OCtober 2010. Driven three seasons - never in snow. Currently at 12,000 miles. Bets handling car I have ever owned, or driven. Test drove about 25 cars before buying this one (and a VW GTi for my wife). Best of all of them, including BMW roadster, Mitsubishis, Toyotas (no real competitor with the demise of the S2000), Porsches (too expensive to repair!), and Nissan Z. I think this is the best affordable sports car available. Holds its value as well, at least so far. No mechanical or other problems to date.

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  In a class by itself - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By jeff527 - February 2 - 4:20 pm

  This is a great vehicle—you just have to know what to compare it to! Its not an Odyssey / Caravan / Sienna competitor. Yes, it has a third row but the Mazda5 is a much smaller vehicle. We stepped up from a Mazda3 after we had our second child. I found we didnt need all the space of a full size minivan so our Mazda5, with a manual transmission to boot, is a great compromise between a 5 seat hatchback and a full size minivan. Weve put 15,000 miles on it so far and have not it in the shop once for a mechanical failure. If you think it looks like a space ship youll probably get used to that after a while. Tinting the windows all around also helps.

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  Great value! - 2007 Mazda Mazda6
  By Great value! - January 30 - 4:06 pm

  Just purchased the 2007 Mazda6i sports value edition. Love the look of the car inside and out. Great looking 17" wheels and love the feel behind the wheel. I purchased the Smokestone exterior color with black fabic interior. Love the way the dashboard lights up at night in red. Good gas mileage and I like the 2.3L 4cyl automatic. Good value for the money spent.

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  M6 - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By r4ski - January 30 - 1:40 pm

  This car has lived up to all my expectations. Super smooth on the highway and crisp on the back roads. The space with the hatchback is phenomenal. I have carried three kids, our 75lb dog, and luggage with no problems. This car actually replaced a minivan. I thought it would be difficult to give up the space I had with the van.The Mazda6 Hatchback can hold lots of stuff and still look sporty. The only drawback I have encountered has been the tires that came with the car. They are below average on snow and ice. Everywhere else they are good performers. Next winter I will invest in a set of good snow tires. The winters are long and stormy up here in Northern New England.

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  Awesome - 1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By maximum - January 29 - 7:33 am

  Great car!

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  95 Miata - 1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By nburford - January 29 - 4:46 am

  This has been one of the most reliable and fun to drive cars that Ive ever owned. It is extremely easy to work on and it begs to be driven. Good on gas, oil and the other automotive life bloods.

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  Zoom Zoom #1 - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By mugwamp - January 28 - 9:16 pm

  This is the most fun I have had in a car in years. It is compact but still has head and shoulder room for my husband and myself, and we are not small people. With gas prices going up, it is terrific. My son did not want to learn how to drive a manual until he drove mine a few times. Now that is what he wants for his own car.

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  This car is GREAT! - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By Ron L - January 27 - 12:36 pm

  I have a 60 mile round-trip daily commute, and a family with 2 small children; This is the ideal cross-over between an economical commuter car and a mini-van! And, while it would be nice if Mazda would tweak the motor to get another 15 hp, it performs just fine. It handles and brakes extremely well... Zoom-zoom! The interior is well planned, and the materials, fit and finish are excellent! It has a great ride, is reasonably quiet, and it even looks pretty good for a "minivan"! The touring model is also well equiped with cruise control, sunroof, side-skirts, 17" alloy wheels, 6CD changer, climate control, etc. The only "option" we added was the rear bumper step guard.