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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  I love it - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By gailnicko - February 11 - 5:33 am

  i really enjoy driving the car, the seats are very comfortable. I dislike the headrests, which cannot be utilized while on trips (they need to be extended forward). Service visits have been the minimum for almost 2 years that I have owned it.

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  I Absolutely Love It! - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By DAN-I-AM - February 10 - 8:56 pm

  I never thought I would buy a Mazda but I am sure glad I did. This car is a lot of fun to drive & handles the road quite well. Extremely smooth ride more so than my 04 Honda Accord. I find myself sitting in the car after parking just to listen to the stereo (which Ive never done in the past). I would highly recommend this great build of a vehicle. I plan on getting some options added later because I know I purchased a great car that I plan on keeping forever! :o)

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  Complaints - 2011 Mazda CX-9
  By krayj - February 10 - 5:13 pm

  A few items are rather [violative content deleted]: 1. The power rear lift gate does not operate by squeezing handle. It is only power open by using the remote or the switch inside the car. 2. The memory seats do not include side mirrors. 3. You can not enter a single contact in the bluetooth phone book. 4. There are no audible sensors with the backup camera. 5. Freeway speed limits are not shown on GPS Seems to me a so called "Grand Touring" car should include these items.

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  In love! - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By mazdalvr - February 10 - 2:16 am

  This car is awesome! I test drove all the other cars in its class, and after driving this one, I bought it on the spot. It looks so much classier/sportier than others I looked at, and The Bose Stereo is great, also loving the sunroof! Having Bluetooth standard is nice too. Coming from a V6 to a 4 cyl. wasnt a big deal as this thing can get up and go. To anyone looking for a car packed with options at a reasonable price - and great looks - BUY A MAZDA! You wont regret it.

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  Mini Van (no way) - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By sjmem83 - February 10 - 2:00 am

  All I have to say is DRIVE IT!!!

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  Mazda - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By Kelly - February 10 - 1:46 am

  We purchased our 2004 Mazda 6 sports sedan and we love it. We were also testing a Pontiac Grand AM GT and the difference was incredible, You can tell right away the Mazda is put together very tightly. It has a modern look and very sleek design. This is my first non GM car and I couldnt be happier. Great fuel mileage too.

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  Still loving our CX-3! (Even with some cons) - 2016 Mazda CX-3
  By Connor McCollum - February 9 - 10:41 pm

  Well, my parents and I have owned our CX-3 for seven months and I have to say its still a great little car! It has a little over 5600 miles (yeah, I know, thats not a lot. It should have way more at this point!) and drives like a sporty champ! Although its not my car, its my parents, I still have my fair share in driving it. As much as it is fun and sporty to drive, it does have a couple cons going for it. But lets start with the pros. Firstly, the simplistic interior layout comes in handy very well when compared to the thousands of complicated buttons and gadgets that make up many cars today. You have your simple climate control nobs, user-friendly buttons on the steering wheel, an easy-to-read instrument cluster, a well shifting dual-clutch transmission, a big built-in screen mounted on the dash thats easy to read and function, and rounded a/c vents with air flow control. It even has a CD player which comes handy to old-school music-lovers like my parents and I who rely on CDs. To me, thats all you really need to make for a great daily driver! The styling cues are what really makes this Mazda stand out from other cars. Every time when were in a parking lot and examining all the other cars around, nothing compares to the look of this one. This is one of the most stylish-looking compacts in this segment, with its predatory stance, sleek body lines, soft corners, and pointy lights and grille. Thats what makes Mazdas great overall. They keep a simplistic layout while still expressing aggressive and sleek body lines and curves, both inside and out. The acceleration is great in heavy traffic or open road. When you need to get up and go, this car will deliver with no hesitation. I always end up leaving other cars behind me in the dust because of its great pep. Dont get me wrong, Im not a speeder, but when I drive this sometimes, it sure feels like it! Braking distance is superb! If you need to stop quickly, it sure will brake hard, which is good. The 4-wheel pads are very sturdy and stiff. It comes in handy to be alert for not-so-smart drivers out there! The crash safety rating is very comforting. The IIHS recently released the frontal and side crash test ratings and was rated an IIHS Safety+. Thats very good to know, especially for a compact! As great as it may seem to be, its had a few cons going for it. Firstly, the rather cheap plastics. My pet peeve with this car is the wrap-around plastic. You know how plastics are. They easily scratch, discolor, pop off, or crunch if in an accident. Although newer plastics have gotten better, theyre still a little cheap. Ive noticed many chips, scratches, and sun-faded areas all around the plastic. I use Turtle Wax trim restorer on it every once in a while, but I still see them. The inside has its fair share in hard-touch plastics too and as a result, there are many scratches, especially in the occupied areas. One example is the panel thats aside where the seat-belt rests. Since the seat-belt constantly rubs and hits that area, there are many scratches on it. Although you cant really help that, it doesnt look the greatest. It may sound like OCD, bit I just happen to notice areas that others dont really pay attention to. Recently, we had to go to our dealer to look at the driver side headlight because of a leaking problem. Several weeks ago, I noticed when I washed the car and was starting to dry it, water and moisture seeped inside the driver-side headlight lens. The bulb still worked, but if it we waited any longer, it wouldve blew. So, the dealership had to replace the lens in a two-hour process but it was worth it. Ever since, the light has been fine. However, the original light shouldnt have done that in the first place. The main drawback to this car is the lack of storage capacity. Like I said before, even a small load of groceries will fill the trunk! Even when the rear seats are folded down, theres still a lack of space. Good luck trying to load big and bulky boxes in there! Weve done that before but it was a pain! The space was so cramped that the box actually scraped up the headliner towards the back, which really irked me! So if youre a light traveler, this may be the best option. If you want a more family-oriented car, Id go to its bigger brother, the CX-5. On the whole, its a great little car! Its had its fair share in cons, but when you think about it, all cars have that. Theres no such thing as a perfect car in my book. Every car is going to have its ups and downs, and many people are going to focus on the pros rather than the cons. Thats what this is. It has more pros than cons which is something to be desired. I would still recommend this car to any person whos looking for a daily driver thats practical, sporty, fun, stylish, and light-weight with enough room for family and friends and a little bit of light storage. Zoom zoom!

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  Excellent Car! - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By Fun2Driver - February 9 - 8:50 pm

  My last car was a VW Golf. It served me well for 10+ years. It was a fun-to-drive machine, but quite costly to maintain, especially with age. So I decided its time for a new car. I test drove 3 hot hatches: new Toyota Matrix (158hp/4cyl); VW Rabbit (170hp/5cyl); Mazda3 5dr (156hp/4cyl). Heres my little comparo. 3rd place, Matrix. Highs: big cargo room, Toyota reliability. Lows: Mazda3 copy cat, dull handling, peculiar styling, high price (23k for XRS), poor corner visibility due to large A pillar. 2nd place, VW Rabbit. Highs: big engine, VW fun, quality interior. Lows: uncomfortable seat (angled too much), confusing controls, strange "wall" under windshield, questionable reliability.

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  7000 miles and four times back to the dealership - 2014 Mazda Mazda6
  By greekguy9999 - February 9 - 12:56 am

  First, 1500 miles, check engine light went on. It needed a software upgrade. Second, 3000 miles, GPS was frozen. needed a battery change. Third, 7000 miles, blind spot monitoring will not turn on. Dealership has no idea why and I need to come back when the Japanese builders are awake wherever they live so they can figure it out. So next time will be the fourth time. For a car that costs 30k, and is the top of their line, you would think I wouldnt need to come back four times within 8000 miles.

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  Doesnt get any better for $ vs Hp - 2011 Mazda MazdaSpeed3
  By don_83 - February 6 - 4:59 pm

  You get 280 lb/ft at from a car that costs 23k to start. Mazda has made a true winner here and the car has a lot of plus points. Its comes loaded in standard form and Interior is very well laid out for a compact with true seating for 5. The handling is very sharp and the ride is on the stiff side. The only downside is the exterior styling which doesnt cut it for some buyers. 6 speed is precise and its never hard to find the right gear. I think its a great platform to improve on and sort out all the quirks for the next gen. The new ECU is not as easy to mod as prior years even though the motor is the same. I would give the speed 3 a serious look before pulling the plug on any other hatchback