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:

• 

  Great car. - 2007 Mazda RX-8
  By Jamesvk - November 16 - 10:00 am

  Well, this is my first car. I bought it about 6 months ago, and couldnt be happier. I did a lot of research about it, and found all these horror stories. But I have yet to have single problem with this car, and I am the second owner. This car gets the looks and the talk, and the performance to match. I will admit, this car is no dragster, thats not how its designed. But the feeling of attacking every corner with unmatched precision is, just that. unmatched. These stories of flooded engines and bad seal are only if your ignorant. Check the oil, and dont floor it out of the driveway on a icy morning, and it will be fine. If you get this car, get the manual, for it has a 9k RPM red-line. :D

• 

  Transformation in the Tires - 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Manny - November 16 - 10:00 am

  Most of the reviews cover the important tech issues. I love my car but from day one I assumed that the rough and relatively noisy ride was related to the "sport type tuning" of the cars suspension - and I would just have to live with it. How wrong I was. This was the only thing about the car I did not truly enjoy - it was very noisy - road noise that was magnified by any road imperfections. Living in NY, I knew I had to replace the stock 17" Summer Tires (potenza) with an all weather tire. This weekend (October 2010) I put on a set of Conti Extreme Contact DSW and wow, what a difference. The car was transformed - it is now composed and a pleasure at any speed and road surface.

• 

  Rust Problems Here Too - 2008 Mazda Tribute
  By ChicagoDriver - November 16 - 10:00 am

  So I hate to say anything bad about my 2008 Tribute, which we just traded in last week, and I loved owning. It was a simple car without any fuss, and perfect for me! The only bad thing about it is the rust. I noticed a few other reviews mentioning this, and i found it a little too coincidental that we all have found the same rust problems. Mazda must have gotten cheap on their materials, or they stared buying steel from China. I bent down to check on my tires one day and I couldnt believe how badly rusted out the wheel well was. I traded the car in a week later.

• 

  Sweet CX-9 GT - 2010 Mazda CX-9
  By MAZDACX-9GT - November 16 - 10:00 am

  Picked up are CX-9 GT with Bose. Handles very nice, lots of room for us and are 2 kids. Got a great price and not one issue dealing with Palisades Mazda,West Nyack. Cant wait to take on a road trip, and also see how it goes through the snow.

• 

  ZooM ZooM! - 2011 Mazda Mazda3
  By dssomerville - November 16 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had my 2011 Mazda 3 for a few days. Im starting to like it more and more everyday. It can get up and go if i want it to and looks amazing as well.

• 

  At Six Years & 80K - 2002 Mazda Millenia
  By Cottonmoe - November 15 - 6:36 am

  Bought brand new for $25K after owning 2 brand new Accords. This car still turns my head in a parking lot full of newer models. Very dependable, fun to drive, comfortable on long trips. Cost to replace timing belt is doubled due to the supercharger belt. Love to hear that compressor sing, though. This baby really scoots with the Miller Cycle engine and scroll supercharger, even if it does require premium gas. The alloy wheels have coroded on the inside resulting in loss of air pressure in tires and excessive wear. Paint on side view mirrors has worn off and auto-dimming rear view mirror has worn out. Other than that, it has been a wonderful ride.

• 

  V6 to 4 cylinder - 2006 Mazda Mazda6
  By Pippi - November 14 - 8:56 pm

  I traded in a 1999 Mercury Cougar for this car after my brother was in a terrible wreck and lost a friend so I wanted it for safety! I love having all the airbags and the cage I feel soo much better driving. This car is amazing, it has the same pep as my Cougar but much better gas mileage (about 27 in the city). I went looking at a Highlander Hybrid or Mariner Hybrid but ended up with a luxurious roomy and comfy sedan for much less, plus the Mazda people were amazing.

• 

  Waste of money - 2006 Mazda Mazda6
  By Chuck - November 14 - 2:46 pm

  I bought a mazda 6 GT fully loaded in April 2006, and I had some small problems (rear defroster stopped working, lights went out) but nothing big until a year later the engine started making noise, so I brought it in and the service manager says it will cost $15,000 to fix(with a straight face) apparently it is not covered under warranty, Same thing happened to my cousin but she had a Mazda 3.

• 

  CX-7 GT-errific - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By bear - November 14 - 12:30 pm

  Great performance, handles like a sport car, tracks well and has the ponies for highway driving. Winter driving was made easy with the AWD. Does need a block heater for prairie use though, once the battery starts to age it might be tough to crank in very cold -40C weather. Needs Bluetooth for MP3. The requirement for premium gas is a downer given fuel prices but mileage is not an issue so its a wash. I drove 3 Caddys prior to the CX-7 and wont go back. For the money it is superior to the FX35 too. Test drive one today!

• 

  Versatile, economical package - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By Mazdone - November 14 - 1:36 am

  Ive only just purchased this vehicle after exhaustive deliberations. While the Mazda 5 is a fine choice as a practical, cheap, do-it-all wagon, construction is borderline flimsy and materials are cheap. My windshield creaks over every bump and the floor, pedals and steering wheel all take turns vibrating as if the car had 100K miles on it and bad tires. I hope to resolve these issues soon...