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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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By ZMZM - September 7 - 8:40 pm

  I purchased a base automatic as a commuter car and got a huge surprise! The Mazda3 is an extremely well balanced car. Handling is tight and acceleration from the 2 liter engine above expectation and no "buzziness" as found from other products. Interior is base but well thought out. Power windows but not locks and a radio that while not exceptional is pleasing. Design of the entire car is well thought out both inside and out. Compared to my 2008 Corvette, some of the interior trim work exceeds the nearly $60,000 Vette. As a compact sedan, I would be pressed to have done better having spent $15000 for what I think is a bargain. We intend to pass this one along to our grandchildren!

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  The perfect fun-to-drive carry-all - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Omar Gutierrez - September 7 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely nothing wrong with this car. Its a blast to drive, reliability is excelente (as with most Japanese cars) and its more practical than anything out there.

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  Exactly what I expected - 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By jim dean smith - September 7 - 7:57 am

  I bought this car (2015 MX-5, 5 speed soft top) as a toy, to balance with my Tundra. It is an absolute joy to drive, I look for excuses to go somewhere in it. It is very quick both in handling and acceleration (not fast in straight line acceleration, but fast enough and then some), and corners better than my Lexus IS or any other normal car I have ever driven. I now have a little over 10K miles, absolutely no problem. This is a sports car, not particularly practical, but it is lots of fun, so if you can need a reason to buy one, hopefully I just gave you one. Update, after a year and 20k miles, no problems, although on 100 degree days the ac struggles. But not many 100 + days where I live, so no big deal. Still really like this little car. Update after 2 years, 36,000 I still try to find errands to run just so I can drive this little toy.

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  5 Month Review - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By gzabts - September 7 - 12:06 am

  Very happy with this purchase so far. Car performs well on the highway, but where it really shines is off the beaten path (this car loves curvy roads). TVE packed with features, though not quite the gas mileage I had read about... yet.

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  The worst car I ever owned, and I owned a 78 Pinto! - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By workingmom40 - September 6 - 9:16 pm

  This car is the absolute worst, and it is my mission to inform other buyers. When you read the reviews of this car, see how people are happy at first, but quickly the reviews go downhill. My transmission went out at 86,000 miles. Complete rebuild, I kid you not. I have also had to replace the brakes twice before reaching 80,000. And these are the pricy "performace" breaks. Shocks done twice & struts done once at 60,000. Two sets of those crappy "performance" tires. Numerous mfr. warranty repairs due to faulty engine components, and the body is plastic and literally falls off on the freeway! Used the extended warranty so much the company investigated the dealer for possible fraud!

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  my wifes other man - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By KING OF NY IN VEGAS - September 6 - 12:10 pm

  My wife and I purchased our metalic red 3 new .Granted her commute to work is 7 miles round trip , this car has performed flawlessly.no squeaks or weird noises at all.All Ive ever done to it was change the oil and rotate the tires .Thatss all it ever needed. Maintenance is very inexpensive. Its a little cramped for me at 64 305 lbs butit drives very well . Its quiet but very sporty. The handling in off the chain!The tranny has been reliable but needs another gear,the engine needs another 20-30 hp. MY wife picked it over the coblt because of its cheezy interior,it has better styling cues than the civic which to her is a me too car.I highly recommend this car to anyone, its that good.

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  Love it, love it, love it! - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By Andimal - September 5 - 6:16 pm

  Everything I would have expected out of a true sports car design...you know, old school (Sunbeam Tiger, Spitfire, Austin Healy to name a few). Agility, handling, feel of the road, top notch. Better than expected cabin noise, and I appreciate the automatic volume level adjustment in the stock stereo system. 18" wheels and limited-slip differential in the standard manual package is a bonus!

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  FUN -- after the throttle body was replaced - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By libbyrae - September 5 - 1:13 am

  I fell in love on the test drive. All the fun interior toys, the spaciousness, the comfort, the styling, the quiet engine, the power! After a few months I noticed the engine lagged while it shifted gears, and it even shut itself off once. Not good. Then I took it in with all my complaints and they found a defective throttle body. If I had driven it much longer I could have done some serious damage to the engine. Now its fixed and its like having a new car again. Im still in love. I tested it once in the semi-snowy/icy Cascadia Mountains in Oregon and the traction control system kicked in nicely. Ill soon be moving from Nevada to Toronto, Canada. Cant wait to see how it does in the snow.

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  200,000 miles and counting... - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By christieg - September 4 - 9:25 pm

  I purchased my 2003 Mazda Protege5 in 10/2002 and have been glad every day since! I have had the clutch replaced in the past 2 years along with the compressor and the catalytic converter and the drivers side widow thingy. I feel like after 7 years, this is normal. The head-light bulbs have been a bit of a nuisance, having to replace frequently, but being able to replace them myself, im just out the cost of the bulb, which isnt much. If you know the car has had regular maintenance, it will not let you down.

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  Awesome Mazda Rx8! - 2008 Mazda RX-8
  By Rx8 Fan - September 4 - 10:23 am

  Great car. What lured me to this pick was the fact that you can transport more than just two people if necessary, while maintaining a sporty look and feel ride. Love the hardtop. With my busy schedule, I dont have time to use a softop. Better durability, great moon roof. Excellent trunk space, and the family loves it too.