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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  The BEST Little Wagon - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By Jimoi - June 12 - 9:30 am

  Before purchasing the Mazda3 wagon, I compared it to the PT Cruiser, Toyota Matrix, and the Subaru Outback. The Mazda3 no doubt had the best performance, interior and exterior design, and unique features not found on the others. Acceleration is smooth and easy, but also has great pick up and go. Handling is tight and nimble; a breeze around corners. The stereo has a great sound, and the gauges are easy to read and a definite eye catcher. Many people believe that it is a higher priced vehicle that it really is!

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  Baby BMW - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By Robby Butler - June 12 - 2:30 am

  This is one of the best small car on the market. The interior is well appointed, the seats are comfortable, and the stereo system is excellent. Close the doors and you hear a tump not a rattle like most small cars. The performance is great, and the handling is on the level of high ends vehicles. I have owned over 20 cars in my life time. I call it my baby BMW. I have owned two Bimmers and I enjoy this car better. I cant say more; I bought it for my wife, but I gave her my Expedition to drive and I take the Mazda. If you buy one you wont be dissatisfied.

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  Great car, when everything works... - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By perrito - June 11 - 12:23 pm

  I am overall quite pleased with my 2004 Mazda3 5 door with automatic. I would agree with others that the manual may be a safer choice; my automatic just died with only 13,000 miles on it - very unusual. And it stranded us between Colorado Springs and Denver. It handles nicely, is quiet (with replacement tires), and has a great, functional interior. I love the steering wheel controls; use them all the time. Its a fun car, but this automatic problem, and an early ignition fault, make me doubt the long-term reliability of the Mazda3.

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  A bit under the MPG in the first tank - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By kevivoe - June 11 - 2:50 am

  1st tank was only 23 MPG and I was expecting 25-31 MPG. I am hoping the MPG goes up during break-in. So far very satisfied with the car. Plenty of HP and FT-LB to move around well. Very quiet car, without checking the speedometer youll be doing 80 MPH on the freeway with no effort. Perhaps the performance is the reason for the lower MPG. Well do better the 2nd tank. The interior is roomy, the trunk cavernous. Love the euro style looks. Test drove a Jetta TDI and considered a Toyota Corolla ... certainly made the correct decision. Performance of the Mazda3 is far superior. Instrumentation is a.o.k. The Bose sound system is lacking. Too much "hiss" when music stops. Premium? Not quite.

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  Mazda MPV - 2001 Mazda MPV
  By nutsywheels - June 11 - 12:26 am

  I have owned a Volvo, 2 Audis, a Buick, and 2 Chevy Suburbans. My 2001 Mazda MPV has truly been the best of them all. It currently has 86,000 miles on it and has only needed minor repairs thus far. A big thing for me is that no little pieces have fallen off like in my other cars, and the whole car seems to be very well made.

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  Used to love her Part TWO! - 2006 Mazda Tribute
  By niccorcal - June 10 - 8:10 am

  An update to my previous post from 9/09. Sooo I ended up spending just over $3000 to have my transmission rebuilt, if only I could post the pictures! ALL of the metal parts in the transmission were all eaten up, its as if the metal they used werent heated up to the right temperature when it was being produced. The company fixing it has never seen such a thing on a new car in their 30 yrs of business. So I think its over,a little over a month and my other ABS wheel axle, one of the main reasons all the problems came to light starts going out, affecting once again my transmission, faulty axles and crappy transmission material. 3 months later Im driving a BMW X3! Obviously way better quality!

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  So fun to drive BUT - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By electricmicey - June 10 - 2:09 am

  Ive been driving my CX5 Grand Touring for a few months and have put a few thousand miles on it. It is a fun, peppy CUV and great for hauling kids, the huge family dog and loads of stuff around town and beyond. It handles all sorts of terrain well and sits firmly on the road. The suspension is definitely a little firm but it doesnt ride like a truck. The navigation system is quite low tech, and some of the finer details are neglected. One huge issue for my family right now is the discovery that the rear seats dont recline...a deal breaker on a long haul road trip for a kid in a booster seat. The cx5 is not for the seeker of oversized storage compartments to stash stuff.

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  Fair review for the last Rotary - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By zero11534 - June 9 - 6:33 am

  The RX8 is a true 4 door 4 seat sports cars, what it lacks in low end torque it makes up for in handling. Rotary motor propels the 3100lb RX8 to 60 in 6.0 sec. and a ¼ mile in 14.9. Fuel consumption for the RX8 was Avg for when it first came out, 17city/24 Hwy. The cars light weight stiff chassis and electronic steering makes this a point and drive sports car allowing even the novice of sports car owners the ability to get behind the wheel and take the turns like a pro. This car does come at a price requiring you to add oil about ever 4 fill up’s. This is a good daily driver for hwy only commuters

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  Replaced My Mazda RX-8 - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By edtb - June 7 - 11:36 am

  Great handling and excellent merging of the 6 speed tranny with the turbo 4 engine. My only complaint - would like a memory power drivers seat that would allow for two different drivers by pushing one button. Manual shifting works well but I miss the paddle shifters on my RX-8.

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  STO2GO - 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By roknrol - June 7 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. Ill echo the other review about being careful of the special editions. Its too easy to become so paranoid of getting the car dinged up that youll just keep it in the garage and admire it. However, the car must be driven to truly admire it. I had wanted a true, classic convertible for a long time, but didnt want the maintenance issues of an MG or Triumph. The Miata is the perfect answer.