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 mini mini van........ - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By toskeysam - May 7 - 4:13 pm

  Have fullsize minivan for long trips, but needed small transportation with room for golf stuff et al (for local). The "5" fits the bill and then some. Handles great! Plenty of pep! Fun to drive! Comfortable seating up front. Retired couple, so only grandkids in back rows. Good visibility. Easy entry and exit!

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  Nice - 2008 Mazda CX-9
  By ckkkmk - May 7 - 8:26 am

  I like the vehicle but Im not in love with it. I prefer my old Murano when it comes to handling; the CX-9 looks nicer though. The gas mileage on it is terrible. I live at the pump. I give it 7 stars.

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  The car wont die - 1998 Mazda 626
  By jon - May 7 - 4:10 am

  i have had this car for 6 months now it is my first car and it keeps turning heads even at 11 or how ever old it is people have stopped me and said what a nice cat that is i cant complain the car only die once because of a bad fuel pump but come on it is from 1998. when i bought it it had 125,000 and in six months i have put on another thousand so it really holds up

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  Fun to drive good looking sedan - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Chris - May 5 - 5:10 pm

  I drove an 2006 Mazda 3 iTouring for about three years before buying my 2010 3s. This car definitely steps up the included features without doing much to the price. For under 20K you get a lot of power and a good feature set vs Honda, Toyota, etc. The ride is actually a bit louder than before but overall this is the same car I loved in 2006 with more features and refinements.

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  Good family/professional car - 2001 Mazda 626
  By jordao - May 5 - 3:33 pm

  Other than the nice features below, the leather seats are really comfortable. It has a very smooth drive, but the V6 has plenty of pick up and go when I need it. I am 6 foot 2, and the Hondas and Toyotas I tried are not comfortable. The Mazda has a great roomy interior with a real professional feel, easy to get in and out.

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  Best Minivan ever! - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By CA_Dreaming - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned a Honda and a Dodge minivan and they just arent as nice. The MPV is the anti-minivan minivan! Its fast, it handles well, its quiet and comfortable. No rattles! (The Dodge felt and sounded like you were leaving a trail of nuts and bolts as you motored down the highway!) The Honda was nice, but it was always having little stuff go wrong... unusual for Honda Im told, but thats what I experienced.

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  Love my MPV - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By ventura_man - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I love this van, it drives wonderfully, corners and brakes well, and for $7,000 less than the comperable equiped Honda... its a better buy.

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  ZoomZoom iz good wayz to zay itz! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By mazda5_4me - May 4 - 1:43 am

  Brilliant car, great innovation. Feels like Jetta or Mazda3, tight, firm, no flab, great looks, modern engineering, safety up the wahzoo! Cant believe how it blows the competition away (Matrix, Vibe, Aero SX, Element, Scion, PTCruiser, Chevy HHR, etc.) with the level of standard equipment on the Touring model Automatic. Got $1000 off MSRP, car has easily $2,000 worth of goodies standard that everyone charges extra for. Side curtain air bags all 3 rows, front seat bags, dash bags, ABS, 17" alloys, 4 wheel disk, moon roof, 6 disk CD stereo, tilt/telescopic leather steering wheel and gearknob. Fog lights, Auto temp A/C, storage bins everywhere! Impressive Japanese fit and finish, too!

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  CX-7 Zooms - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Yo! - May 3 - 2:40 pm

  Minimal turbo lag, great handling. Styling and performance sold me. My wife uses this car for her daily drive to work, and this car has all the safety features needed. Only problem was with the service engine light coming on due to the gas cap which Mazda replaced.

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  Couldt Be Happier! - 2009 Mazda Mazda6
  By GQ - May 3 - 4:16 am

  Got the 4-cylinder because I dont drive much highway (47 mile roundtrip to work). Right now Im averaging 26 mpg!! Very happy with my purchase. got the Performance White color. Boy is it sharp!!! The only thing I have to get used to is going up hills. I need to pump the gas pedal a little bit.