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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  Beautiful convenient reliable family car - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By baywood - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Just got a brand new 2003 LX sand mica (still in wrap when we test drove it). Sharp looking. Ride is quite, smooth and comfortable. Handling and parking is easy. Breaking is confident. A/C is cold. It takes no effort to open or close the manual sliding doors, so I didnt choose the power doors. Like all the features of the 2nd and 3rd row seats (they are big toys for me now). The plastic materials of the front middle table, the storage under passenger seat and the real console feel cheap, but practically usable. Overall a beautiful convenient reliable family car. I also own a 90 323 with 130,000 miles and it still runs well. I hope the MPV will treat me even better.

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  Not a keeper - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By alissimo - August 29 - 10:13 am

  Car started out ok but after the miles wore on, its deficiencies wore thin. 1) Oil changes were a pain with 7 10mm bolts to remove the splash panel to get at the antiquated canister oil filter. 2) It comes from the factory with negative camber on the rear wheels: this will insure that the insides of your tires will wear out prematurely and render you tires unsafe in less than 25,000-30,000 miles. 3) Electric locks cannot be relied upon & fail regularly. Lousy GPS! 4) This is a fairly new model, replacement parts (cv boots, axle) are nearly impossible to find aftermarket. The dealer has such huge markup that I left my car up for weeks on jack stands until I finally found an aftermarket part

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  3rd rotary ownership - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By rich russo - August 29 - 1:16 am

  great exterior design, excellent road handling. pickup is somewhat lacking with the automatic, gas mileage fair. real looker!

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  Glad I Bought It - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Penten15 - August 26 - 9:03 pm

  When I bought my Mazda3 it was actually my first new car. It is very fun to drive and the steering is more precise than anything I have ever driven. The leather is very comfortable although the dark leather certainly keeps the car warm. Fortunately the AC is amazing. Fuel economy is good but not amazing, but the car is more fun than anything that that gets better gas mileage.

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  Oh Shinka! - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By SK - August 26 - 3:50 pm

  My Shinka is hot! Been on numerous tri-state road trips and the fun quotient cannot be matched. Unique looks of the Shinka garner a lot of admiration even from fellow RX-8 owners. Has passed all recall tests with flying colors. Similar bugs already mentioned but overall an awesome, sexy yet functional car. Only cons - light colored leather and the gas mileage.

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  great car - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By mazdaowner - August 26 - 2:33 pm

  Have had mazdas and still own them, but like this interior layout. Seats not as comfortable as the older protege, but pretty good. Much quieter than the protege. Love the value edition. Homelink mirror works great and got rid of garage door openers from the visor. Wish the fuel economy was better, but it gets what its rated for. Hope this helps

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  CX-9 - 2007 Mazda CX-9
  By PBH - August 26 - 6:23 am

  Just drove off the lot with this awesome car...roomy, fun to drive. Kids love it too.

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  Very nice to Drive - 2005 Mazda Mazda6
  By Love it !!! - August 25 - 12:00 pm

  I purchased this vehicle and really LOVE IT! It really handles nice and for the money spent it was a steal.

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  At 44,000 - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By johnny2003 - August 24 - 4:32 pm

  At 44,000, I like mu little Mazda just as much as I did the first day I got it.

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  zoom zoom zoom back to the service dept. - 2002 Mazda MPV
  By bamaengineer - August 24 - 10:00 am

  I have been disappointed by the performance of the 02 MPV so far. To start with, I have been in for warranted repairs three times with only 20k miles: Idler problem, Check engine light, and rattling sliding doors. They still havent fixed the sliding doors. The style and handling are great, but I hate to think what will happen when the warranty is over.