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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  Test drove it...had to buy it!! - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By WICKDOGG - February 5 - 2:00 am

  I have had my RX-8 for a couple of months now and I love it. Yeah it is not the fastest car on the block but what the other cars lack this one surely makes up for it. It is a very well rounded car and for the price it beats anything out there. You can spend tens of thousands more but WHY??? For the money it is the best sports car you can buy. When I test drove the car I could not get out of it. Gotta try it!!

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  rx-8 - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Texas8 - February 5 - 2:00 am

  This is by far the most fun to drive car I have ever had the pleasure of piloting!! Rotary is utterly smooth as butter!! Outstanding gearbox. Typical sports car performance(but you can take 2 friends along). Would by 2 if I could afford it:-)

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  Powerful, Good Looking, and Economical! - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By coleman97 - February 5 - 2:00 am

  I drove the Civic LX, and Corolla LE. Neither of them shifted smoothly, were underpowered, and werent fun to drive or look at. Also drove the Subaru WRX, and I actually prefered driving the Mazda 3. The Mazda 3 is the most fun car that Ive driven in years! It also happens to get great mileage and the base model comes loaded with more stuff than the Civic or Coirolla, and at 160 hp, it has plenty of power. Its also rock solid on the road, and handles great. I drove the Protege also, and this is a totally different car, much improved. Too early to judge reliability yet, but with the same engine and trans. as the Mazda 6, Im expecting it to be good.

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  The best small car under 20,000 - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Joel D. - February 4 - 8:06 pm

  I chose the Mazda 3s 5-door hatchback for a number of reasons.It is practical and more dramatic-looking than the sedan. Its delightful to drive and pleasing to look at both inside and out.It has a commodious cargo hold. The most exciting thing about this cabin is the list of available options including navigation system, Xenon HID headlights side curtain airbags, and a tire- pessure monitoring system. Mazda 3 brings exciting features to the class of economy cars. On the road, the 3 has enough power to please an econo- excitement. The car handled twisted road with ease. It has a firm suspension. The seats are supportive, and with telescoping/tilt wheel, its easy find a driving position.

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  Love this Family car!!! - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By Angela - February 3 - 10:40 pm

  Love, Love this car and it has been over a year now that we are driving it. I needed a family of four type of car with room for more kid passengers or grandparents on trips. This car was it! I did not want a large minivan and needed better mileage for my long trips on highway to visit family. Some reviewers complained a little about the road noise, I dont notice it at all. I previously owned a V6 pontiac grandAm and the Mazda 5 satisfies the need for pickup and speed. Drives great! The only thing I wish I did when I was getting the car was get one with a roof rack. It would be so useful on long family vacations.

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  My Little Soul Red CX-3 (rest in pieces) - 2016 Mazda CX-3
  By Kirk - February 3 - 1:53 pm

  I wish I could post of picture my mangled CX-3 after someone decided to run a stop sign and plow into another car, when then plowed into me, destroying my 3 week old car. I am 62" so being able to walk away from that accident is a testament to the cars crash worthiness despite its size and low weight. Anywho, it is totaled and first thing I am doing is getting another one. Not because it saved me from serious injury, but because it is a great car (I traded a 2014 Audi A4 to get it). Pros: Very comfortable front seats and suede-like inserts keep them from being so cold in the winter. Speaking of which, the seat heaters are extremely toasty. I really like Mazdas entertainment system, but I just came out of an Audi whose MMI system is very similar. Wife states Bluetooth sounds very good. I drive a lot for my job and was averaging slightly more than 30mpg which is pretty remarkable for an AWD vehicle. Drove it briefly in this years snow storm and it handled it fine. Not nearly as well as my wifes Grand Cherokee, but well enough. I love the size of this car, but it is likely too small for a family. To call this car a crossover is kind of silly as a Ford Focus is bigger and the CX-3 has the same ground clearance as the Mazda3 sedan. It handles well and is relatively quiet inside. In that regard it is no Audi, but it is good for a sub-compact car. I find it easy to get in and out of (much easier than the Audi) and ergonomics are spot on. Simple layout of controls (trip odometer, tach, digital speed, HVAC system), reminds me of cars 10-15 years ago when everything was so straightforward. Cons: No center console storage and the arm rest blocks the cupholders. Bose system is good, but not great. Sub in trunk does not do much. No SD card slot (except for Nav system). Two USB ports, but no where to hide the things you plug into them. No standard front or rear parking sensors. No power tailgate. Absolutely tiny trunk. Gas tank way too small. I have to fill up every three days, which by the way only costs $17. No car is perfect, but for the money, this car is pretty darn good. And throw in Mazda reliability, you got a home run. I am looking forward to getting another one as soon as my other one is paid off by insurance. UPDATE: Got my new CX-3 the week following the accident. Exactly the same except for the color (Titanium Flash Mica). Get lots of compliments about the car and the color. Averaging about 30mpg now in the summer with the AC on. Still love it, no issues except that it does have a little bit of trouble restarting once warm, no issues with cold start. Motor Trend had noticed the same thing. It always starts, just takes a second or two to crank. Overall very happy.

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  what a deal - 1998 Mazda 626
  By bones - February 3 - 10:00 am

  bought 6 months ago from private seller. 1998 ES-V6 5 speed manual, 60k miles. have put 20,000 more on it since, have had no problems whatsover. It is quite fast, i guess about 7.5 seconds to 60mph. runs right with preludes, eclipses, other little 4 cylinders... great fun. the only ford parts i see are the cruise control, and some minor engine control systems. no big deal. dont know about manual tranny, but it works fine. dealer says engine/tranny combo "bulletproof" compared to other mazdas so i expect near toyota-like reliability to continue

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  Mazada got me again! - 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Chris - February 3 - 4:47 am

  If you are interested in a fun car to drive that gives you confidence and pure joy, this is the one for you. I found what great cars Mazda was making when we purchased a 2016 CX-5 GT. My 2009 Corvette was just not getting driven as much as it should. Kind of hard to open up 430 HP around Denver except 0-70. But this car gets used more and is more fun to drive. Great feeling of control. The GT version does not have differential rear end but Im not cranking or sliding the corners either. I find the exterior looks great and the interior feels like high end materials. Dont miss my Vette at all, though it was pretty repair free car.

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  Fun, fun fun! - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Glenn Zanotti - February 2 - 2:46 pm

  I drive a lot of sports cars in my job, and although the Miata is not all that fast, it pegs the needle on the fun gauge. This is my second one. Its light weight and excellent suspension design make it a great ride in the twisties. Add the availability of hundreds of inexpensive aftermarket upgrades, and you can tailor your Miata for everything from daily driver to track-day monster. I use mine as a weekend fun car, not a daily driver. The other big plus is the reliability and easy maintenance of a Miata. They are so simple. Simplicity means there isnt much to go wrong, and when something does go wrong, you can often fix it yourself rather easily.

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  Great RX-8! - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By Kevyland - February 2 - 10:56 am

  I wanted an RX-8 since I first saw it at the auto show. I finally got my RX-8 last December. This car is great and soooo much fun to drive. I get about 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. My only big complaint is with the 18" Bridgestone tires. I only have 11K miles on the car, but they are already worn uneven due to how soft they are. It looks like Ill have to replace them soon. Otherwise, the car is excellent and Id highly recommend it to anyone looking to get a little zoom, zoom, zoom!