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 fun to drive - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By slightjackson - March 14 - 6:30 pm

  I love the fact that you dont see many on the road. Everyone is missing out on a fun vehicle to drive. Love the sound system and the performance of the turbocharged 4 cylinder. Very comfortable and the Bose system is quality. Everything about this car is quality for the price.

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  Luving our s Sport - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By clearwaters - March 14 - 6:43 am

  Bought this 09 automatic to complement my 08 5 spd. My mother drives it mostly and amazingly loves the power of the 2.5 as well as the gas mileage. we have noticed the tires seem to pick up a lot of nails, I dont know if that will change when I switch to (probably) Continentals. The interior design is great except for the odd speedometer numbering and map light switches which blend in too much with the interior to "feel" them in the dark. Im amazed that the Auto is just as much fun and Zoom as the 5 spd, thats more than rare! Car handles well, the safety features are incredible. Sad they changed the whole platform for 2010. The Stereo in the 09 w/MP3 kick a lot more Bass!

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  Miata 1999 - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Frank - March 13 - 3:33 am

  This is a great car that is fun to drive. Better body style than the new 2006 coming out

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  Good Value - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By Garrett - March 12 - 4:43 pm

  I bought this car used at about 23k miles; now at 72k. I like the 2003 options because you can get a moonroof unbundled with other options. Reliable; only issue was a throttle body sensor I replaced out-of-warranty with a salvaged part for $120. Only drawbacks are dash and trim rattles and buzzes; I stuffed some wood pieces under the dash align pins which really helped but the center console (all plastic) makes noise and theres some kind of buzz in the B-pillar area occasionally (hence build quality = 4). Sun visors will weaken if you clip a garage opener on them.

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  Excellent minivan - 2012 Mazda Mazda5
  By jastin - March 12 - 2:02 am

  Have been driving the mazda 5 for 4 months and absolutely love it. Drive is awesome, little road noise (probably from OEM tire), handle wonderfully. Plenty of space for 4 adults and 2 children as we experienced (the two children rode in the bag seats, plenty of space for them there). A must buy if you want a nice minivan for a fair price, even my wife can stop raving about it.

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  Really Like It!! - 2008 Mazda Mazda6
  By Go Mazda Go! - March 11 - 3:43 pm

  Just bought a Mazda6, went from a Acura TL 2004 to this but gas prices were killing me, I do miss the power of the TLs V6 but this Mazda6 is really good looking and gives me a very decent mileage. I love the black on black combination. I was surprised at the quality of the cloth material used in the seats. I compared to the Camry and even though the Camry its bigger with a more powerful engine and better gas mileage the pricing factor makes the Mazda a better deal, I bought mine for 16,200 and it comes with 6 discs cd changer, 17 inches rims with michelin tires, dual exhaust system, well it is pretty loaded and for 16,200 WOW!!

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  Good Compromise Between the Wife and I - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By KeithB - March 11 - 10:40 am

  We had been looking for a new vehicle in the $30,000 price range. We test drove everything from Hondas to Volvos trying to find a vehicle we could agree on. Finally the local dealer got in a CX-7. The functionality of the vehicle sold my wife, and the surge from the turbo sold me. Weve had it for a week now and so far Im happy with it. My biggest complaint is that the ride is a little stiff. It takes corners like a champ, but I can see how it can get tiring after a 4+ hour trip.

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  Love my Mazda 3 - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Love my Mazda - March 10 - 8:23 am

  I bought a 2004 Mazda 3 unexpectedly. Thought I liked the Mazda Protege,and test drove their new model. I liked it more than the Protege. I have it over a year, no problems, no complaints. A great car for the money. Very reliable. Fun to drive. Cute too!

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  Zoom Zoom - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Lesley - March 10 - 4:33 am

  I love my CX-7 this was the first car I really did my home work on. The technology package is a must have. The class is all on its own considering the investment. As people blow by me in their BMWs and Mercedes, I just smile and hug the wheel. I truly feel like Mazda has stepped up to the plate with the new CX-7. Enjoy Yours! Zoom Zoom!

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  2014 mazda 6 touring - 2014 Mazda Mazda6
  By tycodyzach - March 9 - 5:45 pm

  went to dealership really wanted a manual touring with blue reflex test drove the car and it kept popping out of 3rd gear on the test drive so i went with the automatic test drove it and decided to get it after signing papers the salesman came out to show me how to set up blue tooth and it wouldnt work then it wouldnt read my ipod so i had to bring it in next day to have them reset the computer and they ordered me a new module for it!! other than that i love it so far only 300 miles into it and still have half tank of gas i commute 20% city 80% highway