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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  McGruber was a wise man - 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By prosthodontist - October 15 - 12:37 pm

  Had the car for 3 months now and after getting over with the shortcomings of a small convertible, I can say that I love to drive this car so much that I am no longer interested in driving any other car except the Porsche Cayman/Boxster. One of the best performance bang for your bucks deals out there!

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  Not so happy with M6 - 2009 Mazda Mazda6
  By Z. - October 14 - 5:10 pm

  I bought the 2009 M6 last week, its already in service. With two problems, mind you - pretty minor, but still. One, the heating system did not work properly - radiator needed to be bled. Two, one of the air vents, driver side on the left, did not open. Some broken peace of plastic the dealership did not have in stock, it needs to be ordered, and then I have to go back again to have it put in. I bought this car because I had 250 k on my old Accord, I thought its getting to old, and did not want to spend time in repair shops. I had one minor issue with the Accord in 10 years, at around 180 k km, and with Mazda, 2 issues in the first week.

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  MY CX-7 - 2010 Mazda CX-7
  By Abhishek - October 14 - 7:10 am

  My CX-7 was in an accident which blew out both of my left tires. I did not even feel a jerk during the whole collision. My 2 yr old daughter and wife were also in the car and none of them felt anything except a loud noise. The CX-7 proved itself to be an excellent choice. It is rock solid SUV that handles extremely well and shows well.

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  Great Value Sport Wagon - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By gareman - October 13 - 12:16 pm

  Ive owned some amazing cars, mostly BMWs, but I was starting my own business and a family. The 6 sport wagon provided sport sedan handling in an affordable, reliable package. It had some minor problems while still under warranty, such as needing two new stereo head units, but has since been reliable. It drives wonderfully and I love the 5 speed manual. The turning radius is awful. Low RPM acceleration is pretty bad; there wasnt a need to gear it like a 4- cylinder. Its a fun highway cruiser and obviously does very well on corners. The quality of your tires will make a huge difference with this car. Sadly, there are no more sport wagons being produced by Mazda in the US.

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  DO NOT BUY! - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By POSRX8 - October 13 - 5:33 am

  i bought the car 10 months ago. It has been in the shop for over 60 days total so far. It gets horrible gas mileage; I have never got better than 15 miles to the gallon. It burns through oil like crazy. mMy car has had 3 engines in 10 months! Mazda has replaced and paid for everything because there is a bigger problem with their engines that they dont want to get out, Im smelling major RECALL! Not reliable at all, uncomfortable seats, very slow off the line. Do not buy this car, because if you have the same problems and try to pursue the lemon law like i am, Mazda will just ignore you and not return your phone calls, so do not buy this car!

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  vroom vroom - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By pefnam - October 12 - 10:26 pm

  Bought a Mazda3 Sedan a month after buying a Toyota Matrix wagon and the Mazda is so much cooler than the Toyota that we wish we had bought the Mazda3 Wagon as well. Fun to drive, stylish, sporty, better mpg.

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  Cant stop looking at it or driving it... wow... stunning automobile. - 2014 Mazda Mazda6
  By cecmazda6 - October 12 - 4:00 pm

  Wow how many superlatives are there in the English dictionary? Ive had some pretty nice midsized cars in recent years - 11 Optima EX, 12 Sonata 2.0 Turbo limited (nice turbo power) & even an 09 Mazda6 Touring (which like a great indie film excellent but under publicized), but great as these all were in their own respects, none evoked the level of pure joy my meteor gray 2014 6 touring w/tech package has! Looks are subjective but I literally cant stop looking at it & snapping photos haha! Ride remarkably smooth despite 19" rims & tight suspension. Cabin dead silent at idle road noise not that bad. Great acceleration close to Sonata turbo despite 90 less hp. Fantastic car!!!

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  Ze MPV Rocks !! - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By AceDriver - October 12 - 10:00 am

  Quiet engine Smooth tranny shifts excellent acceleration gets to freeway speed seamlessly Does NOT feel like a mini-van Very carlike ride & feel Reversing & sharp turns felt very easy HUGE moonroof I could stand side facing through it with plenty of shoulder room, crisp audio sounds FM & CD Excellent visibility blind spot checks were a breeze due to the BIG slider windows which sit low Big side view mirrors HUGE windshield. The RPMs were impressive:700 rpm from idle till 50 mph. At freeway speeds they still stay below 2K.

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  Like it a lot.. - 2009 Mazda CX-9
  By ray - October 12 - 7:20 am

  It was between the 09 Honda pilot and the cx9 and for the price the cx9 won out. I would have spent over $40k to get the features in the cx9. It is really fun to drive, smooth, comfortable and quiet. Brakes really Nice and after 4 months without it being cleaned, I have very minimal brake dust. Havent had any problems so far. I had a durango before the cx9 so it does sit quite a bit lower.

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  Lots of fun - Lots of features! - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By Jim - October 11 - 9:26 pm

  We shopped for a functional travel car - we had an 03 Sonata. We looked at Toyota Matrix, Vibe, CR-V, etc. Then we discovered this 6 bucket seat gem - 6 disk changer, auto air, moonroof for under 20 grand! 27+ on our first road trip. What more could you want!