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:

• 

  Best Sports Car Ive Had - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By RotaryLover - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Wow...AM I IMPRESSED! Of all sports cars Ive previously owned, S2000, Boxter, 300zx, Eclipse, and we cant forget my favorite previous vehicle, RX7. Price is excellent on this car too; Best bang for the buck on sports cars to date. This car is by far my favorite. The salesman,Chris Kimbel from Bell Road Automall, had the best knowledge toward my car as far as any other Mazda Salesman that Ive heard from. Thank you Chris and Thank You Bell Road Mazda.

• 

  Great bang for the buck - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Bps1977 - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Just bought the 2004 S model This car performs much better then you would think for the price. Styling is perfect, inside and out. Corners great with its sport tuned suspension. Decent acceleration and very good brakes. Has the looks of an Audi or BMW, the price of a Mazda, what more could you ask for?

• 

  Kyles review - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Mazdaguy - May 24 - 6:23 am

  I really enjoy my 2006 roadster. It is the best handling car I have ever owned. It takes turns at 65 miles an hour, not too shabby. I will take handling over real fast anyday.

• 

  Mazda3 - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By silliewillie - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I have traveled 4500 miles so far. Ive been extremely pleased with the performance, reliability, and design of the vehicle thus far. Ive received complements from strangers on the visual appeal of the vehicle. Take a test drive and feel how well this car handles. The Mazda 3 is very fun to drive.

• 

  Just bought the 3S and love it! - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Bigcat817 - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I got the 3S loaded out (except navigation), it drives great. The extra 12Hp made a difference. It picks up speed smooth and easy, the Xenon lights are great, and cool red dash lighting. The 6 speakers/6 cd changer is avg. Handling is excellent, the leather seats Im sure will loosen up some once I have been in it enough. I got the Titanium Grey which was my favorite color and the reason that I got the 3S over the 3I. I did like the 3I 5 speed (which was great to drive, shifting was smooth). The Mazda/Ford plan was a great way to buy a car no haggle and i got mine 2k under msrp. Well I have to go now "Baby" is calling me :)

• 

  Best Bang for the Buck - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By hrhkee - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I did 2-month research and almost did not buy this car when I found out it had Ford engine. It was between this and a 2002 Audi A4 1.8T Quatro. I chose the Mazda 6 Audi was too much $$$ for only all wheel drive difference. I have had it a day and I have no regrets. The pickup is lacking but the handling is awesome for a car without all wheel drive. I will increase the torque and low speed UMPH when after market products come out for this car but until then - my payments are less and my fun factor is still 9/10.

• 

  Most fun I have had ever driving a car! - 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Pugman - May 22 - 10:00 am

  To all considering buying this car and worried about hp or interior comfortability, need not worry! My wife and I were considering a BMW Z3 but decided to go with this hot little #. It handles great, bose system is fantastic, and very peppy. I drive the car everyday to work and watch others driving into work with boring looks on their face and find myself smiling and thinking if they would have only bought a Miata! I am 6ft tall and I have ample room when driving. I go through the gears very fast and you get .4 cut off the 0-60mph with a 6 spd. I previously owned a Mustang GT conv. and love this car more by 10 fold.

• 

  The "ONE" - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By P. Narro - May 20 - 10:16 am

  Aside from the recall the experience has been nothing short of amazing! We were given a minivan to use during the recall and it only strengthened my argument against buying one. Thats right, I dont classify the 5 as a minivan because of the way it handles. Built on the 3s platform, Mazda succeeded in keeping the "soul of a sports car" intact. I was driving on a two lane highway and a car who was waiting to pull out onto the opposite lane begins to pull out into the opposing lane and stalls out half-way between my lane and the shoulder. I swerved to the left and there was an on-coming truck and before I knew it I was safely back in my lane.The 5 saved our lives.

• 

  Versatile and Fun, but MPG way off! - 2010 Mazda Mazda5
  By gliese876d - May 18 - 4:23 am

  In general I really love my Mazda5. It is fun to drive and highly versatile for my growing family. What I loved most was that I did not have to give up a manual transmission to get a mini-van, and assumed I could get good gas mileage given the advertised 22-28mpg, especially with a 5-speed. That was an important selling point to me because I was trading in a fuel efficient sedan, and did not want to sacrifice fuel efficiency. But so far this car has yet to deliver anywhere close to the adverstised gas mileage. It has not yet *once* even gotten the lowest value of 22mpg since I purchased the vehicle almost 3 months and 3200 miles ago. It is usually an abyssmal 19.5 mpg.

• 

  Best compromise - 2010 Mazda Mazda5
  By vicenac - May 17 - 1:03 pm

  Weve got the GT for its leather seats. It is much easier to clean milk spills off of them. We have two kids, 5 and 0.3. A minivan is something way too big for us, but we did want 3 raws seating. This is the best compromise we could find. Besides Ive been in love with the looks since I saw it the first time. Its a little cramped. Fitting the rear facing baby seat in the second raw, makes the third raw unusable (almost). Loaded with all of us (plus grandma) there is not much room for stuff. A roof carrier is a must. All in all we feel we struck gold with this one. It fills all our needs and its easy to park and fun to drive. And it looks cool