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:

• 

  This Tribute goes zoom-zoom - 2006 Mazda Tribute
  By Michael - November 29 - 5:43 am

  The Tribute drives and handles well and is roomy for its size. Good performance with the V-6, easy to spin the front wheels. Seats are comfortable. A bit of a choppy ride on uneven roads. Looks and feels put together well and more stylish than its cousins, the Escape and Mariner, not to mention less money and it has a longer warranty with the 4yr/50000 mile bumper to bumper.

• 

  Great car for the money!!!!!! - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Alex - November 29 - 2:20 am

  I bought this car a the day after Christmas. I was looking at a VW GTI and a Honda Civic. The GTI was nice, but overpriced. The Civic was nice too, but lacked the "extras". So I looked into the 3. Wanted the HB for the extra storage capacity. This car has everything you could want in a car at a very reasonable price. Ive only put 100 miles on it so far, but it is so much fun to drive! My aunt had a Mazda in the 80s and 90s. She drove it to the ground and never had any issues. Mazda makes a solid car. Making Car and Drivers 2010 top 10 list isnt too shabby either. MUST BUY!!!

• 

  Zoom - Zoom - Squeak - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By lazlo67 - November 28 - 11:13 pm

  Very fun to drive on long, windy roads. Very easy to get kids in and out of. Good fuel economy. Poor quality radio, almost no bass. Also, when you eject a CD, you have to hit insert to get another one in. On my Ford Focus, it prompts you insert another - one less button to push when you are driving. After we got it, we had problems with the rear sliding doors. Wator vapor got into the locks and froze, making it impossible to shut them, they would hit the latch and bounce back. Mazda replaced under warranty. Brakes sounds like a freight train when you back out of the driveway in the morning - very loud and annoying!! I do not think I would purchase a Mazda again. Just not too impressed.

• 

  Love MY Tribute - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By luvmytrib - November 28 - 4:43 pm

  My wife and I just got ours this week. We love it. The way it handles, the ride, the power. We just love it. Test drove an Escape and it doesnt compare. Showed it to my inlaws and they are thinking of getting one. I will write another review in a few months updating how things are going with my new Trib.

• 

  Follow-up Review: 12K miles later UPDATE! - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By surfnjm3 - November 28 - 2:09 pm

  So i posted a review about 6 months ago when i had about 2K miles on my Mazda3 SkyActiv and wanted to follow-up for any who is still looking into the car. After 12K miles I must say the car has been extremely reliable which was one thing I was worried about at first. I have had 0 problems and only maintenance has been the usual oilchange/tirerotation at 5K & 10K miles. Internally the car has held up GREAT! (i use the car for plenty of projects around the house and have been hauling all types of items) car fits anything in it. As for the engine, it seems to actually be running better after breaking it in, I recently got approx. 33mpg average on 950 miles of driivng about 25% highwy 75% city,

• 

  Way More Than I Expected! - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By kaedens - November 28 - 12:05 pm

  I was coming off owning a 98 Ford Explorer and owning a 2004 Honda S2000 as my fun car. Took the Explorer in for a funny noise, got a $3,800 estimate and realized it was time to put the Ford out of its misery. The Honda wasnt going to cut it for daily stuff and I still wanted either a station wagon or an SUV, but was really tired of the 15 mpg that the Ford got. Looked at the Outback and the Escape, but was blown away by the CX-5. Without repeating what everyone else has said, Ill leave you with this: The CX-5 AWD with the 2.5 liter Skyactiv engine is 90% of the utility of the Explorer and 95% of the fun of driving the Honda. I love this SUV/car/CUV vehicle!

• 

  Replacement Tire Suggestion - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By MarRod - November 28 - 9:23 am

  With 29,000 miles on the original (junk) equipment tires, I read several tests and found a very good replacement tire for the Mazda3. Try: Continental Extreme Contact DWS (Dry,Wet,Snow) They transformed the car, with much improved wet and light snow traction, much less road noise, better steering feel and much better tar strip and rough road performance. Have 5000 miles on them so far. A very good all performance season tire. Also much cheaper than replacing the factory original (GY) rubbish.

• 

  Brake Failure for No Reason at 28K Miles - 2009 Mazda Tribute
  By electricstar - November 27 - 1:20 pm

  We own a 2009 Tribute, and thought it was a really good car, until yesterday, 3.5 years after we bought it. I was out with my kids, the car went "ping--." A red light indicates "brake." I thought my parking brake was on, but it wasnt. The display says "check brake system." I tried to brake, there was no traction. The car kept going. I stepped on the brake all the way, still no traction. I managed to roll the car back to our house. I called Madzda and Mazda refuses to take responsilities and wants me to pay for checkup just because the car is "out of warranty." If we got killed yesterday, whod pay for the checkup? Mazda refused to allow us to speak with management.

• 

  So far, so good - 2014 Mazda Mazda6
  By fredstench - November 27 - 4:26 am

  I have had my Mazda 6 Grand Touring for 1 month. No issues so far. This is my third Mazda, and I purchased this after very positive experience with my Miata and CX-9. Before purchasing, I test drove a BMW 3 series w x-drive and turbo 4 cylinder, Hyundai Genesis, Hyundai Azera, and Mercedes CLA. Results: I was underwhelmed by the BMW experience for the $, and the fact that it required premium fuel. The Genesis was nice but felt heavy and gets mediocre fuel economy, plus it was rear drive. Mercedes CLA was OK but I did not care for the interior. With Mazda 6 equipment, it would be $40k.

• 

  Great First Car - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Tyler - November 25 - 4:00 am

  I have the 2008.5 Mazda 3 GT sedan. I have one semester of engineering school left and I am so happy with my first vehicle (and first big purchase). This car is fully loaded and I couldnt ask for more. Car handles great, corners great, and has good acceleration (which you can improve with the automanual). The black leather seats are very firm yet very comfortable and the heated feature works very fast, ~30 seconds. This car has the best turning radius of any car Ive ever driven. I could say a lot more but just know it is a great car and you really cant go wrong purchasing it.