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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  my baby - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By hyundia19 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  This car drives so smooth, it feels like your in a lincoln or any big body style car!!! They way it drives on the highway is almost dangerous.....Its so smooth i get up to 125 so quickly and i cant even feel it! I love this car and i am so glad i bought it.

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  1st Import Purchase - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By Steve Miller - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Definitely fun to drive. Ive driven domestics for the past 35 years & put a lot of research into my most recent purchase. Test drove GM, Ford, Toyota, Nissan & Honda. Nothing was better than the loaded Mazda6s unless I wanted to spend an extra six grand! Love the car...Dealership? Questionable at best. If I purchase another Mazda it will be at a different dealer!

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  CUPIDS REVIEW - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By CUPID - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR. IT IS FUN AND RELIABLE. ITS SPORTY AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR THIS FUN.

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  great little car - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By keviclan - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Very impressive acceleration, fun to drive, very comfortable

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  Awesome!! - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By stephen - January 12 - 3:50 am

  I love my mazda3. It looks great, gets good gas mileage, handles great, and has great features. Mine has heated seats, gps, leather throughout, mp3 hookup, and love the look of the hatchback. I have the slapshift and it gets up a lot quicker when using the stick. I recommend this car to anyone!

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  It is more fun to drive than a Civic! - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By AV - January 11 - 10:00 am

  As an owner of a 2002 Civic DX, I compared this with the Protege LX back to back. Both are similarly equipped and priced very closely (CDN 24000 range, tax in). I sit a little higher in the Protege but I can find a better seating position. Accelerating, the Civic feels sluggish. Stopping or slowing down, the Civics brakes seem too touchy, and it has more lean when going around a corner. The Mazda Protege is more fun to drive. Enough said.

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  Best SUV Ive Had - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By Alex - January 11 - 9:20 am

  I have had it for about 2 years now and I have just hit 100,000 miles and it still runs great. I have only had to replace a few things like the air conditioning compressor and i just got new brakes put on it today which reasonable for a car that has gone that far. I also had the brake booster replaced right away and i have not had any problems since that. I love this SUV soooo much that I had the cloth seats taken out, and I bought custom perforated real leather seats and i also had a sunroof installed. Both from Classic Soft Trim.

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  Mazda Got It Right with the 6i - 2007 Mazda Mazda6
  By DHowells - January 11 - 7:50 am

  At 49 years old I have bought many cars in my life and have never felt compelled to write using descriptive words such as fantastic, fun to drive, love it, etc. Mazda definitely got it right with the Mazda 6i, in addition to giving the consumer a great value in comparing the 6i to a Camry or even a BMW 3 series, they have built what I would consider to be the perfect car for middle America. Having a family car that doesnt resemble a box is refreshing, the 6i is not only sporty in looks as it drives more like a sports car than family sedan.

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  SO MUCH FUN !!!!!!!! - 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Lisa - January 11 - 7:23 am

  I previously owned a larger car. Took me about a month to become comfortable in my smaller space. But, let me tell you .....It is so much fun when the top goes down!!!! I absolutely love this car!

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  Solid - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By BC - January 10 - 3:03 am

  What a great car. Fun to drive and looks great! We looked at Honda, Toyota, and once we drove it, we felt it was the best fit.