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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  Best Deal on a SUV - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By JCB - May 11 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our Tribute almost a year a go. 16000+ miles, 3 cross country trips and we are still loving it. Fuel economy has improved ...we are averaging 20 mpg in Atlanta traffic! on the highway we managed 25mpg. Not bad considering the great power and comfort. We seriously considered the Toyota Highlander and the Range Rover Freelander, but Tribute wins... power, price, space, ride and for far less than the others.

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  Zoom! Zoom! - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By Shawnee - May 11 - 10:00 am

  Terrific vehicle for the value. Reliable, comfortable, easy to get in and out of. Can fold down back seats with easy. Good visibility. Would purchase another one in a heart beat! We have had 2 other Mazda products, cant beat um.

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  My Little Mazda - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By mazda3driver - May 8 - 8:00 pm

  I bought my Mazda3 in Nebraska and drove it back to Vegas. Thats 1255 miles. I got an average of 24-26mpg the whole way. Not bad, but definitely could be better. This includes the driving in Colorado. If anybody has driven through there, you know what I mean. I got about 24 in that area. Your auto-stick really comes in handy up those hills. I was in 3rd gear up most of them. While in Nebraska, it was really cold. For some reason it didnt want to start early in the morning at 0 degrees. Not sure. After it was started, everything was fine. Took a couple times, but it did start. I tried putting heet in the gas tank, but didnt seem to do anything. The tail end likes to slide in the snow. A+

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  Great Car, Zoom, Zoom - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By NeilTheWheel - May 8 - 10:00 am

  The most fun car to drive of all we have owned. The Navigation system really adds independence to our driving.

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  I love this car! - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By UNLogger - May 8 - 10:00 am

  I just wanted to say I love this car. It is fun, responsive and handles amazingly. In addition, it is extremely comfortable and I love all the safety features that came standard with the S package.

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  MAzda 3-S Sedan Auto - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Newmazdaowner - May 8 - 10:00 am

  Impressive. Hopefully the Zoom-Zoom feeling will stay throughout the life of the car. What a buy!

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  Why look anywhere else? - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By fan4neil - May 8 - 10:00 am

  This car is amazing. My heart still beats faster each time I walk up to it. The interior is beautiful and exciting to look at each day and it gets even better at night with all of the backlit gauges staring back at you. The bright red exterior and black leather interior look great together. The 5-spd is so much fun to drive and the engine revs willingly and with a great sound. The hatchback makes this car like a mini station wagon and it is very useful. This car really satisfies all that you could need in a car, from the practical to the fantastic. I feel sad for the masses of drivers who have settled for bland, dull, boring, Accords/Camrys. Get the Mazda!

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  New Mazda6 - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By daiouvegeta - May 8 - 10:00 am

  Overall a wonderful car to drive, a lot better then any of the previous cars that Ive ever owned.

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  Follow up review - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By mustangleader - May 7 - 6:26 pm

  After another 18,000 miles since last August when I wrote a review. Car is very reliable and keeps on going. If power is your concern, do modifications as I said in my first review. The cost is nominal and cost effective. Never felt the car was underpowered due to its power band at low rmp, but if you modified as I did, youll have performance, comfort, economy of an everyday go-kart car in high gas mkt.

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  Happy with my choice - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By jgibson146 - May 6 - 3:26 pm

  I bought this car for the available options and the options werent even available on the Civic. The Civic just looked too boring compared to this car. I also bought the car because of the safety equipment. The real reason I bought this car is the looks for the money. The dynamic stability control I think saved me once when I swerved to miss something on the highway and overreacted. I turned the wheel way too much and then corrected to go straight again. My last car was a Park Avenue and it would have gone out of control for sure, not that I am knocking the Park Avenue.