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 Mazda - 2003 Mazda Mazda6
  By MtnDewGyrl - July 26 - 2:00 am

  I love my Mazda! I was really hooked on 1993 Honda Accords but this car drives exactly like an Accord. The car is comfortable yet sporty which is what I was looking for. It has really neat dashboard features and is great on gas. Next car I get will be a Mazda 6.

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  Miatas rock - 1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By miata fan - July 26 - 2:00 am

  I love my miata. I just recently bought my first car which was a miata so of course I loved it right away but I didnt realize how much fun it was till it got warm enough to put the top down. This is an awesome little car, everyone should have a chance to drive one.

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  Mazdas Slot Car - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By JR54321 - July 26 - 2:00 am

  I traded in a Dakota 4X4 with a V8 to save on gas. Thought I would just get a bland econo box to drive back and forth to work. The Mazda 3 is a blast to drive. Its a little slot car. Reminds me of the Omni GLH I had in the 80s, just a little more refined.

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  So glad to be rid of our Suburu - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By niner - July 26 - 2:00 am

  After driving a Suburu Outback for 3 years, that replaced a beloved Camry wagon, I am finally loving my car again. The Mazda is cuter, better on gas, way more comfy, much zippier, and smaller for the city. I dont even miss the Camry anymore. I had been looking at the Protege , but was bowled over by the M3 when I saw them, and made the plunge after the test drive.

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  A great car for the money - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By odie82 - July 26 - 2:00 am

  For the money, it cant be beat. Watch out for the earlier build dates though, they are laced with some problems. Id personally wait till mazda works out some of the kinks of their first year car. Otherwise, its a great drive!

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  Everythings Great but the Engine - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Randy T. - July 26 - 2:00 am

  The engine has a flat spot, hesitation, a momentary loss of power. It also seams to have a miss at highway speeds. It feels like Im driving into a 100 MPH headwind. One time the throttle stuck wide open! No codes came up on the computer, they said they’d re- program it. Mazda hasn’t sent them the new software to do this yet. Ive put up with this problem for a month, now I have to wait another month before they get the update. I hope the throttle doesnt stick again, especially with my 6-year-old son in the car! I’m not very impressed! I only get 20 MPG or about 220 miles per tank!

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  excellent car....wife "loves her zoom zoom"! - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By ajax13 - July 25 - 9:44 pm

  First car review I have ever written, at 59 yo too. But this car warrants the review!! We have had this car since the end of Nov., & 3500 miles on it now. Is my wifes car & her choice after driving the Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus, VW Jetta...this was her choice hands down, & mine too! This is the first car my wife says, "she loves, & loves to drive", that she has ever had! She calls it her "ZZ"=zoomzoom-lol. When reading the original reviews of this car before buying it, I noted that the word "love" was used by most reviewers in the 1st paragragh=now I/we know why-it is plain fun to drive! Excellent car in all ways, as my ideal owned past car was a 1990 Nissan 300ZX, & this car matches it!!

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  Just Got Mine - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Andy F - July 24 - 3:43 pm

  I have always had a family car, van, sedan etc. This one I bought for me...okay the wife too. I have had it only for the weekend now. Without the expletives, its FUN! The handling is great, someone said low end power not good, what? This is peppy. I drove the Murano also, which is really what I intended to get, but after test driving this, WOW, this one made the impact on me. I love this car, put 200 miles on it in 2 days. Any reason to go to the store, I go, even if its just for toothpicks. I know this is not a technical review. I too can not stop looking at it, its a head turner, I like watching people when the first see it, DOUBLE TAKE! Love turning those heads.

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  Transmission Woes - 1998 Mazda 626
  By Remington - July 24 - 10:00 am

  I will never buy another 626 or mazda for that matter. The transmission had always been extrememly jerky, defeating the purpose of having an automatic, and I was told by a number of different dealerships that there was nothing wrong with it. Finally, an honest Mazda employee told me that it was jerky by design and there was nothing I could do about it. Not to my surprise, the transmission went out at 50,000 only to be replaced with an equally shotty transmission. The only thing I like about this car is the swing option on the vents.

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  review - 2002 Mazda Millenia
  By alpina - July 24 - 10:00 am

  great car. true japanese spirit.