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 - 1999 Mazda 626
  By Farrell Williams - June 6 - 10:00 am

  I like this vehicle because it has had no mechanical breadowns or problems. In addition, I get good gas mileage

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  converted mom - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By UnJung - June 6 - 10:00 am

  Wasnt going to consider a mini-van but after driving in a carpool last year, I needed a car w/more seating capacity. I loved my Sable wagon but didnt want to bend and move my stuff from the back. My husband wanted the GMC Envoy and so did I until I saw the MPV. My first impression was that it didnt look like an "ugly bubbly" mini-van. After the test drive, I was sold. It handled like my car and I liked the fact that my 2 kids would be in separate rows. Less fighting! Picking up 5 little kids for school, this works perfectly. Ive had it a week and Im enjoying driving a van.......Ive joined the "band of motherhood!"

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  Love it! - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By m3fan - June 6 - 9:40 am

  This car looks and feels amazing! Handling is top notch, and the acceleration with the S is great. Even at high speeds the car has plenty of pep to reach down and enable easing passing on the highway. The styling is sleek and aggressive. As others have commented, the car gets mistaken for a Lexus IS 250, especially the rear styling.

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  Love to Drive a Mazda - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By Celtblood - June 5 - 6:00 pm

  This car is awesome. I love Mazdas since I owned a MX3 and the Mazda 3 holds the mark very well. I always want to look at the car and get in for a drive. I recommend the purchase.

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  Stay away. - 2011 Mazda CX-7
  By mtbrider1 - June 5 - 11:20 am

  As suggested by another reviewer.... stay away from this car. The reliability is HORRIBLE on these cars. Mazda needs to scrap their powertrain on this one and start over again. Interior hard surface plastics do not wear well and look cheap in comparison to its peers.

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  S Model Problems - 2002 Mazda Millenia
  By MazdaFan - June 5 - 9:13 am

  Ive had my S since 2002, always had basic maintenance done. It has 95000 anad is due for Timing belt change to the tune of $2500. Valve covers leaking into cylinders, misfiring and not burning all gas which might be hurting the cat converter. Might need ignition coils, clogged ECG valve. This car was fine until now and now its going to cost over $3500 or more to get these things fixed. Very expensive car to maintain with higher mileage. Think twice about buying a used S model unless you have deep pockets.

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  Nice Car - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Mazda Girl - June 4 - 12:50 pm

  I really enjoy my Mazda 3 it was a graduation present and Im generally happy with it. I think its a little smaller as far as seating capacity and trunk space than what I would have liked but its ok.

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  We like our 2002 MPV - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By Don - June 4 - 2:50 am

  We bought this car for unusual reasons: it would fit in our garage (was shorter than most minivans), a 6 footer could fully lay out on the floor in back of the first row seats, and the mileage rating was pretty good. It has more than met our needs, and we regularly get 21-22 mpg at 70-80 mph on trips, and not too much less in city driving.

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  A Great Value and Car - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By davgar40 - June 3 - 4:13 am

  I bought my 3s new in 2006 and am very happy with the car. It looks great inside and out. It also gets pretty good gas mileage. I get about 32mpg on the highway and about 28mpg with all around driving. The access to the trunk is a little small so I cant fit things like my guitar amp in there but thats not a big deal. Tires lasted as expected and wore out around 42000 or so. I changed from the Goodyear Eagle RSA to Yokohama S.Drive. The new tires cost less and grip the road even better than the original tires. The seats are very comfortable especially on long trips. Its a great car and all for less than $20k brand new. I did add a cold air intake and catback to the car too.

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  Mazda3 - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By MazdaOwner - June 2 - 3:06 pm

  Looked at several small cars mainly due to the high fuel prices. The Mazdas always were rated excellent. Also we had a Mazda 323 forever with no problems. After test driving several cars I kept coming back to the Mazda3. Im not sure if its because it looks so good, or because its so much fun to drive. We looked at used ones, but they were close to the price of a new one, so we bought new. So far we love it! 1st tank calculated 25.8 MPG with that being about 60% city driving.