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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  2006 Mazda 5 Sport - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By 06SportDrvr - November 2 - 12:23 pm

  I believe this is a great vehicle for young families. The third row seats are essentially jump seats for kids. You can cram people back there for very short drives only. Very easy to drive, but be warned the seats are very firm (Mazda explains this as being "sport seats" - decide for yourself). The drivers seat now has multiple squeaks within the seat, starting to drive me crazy. I get 24-25 miles per gallon, with a mix of city/highway driving which I think is poor for a 2.3L 4 cylinder with an automatic transmission. Perhaps a bigger engine or 5 speed automatic transmission would help. Shame on Mazda for not properly advertising this vehicle - could probably double sales.

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  Zoom-zoom - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By quicksilver - October 31 - 9:16 am

  Lots of pluses. Zero issues in 1st 7K mls. List of standard amenities is as long as your arm. Since most the positives are listed in the brochures and Mazda info, Ill focus on the stuff they dont tell you. All cars have negatives. Consider if you can tolerate these: 1. factory speakers are horrible. Replaced all 4 with cheapo $26 speakers, for a major improvement. 2. Even understanding that performance uses gas, mileage is less than expected (26- 29 mpg). 3. Stock tires flat spot after sitting and need to warm up before the tiny thumping goes away. Otherwise stock tire performance and noise is fine so far. No need to slow down and brake for corners. That makes it very fun to drive!

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  Great looking, Great value! - 2005 Mazda MPV
  By Bjorn - October 31 - 8:56 am

  Bought this van a month ago and we have been very pleased with our purchase. We needed a more compact van to fit in our small garage spot. Despite its compact size, the MPV still has a very practical interior compared to an SUV. Fold the third row and remove the two middle seats and this baby will swallow anything. We got an ES with leather, sunroof and power doors for $24K. Comparable Toyota and Honda models would have cost thousands more. Weve even gotten a few compliments from the neighbors about the looks of the car! On the downside, the interior is definitely due for a redesign, and the motor is not as powerful or refined as the latest offerings from Honda or Toyota.

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  Fun, Runs Rough at 70mph? - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Chris - October 28 - 6:23 pm

  Wile looking for a new small SUV for my wife, we drove FX35, Pilot, MDX, RX330, 4 Runner, Highlander, Explorer, Murano, etc. Price and options drove us to the CX-7. I was sold on the FX35, but wife was unwilling to spend the additional $10k. While we like the car, the turbo lag is a killer. Im hesitant to pull out into traffic because it is so unpredictable. Also, I sense the engine runs slightly rough at highway speeds (70mph or around 2000rpm). I had it in once and they claim to have replaced the ignition coil. It also has a rattle they cannot find which sounds like the rear wiper is falling off at 60+mph. Not happy with the solutions so far, might trade it if they cant fix it.

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  So I pulled the trigger - 2016 Mazda CX-9
  By Paul Labas - October 25 - 12:35 pm

  I ended up with a Grand Touring, not Touring. After 2 weeks of driving, I brought the rating down to 4 stars. - The driving dynamic with 2.5T engine takes getting used to. Although powerful in 2-4K RPM range, the engine gets to 3-4K RPM relatively quickly and then the power tempers off. I wish the engine was more powerful overall. The driving and handling are still a lot of fun and its hard to believe one is driving a 3-row SUV. - The braking assist system is overly sensitive. The first two days of driving in suburban NJ it went off on me four times! When it does, the experience is both unpleasant and potentially dangerous, as the car brakes hard and I feel I can get slammed by someone else by from behind. The system can be turned off, but it comes back on every time you restart the engine. What I realize now is that the system is forcing me to drive more carefully and break sooner than I am used to! This might not be such a bad thing. - I turned off the lane keep assist since its more annoying than helpful. - The drivers seat is uncomfortable - it is hard and the raised sides, although providing great support, add to the discomfort. I am not a "wide" guy in any way, so I wonder how uncomfortable the seat can be for someone big. - infotainment system is fine. Once you get used to it, its not bad to operate at all. - the looks are impressive still, inside and out. The car is often confused with Infinity (what an insult!). The Bose sound is great. The hunt: When CX-9 appeared at local dealerships only a couple of weeks ago, I test-drove it twice before going on the actual "shopping expedition". That day I drove Honda Pilot, CX-9, Toyota Highlighter and Acura MDX. I dismissed Highlighter right away as it seems to offer and do everything that Pilot does, only a little worse in every aspect. The Pilot is the ultimate family SUV and I see why there are so many of them on the roads already. Coming from my Odyssey, I can say it is a blend of SUV and Mini-van. The engine is strong enough. The car is roomy and full of tech. The problem to me was that it is a good and solid choice, but unexceptional in every way, from the looks to the engine to the driving/handling dynamic. Acura MDX drove very nicely, but I didnt like the central console layout and its third row space was the smallest of the bunch. Just like with Honda, I see why there are so many of them on the roads. MDX didn’t excite me and for the $10K more than CX-9 (although MDX would offer more bells-and-whistles), I better feel excited. CX-9 felt like the perfect blend of sportiness, luxury, and practicality. I was so impressed that I decided not to wait another year or so to gather feedback from actual drivers and let the company buffer out the little issues that normally plague new technologies. I had to have it! I ended up with Touring with the Package as it seems to offer the best value for the buck, and found it at about 3K below the MSRP. I ordered it in the Machine Metallica Gray (that’s the color in all the ads) with black interior. The dealer will need to find or order one for me. Style The looks are subjective, of course, but I love the sleek exterior styling. To me, this is the only non-luxury 3-row sitter that doesn’t look like the designer started with a minivan and tried to smooth it out. The cabin feels like BMX X5 and the higher central divider creates a feeling of a closer space, similar to a racecar cockpit. The info-tainment screen is not intrusive since I look over it and it does not obscure any of the windshield window. Inside material quality is excellent. Space I am 6’ even. I adjusted the driver’s seat and the seat behind the driver for my height, and then could relatively painlessly fit in the third row behind that. The car is definitely not as spacious as my mini-van, but I can see how the third row can accommodate a couple of adults for 1-2 hours if needed, and kids or even teenagers may find it to be even more tolerable, if not comfortable. The second row is definitely comfortable for two adults and spacious enough for three. When I read the numbers, I knew CX-9 was supposed to be less spacious than the competition, but it did not feel this way in real life. Perhaps, the 1-2” difference is simply not noticeable in real life. Nevertheless, I am sure I’ll miss all the space I am now enjoying in the minivan. Driving I was truly impressed by the driving power and dynamic. Driving three turbo cars in the past, I can say that this CX-9 has very little turbo lag. The engine feels like a typical V6, only more powerful at the initial pickup. The car handles very well and feels much smaller and lighter in turns. One quickly forgets that this is a 3-row SUV. Driving dynamic is where the car really shines. Road noise This is one of very few gripes I have with my wife’s CX-5, however, Mazda handled it well with CX-9. The roads noise is low and car feels luxurious.

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  transmission trouble 3 times - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By Eileen Kelley - October 24 - 8:03 am

  I love this car but at 22,000 miles the transmission leaked; dealership put in a new transmission. Almost a year to the day the 2nd transmission with only 14,000 miles now has to be replaced again. The dealership is very rude and has an "oh well this happens" attitude. Very frustrating because whats to stop it from happening again next year? Mazda customer service is not much better. Accused me of not taking care of the car. Now the front wheel bearings are to be replaced. Havent had much satisfaction from anyone. Am going to try Attorney Generals office next.

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  Enjoying This SUV - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By Lespoir - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 2001 Honda Accord (whick was a wonderful car) for the Tribute as I needed the capacity of a SUV. So far all is good with this vehicle. The only exception is the gas mileage. I get barely 18 miles to the gallon. By the way you did not list 6Cyl 4Wheel Drive when driver wants to put vehicle into 4 wheel drive, otherwise it is front wheel drive.

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  TO MUCH FUN AND TO MUCH GAS - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Edster444 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I had the car a full 1200 miles now, and I have adjusted it to the point of action. As of now it runs like a sports racing car, and you can hear the engine on both auto and man-auto, as it goes to through the RPMS. It has a great deal of torque and is comfy to be in for long rides.

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  Blackhawk - 2013 Mazda Mazda3
  By tliston - October 15 - 5:20 am

  Very nice car. Looks expensive and handles great. Learning manual again but coming along quickly. Love the key-less entry and telescopic steering wheel. Stock stereos not bad... Smooth ride for a compact.

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  Great little truck - 2003 Mazda Truck
  By Ing - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Looks nice, runs great. Comfy ride; definitely "trucky," but not bouncy or harsh. Good legroom for tall people. Handles nicely in any situation. Good winter driving. Love the power of the 4- liter V6. Ive towed pretty close to 3000 pounds up the Columbia Gorge, and it shows no signs of strain; spooling up from 50 to 75 passing a slow semi uphill? No problem, not even with a fully loaded trailer.