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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  my new mazda 3s - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By tirananzak - May 15 - 10:00 am

  This car is so fun to drive! It handles corners just like you were driving a sports car. Love the fact that the audio controls are also on the steering wheel. Great car!

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  Best 2004 compact car for the price - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By harddrivet - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I have never ever owned a Mazda, but I saw one of these cars on the mass pike and had to check them out. I did the research on Edmunds, drove a few Mazda 3s, and bought one. So far I am happy. It is fun to drive and gets good gas mileage. I just hope it is reliable and lasts since I drive many miles a year commuting to work.

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  2 years old -19 mpg - 2006 Mazda MPV
  By Mom - May 15 - 5:20 am

  All the Mazdas have a problem with the transmission where it feels like you got hit by another car. Its the transmission shifting. It only happens every few months, but they wont fix the problem. The gas mileage is lower than they say at 19 mpg with part highway and part in town. If it is all freeway, and you drive 60 or less, you can get 24 mpg. I got that once. Overall I love the van, but the gas is too expensive now, so Im selling. No other problems have ever occurred, and I have 24,000 miles.

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  Dads Cool Car - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By Kevin - May 14 - 5:50 pm

  I needed a roomy vehicle to accommodate our new baby (and all the stuff that comes along too) as well as provide good gas mileage for commuting 60 miles per day for work. Seeing as a manual transmission is almost a requirement for me, my choices were limited. I compared the Mazda5 to a few mid-size sedans and found that none could compare in terms of space or price. My wife, who always swore she would never drive a minivan, loves it so much that she now wants to learn how to drive a manual so that she can drive my car instead of her CR-V. Our baby loves it too :) The 5 is so fun to drive that I feel like Im driving a sporty car, not a Micro-Van - great mix of fun and practicality.

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  Most fun EVER! - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Joe - May 14 - 9:56 am

  Ive wanted one since 1990, but lived in Brooklyn. Got a copper red 5 speed Touring with 6-cd changer after I moved to SC. This is the most fun Ive ever had in a car. Corners great, accelerates well, I never get tired of driving it. With the top down, it is so good Id rate it an 11 if that was an option. With the top up, your view out the back is limited, and difficult to see behind and blind spot. That is not a problem with the top down. After 3 months I still love it as much as the first time. Looks great, feels great, drives great, sounds great. BUY THIS CAR!

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  From a 350Z to a CX-7 - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By CO_Dawg - May 13 - 10:10 am

  I love this car. I just purchased this car and was not looking forward to going back to an SUV (traded in a 350Z). The performance and handling made trading in the old Z a little more tolerable. Test drove most of the competition and the CX-7 beat them all hands down.

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  2004 Mazda 6 - many problems - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By mike - May 12 - 9:26 pm

  I have had an 04 Mazda6 for approximately 18 months - was great for first few months and lived up to the hype and reviews. But after about 4 months it developed several problems that 2 dealers and national support have been unable or unwilling to fix. Power and gas mileage are WAY down, shifter mechanism is very rough and sloppy, brakes repeatedly develop a squeal, rough starting when cold, traction control is terrible in the snow, clutch often stammers. I have previously owned 2 other Mazdas (89 MX6 and 99 626); both were good combination of value and reliability, leading me to get the new 6. I was very happy at first but am now very disillusioned with reliability/quality and lack of support from Mazda

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  Van did us well - 2001 Mazda MPV
  By Melody - May 12 - 8:03 pm

  I replaced this van at this time first of all because of the CARS program. Secondly 3 of the 4 kids are now on their own so its bigger than I need and its Mommas turn. : ) Otherwise this van served my family well for 7 years. We put over 130,000 miles on the van with minimal problems towards the end. And this last winter was the first real midwest winter since Ive owned it -- the smaller tires on the larger vehicle had me in the ditch twice. Despite that I still recommend it to families with children.

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  Its really just a Ford - 2006 Mazda Tribute
  By Mike - May 12 - 7:36 pm

  I bought the Tribute new and at 3100 total miles, my transmission broke and had to be replaced. There were no error codes when technicians hooked up to the test computer. The dealer had it for over 10 days until I got it back. The wheels and brakes continually squeak at slow speeds (typical Ford). I dont really trust the vehicle now because of the transmission and am seeking to trade it for something else (not Mazda). Unfortunately it may be awhile before I can do that as the Tributes trade in value has severely decreased since I bought it, and continues to decrease. I will never buy another Mazda or from the dealer I purchased it from. Also poor workmanship in body panel on r/front door.

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  Never would expect it - 2010 Mazda CX-7
  By Gerry - May 12 - 11:16 am

  My wife and I went out and searched the usual crossovers. Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Chevy, and GMC were all good cars, but when we slipped behind the wheel of the Mazda CX-7 we were sold! This car beats the others hands down in quality, performance, and style. The biggest part that sold us on it, however, was the technology. Navigation, back-up camera, Bluetooth for hands-free calling... even the Bose stereo sounded better than all the competition. We are not "hard-core" off-roaders so the sleek metro styling and clean design made it a great choice over some other "poser" crossovers. I am very impressed with this car.