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:

• 

  Bought it new and it was the worst van - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By dentandabump - February 23 - 11:46 am

  I bought this van in 2004 brand new.By the time I traded it in at 82,000 miles,the service people knew me too well.I did all scheduled maintenance yet had to replace:transmission sensor, CV joint,all coil packs, EGR boost sensor,starter,radiator,engine mounts, oxy sensor, coolant reservoir, control arms,range selector switchpurge valve, manifold ans more to the tune of thousands. The body was rusting and the carpet wore out quick. After forking out 20,000 to buy it and all the expensive repairs on parts that should not have been worn until after 100,000 miles, I am upset with Mazda makers.I paid 400 for a sensor and was told the convertor, tranny coolant hoses and water pump were bad.Trade in!Grrr

• 

  Goodbye Mazda - 2009 Mazda Mazda6
  By nms68 - February 11 - 1:20 pm

  I leased a Tribute for 4yrs and loved it, I was thrilled to get into the next lease, but 6 was the car to push at that time. I wanted a Tribute, but dealership no longer carried and convinced me this car was great. One month after driving off the lot, I began having battery problems. Something was draining it but no one knew what. They said it was my 3rd party installed REMOTE STARTER (had that disconnected), THEN they said it was a ROOM FUSE(?). Now I am being told it is a CONTROL MODULE. Brake light comes on on its own. This car has been at dealership over two months total with no resolution. When this lease is up, Mazda will never see me again

• 

  low profile tires - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By Catherine Hoff - February 7 - 8:16 am

  I found that the Mazda 5 has its advantages as well as disadvantages. The interior and seats are very comfortable. We went from a mini van and I do miss the leg room on the drives side that the mazda 5 lacks. My husband finds the gas peddle small and close to the brake.

• 

  was sadly disappointed - 2014 Mazda Mazda3
  By mark394 - February 4 - 5:59 am

  Weve always liked Mazdas, this was our fourth, a 2014 mazda 3 Touring sedan, it could have been so good, but the front interior space felt cramped and a bit difficult to see out of, the rear seats were very difficult to see out of. The really ugly looking radio looked velcroed to the dash was a constant eye sore. Not sure if anyone else has been bothered by this but there was always an very annoying clunk sound coming from the suspension going over bumps. We traded it after four months for another new make :(.

• 

  The bad side - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By BERNARDO MARTINEZ - February 3 - 10:10 am

  After five years I have had many problems with my car i.e., headliner at rear window coming off on both sides, driver side visor broke, stereo has problems push CD changer and the A/M radio comes on, push change song on CD and CD ejects, lots of strange thing like that. The biggest problem is the transmission shifts really really hard like it slams into gear. Took it to a dealer they told me not a thing is wrong with it. One more thing the fan has a recall because it stays on long after car is off.

• 

  mazda electrical/misc troublemaker - 2007 Mazda Mazda6
  By dsuranksy - February 2 - 10:58 pm

  I purchased an 07 hatchback in 08 with 12 k miles on it. Car has had repeated air bag lights. Taken to dealer numerous times, paided alot for diagnosis, dealer cant ever seem to repair. All goes well for a day or two, the light comes back on! Warranty is long gone, pretty much stuck with it..Seems to go thru tires, all four have to be replaced every 20k with alignment (michelin tires). Stay away from Mazda, never had these problems with Honda or Toyota.

• 

  2002 Mazda Millenia - 2002 Mazda Millenia
  By jwanzer - January 29 - 4:43 am

  I do not like this car and i do not recamend it unless you have a lot of money. This is my first car and i got it for my 16th birthday. I have spend around $2000 getting repairs done on it and I have only had it for about a year and half. It is terrible on gas. Since i have got the car i have has to replace the timing belt, change the radiator, all the spark plugs, the thermostat, the cords too the spark plugs and more. It coast way to much to get fixed and the check engine light has be on constantly, no matter what i get done it will not go off. Although it is a nice car I do not reccomend it to anyone. Also something is still wrong with the car and it wont even run now.

• 

  Buyer Beware of New Model Year - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By tttyyy - January 29 - 12:30 am

  I have owned my cx-7 for about 7 months (it only has a little over 2000 miles). I have had to take it back to the dealer for warranty repairs 3 times already. The "Check Engine" light keeps coming on. If you search the problem on the internet, you will find that many other people are having the same problem with this car. I am beginning to wish I had my reliable Toyota back!

• 

  Transmission problems within 4 months - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By Goforit29 - January 21 - 2:00 am

  I really loved my car when I bought it. It was fun to drive and had lots of features for the $$. However, it has only been 4.5 months since I purchased it new (had 60 miles on it) and the transmission has failed. Since this just happened two days ago, all I can say is the dealership still isnt really sure what is wrong with the vehicle and why it malfunctioned. It is just really upsetting to purchase something and have immediate problems with it.

• 

  I want to like this car, but - 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By wonky - January 12 - 1:20 pm

  I really want to like this car, but I dont. Interior design is poor: window switches in a bad spot & centre console wont hold anything by design. The door cupholder bangs knees, the centre ones make centre console useless and prevents shifting properly! Seatbelt connect height is not adjustable. No spare tire means this is a suburbanite-with-a-cellphone ride. Cant go anywhere interesting without a usable spare and MAZDA is NOT helpful! Also, the Bose stereo is awful. Speakers rattle and vibrate. No aux jack. When Mazda tells you Mp3 compatible, they mean you can play a disc in Mp3 format. Even Hyundai has this stuff figured out. Mazda doesnt care, they dont have to.