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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  Excellent SUV, minor complaints - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Jim - November 17 - 7:10 am

  This is my 3rd Mazda and they keep getting better! I love the styling and terrific value the CX7 represents. Plenty of room and the motor pulls this rig beautifully, especially on mountain roads. Have experienced very minor turbo lag and the 6-speed AT is wonderful, absolutely no need for a V6. This car is a cross-over, not a truck so it must be judged accordingly. For a car its wonderful, for an SUV it serves all my needs. Finally someone came out with an SUV a guy like me can use. Dont need a truck? This is your rig! Modern, well developed cross-over SUV.

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  asdf - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By big_ben - November 17 - 2:00 am

  This is one of the greatest buys you can get. This car is a blast to drive.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By Mark - November 16 - 10:20 pm

  This is one sweet car. Well priced. Grand touring package comes with heated seats, xenon lights, sunroof, leather, etc.; basically everything. The transmission in the 06 was bumped up to 5 speed. Fit and finish are almost perfect. Styling in and out matches the great performance of the car. The 168hp engine is just fast enough to be fun but not unsafe. It is quick off the line and the smooth shifting make it both a pleasure and fun to drive.

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  2005 Mazda Tribute - 2005 Mazda Tribute
  By Laura - November 16 - 2:43 pm

  Mazda Tribute with fwd and 4 cylinder engine gets great gas mileage city and highway. Its great fun to drive.

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  Love it with reservations - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By Kevin Guyer - November 15 - 8:30 am

  I traded down from a Volvo V40, now the V50 to the Mazda-3S hatchback. While the quality of the interior materials in the Mazda are of a much lower quality. the comfort and ride is far superior. This is a great car for the money. I just drove it from New York to Miami and it was a pleasure. The only problem, and this drives me nuts, is when Im in 5th gear, every time I put my foot on the gas pedal an audible whistling/vacuum cleaner sound from the engine starts and intensifies as I speed up. The moment I take my foot off the gas it stops. It is awful and I need to play music all the time in order to mask it.

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  Great Over the Long Haul - 4+ years - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By ameliacatz - November 15 - 12:36 am

  Ive had this vehicle for almost 5 years now and overall it has been great. Ive had very few problems and it has been economical to maintain. There have been a few recalls which were handled without problem. I did need to have the power sunroof repaired when it decided to stop closing, but it was under warranty and the dealer rushed me in without an appointment the day I called and Ive had no problems since. As to brake usage, Im still using the original set. At the 50,000 service they said it would need brakes next time. My 96 Chevy Blazer needed brakes every 20,000 miles! I just replaced the original tires a few months ago. Ive enjoyed driving the vehicle!

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  BEST car in class - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Sergio - November 14 - 11:10 pm

  Easily best car for the money (reliability to be seen). The car is very quick with excellent handling with 205/55R16 tires. I opted for the 2.0 for the mileage (28 MPG city driving on 1700 miles). Very nice and roomy interior. I will echo the complaints about the weak A/C, and the remote trunk opening, but they are not show stoppers. Seats are a little hard and the doors do not auto-lock when the car is started.

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  Mazda 6i blue - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By leelee - November 14 - 2:26 pm

  Love my car.... The car drives smooth and it is fuel economic. I get over 400 miles per tank. Comfortable driver seat. Very driver friendly. All the needed buttons are easy to access including the radio on the steering wheel. Drives well in the pouring rain. Great ABS system. Tested that feature out unfortunately.

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  Vast improvement over 2nd generation 6 - 2015 Mazda Mazda6
  By twistiesmc - November 14 - 5:16 am

  My 2015 Mazda6 is one of the finest cars I have ever owned. First things first; the car is stunningly beautiful and is unlike the plain vanilla and overly conservative, "front-runners" in this segment. That means you Toyota, Honda, etc. Mazda has done a superb job in bringing this car to market, especially after becoming independent again. Its light, fuel-efficient and a joy to drive. Sure it wont win many drag races or handle like a Porsche, but thats the point; its a family sedan with real personality, and soul for that matter - how many Japanese sedans can you say that about? Its design and powertrain are innovative and make up a whole, greater than the sum of its parts.

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  Warranty ran out & 1 thing after another - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By FLLawyer - November 13 - 5:03 pm

  Bought the car because of looks and the zoom, zoom, zoom when I accelerated. Then the dealership made a recommended adjustment on one of my visits (due to a grinding/rattle noise on sudden accelerations from day one) and the responsiveness was never the same. Right after the 5 yr warranty ran out, the dealership in St. Pete announced that the vibration I was feeling was the engine mounts being kaput. This was a known problem they got a bulletin on. Never told me. They quoted $700 to fix. We bought Mazda mounts from a dealership on line and Midas installed-total cost $300. Soon thereafter the airbag light went on. It flashes or stays on permanently. So got to take it in again.