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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  zoom zoom with some issues - 2008 Mazda CX-9
  By texas tarheel - November 11 - 3:50 pm

  After test driving everything in the market, including Lexus, we decided on CX-9. It is amazing how well it handles... quiet, looks great, easily tows my entire family and two more friends with room in back for golf clubs. The problem is the nav... not cheap, but its maps are 4-5 years out of date! Am told new DVD in fall 08 that we will have to pay for... ridiculous! Why didnt Mazda let us know? We would have waited. Bad experience with Mazda as I tried to get answers.

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  TRIBLOVER - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By TRIBLOVER - November 10 - 10:00 am

  MY TRIBUTE WAS A MOTHERS DAY PRESENT AND I REALLY LOVE IT. IT HANDLES LIKE A HEAVIER SUV, BUT NOT LIKE A TRUCK. THE CARGO ROOM IS GREAT BECAUSE I HAVE 2 BOYS AND LOTS OF HAULING TO DO. I WOULD RECOMMEND ONE TO ANYONE LIKE ME WHO CANT AFFORD THE BIGGER SUVS, BUT SILL WANTED HIGH STYLE.

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  Mini SUV Exceeds My Expectations - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By NewTributeDriver - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Looked at all the similar sized models of mini suvs. This came out on top by far. Lots of standard creature comforts. Lots of interior space and storage cubbies and pockets. Has a much bigger feel than it is. I got this one completely loaded...no option left unturned and it was still a reasonable price considering.

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  Dont want a new car :( - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By My3Demons - November 10 - 4:36 am

  I LOVE my yellow P5. Bought it used in 03 & Im trying not to cry now that I need a mini van. I love the way it looks, handles, & the room. Even with 3 kids in car seats! Only thing wrong is the paint. Its SO faded, even with weekly baths. I live in Florida, maybe thats why? My shift plate (R D N 2-etc.) is damaged and will cost me $125 to fix, let the next owner do that. My other issue is at 60,000 miles my tranny keeled over. I drive it like I stole it & like a mom. Mazda said it was probably previous owner; it had 27,000 on it after only 1 year. Now at 74,000 it still acts a little funny, hope that tranny stays put. :) But otherwise I LOVE it and still get people asking me about it. My fave car so far!

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  zoom zoom - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By lhixson - November 9 - 2:43 pm

  Overall fun car to drive, you can feel the quality thats built into this vehicle. has a lot of options not offered by competitors of small wagons.

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  Push button start and some safety risk - 2015 Mazda CX-5
  By kamal - November 9 - 4:35 am

  I have this SUV since April. Its a great ride and I do not want to add more to what most already mentioned. I would like to mention a huge safety issue with the key less entry. The key will disable the "start" feature itself if you are inside the car with the key and someone exiting the vehicle presses the outside lock button. This is ridiculous and unsafe especially if I am traveling. You will need someone bring the 2nd key or dealer need to reprogram it. There are vehicles push button start features which will prevent the doors from locking if the key is inside. Mazda says system disables keys in order to prevent theft! I do not buy this excuse. I rather have a locked key inside that I can have a locksmith open it and I can be on my way instead of a dealers costly reprogramming (in case you were traveling with both keys and they became disabled). Imagine getting stuck with a disabled key in the middle of the woods or a snowy road!

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  nearly perfect family car for 4 - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By Bob - November 8 - 3:33 am

  This is a practical, fun, fast and economical car. No problems. Fuel economy has been 22 city and 28-30 hwy. The manual says gas tank should hold 18 gallons, but only holds 16.5. No wheel lock key came with the car, which caused surprise when time came to change tires. Not much range/warning when low fuel light comes on.

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  Awesome Car - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By Liz - November 8 - 1:13 am

  Great car for a woman! NEVER have any mechanical problems; the only thing I do to this car is the routine maintenance that it needs. It already has more that 100,000 miles and is still running like the first day I bought it :)

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  Hatchback vs. Sedan - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By oxford_b - November 7 - 9:10 pm

  I bought a red Mazda3 S sedan for my wife last year. I liked driving it so much that I bought another one (the hatchback) for myself. Storage space, fuel economy, etc. are all excellent as other reviewers have said. Heres the real deal: the sedan is just faster. The weight ratio must be different between the two because the sedan flies. It shifts into second gear like its trying to win a race regardless of whether you push the accelerator. The hatchback requires just a little more coaxing. Im pretty sure the rear door weight is the culprit. What you lose in pep you make up for in utility with the hatchback, but theres a little more Zoom-Zoom in the sedan.

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  Love it, love it, love it! - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Bill - November 7 - 2:03 am

  In 25 years of car owning, this is by far the most fun car I have ever owned. After nearly two years of ownership, I still cannot believe I paid well less than $20k for a car that drives like a sports car. Acceleration is great, its comfortable and quiet on my daily 45-minute combined city and highway commute (on which I average 29 MPG). I would buy this car over again in a minute. Previous cars: Two Accords, a Golf, and Rabbit.