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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  nice car so far - 2005 Mazda MPV
  By topcatken - June 5 - 10:34 pm

  I bought this a few months ago with 53,000 miles on it. Except for a vacuum hose which was expensive, it is serving us well. The vehicle is easy to handle because it is smaller but easy to adjust for different uses. Rear seat folds down into floor or you can flip it back for tailgating. Has a/c vents front and rear, seats 7 and is easy getting in and out. Have driven it back and forth across west Texas twice now and did what I asked it to do.

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  My Miata - 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Macys - June 5 - 10:00 am

  I love to drive it. My Miata has made the 60 mile drive to and from work on curvy, hilly, country roads the most enjoyable and relaxing part of my day for the past five years. I plan to purchase a new Miata later this year.

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  Reviewing the Protege - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By MackDadam - June 5 - 10:00 am

  I love to drive it, looks great and feels great. Interior looks quality made, no cheap plastic here. But it lacks power, needs more than 130 hp but it still gets me places. If having to choose between reliability and speed I would choose reliability and that is why I chose the protege. Never gives me a problem (knock on wood...hope not) and people are attracted to it, saying they did not know mazda made a car like that. Overall, great car, needs boost though.

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  Good choice for small families. - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By JJJA - June 5 - 10:00 am

  The MPV is a best bet for a small family. The pick-up and handling are car-like and spritely for a minivan. The interior is simple, flexible and functional. Standard alloy wheels look good and help in gas mileage. The real opening windows on the sliding doors give the dog some air.

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  Unknown Gem - 2003 Mazda MPV
  By MMG - June 5 - 10:00 am

  The worthwhile trade-off for less interior space is manuverability and handling. Features are useful but not excessive. (How many cupholders do you really need?) Compared to the lauded Odyssey and Chrysler vans, one wonders whether the automotive press (Edmunds included)assigns too much significance to size. Granted, size is what draws many to vans, but the 7/8 scale MPV is more than adequate for many. Plus, it has great reliability (beats the Odyssey and Sienna in the latest Consumer Reports survey) and sells for thousands under list. Do not be a sheep; there is life beyond the Odyssey.

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  Good times - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By Kory - June 4 - 10:40 am

  Its a great car. I have loved every minute of it. The drive is fun and the manual is smooth.

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  What you sees what you get more or less - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By dctoronto - June 4 - 8:13 am

  Okay forget the zoom, zoom. This is a small mini van for families who primarily take short trips around town carrying 2 kids and a lot of stuff or 3-4 kids with bare essentials. If that is what you want, then the Mazda5 will not disappoint you. Fuel economy ought to be better but is respectable, fit, finish etc. is also satisfactory, as is driving experience and comfort (note Im a large person too). Reliability has been fine except for the brakes which need an expensive servicing that, so far, the dealer claims is not covered by the warranty. Please note, Im writing from Canada, U.S. customers might have different experience with warranty service.

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  2008 Mazda3 i sport - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Elliott - June 4 - 5:16 am

  I am leasing the new 2008 Mazda3 with the 2.0 liter engine and so far, it has been great. It is the later 2008.5 model with more standard features. It handles extremely well and corners sharp-great for city driving. Amazing MPG as well.

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  The research was worth it - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By rldpjd - June 2 - 7:06 am

  I spent a lot of time reading about sports cars in this category. Virtually all of the magazine reviews put the Miata over the Solstice. I knew why as soon as I drove the GT model Miata. Since Pontiac apparently was timid about producing the Solstice, and since I refuse to stand in long lines just to pay sticker (or above) my decision to buy the Miata GT was even easier. OK, Id really like a little more power...maybe a turbocharger? Thats the only suggestion Id make to Mazda.

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  Go zoom zoom mommy - 2013 Mazda CX-9
  By cgllane - June 1 - 3:44 am

  Just got our new CX-9 in May. We have already put nearly 6000 miles on it, and have loved every mile. My daughter likes to say go zoom zoom mommy, so I do. It is so much fun to drive and comfortable for the whole family on our long road trips. We love it. And the staff at Freeway Mazda in Ogden were all great to deal with.