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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  Not a dragster - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Lyndal - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Paid 12300 out the door.Good work car warms up fast in cold winters and runs fine.Like the cd player sounds clear and easy to use. Kids like it, has rear heat duct under seats that work and has fair comfort.Nice trunk space that is roomy.Very solid with no rattles.

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  Do not drive in weather conditions - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By mlf - March 26 - 2:00 am

  needs to be faster than the high performance NEON. tried to drive in A LITTLE SNOW and could barely move. Styling is great. fun to drive when it is dry outside. Very original looking.

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  Sweet!! - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By htown21 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought My RX 8 about a month ago. Awesome car for the price range. The perfect sports car/daily driver. Room for 4, decent power, handles like a dream. Features are great, heated seats, bose 9 speaker system ,6 disc in dash, interior design and exterior design is awesome too. I am constantly getting stopped by people about the car. Only bad thing is ...... you guessed it , the GAS, it sucks down gas like your buddies suck down beers at your house. But I still love the car.

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  zoom zoom - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By dburgeson - March 26 - 2:00 am

  awesome car. nothing but good things to say about quality, and performance. Im amazed at how much room there is for 3rd and 4th passengers..

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  This car puts me in a good mood daily - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By AKirby - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Every day when I get in this car I realize how much more I like it. I shopped everything, and I just couldnt find as much car for the money as the Mazda 3. The attention to detail makes it unfair to compare this car to its supposed competitors. This car feels nothing like a compact when you drive or ride in it. Nothing about it says compact, or cheap. The steering has a great feel. The racing type suspension gives you an unbelievable feel for the road that just cant be matched. So far, I like everything about this car, and I just can not believe what I paid for what I got. This car has no equal in its "class."

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  My Non-VW M3 - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Passat Passions - March 26 - 2:00 am

  This is the first non-VW product Ive owned in 10 years. For a vehicle in this price range, nothing can compete!

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  Mazda 6 drinks + than I do, big problem - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By stanstill30 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I just bought a brand new mazda 6 2004. Performance exceptional. Only two things... first it drink more than I do. Also cant get warmed when temperature exceed -20 c°. Beside that I cant ask for more from a sport sedan.

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  Thumbs Up from my teenage daughter - 2009 Mazda CX-9
  By Shawn Faunce - March 25 - 10:10 pm

  Normally we travel on long trips in our Grand Caravan, but on this trip from Detroit to Mackinac over Memorial Day we drove the CX-9. My teenage daughter that seems to complain about everything these days had nothing but praise for the CX-9. So did the other kids. Despite being smaller, it really felt like there was more interior room. I couldnt believe all the luggage and the people I was able to haul comfortably. Much more fun to drive than the mini-van too.

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  Big switch from German made vehicles - 2008 Mazda CX-9
  By Gary - March 25 - 5:30 pm

  After owning 3 VW Passat Wagons (8 total German made autos) we made a decision to go with the CX-9. Enormous price difference and a larger cargo area made the difference. Low price put us in the Grand Touring. Great styling, nice interior appointments. Too early to tell about reliability. Looking forward to use all-wheel drive here in Michigan.

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  Love the CX-9 - 2014 Mazda CX-9
  By syracusebeagle - March 25 - 2:50 pm

  After owning several unreliable Jeep products, I decided it was time to try something new. Enter 2014 Mazda CX-9. This is quite possibly the nicest car I have ever owned. It is lovely to look at. Fun to drive. Has loads of cargo space. The most crucial consideration for me was the AWD feature. I outfitted the CX-9 with Blizzaks for the winter. I have already taken this car on treacherous journeys. The CX-9 is a tank. Combine the outfitted CX-9 with a little common sense and you will go anywhere.