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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  Better than Road and Track - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By hag - December 19 - 10:00 am

  After waiting 7 months and reading numerous reports and articles about the RX8, I was not disappointed! This car will revolutionize (no pun) the sports car industry what Sony did to radios with the walkman, and Yamaha did to marine outboards with its 2 stroke salt water series.

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  Best Hatchback ever - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By x2choctaw - December 18 - 6:40 pm

  I love driving my new Mazda 3. It has so much more power than my recent car and it handles so well in the corners. There is nothing that I can find wrong with this car.

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  Love our new cx9 - 2016 Mazda CX-9
  By Emily - December 18 - 4:25 am

  We are loving the new cx9. Its super comfortable, quiet, and has great handling. With two kids I wasnt sure whether we needed the third row, but weve used it many times already in the past month. It has lots of space but doesnt feel huge when you are driving. As a somewhat short person, the only downside is the front seat makes me slouch a tad. Otherwise really happy with the car

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  Got Mine! - 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By P.P. - December 17 - 11:33 am

  A truly fun vehicle to drive. Tight into the corners and curves, good power for the needs. Great feeling on the highway, with the top down, sun shinning. Zoom - Zoom!!

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  Absolute best car for the money - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By dave - December 17 - 7:13 am

  I just purchased a 2010 Mazda3 using the CARS program. After a lot of searching for a vehicle, and test driving my fair share, I was turned onto the mazda3 and never looked back. The biggest complaint that most people seem to have is the room, but I tend to disagree. I am 65" and I fit in this vehicle better than the many SUV and larger looking vehicles. I will admit that my roominess may be at the expense of my the backseat passengers, but thats just a perk of being the driver! The handling is unreal, and the bluetooth feature autosynchs with my phone the second I start my car. This is the best car I have ever driven.

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  Lifes Good - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Philip Laughlin - December 17 - 4:43 am

  I traded my 2004 Acura TSX because I test drove the CX-7. I was willing to make the extra payments because of the feel. Still getting used to the idea of an SUV but it drives like a car.

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  MPG Only Complaint - 2008 Mazda CX-9
  By paul andoni - December 16 - 10:16 pm

  1600 miles into our 2008 Touring CX-9, AWD option has already paid for itself in a brutal start to winter, even by Michigan standards. Decided on Touring over Grand Touring because 18 in. wheels/tires produce a much less jittery and more comfy ride than the 20 inchers on our cratered, suburban Detroit roads. The vehicle strikes a wonderful ride comfort/handling balance, providing agility, flat cornering, responsive transmission and steering while not punishing occupants on bad roads. I am surprised by the lack of a mpg computer. While not expecting hybrid-like fuel economy, I am very disappointed by the 12.6 mpg experienced thus far--can only hope this improves as break-in progresses!

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  2017s best automotive bargain! - 2017 Mazda CX-5
  By James Lewis - December 15 - 1:01 am

  My wife waited 4 months for this car to come out and we are glad she did. Mazda listened to the automotive community on just about everything they criticized and made changes accordingly, not that there any show stoppers with the 2016 version. To me, it looks like they copied a lot of the best things from the european SUVs to make this car an amazing bargain. The interior is so nice it would make an Audi or BMW blush in comparison. And lets face it, thats where you spend your time. Just as well, as the exterior is still a toad in my opinion, despite Mazdas effort to make you think otherwise. Our Grand Touring version, with the sunroof and upgrade sound system option package, has all the latest bells and whistles that we need; the only thing it doesnt do is park itself. But with a back up camera, if you cant parallel park, perhaps your proficiency needs to be addressed??? The sound system is by Bose, and as expected, is a waste of money. A bog stock late model Dodge mini vans sound system (have one at work) destroys this cars system. But then again, I have only heard one factory system as good as the Dodges, and that was in a bone stock Jeep Grand Cherokee Loredo... Makes me wonder if Chrysler has cracked to code on audio hifi and none of the auto rags has noticed or cared, as they dont spill ink on that subject. The engine doesnt compare to anything Honda makes. Its large displacement 4 cylinder lacks that sewing machine smoothness you would expect to have in such a nice vehicle. And the mileage and power isnt anything to brag about either. The average we get is about 31 MPG, and if pushed past 70 on the highway will get less than that. Some of this I blame on the use of a 6 speed automatic, I suspect the rest is attributed to aerodynamics similar of a barn door... As much as I dont like driving with a variable ratio transmission system like Honda and Nissan utilizes, I personally find it very easy to get great mileage with that system, just by paying attention to the sound and feel of the drivetrain. Mazda: If you are going to stick with a traditional automatic, more gears are needed now to stay competitive. Its too bad they didnt provide the option of the turbo motor from the CX-9; that would make this vehicle unbeatable. But Mazda has always had issue with providing killer options in the engine department; for proof look no further than the Miata. All of this is nitpicking. Dont walk away without taking a close look and a test drive. If you buy this car like we did, every time you drive it you will marvel at how Mazda provides so much vehicle for so little money. Amazing.

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  Cant beat it - 2012 Mazda MazdaSpeed3
  By unlvrebels - December 14 - 1:22 pm

  I had been doing research for a year and a half for my next car. I was going to choose one of the following three; VW GTI, Subaru WRX, MS3. I test drove each and everyone of them they all were great, but the MS3 truely stood above the rest. Power, Performance, Comfort, options standard, looks (the grill you get over shortly). I currently have 1500 miles on it and have loved every minute of it. Not a big fan of the city MPG, but it was defenately something to I expected, but what was unexpected was the great HWY MPG. I recently did a drive from Las Vegas to Phoenix which was roughly 400 miles. Did with only using 3/4 of the tank which gave me a whopping 32 MPG.

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  My Tribute - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By plinard - December 14 - 8:13 am

  This SUV really drives like a car. Very reliable and easy to maneuver. Easy to park in any space.