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:

• 

  The Best Three Row Crossover under $50K - 2016 Mazda CX-9
  By Clem - June 30 - 10:42 am

  Recently bought the CX9 Grand Touring after test driving the Honda Pilot Elite and the Toyota Highlander. The Pilot was nice but Honda does not do a good job of asorbing imperfections in the road. I traded in my 2013 Honda Accord sport and test drove the 2016 Honda CRV as well before pulling the trigger on the CX-9. The Hondas are really nice on smooth roads but fall significantly in my eyes on imperfect roads. The Highlander was smoother on imperfections but felt big and not as maneuverable as the CX9. Both the Pilot and Highlander appeared roomier inside, but one drive of the CX9 and it was no contest. Folks have made a lot of fuss over the 2.5L Turbo, but it is as smooth as butter. The more I drive this CX9, the more I love it. The drive is extremely quiet, smooth, comfortable and more than enough power to do anything I need a car to do. Some are concerned that the CX9 doesnt go 0-60 in 6 plus seconds....really, this is an three row SUV. It will do 0-60 in 7 plus seconds and that is faster than most family sedans. If you are one of those people who need to find something wrong with a vehicle i.e.. v-6 power, turbo, panoramic roof, cooled seats, Im sure you can find it. If you are truly in the market for an SUV, you have to go and test drive this CX9. We bought the CX9 and our kids are grown. We considered the Lexus RX350 (could not justify the price for us), Nissan Murano (very nice but i was disappointed in the ride quality...we owned the 2004 Murano and loved the way it drove. The 2015 Murano Platinum on 20"wheels did not soak up the bumps as well as i remember the 2004 doing and the V-6 was not as smooth). Have not driven the Durango, Explorer, Traverse, or Acadia so I cannot comment on them and I wish I had taken the opportunity to test drive them as Im reading good things on the Durango. In the end, Im extremely happy with my purchase as this is my first Mazda and if this holds up well, it will not be my last.

• 

  Lots of Fun!! - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Midnite Angel - June 29 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car, I love it!!! Its fun, sporty and so cool. Cant wait for warmer weather to get here, to open the windows and moonroof up. The midnite blue color is really nice.

• 

  Fun Driving!!! - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By daRick - June 29 - 2:00 am

  This is not a limo nor an SUV, but a true sports car! It handles like one and in many ways better than most high- end European sports cars at non law- breaking speeds! Fun to drive and takes curves as if it were on rails. Porsches, BMWs, etc. need high speed to really bring out their best--this baby does it while doing under 55 miles an hour... and the purr of the exhaust is a beautiful thing to hear...Just love it! PS Im rating COMFORT above for a sports car; not comparing it to my Acura family sedan!

• 

  Mazda3 S - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By Shawn - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Have over 20,000 miles on it in a year and it has been great. Very well handling car. Can be sporty when you want it to be, but can also perform like an economy car when you want it to. I consistently get 31-35 miles a gallon on the highway (rated at 31).

• 

  Buy one now - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Rick - June 28 - 10:10 pm

  Great car. Fast, agile, surprising gas mileage. Get the limited slip differential and traction control and watch the dashboard light up in the rain. Better by far than my old RX-7. Only beef is despite a bunch of little cubby holes the interior still has limited space for storing anything bigger than sunglasses. But who cares, drop the top, mash the gas, and it does not matter.

• 

  Great compact car - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By yjystr - June 28 - 6:30 am

  Its really a fun-to-drive car, much better than Civic and Corolla. Made in Japan makes the car perform very impressive.

• 

  Not All Good Things Can Be Perfect. - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By the mazda5 - June 27 - 8:40 am

  Pretty good, but its huge list of features have to include the following in the next 2 years: a 5 or 6 speed automatic, rear air conditioning, standard tinted windows, an available V6 [maybe from the Mazda6], a panoramic sunroof =D, power sliding doors, Bose speakers, a better screen for the navigation system, a smoother transition between gears, 2nd row outboard armrests, dual zone auto-climate control, power front seats, a "shark fin" antenna instead of the weird one it has now, a bigger center console, and more power outlets. Other than that, its a great car with a bunch of features packed into a crossover that is a hit worldwide. If only they advertised it more openly... who knows?

• 

  My First Mazda! - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Lisa - June 26 - 3:53 pm

  Ive only had the car for one day but I absolutely love it! I have the GT HB with the Moonroof/Bose package and Im amazed at what you get for the money. I looked at Toyota Rav4, Matrix, Nissan Rogue & Versa, Subara Impreza and Mazda3. The Mazda3 had everything I wanted at the right price. The others didnt even come close. Ive been driving Nissans for 22 years so I really had to step out of my comfort zone to buy something else but Im glad I did. The car is fun to drive and thats a priority for me. Im still in shock that I actually have it! I had trouble finding a GT HB with a M/T in Black with black interior. I was told it would be August but one dealer in Texas had one and I got it!

• 

  Mazda6 4-cyl iTouring-BlackCherryMettali - 2009 Mazda Mazda6
  By Kris - June 25 - 10:30 pm

  I bought my car with the Bose/Moonroof package on 6th June 09. Have almost 5000 miles on it! (less than 3 months). Love driving this car around. Great mileage - combined EPA estimate is 24 mpg, I have regularly got over 26.5 mpg. On a really long trip I got 30.2 mpg. (All calculations based on full tank and trip meter) 170 hp makes it one of the most powerful car in its category. Bose 10 speaker sound is awesome. Fog lights are nice. Good Michelin tires, but I think squeals a tad too much sometimes. I test drove the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, VW Passat and CC (liked the CC a lot, but 4 seater) - Mazda6 as a package, features and price, won hands down.

• 

  I love my RX8 - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By Maria - June 24 - 11:30 pm

  The best thing about my RX8 is that it is soooo much fun to drive. I love the feeling of being pinned back in my seat when I step on the gas. Everywhere I go people stare and wonder, "what kind of car is that?". I love my car! The body of the car is perfect. Ive never seen anything like it. Anybody can have a Mustang, and a lot of people do, but you dont see the RX8 everywhere. The only thing I wish is that it had better fuel economy. With the premium gas thats recommended, it can add up. But, you dont buy this car to worry about how much money you have to put in the gas tank. The car hugs you in. I feel like Im in a person size capsule when I drive. Its perfect!