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:

• 

  RX8 value is the best - 2005 Mazda RX-8
  By bsilly - May 8 - 6:00 pm

  I purchased my RX8 in December after doing extensive research. The RX8 is the best value in the coupe category. It is the most distinctive car on the road and performs admirably. The true cost to own is better than the new Ford Mustang and I feel the RX8 is flat out more reliable than the Nissan 350Z. Plus it comfortably accommodates 4 people (unlike the new Mustang which has virtually unusable rear seating). Unless you want to reduce to a 2 seater and pay $20,000 more for similar coupe styling that the new Corvette offers, the RX8 is the best option. $20K in price difference can buy me this RX8 and a new Mazda 3s for my wife! The only real cometitor is the Infiniti G35,

• 

  OKAY CAR - 2002 Mazda Millenia
  By Nino - May 8 - 10:00 am

  its pretty good for its price....got it only for 5k

• 

  Fun to Drive - 2001 Mazda Tribute
  By kmgwinn - May 8 - 10:00 am

  I owned a Mazda MPV and replaced it with a used Tribute and love it - fun to drive - handles wonderfully - very pleased with my purchase - even with higher miles it handles like a new car. Would recommend it!

• 

  Great Car, Zoom, Zoom - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By NeilTheWheel - May 8 - 10:00 am

  The most fun car to drive of all we have owned. The Navigation system really adds independence to our driving.

• 

  I love this car! - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By UNLogger - May 8 - 10:00 am

  I just wanted to say I love this car. It is fun, responsive and handles amazingly. In addition, it is extremely comfortable and I love all the safety features that came standard with the S package.

• 

  MAzda 3-S Sedan Auto - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Newmazdaowner - May 8 - 10:00 am

  Impressive. Hopefully the Zoom-Zoom feeling will stay throughout the life of the car. What a buy!

• 

  Why look anywhere else? - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By fan4neil - May 8 - 10:00 am

  This car is amazing. My heart still beats faster each time I walk up to it. The interior is beautiful and exciting to look at each day and it gets even better at night with all of the backlit gauges staring back at you. The bright red exterior and black leather interior look great together. The 5-spd is so much fun to drive and the engine revs willingly and with a great sound. The hatchback makes this car like a mini station wagon and it is very useful. This car really satisfies all that you could need in a car, from the practical to the fantastic. I feel sad for the masses of drivers who have settled for bland, dull, boring, Accords/Camrys. Get the Mazda!

• 

  New Mazda6 - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By daiouvegeta - May 8 - 10:00 am

  Overall a wonderful car to drive, a lot better then any of the previous cars that Ive ever owned.

• 

  Follow up review - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By mustangleader - May 7 - 6:26 pm

  After another 18,000 miles since last August when I wrote a review. Car is very reliable and keeps on going. If power is your concern, do modifications as I said in my first review. The cost is nominal and cost effective. Never felt the car was underpowered due to its power band at low rmp, but if you modified as I did, youll have performance, comfort, economy of an everyday go-kart car in high gas mkt.

• 

  Happy with my choice - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By jgibson146 - May 6 - 3:26 pm

  I bought this car for the available options and the options werent even available on the Civic. The Civic just looked too boring compared to this car. I also bought the car because of the safety equipment. The real reason I bought this car is the looks for the money. The dynamic stability control I think saved me once when I swerved to miss something on the highway and overreacted. I turned the wheel way too much and then corrected to go straight again. My last car was a Park Avenue and it would have gone out of control for sure, not that I am knocking the Park Avenue.