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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  So Much Fun! - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Maxpelao - April 9 - 10:00 am

  What can I say? Its my first new car. But once I saw it, I had to get it. The test drive convinced me, and the fact that it looks BETTER than the Matrix/Vibe, and gets a LOT of attention makes it even better. The ride is fun (a bit stiff), but it kicks!!

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  I love it! - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Picoboy1 - April 9 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive!!!

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  Fun in Hatch - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Tim F., Tampa, FL - April 9 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle for my wife and she loves it and she actually let me drive it. The car is very peppy and when you need the power it is there to deliver. Great off the line for an econo-box. Xenon ,6 Disc Moonroof and the ABS air bags Package. No DVD Navigation. Manual. Paid $18,454.00. We got lava orange (see the color in person). We looked at two other cars the PT Cruiser Turbo and the Toyota Matrix XRS. The PT is great however it just costs too much and the Matrix just plain out stunk, because you have to rev the heck out of the engine to get any power. What sold us on the 3 was the safety features. All in all, this is a great buy.

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  why did I wait so long? - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By rick s - April 9 - 12:06 am

  Ive owned pick-up trucks for the past 20+ years, but have had my eye on one since the redesign. I bought it three weeks ago, and have spent the better part of the past three weekends driving around Arizona. Drove it up Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona the first weekend, and had so much fun, drove back down and up again. Absolutely, the most fun I have ever had driving. Added satellite radio, and now I dont want to get out of it. Averaged 38.9 mpg last weekend around Flagstaff (the altitude?) Do yourself a favor, and buy one before the world runs out of oil. Thanks, Edmunds.

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  Keeps me smiling - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By geniustrust - April 8 - 11:03 pm

  On paper this is not the car I wanted. I wanted a status symbol, something flashy and powerful. But the reality of my 7 mile commute (with 8 stop lights) made the ideal of some 300 hp monster seem a bit absurd. Enter the mazda 3 gt, fully loaded, it has all the gadgets I wanted, uses regular fuel, and costs a heck of lot less. Steering is nimble and quick. fit and finish is excellent. Good power, can chirp the front tires even with dsc on. I find myself grinning while driving. . . just because.Taking a corner at 40 mph, better than a latte to get the heart going in the morning. Drives like a smaller car, think miata with 4 doors.

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  love the car - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By mike - April 7 - 12:43 pm

  Great overall car. I would recommend this car to anyone who wants a sporty car thats not too big and yet not too small. The 4 door is perfect.

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  Reliable, Economical, and Fun to drive! - 2014 Mazda Mazda3
  By jb57 - April 6 - 11:22 am

  This is our 2nd Mazda (wife owns 2012 Mazda 5) and weve been very pleased with both vehicles. Mine is the 2014 Mazda 3 sedan sport edition w/ manual shift. Am averaging 36 mpg. Before buying, I test drove a Civic, Corolla, and Cruze. All seemed to be good vehicles but the Mazda stood out for its handling and appearance. Leg room and head room are just fine (Im 6 2"). Trunk space is larger than I expected. The engine is quiet as a kitten. My only knocks are the average looking cloth seats (I replaced w/ leather) and road noise on select highways. But, boy are these cars fun to drive!

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  Love It!!! - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By SHouse - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Compared the MPV (ES) vs. Honda Ody. Fell in love with the Mazda & wouldnt trade it for the world. Sporty, fun to drive and loaded with features. Great vehicle!

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  Happy George - 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Happy George - April 6 - 4:50 am

  My first Miata was a 2000, 5 speed manual which for some reason I dont recall I sold in 2003. I always regretted doing that. I never thought Id like an automatic transmission in a Miata. All I can say is try one of these 6 speed automatics before you decide. I love it. The performance, steering and brakes are great. Its quite comfortable on smooth roads but a bit less so, as expected, on poor surfaces. I like the grill and front view of the 2008 model better than the 2009.

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  Liked it so much, I bought another - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By JF - April 5 - 4:03 pm

  I had a 2004 Mazda3, which was fun and trouble free until it was totaled by an incompetent idiot. The resale value was such that I got $2k less than Id paid 2 years before! I value the driving experience and reliability, and for replacement narrowed it down to this or the Civic, but after a drive there was no contest. Unlike the Civic, the controls are perfectly positioned and weighted, the handling is superb, power is good, gearbox is short-throw, precise, pleasant. It looks good, and is well equipped. Love the small leather steering wheel, shame the gearstick is no longer leather. Improvements for 2007 are slightly more refined suspension, stiffer chassis, mp3 input jack.