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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  Nice little thing - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By Trurl - March 20 - 11:03 pm

  Test drove all existing minivans and finally chose Mazda 5 as a compromise between practicality of a "grown up" minivan and drivability of a sedan. Considering its price this is nearly perfect vehicle: tiny outside but somehow very roomy inside - must be some sci-fi trick, unless it just a very thoughtful design. I also like the build quality and hope for a good reliability. And by the way, why dont they put sliding doors on all cars?

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  Madza Special Editon - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Special Editon - March 19 - 11:50 pm

  The Car is underpowered, needs at least 150hp. Car looks good, handles excellent and gas mileage. A good buy for the money.

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  Best Bang for your Buck! Fun to drive! - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By DEDM308 - March 19 - 3:56 pm

  I just bought a brand new silver 2008 Mazda3. I got the i Touring Value package with the 2.0 liter engine. This is an awesome car. The ride is smooth, and its really fun to drive! It gets average fuel economy for its class, but the power from the 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine is much better than you would expect! This car can definitely take off, and the manumatic shifting on the 4 speed automatic transmission is a nice touch. Kudos to the people responsible for this design! It just goes to show you that you dont have to sacrifice style for your money! This car is beautiful! From the halogen headlights, to the black-out tail lights, and the optional 17-inch alloys - this is a sporty car!

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  Almost perfect - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By Alberto - March 19 - 1:16 pm

  The 3 is an excellent blend of performance, economy, space, quality and style. On paper, comparisons to the Civic and Matrix seemed appropriate, but behind the wheel the 3 proved itself to have no peer in this price range. It seems more BMW 3 than Mazda 3, with the thoughtful blend of speed and comfort, the Teutonic feel of its controls and apertures, the wily blend of family-car and naughty-car. No, its not perfect. Some things, I suspect, may be blamed on the marketing department, e.g. gouging us on the cost of the navigation system and the MP3 player. And a few things might be blamed on the engineers, such as the small sunroof and the lack of a 6th gear. But overall, outstanding!

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  quality for less cash - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By keith8 - March 18 - 10:00 am

  This car is by far one of the best looking around. Looks more expensive than it really is.

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  It was calling my name - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By KeithinTX - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I knew the Mazda 6 was for me when the dealer took me on a test drive and hit a speed hump going 40 mph and I barely felt a thing! I was even more amazed with the vehicle when I jumped behind the wheel. The feel on the road was nothing like I have felt before and Ive owned 7 vehicles in the last 3 years. It just called my name over and over, begging me to drive it harder.

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  4-door sports car - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By jzn2tr - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Traded in my Camry because I wanted something more fun to drive. This is it - has the practicality of 4 doors and a real back seat, with the handling, feel, and suspension of a sports car. Love the manual automatic transmission - use it all the time. With the ability to control gears, can control speed on curves, etc. And the V6 will really tear out. Layout of controls is really good - big controls, easy to use, and having all the sound controls duplicated on the steering wheel is a nice feature. Not as plush inside as a Camry, the ride has a sports-car feel and not the Camry softness, but this car is a joy to drive.

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  Excellent Choice for a Mini Van - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By Jo & DB - March 18 - 10:00 am

  We purchased the MPV approximately three weeks ago. At first, we thought the van would be too small for our three growing girls. We test drove some used vans. Also looked at the Nissan Quest but decided a little too much money for what we wanted. We decided to test drive the MPV. Instantly, we felt very comfortable and realized this would be adequate for our family. We were hooked. The van rides very smooth and the features included are great. Would recommend looking into the MPV.

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  Pleasant Experience - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By Cliff Peterson - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Mine is one of the first tributes to come off the line (10/00). Its three years old, has 60,000 miles, almost trouble free,and still drives and feels like new. Its fun to drive, and gives a very secure feeling at high speeds and in harsh x-winds.

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  zoom zoom - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By mr 8 - March 18 - 10:00 am

  best feature about this car is its performance on those curves,it just hugs the road and you find your self looking for those curves,engine has great sound and over all great car.