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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  Love My Mazda - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Lolo - December 22 - 7:33 am

  I am very pleased with the way this car handles. Very sporty. I have an automatic with the 6 cd package. I just went on a 4 hour road trip on a very windy day and it handled exceptionally well. I am very impressed with the amount of interior space. My daughter has 3 year old triplets and an eight year old ... she loves the safety features and borrows it often. She and her husband plan on buying one this summer.

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  Its worth the wait - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By bobodastud - December 21 - 10:48 pm

  This car was never on my list of cars to test drive because of its horsepower and I wanted to drive something more upscale. After test drove the X3, Allroad, RDX, and Escape, I gave this car a try and I ordered the GT model afterward. It was worth the 3 weeks wait and I am loving it. It handles like the X3, it has less power but I can use unleaded gas and I get 30 mpg.

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  Just bought it two days ago - 2008 Mazda CX-7
  By Myshkin - December 21 - 9:53 am

  We just picked up our CX-7 a couple of days ago. For the last couple of years I have been looking at the Mazda 6, but after driving the CX-7 I was smitten. If you are considering this vehicle, I would skip the tech package. You can get after-market GPS for a fraction of the price, and in a few years when current tech is outdated you can easily upgrade. Not so if your GPS is built it. The Bose stereo is nice enough though. Only GT feature I might have liked would be the cool blue lighting and the auto-climate control, but neither were deal-breakers for me.

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  Excellent choice for smart buyers! - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Georgiana Fratiloiu - December 21 - 8:53 am

  Excellent car overall. Nice interior, comfortable, very pleasant exterior design, good audio system. We love it.

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  Old Reliable - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By feistyscot - December 19 - 9:08 pm

  I owned my 3 from brand new until a Mercury Sable tagged it in the right front strut tower and put an end to it at 99,000 miles. In that time it went to the dealer once when the telescoping wheel tightening nut came loose. That was it. Averaged 30-34 mpg of fun driving and Im going to miss it.

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  Just What I Wanted - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Andres Centonzio - December 19 - 7:03 pm

  Is quite a beauty, drive it. Is elegant, sexy & sport. Is the type of SUV that is not monster big like a Ford F150 or small like a Jeep, the size is perfect. The price is nice for the good vehicle you get.

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  Great car for the money! - 1998 Mazda 626
  By TrafficGuy - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Replace the O2 sensor regularly and the brakes and its all good!

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  2001 Black Miata LS - 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By tjf0 - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for two years. It has been reliable and great to drive. I also have the factory hardtop which seals the car up for winter and changes the look of the car.

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  I love my car - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Panda723 - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Out of a honda civic and a ford mustang, this has been the best car yet. I have had very few problems with the car, and the warranty is awesome.

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  Better than Road and Track - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By hag - December 19 - 10:00 am

  After waiting 7 months and reading numerous reports and articles about the RX8, I was not disappointed! This car will revolutionize (no pun) the sports car industry what Sony did to radios with the walkman, and Yamaha did to marine outboards with its 2 stroke salt water series.