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, safe car---saved my life! - 1999 Mazda Protege
  By ZackieLibro - July 23 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 99 Mazda Protege LX used in July of 2003. 3 weeks later, I had a horrible accident with it. The car was totalled, but I walked out with only bruised ribs. The seat belts, air bags, & crumple zones worked great! The cops said they couldnt believe I wasnt badly injured, given how severe the accident was. I loved my 99 Protege. It still drove great at 70K miles. I loved the car so much that I bought a used 2000 Protege to replace it. This is a great little car!

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  This isnt your typical Ford-based Mazda - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By moichman - July 23 - 10:00 am

  Ford controls Mazda as you know, and a lot of previous Mazdas were Fords in disguise. And Ford had a BAD mid-90s run in quality, making Mazda just as bad. The Protege is made in Japan by Mazda, and it shows. Not one day of problems. Easy to work on myself, brakes made it 40k before changing, styling is good. Interior rattles are annoying, but it was a new body style this year. Starts every day, cold or hot. Original tires were dreadful, but upgrades have solved poor-weather handling dramatically.

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  Cure to the midlife crisis - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By ne28202 - July 23 - 10:00 am

  For one whom has spent the last fifteen years in station wagons, seats six sedans, and mini-vans, this little machine is the cure to the midlife crisis. The engine purrs, the handling is brisk and it just plain fun. I rate the Miata right up with my YZ 250 dirt bike on the fun meter. Dont waste your time with the automatic. I test drove the 6 speed first for about 20 minutes and then didnt even make it out of the dealer parking lot with the automatic. (Wife will just have to re- learn to drive a stick shift.

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  My Best Decision - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By leftysheehan - July 23 - 10:00 am

  love my van! only flaw is the location of the a/c button. it is not visible to the driver due to the drive stick in thew way. Also the tilt is too difficult to work. Bad place to put it- under the steerint wheel.

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  right thurr - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By andru - July 23 - 10:00 am

  this cars the shizzle. its the best thing iv driven yet, and im an indi 500 racecar driver so that says something. i like the leather interior and the handles on that thang

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  Horrible GAS MILEAGE - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By George - July 23 - 2:56 am

  Buy this car only if you do not care about gas mileage. It is a gas hog! I get just 17 MPG with 50% highway driving. The service manager says this is common for the CX7! Combined with the small gas tank and high cost of premium gas, you can look forward to many pricey stops at you gas station when you buy a CX7.

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  Great drive on a budget - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Jesse - July 22 - 3:40 pm

  I was looking for a less expensive car to replace my C-class and came down to the Mazda3 or the Acura TSX. Ultimately the Mazda was more fun to drive, but with a less refined interior, for a much lower lease payment. The 5 speed transmission is every bit as brilliant as the MB 7- speed, and shifts a lot quicker in manual mode. The engine is a bit coarse, but low end torque is impressive. Most importantly, the car wants to be tossed through corners. The interior is a bit busy, especially the redundant stereo controls and the outer vents that could have been integrated much more seamlessly into the dash. I like the black exterior (hides the grin a bit) with tan leather.

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  Noisy, Noisy, Noisy - 2010 Mazda Mazda5
  By 2010minivan - July 21 - 9:10 pm

  Air noise makes top skylight window intollerable on any amount of side wind. Front trans-axil noise is very loud with only 20k miles. Dealer says it is tire cupping. So...they cannot fix and the noise is so loud that I cannot hear the radio at a normal volume. Other than the noise, noise, noise, this is a good car to meet my needs. Fuel economy is as advertised. My Mazda truck is a nice quiet truck so I do not have a problem with Mazda.

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  Simply an incredible car - 2014 Mazda Mazda6
  By suvsbob - July 20 - 8:41 pm

  Since January, Ive done a lot research for my next new car. Ive shifted my chosen car a few times, but finally locked down to Mazda6. To me, I want a car with character and fun to drive factor. Its pretty easy decision for me to cross out Accord, Camry, or any other popular but souless car. I read every review/test drive out there on 2014 Mazda6. I got excited with all the positive tones. I bought the car last week. God, what an incredible car.

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  value with zoom - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By andy lyon - July 20 - 5:46 pm

  The new mazda 3 five door special edition makes the 3 an even more enjoyable delight to drive. Grab hold of the leather bound three spoke steering wheel, press your body back into its supple leather, and turn on the seat heater. You would think that you where in a new 3 series bmw. The value of this amazing machine is far beyond anything else in the market today.