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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  NOT good - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By Anne Koch - January 8 - 11:43 pm

  I owned this car for 26 days when, like many of the reviews I am now reading say, it stopped cold. Not only was I uninformed about the fact that this can happen secondary to "flooding", I was not told of a safety recall at the time of purchase. 6 days later I am still waiting to get my car back from the shop. My last car I had for 12 years without a problem, this one for less than one month and it breaks down and leaves me stranded. VERY frustrating. It also does not drive very fast (the automatic). At times when Im merging on the freeway, I feel like Im driving a big boat. I much prefer the Toyota Corolla I now have as a rental car!

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  Drives Great - Almost a Home Run - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By scmtbdoon - January 8 - 5:42 pm

  The perfect car – if your criteria is: 1) Drives like a small BMW sedan, 2) Carries camping gear, bikes and kayaks down bad dirt roads to your favorite primitive campground. For an SUV it is high on utility and it is the first SUV where the S truly means sports car-like performance. However, it is not the perfect car if your criteria includes: 1) Tomb-quiet interior under all road conditions and speeds, 2) Zero intrusion of road-feel of any kind through the brakes, steering or suspension or 3) Extended off-road terrain crawling. The exterior is sleek, muscular and emotive without being overdone. 19" wheels are handsome. The interior is elegant rather than flashy – like an Italian suit.

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  Great Sports SUV - 2010 Mazda CX-7
  By SriDevi - January 8 - 12:30 am

  Straight out of the showroom, this sweet engine gave me 27.8 mpg while driving both city and highway miles. Its gutsy, sleek, well made, and exceptionally responsive. Compared the Scion, Honda Element, Rav4, Mazda 3, Saturn Vue, and chose this car. My expectations are high and it delivers. At my fingertips are great, useful features, plus it earns high safety scores, and has excellent cargo room. Ive owned pickups, vans, station wagons, a jag. This vehicle capitalizes on the best features of each of them. Its sporty, handles on dime, can haul big stuff, has plenty of guts. Cuts through Michigans snow, doesnt lose its grip on slippery roads. Im so happy I bought a CX7!

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  Excellent Crossover - 2010 Mazda CX-9
  By EHood - January 7 - 5:56 pm

  I test drove all the others in the segment and there is no comparison. The CX-9 handles like a car 1/2 its size. It has brisk acceleration, corners well and has excellent brakes with no fade. It has good space, but for those looking for all the bins to put stuff in (like the Pilot or Acadia), you need to look elsewhere. The AWD system is seamless and we have received many great complements. Thank goodness Mazda made this vehicle- I can finally have fun driving my two (soon to be three) kids around town. I owned a 2007 Pilot and the CX-9 beats that in every facet hands-down.

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  The Best Thing on the Road for under 20K - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By R Benjamin - January 7 - 10:00 am

  I did a lot of research on the Mazda3 and boy did it pay off! It has more HP than the Sentra, Elantra and Corolla. Its fun to drive and great on the highway. Mazda did a great job with the interior design (plastics look top notch). I was a little disappointed with the fuel economy. Aside from that, the car rides smooth and it has plenty of passing power for the highway. The sporty design and feel puts it at the top of the class in the economy/compact car segment. Heated leather seats are a huge plus. I also like the leather trim in the doors. I wish they would give you a trial offer for Sirius when I purchased it. I might have been more inclined to keep the service had they done so.

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  Moms ride with an attitude - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By serrao01 - January 6 - 4:40 pm

  This car is great...I throughly enjoy driving it. I traded in a horrible Honda Element which during the first year became THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE. The Element left me on the side of the road at 500 miles and Hondas reliability/customer service was of no assistance. I am now devoted to Mazda. The car is a thrill to drive on the highway with a mix of comfort and get up and go to get me past those crawlers . I have had a couple of minor problems with vibration noise that the dealership repaired quickly. No complaints.

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  Worse car I ever owned - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By Ron - January 6 - 10:03 am

  Car looks great, however its 4 years old and I have replaced: engine, transmission, extensive work on front end, towed 3 times for no start, headlight assembly (twice), rear taillight assembly, motor mounts (twice), oil leak around oil pump, and paint peeling. Now its back in the shop for no start, and AC problems, also oil leaking again. Most problems happened before 40,000 miles. Most unreliable car I have ever owned.

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  Never go American again! - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By newMazdalover - January 6 - 10:00 am

  Went from a 97 Pontiac Sunfire GT to this car (LX model), its the best move I ever made! The car handles extremely well and turns with no effort. The Pontiacs interior cracked and jittered from day one (bought it new) especially on rougher roads,fit and finish on Protege is better than friends BMW. Drove Corolla, Civic and Cavalier; no comparison! Corolla & Civic are too expensive and need I say what I thought about the Cavalier? Buy American? When we design them better, I will. Protege is inexpensive and drives extremely well for an economy car. love the 5 speed, its like buttah! Toyota and Honda, BEWARE!

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  Good van with a very good price - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By kenh - January 6 - 10:00 am

  The MPV is smaller than I expected. I had a small wheelbase 95 Voyager, and this seems like it has less room. From my point of view is built more for Asian and European roads than American. I personally like the smaller size and firmer ride. If you’re expecting a roomy, cushy American highway cruiser, this is not it. Handles well, acceptable acceleration, and relatively quiet. So far, no reliability problems of any kind.

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  The good, bad, and ugly, i.e. the truth after ~20k - 2014 Mazda Mazda6
  By takumi1 - January 5 - 8:00 pm

  Finally, an honest review of the good and the bad. Not sure why people leave such biased reviews - all cars have faults. Id buy the same car again, but lets look at a few things to keep in mind when you test drive. First the good. A beautiful car from any angle - the best in the segment.Terrific gas mileage. Great handling. Comfortable, with a very nice interior if youre not into lots of clutter. Fun to drive. Roomy. Good price. Now some hard truths. Mediocre acceleration from stop. Poor rear visibility. Poor infotainment system, badly positioned, with a laggy voice response system. Massive wind noise. USB difficult to get to Tiny cheap useless sun visors.