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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  mazda 6i - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By chefkrick - October 2 - 8:45 pm

  purchased mazda 6i with 85,000 KM Have it now 1 year. Looks and drives like new, no issues. Fun to drive and looks good. added a few mods, LED lighting and Hids. no issues at all for an older Mazda. When its time for a new car I will definatly purchase a new Mazda 6.

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  Excellent car but.... - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By tnmats - October 2 - 5:16 pm

  The 3 is a fun car to drive; call it a BMW 3 on the cheap. Mine has the 4 speed auto, which while detracting a bit in the fun-to-drive area, still is a blast to drive. Steering is tight, handling is crisp. Its just right. The main gripe is the pathetic air conditioner. That is one known issue with this car, and so far Mazda hasnt really addressed it properly. Outside of that, the fuel mileage could be better for its size.

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  I cant stop driving it! - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By passa34 - October 1 - 10:10 am

  Hey everyone, just purchased my Mazda3 about one month ago. I have no regrets. The car is really fun to drive, handles great and the manual shifts beautifully. The only thing I dont like are the stock tires; they are bad in the snow. We had a light snow fall here in Chicago and the car was sliding all over the place. New tires should fix that.

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  Sad to let her go - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By soosa - September 30 - 8:50 pm

  I keep vehicles a very long time. This 2000 Protege DX was purchased used in 2002 and has been a reliable ride ever since. I mount 4 snow tires every winter and hold my own with the mid- size SUVs in Colorado winters. As an older woman taking solo road trips, Ive laid the seats down in this hatchback sedan to sleep in the "capsule" when the tent was blowing away. I would never buy a car I couldnt sleep in! Dont know why I get an incredible 38-42 mpg, but I do. At 155,000 miles I replaced the clutch as the manual transmission took a beating on 1-70s slow crawls up into the mountains winter & summer. Id keep her until 300,000 if I didnt have to go to an automatic for health reasons.

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  Nicest car Ive ever owned! - 2009 Mazda Mazda6
  By wkidd1972 - September 30 - 8:16 pm

  Traded in my 2003 Protege for the new 6. I have never owned anything this nice before. Its such a "grown up" car, yet it retains that rebellious teenager behavior. I had the chance to drive a 2009 G37 and was blown away. The 6S GT gave me everything that G37 offered for about 12 grand less! No brainer! If Mazda keeps cranking out cars like this, I will be a customer for life!

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  Zoom Zoom in a small package - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By TN-P5 - September 30 - 10:00 am

  My wife needed a car to replace our failing saturn. I looked at everything in this price range. Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, VW, Kia, and all the americans. I was impressed with the style; it wasnt a little turtle like other brands. Im 62 and when I sat in it, it had plenty of room. It drove great and was very peppy on the interstate. The price allowed us to get the sunroof, the abs breaks, and the side airbags. Very cool car. Ours is a 2002 model. After 8 months of ownership, Im still very happy.

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  Zoom Zoom - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By icspots - September 29 - 11:10 pm

  This car is not the car I wanted when I went shopping! I wanted the SUV but couldnt really afford it then and sort of settled for the Protege. I fell in love with this car. I recently had the chance to trade car in for the SUV, I was tempted but I couldnt part with car. I plan to pay off the car then get the SUV also!

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  2006 Tribute Cant Tow - 2006 Mazda Tribute
  By frisbeeboy - September 28 - 9:44 am

  I researched and bought my 2006 Tribute s AWD, but it did not have the factory tow package. The dealer told me that you can add a hitch. The only problem is that it wont accept aftermarket wiring! I had two different trailer wiring harnesses installed by a pro and they both fired the module. The second one burned out the Tributes computer. Mazda replaced it as a "good will gesture", but said that it cant accept an aftermarket trailer harness. My tribute also needed the leather drivers seat cover replaced, and a sunroof switch. Can anyone help with the wiring issue. I really want to tow a small trailer and also want to keep the tribute. BTW- it only gets 18-20mpg around town.

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  2007 Mazda 3 - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By ship_phi071 - September 27 - 4:34 am

  Purchased this car 6 years ago, car has 50,700 miles on it. Overall it gets me from point A to point B, however I have had to replace brake cable, calipers, rotors and brakes as well as the rear and front supsension. Apparently this is a not uncommon issue with the vehichle. Car warranty should be better as well only 3 years 36K miles

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  Perfect Roadster - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By mike - September 24 - 10:56 pm

  I love driving this car! This is my first week with it and Im having so much fun. I once owned one of the earlier models (a 93 model) and this car is obviously much better. Its quick and fun to shift. Best handling car Ive ever owned. I now look forward to clover leaf exit ramps. I think the new styling is beautiful outside and I like the interior as well. It is tight in there though. Even though I like it I think that the interior is probably where I would wish Mazda had spent a few more $$. For example, the shift boot and hand brake boot are cheap, no way to put it nicely. On the other hand, I think the leather seats look and feel expensive.