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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  Best in Class - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By PrinceJ - June 15 - 11:40 am

  I didnt consider this car until I couldnt get a Civic EX-L with a 5-spd; I sat in a 3 and immediately felt the level of refinement it had over the Honda--yes the "great" Honda. I love this car! It handles well, it rides well, Ive gotten 33 mpg on a 2.5hr trip, and 26 mpg in mixed driving! If youre looking at compacts, youve got to try this one. Cash for clunkers worked for me!

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  Great for the money - 2002 Mazda Millenia
  By Art from Florida - June 14 - 3:50 pm

  I bought this car used from a Mazda dealer. I loved it when I first saw it in 2001 (white with gold bottom). This car in 2008 still has its look. In features, except for the navigation system can compete with most of the new ones out there. If you are looking for a nice used sedan, do not forget to consider this one.

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  fun to drive, engine keeps you honest - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By snausage - June 14 - 10:00 am

  In another 2 weeks, I will have owned my P-5 for three years. Its been very reliable, gas mileage is decent, and its fun to drive. The only downside, aside from the tire issue, is the lackluster engine performance. My previous car, an Acura Integra, had a very torquey engine. You step on the gas and the car moves. Trying to get the P-5 to accerate out of a turn or pass traffic on a two lane highway is often very frustrating. You have to rev the engine really high to get the car to move with authority, and then the engine is growling like Im some 17 year old punk trying to run grandma off the road. I guess Im getting too old to settle for economy car performance.

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  Still Zooming after 50k - 2002 Mazda Tribute
  By paguy - June 14 - 10:00 am

  Some minor problems with rear window seal leaking but the dealership fixed it promptly and it was covered under warranty. The brake master cylinder had a defective cap, that was also fixed. Had a few recalls. Nothing major. Our Tribute is just as quick and tight as it was when we bought it. Still a blast to drive. Its only 2wd but seems to go about anywhere anyways. The only complaint I have is the size of the gas tank and the mileage. The gas tank is only about 15 gal. and seems like were always filling the tank. I suppose the mileage is ok for a small 6 cyl. SUV. We get around 18 or 19 mpg city and around 24 or 25 mpg highway.

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  The total package? - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By Confuc1ous - June 14 - 10:00 am

  When i purchased this car i think i went in thinking, wow, this is a mazda, how amazing could it really be? well, i was wrong and this car is everything its said to be and so much more. I have to admit, every single feature in the car functions so efficiently and works so well. I enjoy driving the car, the ride is perfect, the wheels are large enough to take corners with good speed and suspension supports these turns with the wheels and suspension working in supplement to one another. I suggest buying a Mazda, im not sure how other peoples sales experience went but mine wasnt amazing, the salesman was a dunce, and the business guy was pretty rude, but the car makes up for it wholly.

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  Good but Flawed - 2014 Mazda Mazda3
  By Zoey Broussard - June 14 - 6:57 am

  The M3 has nice, soft-touch interior materials and a sleek exterior design that helps it stand out from the crowd. MPG is good, but not quite as good as advertised; I usually average 32 while commuting with a roughly 60-40 split between city and highway driving. Roof/head space can be a bit tight if you sit close to the wheel like I do, but otherwise room and space in the M3 seem fine. Although I find it tolerable, many have said the radio is ugly. Headrests are uncomfortably angled. My biggest gripe though is that the A-frame pillars create blind spots towards the front of the car that I find very noticeable when turning/pulling out at intersections.

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  Yes - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By vhabiru - June 13 - 5:15 pm

  After about 2 years with the 5, Im still really happy. We sold the sedan and bought the 5 when we realized we were having a second chlid. Its been really great and at no point have I had a second thought about the purchase. I only wish I had bought the manual and not the auto, but my wife was not keen to have the extra task of shifting in addition to keeping the kids happy. Overall, a solid A. I would definitely buy again.

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  Best I could do to replace Acura Integra - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By mhouse - June 13 - 6:03 am

  After owning Integra for 17.8 years, finally found something to replace it with. Nice size for one person, nice luxury features. Not as fun to drive as Integra but handles just as well, even better on fast curves, like its on rails. Quietness masks real acceleration compared to Integra which was "throatier". A lot has changed in cars since 1991 so Im still getting used to things like position of steering wheel (further away), thickness of steering column (limits leg room), the explosion of new technology, and in my case, four doors. Bose stereo is good but I do have to have the volume way up to level 40+ hear details (deaf in one ear so this may be me not the car). Mileage in upper 20s.

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  Why pay twice the money for a BMW?? - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Elliot - June 12 - 1:56 pm

  I have owned this car for about three weeks now, and it has been an absolute pleasure to own in every way. So much, that, upon comparing it with my friends BMW 328i, I actually preferred my Mazda, because the BMW didnt really offer many things over the Mazda, especially since it cost twice as much. The Mazdas acceleration is a bit (but noticeably) slower than the six- cylinder BMW, but the 170 horsepower four still makes the Mazda plenty quick. However, I found that the 450- plus-pound-lighter Mazda was much more fun to power around corners. The interior actually surpassed the BMWs, with very cool-looking gauges and expensive-looking trim. With a couple reservations, I love my Mazda!

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  2003 MPV ES - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By Jay Burkman - June 11 - 2:00 am

  I currently work for a multi-brand dealership that carries Ford, Mazda, Isuzu and Hyundai. I reviewed every model in this class of vehicle and found that for the money, I could not a better van with more options. The look and ride of this van almost make you forget you are driving a "mini-van"!