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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  Class problem with auto trans - 2001 Mazda 626
  By Goopie - May 26 - 11:06 pm

  We bought this car out of the Hertz fleet with 26K on the clock. It was reliable early on, needing only a plug wire set and fuel pump (both replaced under warranty). Now at 100K mi the transmission failed to the tune of $2000, even though I have had it flushed twice and have been running Amsoil synthetic ATF since about 50K mi. Perhaps it would have failed sooner if I hadnt been proactive about the service and premium ATF. It is a Ford CD4E trans and is infamous for failing in this car. Mazda is apparently not standing behind it; there are no recalls and of course now it is out of warranty. The engine has been reliable but due to the trans failure Mazda has lost a customer forever.

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  Not that Great - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By protege666 - May 23 - 3:46 am

  I just paid off my Protege and I am sooo ready for a different car. I bought it for the four door and fuel economy aspect. Those two things arent disappointing...pretty much everything else was...teh electronics were always if-y and the drivers seat kills your back...theseat belts in the back have all but ceased to function. Its just NOT THAT GREAT of a car.

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  RX8 - Unreliable Gas Guzzler - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By martinD - May 21 - 4:36 pm

  Very poor gas mileage. On hot days, I often need to switch off the AC just to get it to move from the lights. Tires were shot after 16,000 miles and so expensive. Heating is very poor at the feet.

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  Junk - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By Reese T. - May 16 - 2:00 am

  3 Recalls in 6 months. Automatic transmission hesitates to much.Snapping noise that comes from the driver side front door once in a while when I start to apply the brakes. Needs Alignment. Lousy and uncomfortable seats. What a mistake!!!!

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  Nightmare - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By djfloyd23 - May 11 - 10:00 am

  This beautiful new Mazda might as well be a trojan horse of horror in a pretty package. After 3 attempts to fix my car, I had to have it replaced for being a lemon. 4 days after acquiring my replacement I was being towed because my clutch broke. So as hot looking as this new Mazda is& as fun& exciting it is to drive; my question is, how long will the fun last for you?

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  Worst car ever - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Seriouscoin - April 17 - 12:56 am

  Not a fan! The only thing I liked was the look, and getting on the gas around 5k RPM. Tons of problems later!!

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  Buyers Remorse - 2010 Mazda CX-7
  By Kathy Smith - April 7 - 3:06 am

  Where to begin... Come on Mazda, where is the power? Its like riding on a skate board. The stereo is terrible, the ride is stiff and you feel every bump, the seats are uncomfortable. I could go on and on. I am very unhappy with this vehicle.

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  Left my family stranded on the highway - 2012 Mazda CX-9
  By konigsmark - February 25 - 10:59 am

  So far our experience has been awful. First, we live 5 hours from the closest Mazda Dealership. So I drove down early in the morning and bought the 2012 with 26 miles on the car total. On the way home, I start smelling gasoline. I figured it must be a new car smell, Ive never owned a new car. Then the next day after purchasing the vehicle, the transfer case explodes on the highway. The car is filled with my family and we were out of cell phone range. Thankfully, some people stopped to help and a couple hours later our brand new car was towed to Pueblo, Colorado (5 hours away) to be repaired. I just want a safe car for my family.

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  No comfort at all - 2010 Mazda Mazda6
  By vvv - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Seat cannot be moved all the way back. I am 510" and even then I would need to move the seat at least 5" back to have my legs not too much bended. Ironically, they sell this car as sporty one. Next, I cannot reach the steering wheel when laying back even a little bit. Again, you dont drive any car completely upright like a tractor. Now, when I am upright, the steering wheel covers the view of instrument table. If I want to see the table, I must move the wheel all the way up and that really looks like driving a tractor. Overall, not being able to sit comfortably in this car makes me problems on long trips due to my sensitive back. 24mpg at 65mph without A/C. Thats ridiculous.

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  Honeymoon ended - 2007 Mazda CX-9
  By jlenart - February 12 - 9:07 pm

  This car is a great style option for those that want the 3rd row, 4-wheel drive and NOT a minivan. The first 20k miles was fine but after that it was really really bad. To qualify, we changed the oil and did ALL dealer service as recommended - never missed a beat and from 20k-60k we had so many issues - rust on the back hatch door even though we paid $1500 for an addl paint warranty, window and body liners fell off, roof black plastic pieces came off, the rear wheel bearings went, then the strut, the interior fell apart, etc etc. NIGHTMARE. So buy it for >2 years and then DUMP IT. The warranty and the dealer dont support their product so DON"T buy any addl warranties!!!