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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  ZoomZoom... - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By zoomzoom09 - December 28 - 8:23 am

  Its been less than a week, since I bought a 2013 CX-5 Touring Edition (FWD)w/auto/ Moonroof. Plus points: Very sports, high quality interior. great milage. I am getting 29 mpg avr driving almost 45 miles a day in medium to heavy traffic. The BSM system is great. Secondly, the handling is very good for a SUV. It handles like sports coupe, and the engine being a 4 cyl is quite adequent. If I wanted a v6, I would have gotten a Lexus RX, but for the value you get in a CX-5 and fact you DONT need premium fuel, thats a HUGE win.. Bose 9 speaker is awesome. The front profile is very nice, and plenty of room for 5/6 adults.. Bluetooth / ipod integration/rearcamera/ makes it very modern.

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  Fun and economical car - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Larry - December 27 - 8:03 pm

  On "The Dragon" in the Tennessee mountains, all but the fastest motorcycles hold me back. This car really handles well. Im getting about 24-26 MPG. The manual top is very easy to open and close. In hot weather the top often clicks into its boot with just a simple backwards push. In cooler weather I have to twist back in the seat to click it into the boot. Either process takes 3 to 10 seconds. My wife is just 5"3" and needs to get out of the car seat to open and close. The red mica is beautiful on this car.

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  One of the Best Vehicles Ive Owned! - 2010 Mazda CX-9
  By G Deleon - December 27 - 7:36 pm

  We leased one in 2008 and liked it so much we bought the new 2010 model. It looks great and it drives great. It has every advantage of a Mini-van combined with the feel and drive of a sports car wrapped up in a beautiful SUV body. And the best part is that you don’t have to sell a kidney to get one. Every comparable SUV is at least $10K more.

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  Great Little SUV - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By bushdow - December 27 - 7:30 pm

  I purchased this vehicle in February 2004 I saved thousands on the sticker price. The SUV has performed well. I took it back on Christmas Day for an emmission sensor problem. It is roomy and peppy for a 4 cylinder engine.

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  Dull but very reliable - 2002 Mazda 626
  By Dependable - December 27 - 7:00 pm

  I had the car since it had 25K miles. Now four years later and at 104K miles it has hardly any problems. Extremely reliable car. As others said, new passengers always find the swinging air vent interesting.

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  no regrets - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By John - December 27 - 12:23 am

  This is a great small sedan for the price. The mix of features, price, build quality and driving mannerisms far outpace anything else thats available in this class of automobile.

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  love this car - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By quakk - December 26 - 4:03 pm

  i read the reviews here before i bought this car used, and i have not been disappointed. i love this car. its fun to drive, rather zippy for a 4 cyl, stylish, great stock sound system. cup holders are poorly placed right behind the shifter or in the doors (ok for a bottle, but not for a cup with straw). both back seats fold down, and i fit my 62cm road bike in the trunk just this morning. i get 28mpg in the city, 34mpg on the highway in the arizona mountains.

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  Lot O fun for the $ - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Kilmer - December 26 - 3:13 am

  Decided to get the base hatchback which is called the "sport" and its set up exactly as the higher priced "grand Touring" same, suspension, 2.5 -4 engine, interior/ext size , just a few less amenities. but U do get a 7-phone bt system, stability& trac control, CD,Ac ,all- pwr,TPMS more- . This car is chock full of goodies for the money and blows me away with its manners as after testing the "competition" it literally was no contest ! corolla- not, sentra-not , civic-not even close , I mean Mazda was thinking so far out of the box that the others are eating dust and Im certain many other designers/techs at the aforementioned companies lost their jobs because this Maz-3 deserves the Gold Medal

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  Mazda # - a winner - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By Pres - December 25 - 10:00 am

  Test drove lots of other cars, Ion Red-line, Scion TC, Nissan SER Spec V, honda Civic, Toyota Corolla XRS, Neon. Final decision came down to the Scion and the Mazda 3. Opted for the 3S because the Scion TC felt to sedate and heavy. The 3S is like a big cat, light on its feet, flat in the turns, responsive at the wink of an eye. The interior fit and finish is superb, and the seats are a nice turn for an econocar-they are actually firmly supportive. The seating allows crank up or down, and the wheel repositioning is all needed to find a great driving position, oh yeah lumar suppport too. Mine has 5 speed, zenon lights,changer, TPMS, moonroof, and ABS and side airbags.

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  Love my 6 more every day - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By abresci - December 25 - 10:00 am

  This car is great fun to drive, and it is a head-turner. Most people are stunned that I only paid $21,500 for such a nice-looking car. The sport package is definitely a recommended option (sport bumpers, skirts, suspension, and wheels), as is the luxury package (leather, power drivers seat, seat warmers)