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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  Fun to Drive and few faults - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By MikeL - December 10 - 11:53 am

  After driving and owning Vipers and Corvettes I found this little car a blast to drive. Got the 2.5 Sport Touring. Build quality is better than the hand built Viper and you do get used to the smiley face look in a few weeks, great first car for my lucky kid to take to college.

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  Caution to CX-5 buyers - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By zoomed_out - December 9 - 3:58 pm

  Hold your horses. We have a 2013 CX-5 that had the transmission go out. The dealer has had it for a month and replaced parts in the transmission twice now with no success. They cant get the vehicle started. They have been in contact with Mazda, with no success so far. We have attempted to contact Mazda USA, with no success do to their website being down. ...?... We bought all of the options that were available for a total of 40K and now we are driving a rental car from Enterprise with a threat that if anyone dings it, we will have to pay $500 no questions asked. Thank you Alan Webb. We have never heard from Mazda Care to date.

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  Mazda 6 after 2 months - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By chrisnolga - December 9 - 10:00 am

  I love this car! It handles great- big fun on treacherous, windy roads. Also good for commute driving -easy to get around slower traffic and show them your tail lights for a change. Interior styling is best in class and rivals that of cars costing $10K more. Exterior styling is also very good- sporty yet not too extreme.

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  1st Mazda is a keeper! - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Gavin - December 9 - 10:00 am

  Have had this one for almost a year and havebeen satisfied with it overall. While it is a small car, it has plenty of room in all the right places. Drove 10 hours straight to Georgia in it and was never uncomfortable

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  A must-drive before you buy - 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Westcin - December 9 - 10:00 am

  Wow. I thought the "fun drive" thing was hype, but I was wrong. A real joy to drive. I drove them all, Porche Boxster, Audi TT, Nissan 300, BMW Z-4. Thought I was going to get the Z-4 until I drove the Miata....AND I can get my golf clubs in the trunks - NO OTHER CONVERTIBLE COULD DO THIS - and its about 60% of the price of the Z-4.

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  awesome car - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By smarte - December 9 - 10:00 am

  What a great vehicle! A sport wagon that is fun to drive, sporty and thousands less than anything else like it! I love this car! Go drive one and see for yourself! Surprising cargo room.

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  Great car - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By Jeff - December 9 - 2:16 am

  I purchased this car for my wife and wanted good handling and 4 wheel disc brakes. Had wanted a Civic but the disc brakes only came on the Si. This has been a great car - fun to drive and no problems at all. Engine not as sweet as a Honda but it has a lot of pickup around town and on the highway as well. Not as smooth in the higher RPM range as a Honda but that is not really an issue. Highway mileage is 31-32 so it gives up a bit to a Civic but much more of a sporty ride. I prefer driving the ES to my Accord V-6. I have an auto transmission and it still has a lot of Zoom Zoom. Did I mention great handling with a good highway ride? You cannot go wrong with this car. I dont like the 3.

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  Love My 6 - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By DAL - December 8 - 8:40 pm

  This has been a sweet car for me. The only down side to me is the turning radius. Wishing it got 30+ mpg too, but it makes up for it in "fun to drive" area. Id buy another one!

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  Fun to drive! - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By John Martiw - December 7 - 9:56 pm

  I had it for more then 2 years now, and I still love the car. Its fun to drive and corning just amazing. Acceleration is decent but not the best. I drive a automatic which only has 200 hp compare to manual which has about 240.

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  Mazda3 iSport 2.0L Auto Base Model - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By PeteTheGreat - December 7 - 9:13 pm

  The 2008 Mazda3 is a typical 4-door sedan with an atypical drivetrain. From the line, the car gets decent acceleration, easily capable of bypassing the ridiculous Atlanta drivers (regardless of type of car) from a dead stop. Handling is great, with a fantastic turning radius and the great ability to carve corners at speed. Interior design is nice, the sound system is very good, and there isnt enough road noise to be distracting from a conversation, even on the highway. The only real gripe I have is fuel economy, but I knew this before I chose to purchase the car. As a 23-year-old professional, this car suits my needs without being flashy or expensive.