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:

• 

  Bad Reliability - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By JROD - July 4 - 8:23 pm

  I bought the first model year for this vehicle and it came with some issues. When i had 14,000 miles, the engine seal was leaking and they had to do some major repairs to the engine, luckily this was under warranty. At 42,000 the air compressor failed and broke the serpentine belt and major issues to the AC system, unfortunately i was out of warranty and i was responsible for all costs. Ended up trading in the vehicle due to so many issues.

• 

  A great car ruined by transmission mapping - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By John Zuanich - June 20 - 3:22 pm

  This is a decent car that could be a great car with better transmission mapping and an additional transmission gear or two. I own the larger 2.5L engine with the 6-speed automatic transmission. I live on a hill, but most of my driving is down on fairy flat terrain. The transmission mapping is definitely part of the Skyactive technology, designed to shift to the highest possible gear as soon as is practical. More often than not this isnt a problem--until you begin driving up a hill, where it has a constant tendency to lug. The transmission is reluctant to down shift without feeding it a significant amounts of throttle. Then it downshifts and races up the hill, making it difficult to drive up a hill smoothly. More often than not, Im forced to shift manually whenever Im driving up the hill, inorder to be in total control of shift points. Most of the other cars Ive owned with automatic transmissions seen to sense when you begin driving up a hill and seem to downshift much more inuitively (more quickly and with less throttle application) and smoothly. The transmission is adaptive, meaning it adapts to your driving style over time. I drive very moderalty most of the time, so I dont mind the hunt for the highest gear, as that strategy generally improves fuel economy. But drive it loaded up a hill and any hint of a "performance" vehicle flies right out the door. Additionally, gear spacing between 32 and 40 miles per hour is way to broad. This car would definitely benefit from one or two additional gears in this important speed range. Ive owned many cars with automatic transmissions, and this is by far the worst transmission mapping Ive noticed. The key is "noticed." When transmission mapping is done well, you dont notice it because the transmission always seems to be in the correct great. In the CX-5, even with the larger engine, the poor mapping is always noticed driving up a hill. Its really a shame, because all other aspects of this vehicle are really good. Steering and brake feel are outstanding, and this car really is fun to drive--over flat terrain. Enter a hill, and entire package falls apart due to the transmission.

• 

  Poor Interior Design - 2007 Mazda CX-9
  By Barbara - June 5 - 7:30 am

  This is the 1st Mazda Ive owned and after having a Honda Odyssey it will be the last Mazda I buy until they upgrade some of the features. It rides and handles well, however I do notice a big blind spot on the passenger side. The ALL red lights on the dash are cool at first but when you want to check time, temp, radio station and even looking at the speedometer all the numbers seem to blend in together and thats annoying. I cant believe that some different colors werent used. I hope this review helps someone before you actually purchase this vehicle and are then disappointed.

• 

  A little disapointed - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Peter - May 26 - 10:06 am

  This vehicle is a little like a body builder. Looks great and impressive from a distance. However, when you really get to know it its a little disappointing. I was very excited to buy this car but was so thoroughly unimpressed with the engine and performance I just couldnt get myself to buy it. The 4 cylinder turbo is jerky and lags quite a bit. The biggest problem is the fact that when you hit the gas the engine screams so loud you feel like its in the passenger seat. I am a Mazda lover having owned two, I will re-visit the CX-7 when my wife gets ready to replace her vehicle I hope by then they change the powertrain.

• 

  Think before you buy - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Not Happy - May 12 - 11:50 pm

  Car handles great and has some nice options that are included. Power is lacking and intermittent - not what I expected from a 2.3L engine. Posted mpg on the 2.3 wagon is a joke - I average 20mpg. A few issues and the Mazda dealers dont want to deal with it and Mazda Customer Care line is useless also.

• 

  Buy a 626 at your own risk - 1998 Mazda 626
  By AngryMazdaOwner - May 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought one of the first 1998 Mazda 626s in the area. If I had known better, I would have checked Edmunds and purchased another car. My car has been back to the dealer 9 times for electrical problems. This was fixed when the dealer replaced the whole wiring harnass. Even more drama was in store for me. The transmission went at 62,000 miles. $3200 to replace the transmission. With the electrical problems, the transmission, and poor trade in value, this car was a complete bust. My only saving grace was purchasing mechanical breakdown insurance from Geico, this made the cost of replacing my transmission $250.

• 

  Not worth it - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Matt - April 21 - 3:16 am

  Traded in a Mazda3 for this new CX-7. To begin with the car does have a cool look to it and got a few stares here and there. Heres the thing, Mazda recommends Super Unleaded to get the full potential of the turbo engine. My MPG after break-in averaged 19 mpg combined city/highway easy driving, which just plain stinks. It has a major turbo lag, for instance if you punch it from a dead stop it feels like you have a 2 cylinder car, then after 2-3 seconds it suddenly accelerates. New firmware for the cars computer did help a little, though. The car was fun to drive and a pain to get in and out of due to the door sills being way high. Traded this CX-7 after 8200 miles.

• 

  Bittersweet - 2011 Mazda Mazda3
  By holybull - April 3 - 10:59 am

  I wasnt totally in love with the looks of this car but I do like hatches so I test drove it and fell for it right away. It fit me like a glove. A tailored glove. Handling is the best that could be expected from a front-wheel-drive compact. Engine has 175 HP and plenty of torque. The cosmetics are a different story. Windows rattling after not too long of owning it. Cylinder key lock in steering column replaced twice. And now, as if that werent enough, Ive been told I have a cracked piston ring and the thing is SLURPING oil. Not good for a car with only 51000 miles. Never again do I buy a Mazda. first and last. Im spending more and getting a mini next.

• 

  What happened? - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By buzz - March 28 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car new at the end of the model year. Just got it out of the shop, again. This is the second time in 1 1/2 years that the fuel injector had to be replaced. Both times I took the car in for repairs, it took a while to diagnose the problem. Overall the drive is clean. Only major complaint is inadequate power for acceleration when merging on the highway or driving up a hill (especially if the air conditioner is on--then you can forget it!!) As long as you can get a good "run" towards a hill the car will GO.

• 

  Tribute to the test - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By TexasBoy - March 25 - 10:00 am

  This Tribute seems more reliable than average. Short wheelbase but with a softer suspension. Feels like a truck or more specifically, like a much shorter Explorer. It does seem fairly top heavy to me and like it could roll more easily than many. The stock stereo is below average. I think its one of the best looking compact SUVs on the market. Gas mileage is weak, but it is a truck. The V6 seems adequate (200 hp or so) at times and much more than adequate at other times. When you dial up the real power, the engine is much louder and feels like its straining. Small gas tank.