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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  Awesome Car - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By Liz - November 8 - 1:13 am

  Great car for a woman! NEVER have any mechanical problems; the only thing I do to this car is the routine maintenance that it needs. It already has more that 100,000 miles and is still running like the first day I bought it :)

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  Hatchback vs. Sedan - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By oxford_b - November 7 - 9:10 pm

  I bought a red Mazda3 S sedan for my wife last year. I liked driving it so much that I bought another one (the hatchback) for myself. Storage space, fuel economy, etc. are all excellent as other reviewers have said. Heres the real deal: the sedan is just faster. The weight ratio must be different between the two because the sedan flies. It shifts into second gear like its trying to win a race regardless of whether you push the accelerator. The hatchback requires just a little more coaxing. Im pretty sure the rear door weight is the culprit. What you lose in pep you make up for in utility with the hatchback, but theres a little more Zoom-Zoom in the sedan.

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  Love it, love it, love it! - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Bill - November 7 - 2:03 am

  In 25 years of car owning, this is by far the most fun car I have ever owned. After nearly two years of ownership, I still cannot believe I paid well less than $20k for a car that drives like a sports car. Acceleration is great, its comfortable and quiet on my daily 45-minute combined city and highway commute (on which I average 29 MPG). I would buy this car over again in a minute. Previous cars: Two Accords, a Golf, and Rabbit.

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  The Best Mini-Van - Its a 10! - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By Perry - November 5 - 9:13 pm

  This is my 2nd MPV in one year! The 1st one was T-boned at 50+ mph on th passenger side where my daughter was sitting. The vehicle that hit us was a Toyota Pickup that had to be towed away. The MPV drove away with all my passengers (4 plus myself alive and well)! This vehicle is the best handing, best braking, best use of space I have seen, plus saved by daughters life. I have looked and driven the others and the MPV feels like I am in a well built car not a Van. Both my wife and I love it.

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  FUN FUN FUN - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By MeloYelo - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Have had my speed-yellow 6 for 1 month...A BLAST to drive! The 4 banger with 5 spd. has plenty of power for me. My last 2 cars were a Catera with 220 h.p. v-6, and an Olds Aurora with 250 h.p. v-8...I never used all the power. The 6 handles and corners like a dream, also very quiet and smooth.Ive already ordered my special plates... "ZOOMIN 6" .

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  How to blow a H2000, G35 or 350Z away... - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Timisw - November 5 - 2:00 am

  What an awesome car! I love it! Every morning I drive to work smiling! The car runs perfectly and just feels right. The looks and attention it gets from others has be washing it everyday just so that I can see other people gape at it!

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  A Great Little Car - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By TOM K. - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Had the for about 2 weeks now, great handling, smooth 5 speed. Still working on the gas mileage part, getting 26/27 on local/highway driving.

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  good car!!! - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By dobbydou - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Very good car, nothing to say for the price.

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  LOVE IT! - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By Billz1979 - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for about 6 months and For the money it is bar none the best choice out there. I have all the options in a 4 Cyl. All in All nothing but good things to say about the car.

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  I recommend it to anyone who asks - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By 05Mazda3 - November 4 - 10:33 pm

  After two years and 39k miles, I still enjoy jumping in this car for a trip to the store or a 1500 mile road trip. Its comfortable, fun to drive, and packs more utility than every small SUV Ive looked at. I cant see myself trading it for anything else anytime soon. For the detail oriented: mileage: 27.4 mpg over 39k miles of Atlanta traffic. Things hauled: 1 fully assembled grill, a stack of 2"x4"x8 lumber with room for 2 passengers, two 40"x48" pallets, 1 dresser w/ 1 bookshelf, 1 cubic yard of bark mulch (in 3cu.ft. bags) and 5 adults (1 not terribly happy). All items were hauled separately, but with all doors, hatches and windows closed. Out of room, but I love this car.