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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  MAZDA MPV - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By t walsh - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable on long trips. Good seating position reduces fatigue. The automatic side sliding door make putting an infant in the car much easier. Good handling. Good looks for a minivan. The interior is simple with good fit and finish. I drove a 1889 MPV to 210,000 mile with few problems. It was a rare 5 speed, manual transmission. I got 170,000 mile out of the original clutch. I hope the new one will repeat this reliability.

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  Futuristic surfer wagon - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By Calzone - August 31 - 12:36 am

  Tried the Mazda5. LOVED it. Comfortable seating, spacious interior, ample cargo space, great price, peppy and fun to drive. Havent encountered snow yet; thinking the manual overdrive will come in handy then. I highly recommend the Mazda5 to small families or anyone who wants an affordable, cargo-worthy vehicle. 22 mpg in suburban driving conditions.

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  Significantly better than my 91 - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By warrendt - August 30 - 5:16 am

  This is a fantastically fun car to drive. The power in the 06 is felt immediately upon pressing down on the accelerator. I took it to about 10 autocross events and it performed very well on the OEM street tires. The six speed transmission, however, required frequent shifting between second and third on faster courses. This is not a problem on the road as you can easily skip a gear without notice.

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  Great Car - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By johndiggity - August 30 - 3:00 am

  Great handling and good power. Comfortable and attractive seats, roomy backseat. Cockpit is a little narrow. Quality materials and finish. Cheaper plastic on the lower console is prone to scratching, but its black. Stereo does sound a little muddy, controls on the steering wheel are a nice touch though. Great trunk space. Tons of fun to drive. This is a drivers car.

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  Year one experience - 2003 Mazda Truck
  By deepwater - August 29 - 11:06 pm

  Very fit for purpose. I stole it for $10,900. Use it for towing an aluminum fishing boat and to haul gear on long trips to my sailboat in Florida. 30 mpg at 75 mph(!) and I never get less than 25 mpg around town :). Im 6 2" and find it very comfortable and roomy. AC will blow you away, even in New Orleans heat. I was looking for a used beater to limit miles on my Vette but couldnt find a decent one for much less than the B2300 new. Yeah, its light on power (anything is compared to my #1) but the fuel efficiency is welcome with gas @ $2+.

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  More Power, Please - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By Bobby - August 29 - 4:36 pm

  Ive had the car now for 2 months, and ive noticed some rattles and loose body parts on the interior of the vehicle. I enjoy driving the car alot, but as much as i enjoy driving this car the gas mileage is very poor. The power is there if your not a lazy driver. I noticed that you have to keep it above 4000 Rpm for the real power to kick in, the power kicks in 2 stages. 1st at 5000 Rpm and at 7500 Rpm....

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  153k And still tickin! - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By brad - August 29 - 1:46 pm

  Update to an older review. I know this car will go to 250k+.I love this car, At 150k I had to do the timing belt, when i got it done the guy said this isnt your first one is it? I said yeah... he said you should have had 2 done already. The true cost of ownership on this car is really low. All I have done is the timing belt, water pump, oil, tires, rotors, just basic needs of a car. I would recommend this car to anyone I have had great success with it and bought my wife a Mazda 3

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  Loved this car! - 2000 Mazda Millenia
  By Mazda Girl - August 28 - 8:43 pm

  Ive put 110,000 miles on this car and it has been fantastic performer. Minimal cost of upkeep despite warnings of "expensive to maintain." Beautiful body design. Need to replace it before I begin to have normal wear and tear problems, but I dont see anything that I like for 28K or less. Rather keep my Millenia! I drive almost 2 hours a day and I must enjoy my car. Mazda should not have stopped making them.

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  Greatest Value for under 18K - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Latinpashin - August 28 - 11:56 am

  You buy the 2010 Mazda3 because you are looking for a car that is under 18k, is practical, safe, economical, reliable, 4 doors and fun, period. I test drove the civic, corolla, subaru impreza, dodge SRT4 and Fit. I must say, the Civic ex came very close. I noticed that the civic had some real low end pep, better mpg, better interior, but in the end, the mazda3 seemed to have a suspension and road feel edge with the benefit of being a redesigned car that was engineered to be fun. A guiltless decision for a 35 year old guy who wanted a Subaru WRX.

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  Bad Choice - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Pbear - August 28 - 5:36 am

  I loved this car when we first purchased it. After 3 months we started having problems with it. It has been in the shop 14 times in the year that we have had it. Trying to get it declared a lemon. New transmission module, new computer, new tires and new engine!! Dont buy this year model!