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 i Sport Value Edition is Value - 2007 Mazda Mazda6
  By Mark D - March 9 - 8:13 am

  I was driving a 2002 Mazda Tribute and when gas prices shot up to $3 per gallon I decided to trade it in for something with better gas mileage. The Mazda 6 i Sport Value Edition is the perfect car for buyers who want 4-cylinder gas mileage but dont want to sacrifice good looks, performance and comfortability. I am averaging 25MPG on the highway after 4k miles, I usually speed in the left lane. This car is very comfortable to drive.

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  The Darkness has enveloped me - 2012 Mazda MazdaSpeed3
  By rickibobbi - March 9 - 2:50 am

  Just got my MS3 in black, Ive put on a heftier rear motor/transmission mount and a heftier rear sway bar (for autocross), Strange sensation to have all that power and control (particularly with the mods) and for such a low price, the dealers cant sell them because of the manual transmission, I kid you not, I test drove one that had a dead battery, it was sitting in a back lot, covered in dust, surrounded by mazda3 automatics, quite forlorn, but I got a really great price on the car! An amazing drivers car, simply fun and well sorted. Couldnt recommend it more. Youll run out of courage before this car runs out of a capability.

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  Good - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By DB - March 8 - 3:40 pm

  With neither the proper (last-gen) Golf nor Focus available, theres not much competition so Im happy with what I get! The 3 drives well although the handling can be described as great only by comparison to something quite wobbly. The shift is tops but the steering isnt too precise. We couldnt get traction ctrl and/or ABS on our model. This is a top-spec (S) yet the power window has no one-touch up. Having just paid the toll you either hold the window-up button with a line of angry Boston drivers behind you or pull away into the Boston winter with the window open. Plus the buttons are placed too far ahead and arent illuminated. Please, a few LEDs for 17K!

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  My Mazda 3 Experience - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By lbb4 - March 8 - 1:41 pm

  I have owned a Mazda 3 for 2 years now. I cant complain much because it has been a reliable car. It is definitely NOT a family car but when we bought it we jumped quick because our other car was dying. The air conditioner is very sub-par, heat is good. Drives good, Interior is made fairly cheap as we have had several things break. Overall good car-I would recommend this car for a single person or a couple with no kids.

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  Very fun SUV! Over 200,000! - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By Kondo157 - March 8 - 9:53 am

  I purchased my 2001 tribute used from a friend with a little under 150,000 miles on it. He was short on cash and needed to get rid of it. So far this car has been nothing but reliable, had a small malfunction with a transmission plug but once this was corrected the car runs like new. Very much power for such a small SUV. Very good modern look to it as well.

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  AWESOME - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By idiotboxer - March 8 - 2:00 am

  THE BEST DRIVE POWER COMFORT

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  Excellent automobile - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By rds - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Owning my pro5 has been a wonderfull experience. This car is the third Mazda I have owned, and the second Protege. As with the previouse two this has had virtually no issues or problems with the exception of a rattle that was taken care of at the dealer. It is as much fun to drive as the first generation RX7 I had in the past, and it has a much more people friendly rear seat than any other simmilar small wagon I compared it to. In a nut shell it always gets looks and makes me smile the minute I turn the key.

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  Lets Keep This a Secret - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Happy Girl - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Ive had had my Protege 5for about two days. I was looking at Volkswagon Golfs but found the the PR5 to have a better value. Its a lot more fun to drive and seems roomier than the GTI or Golf. Overall, Im really suprised that I dont see more of these buggers out on the road, considering all the manufacturers great incentives. The car seems overwhelming with its perks, considering that I was driving a gas guzzling 4x4 pickup before.

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  Miatas are GREAT - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By ceyowsr - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I love my Miata, as I have all of our other Miatas

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  GREAT - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By LARRY GIRSCH - March 8 - 2:00 am

  PERFECT FOR TWO SENIORS. DONT HAVE TO STEP UP TO GET IN AND DONT NEED HELP GETTING. MORE SENIORS SHOULD GET THEM. PEOPLE THINKS IT IS FOR YUPPIES [WRONG] IT IS GOD SEND FOR OLDER GENERATION.