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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  woot! - 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By crimsontiger6 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  This is an awesome car. Its not a drag racer but it excels at fun in the twisty bits.

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  Back in Black - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By JerseyJoe - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Great Ride, looks good and a lot of room. Im happy. Still have my other Mazda (94 626 ES). This ride has much better quality than earlier Mazdas I have had.

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  Great Little SUV - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By dball1 - April 29 - 9:36 am

  Weve had ours since May of 04 and have never had a hiccup out of it. The only issues we corrected were the horrendous Continental tires. The volume knob on the radio is a bit sticky, but thats about it.

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  Love this SUV - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By fochizel - April 28 - 12:30 pm

  Great fun to drive, handles very well. I feel like I have a luxury SUV but only paid the price of an entry level SUV vehicle. I highly recommend this car! Mazda really did a bang up job with this vehicle.

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  Best all around sports car - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Dannie - April 28 - 8:03 am

  Outstanding performance, ride, and looks. Smooth clutch and transmission! Plenty of power. Handling is outstanding. I drove the others (competition); none can match it for value, fun, or handling. Build quality far superior to low-end competition and as good or better than the high-end. The interior is beautiful and well made. I looked at and drove many of the competition and always came back to the MX-5 Miata. My first tank of gas produced 29.754 MPG. My second tank produced 30.1 MPG! I am working on the third. Everything works as advertised. The top is a work-of-art! It greatly enhances the overall look of the car. I have no problem with the cup holders - THEY HOLD CUPS!

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  Fantastic after 2 years - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By Sara - April 28 - 5:36 am

  This has been one of the best cars I have owned. I live in small town Oregon so rarely ever see a freeway or a big city. Mostly I drive 60 mph between towns. My gas mileage is 30.5 around town and 36mpg when traveling. The manual tran is fast and fun to drive. I have had zero problems in the 2 years with only required service when needed.

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  8k miles driven - 2016 Mazda CX-3
  By Jim C. - April 28 - 1:14 am

  Great car, loaded with goodies My only gripe is the back seat room. If you dont like little footprints on the back of the front seats, then this car is not for you! The only issue I have is the radio/ Navigation. The system tends to reboot on its own from time to time when the USB ports are being used. Dealer could not reproduce the problem!

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  by far the best small car out there - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By gary - April 27 - 2:13 pm

  This car is awesome and the only car Ive ever had that I have truly loved. Go Mazda go.

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  glad i baught this car! - 1999 Mazda Protege
  By mazdafan - April 27 - 4:03 am

  I bought a new protege in 99, the car has always been really trustworthy! The car really hasnt had any real problems besides normal maint (alternator, oil changes, brakes etc.) I have always kept up maint on this car and has allowed this car to still run just like it did when I drove it off the lot even after 311,000 miles! I have never had to do any Major engine or trans work on this car and still trust it enough to make 3 400 mile trips a week! On the highway it gets about 35-40 mpg and citywise mid20s to lower 30s! One complaint is that the cupholders are to small and are placed too close to the dash and shifter. Also long trips the seats can get uncomfortable! But great car and value!

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  Motoring, indeed. Top down 2 seater with style! - 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By SHNOOL - April 26 - 9:14 pm

  If you wanted a comfortable roadster, with great road feel, snappy handling, this is it. I am a pretty hard convertible buyer to please, Ive owned a 1994 Mercury Capri (which was a stylish 40mpg fun car), a 2005 supercharged Mini Cooper S Convertible with the John Cooper Works package (hard to beat performance), and I also had a 1971 Lemans Sport convertible (classic american muscle). A co-worker brought in his 2016 black Miata Sport into work. This being his 2nd Miata (he had the NC prior) he asked, no, begged me to drive his new 2016 Miata Sport. OK, Ill admit it, I was like how could 155hp be FUN after all my MINI had 207hp and weighed in only slightly more than this! Ok, I was wrong, dead wrong. I bought my white 2016 last week. This car is a BLAST. Its not techy (although the bluetooth is flawless). Every other control is just RIGHT. Controls are non-distracting, easy to use without looking (dials with tactile feel and easy to use). But you are looking at this car for the driving experience, and for that its just flawless. Do yourself a favor, drive one. Stop reading reviews, and just drive it.