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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  Very fun and never has a problem! - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Louis - December 12 - 11:26 pm

  Love the car, very fun to drive. Little kids on the side of the street get excited and people turn heads. Has a unique and fun sound, supreme handling, and I love sitting low in a car. It could use more initial torque, and wish they would finally come out with the Mazda Speed version (not likely). Of course as in with all Wankel Rotary engines.......fuel consumption. :(

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  This car amazes me! - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Gina - December 12 - 2:43 pm

  Having owned Mazdas for years, I would not have dreamed of buying anything else. Had a 626 for 16 years and just purchased a 2004 one owner 3s in Strato Blue. I love this car! It is much more fun to drive than anything Ive owned previously. It hugs corners and glides over bumps and for a 4 cylinder 2.3 engine it really has some power. The seats are beyond comfortable and with the sports and power package it turns heads everywhere I go. Although I have not yet needed an oil change (only had the car 3 weeks now), I am concerned with the thread I just read about poor design in the cartridge oil filter. Waiting to see if anyone else has similar problems with that.

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  GREATEST MX-5 - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By ruben - December 11 - 2:33 pm

  handling, speed, braking, the best

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  Best luxury family SUV for your $$ - 2010 Mazda CX-9
  By Doug - December 11 - 9:30 am

  Fully loaded Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring. We agonized over which family SUV we would buy. Looked at Toyota Highlander, 4Runner, Acura MDX, Lexus RX350/400, BMW X3, Chevy Traverse, Honda Pilot, Volvo XC60/90, and a few others. If buying a car is a multi- variable decision (price, comfort, quality, reliability, luxury / convenience options, aesthetics), you absolutely have to check out the CX-9. Mazda has built the best car for your money, bar none, in the family SUV with 3 row class. Its a hidden gem. You will pay $5-10k more easily for a comparably equipped Toyota / Lexus, Honda / Acura. Its a great fit for anyone who wants a big car for the family but not as big as a Suburban.

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  Zoom Zoom Zoom - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By Roxanne - December 10 - 2:00 am

  The only part of the design I do not like is the shift -- hard to see dials on the dashboard--a stick shift would have been better.

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  Mazda Protege5 - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By 323familia - December 8 - 10:20 pm

  Best car I have ever owned hands down. Needs a little more power, but overall great car!

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  A great MINI - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By martman - December 8 - 9:10 am

  Having a family of four (two kids and my wife) this is a perfectly sized vehicle. Easy to get around town in, decent on gas, and has very efficient use of interior space. We get looks at stop lights and when we park our MAV at the mall from people whove never seen such a unique car/van. We do not miss the huge Sienna we replaced the M5 with.

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  The best Miata yet! - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Brandon - December 7 - 11:16 am

  So much fun to drive and one of the best cars with the top down. Great looks inside and out. Comfy seats and bigger than the previous Miatas. Race car steering, race car transmission and race car suspension. Suspension turns in sharp while the wheels stick like super glue. Flick the steering wheel and you dive into the apex with barely any turns on the wheel and the whole car talks to you. Great exhaust note. Great gas mileage. I owned a Evo 8 and currently own a 350Z and a Lotus Elise an this is probably the best deal when it comes to handling. And has become my new weekend car and ever daily driver.

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  Best Car I Ever Owned - 1998 Mazda 626
  By JGansauer - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Without a doubt, the best car I ever owned. I gave my son this car a year ago for him to drive to work. Later, I sold him my truck and he returned the Mazda. I fully intended to trade it in for whatever it was worth, considering it had 122,000 miles on it. The moment I got in again, after a year, I realized I couldnt get rid of it. It was too reliable and too good a ride. I had a mechanic check it out. It only needed new spark plug wires. In 124,000 miles, besides the usual maintenance, only the water pump failed (at about 30,000 miles) which was under warantee. Well worth the $22,000 or so I spent on it.

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  Silver 5 speed with ABS, Sunroof, 6CD - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By poblano99 - December 7 - 10:00 am

  I think I got a steal on this car. Exactly the color and options I wanted for just under 18K (just over invoice!) So far I have 2000 miles with Chicago city and highway driving. Fun little car for zipping around the city. Handles great, easy to park, gets good mileage for the power. Im tall and can get comfortable but wish the seats moved up and down or the seat bottom pivoted back to accomodate my long legs. Chose Mazda over Golf, Audi TT, Mini, Volvo. I think Mazda is the better value for my needs.