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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  Beware of sunroofs and drainage flaws all years and models. - 2008 Mazda CX-9
  By disapointed10 - May 10 - 3:04 pm

  When we bought this car it was crossover of the year. I have always enjoyed the car until the on board computer went bad. We spent $750.00 to have a new on put in and one week to the day it went out again. My husband thought something was shorting it out and sure enough we were told by Mazda service that Mazdas with sunroof tended to have fir tree needles plug up the drain tubes and the water build up would short out the computer. I contacted Mazda corporate wanting to know why NO mention of this was available to potential or new car owners. I was told it was not a design flaw and the service folks should know about it. But no one ever told us so we are out approximately $1,100.00

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  Joy to drive - 2008 Mazda CX-7
  By jesseh627 - May 10 - 5:50 am

  Very fun ride. Love the turbo and the handling. I drove a number of SUVs and crossovers and the CX7 was hands down the most fun. Bought the sport model and wished Id spent a few more dollars for more features, but the driving experience and performance are superb Been averaging over 21 mpg city/hwy. I highly recommend this vehicle.

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  Drove one in Australia - 2011 Mazda Mazda2
  By segesta - May 8 - 11:53 pm

  In May 2010 I visited family in Sydney and drove the Mazda 2. Right hand drive aside, it was a fun car, roomy, even fit my big international-traveler suitcase in the back. Seemed well built, the doors thunked nicely. Theyve had no reliability problems with it.

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  Smooth engine and transmission - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By durval20120m3 - May 8 - 9:38 pm

  In shopping for a new car, I evaluated the following Mazda 3 i Touring Chevy Cruse LT Hyundai Elantra GLS Honda Civic EX Ford Focus SE Kia Forte EX I chose the Mazda 3. Pros for the Mazda 3 Fun to drive. Smooth engine and transmission. Nice interior. 5K miles later, I am averaging 37 MPG in mixed driving. Cons for the Mazda 3 More rattles than I am used to in a new car. Not as stable on highway on-ramps as I am used to. This is probably due to the tire choice, they are high pressure and dont seem to offer the best grip. Of course this is probably part of the reason I am getting 37 MPG. The Cruze and the Elantra were also pretty good, but the engine in the Mazda won me over.

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  Great Concept - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By Michael K - May 8 - 8:20 pm

  In a class of its own as an much smaller alternative to a minivan. I love the car-like feeling, great visibility, smooth ride. I have had some quality issues, though. The transmission seems to slip occasionally, the drive wheels spin when starting on wet pavement, the suspension creaks in cold weather. I would buy one again anyway, as there in nothing else on the market that meets my needs like this vehicle.

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  Nice looking car but some major problems - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By LUKISS - May 8 - 5:13 am

  I bought the LX 2.0 in 2007 with 60,000 Ks on it. About 8 months later, anytime it rainied either overnight or in the day the car was parked, when I started up the car it would shake and sputter then the engine light would flash and then stay on. Oh and the big hit was when the transmission went on the car from a worn seal that probably costs .25 cents, it ended up costing me $2000.00 to get fixed and this was in April 2009 with about 98,000 kms on it. A friend has a Mazda Tribute and was having the same problems when it rains, it shakes and sputters. NEVER WILL I BUY A MAZDA PRODUCT AGAIN

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  From Murano to CX-9 - 2010 Mazda CX-9
  By Slugworth - May 6 - 3:20 pm

  We needed a bigger vehicle as our child gets older. Ive had 2 previous Nissan Muranos with excellent ratings but it was too small. Saw this vehicle on the road. Im a big music lover and saw that it had Bose sound system with AudioPilot and surround.

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  2014 Mazda 3 Sedan iSV-M 6-speed - 2014 Mazda Mazda3
  By akdude - May 6 - 12:31 am

  Bought this car in July 2014 after comparing it to the Honda Civic. I have owned 15 new Hondas since my first in 1983. Most were Accords but I had a 2010 Civic coupe. The reason I decided on the Mazda:1)Technology2)Mileage3)Fit and Finish4)Price. Always liked the fact that Honda doesnt have option "packages" but for under $18000 the Mazda is a no brainer, Civic is too far behind in power train technology. The base Civic still doesnt have direct injection, 6-speed manual or a new dash design. The Manual Civic LX cant touch the Mazda on mileage. My average(combined) mileage for the first 5000 miles is steady at 42.8mpg(50%city/50%hwy.Thats in Alaska.

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  I love it until I get inside - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By RXH8R - May 5 - 6:00 am

  Boy! I could not believe I was going to have to pay over thirty grand to get leather...as a result, I didnt get the leather. Instead, I got crappy cloth seats. Plastic panels inside are cheap and the interior rattles like crazy. Stereo looks interesting but forces the use of a Mazda radio for the rest of your RX8 life...oh and the CD player skips like crazy. Use the cupholder and your center armrest evaporates. Door armrests are so low that only an Urangotan could use them. Reverse is a challenge for my wife. Tall people must contend with the low windshield. Visibility is poor due to the rear pillars. I hate driving this car but people love seeing me in it.

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  one of the best in its class - 2010 Mazda Mazda6
  By Henry Adams - May 2 - 3:50 pm

  Bought the beautiful car a month ago. Cannot say anything about the long term reliability, so it is purely a guess. Nothing breaks yet. Safety is paramount to us. Mazda6 has the best safety rating by NHTSA. This trim line also comes with a nifty blind spot motoring system. Plus a whole host of other safety features, which makes it stand out. Looks great inside and outside. Love the handling quality. In fact, eager to sit behind the wheel in this car! Ride is firm and supple. Wish it can absorb bumps little better though. The engine is a little hesitant when you really need to zoom zoom zoom on a highway entrance ramp.