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:

• 

  What a great car! - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By dave snell - February 17 - 12:56 am

  I have owned my new silver 6s with sports package and manual transmission for 2 months now and I am very happy. The only things I can fault it for is the turning radius and it can be difficult to launch in 1st gear because of the lack of torque. However once this car is off the line it is a hoot to drive. It handles superbly at speed and the engine comes alive at 3500 rmp. As a younger man I was a Datsun 510 lover, and this car takes me back to the fun days of rowing gears and tossing the car around turns. It is also the best looking car in its class (imo). Compared to the Accord, Camry or Altima this car has so much more personality and fun to drive factor. Why drive something boring?

• 

  Poor Quality - 2011 Mazda CX-7
  By greats32 - February 15 - 1:06 pm

  I purchased my CX7 the day before Thanksgiving last year. Overall I am not impressed with this vehicle. It has already spent a total of three weeks in the shop because of air conditioning issues as well as electrical issues. For this vehicle not even being a year old I am VERY disappointed to see the plastic lenses getting cloudy on the head lights. This is something I would expect from a 8 to 10 year old vehicle. When I asked the dealer about it I was told this is normal. This vehicle practically lives in a garage, while at home it’s parked in the garage, and when I am at work it is parked in the underground parking – never really sitting out in direct sun light enough

• 

  Love the efficiency, oh and zoom zoom 2 - 2008 Mazda CX-7
  By Ransom - February 15 - 7:26 am

  My new employer allowed me to pick out, negotiate, and purchase the vehicle I wished to use for company traveling. My ultimate choice was between Honda CR-V, and the Mazda CX-7. The Mazda won out because it drives like a sports car, has four doors, and loads of space for carrying work related marketing/sales equipment. I love it, its awesome to drive and averages over 20 mpg with lots of zoom zoom zoom.

• 

  Renisis Rocks - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Barielle - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my RX-8 for about nine moths now and the thing is a blast. I have read some of the reviews and, of those that are critcal,try to drive the car as it is designed to be driven. I first bought the third gereration twin turbo version, R1. This car was blisteringly fast, expensive,and a whole lot of fun. If you took a year learning to drive it you would only have to watch out for was 911s. The car was not practical for anything other than autocross type driving. Also, Mazda service was clearly off guard and provided poor service. The RX-8 so far has most of the benifits of that technolgy without many of the problem. The RX-8 seems to be a great sucessor to the 7 and I really love it.

• 

  Wonderful Vehicle--Reliable & Fun - 2007 Mazda Mazda6
  By William - February 13 - 9:13 pm

  I bought my Mazda 6 in the Spring of 2007. It has been a wonderful auto; truly fun to drive while providing reliability and comfort. I have no complaints. The Japanese engineers thought it out carefully as to what a driver enjoys while building a solid all-around vehicle. The internal layout of the car is superb for its class!

• 

  2.3L Engine Prone to Failure - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By mazdaharp - February 13 - 5:59 am

  Ive owned this car since day one. It is 9-1/2 years old and 103,000 miles on it. Ive done all scheduled maintenance at the dealer. Ive had a problem for a few years where this car has been chewing through oil but no one could out where it was going (no leaks, no visible burning, no blown head gasket). Im adding about a quart every 750 miles. Insane. I finally took it to another dealer with a better service department when the first failed to identify the problem. The piston rings have failed. The only solution... a new engine for $7,200. The more research I do, the more I see this is a common problem but Mazda is refusing to acknowledge it.

• 

  Awesome! - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Ali - February 13 - 2:26 am

  I have only had this car for a month but I ABSOLUTELY love it. Its wonderful and gas is great. Im so happy with my purchase!

• 

  Great little car - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By thetejon - February 12 - 5:40 pm

  Ive put about 4600 miles on this car, and I love it. All my complaints so far are pretty trivial - a little too much engine noise, the interior clock isnt that accurate . . . nothing to keep you from buying the car. Before buying, I read reviews that mentioned excessive brake noise - I test drove a couple of 3s, and the brake noise only occurred in the automatic. I was really unimpressed with the automatic - it felt sluggish compared to the manual. I get good mileage - average 23-27 MPG driving in traffic in Northern Virginia, and I dont drive it gently. I averaged over 31 for the tank during a weekend trip spent doing a lot of driving on country highways.

• 

  Better than the Audi A4 - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By Mazda Lover - February 11 - 4:20 pm

  Its hard to describe the quality of the suspension without driving one yourself. The fit and finish is world class. The price point is beyond anything else currently on the market. My husbands last 2 cars have been brand new Mercedes and he is accustomed to a quality ride and he feels that the Mazda 3 rides just as well. The xenon lights and Sirius radio are just two examples of the thoughtful features that were added to this car. If you are looking for a vehicle in this price range this car should be seriously considered.

• 

  Rotar-heads first rx-8 - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By waterproofone - February 11 - 7:23 am

  Ive owned 4 rx-7s. Only one of which was a lemon because I purchased from a friend and it was not well taken care of. I love the rotary engines and they have all been great. As long as you make sure the oil is filled with quality oil and the coolant is full all of the time you should be fine. The Rx-8 is less of a car in some manners and more in other areas than the rx-7. I love them both but think the rx-7s had more character to them. They were simpler and not so many sensors and design flaws. I hate the gas mileage and some of the rattles inside but the car so far is good. I have had it in the shop to repair many things/rattles and other things and so far they have not complained.