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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  Very sporty/very nice - 2006 Mazda Mazda6
  By Audiprof - September 6 - 6:30 am

  Two kids in college took me downmarket from the Infiniti and Audi range but Im not disappointed. Very smooth performance from the 6 speed auto which is well matched to the 6 cylinder engine. The S Sport model handles like a demon with very little body roll and is really a hoot to drive. Seating is supportive with a very good power drivers seat. Being over 50 Im not crazy about the rear spoiler which smacks of "boy racer" but overall the styling is eye catching and sets itself apart from the plain vanilla of Camry and Accord. The ride is just a bit rough over bad pavement and expansion strips but overall this is a great car.

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  Best Mini-Mini Van (and it seats 6!) - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By artemaria - September 5 - 7:33 am

  We were going to buy a Honda Odyssey, then we test drove the Mazda5. Once we test drove the Mazda5, we never made it back to the Honda dealership. The Mazda5 is a great value for a three row seating car. It looks great (better in person than in the pictures), is compact and is an absolute blast to drive. Ive driven it 75 mph with 5 adults and a kid in it and it still zoomed. The leather seats are great and have held up well to the punishment our kids dish out. The fuel economy is okay, but I thought that it would be better (the fuel economy is about the same as a current CR-V which is about the same size).

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  Great value - if you wear "S" or "M" and are agile - 2016 Mazda CX-3
  By Bug - September 5 - 2:01 am

  I really liked the design, technology, and direction Mazda is going these days. CX-3 appears exciting, safe, and incredible value. Im older and not as agile as I used to be, and I like my console space for coffee tank, phone, doodads to be handy on my long daily commutes. I was hoping CX-3 would be good fit, but awkward console placement and crampy ingress/egress (lower back issues) led to a pass on this model. If I was 20-40 and had a long commute however, Id seriously consider this! BTW, the Mazda 3 hatchback fits me much better!

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  RX7 to a RX8 - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By Cbrit - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I have a 1988 RX7 SE. It has 175,000 miles and still runs good. I purchased a RX8 11/1/03, have 1000 miles on it, very satisfied! Gas milage is 19 avg. Six speed shifts very good. Bose stereo is good. Seats are very comfortable. Lot of fun to drive.

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  Awesome - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By mkeebler - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Just purchased my new RX-8 6 speed. What an awesome car! Ive owned 3 Miatas in the past 10 years, and this car is like the big brother (sturdy, fast, cool...). With 2 kids and a wife, this thing is even practical! The rotary engine is king! Sounds like a jet engine!

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  Still Love This Thing! - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By christak - September 4 - 1:53 pm

  I originally posted here on 12/11/2006, three days after I picked up my MX-5. Well, here I am about 1 year later and I still love this car. I have nothing but great things to say -- still getting 30 mpg and have had no problems with the car. The PRHT is perfect; interior/exterior finish still looks great; no issues requiring any service or repair; extremely fun to drive with plenty of responsiveness; 6-speed automatic works great; still an amazing vehicle. I still suggest that you go get one!! ;-)

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  Zoom zoomin - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By Mike Speed - September 4 - 8:03 am

  I am a Mazda guy. I love Mazdas. My first van was a used Mazda MPV and when I sold it, I got 500 dollars with 340,000 miles on it. I recently had a 95 MX-5 and absolutely loved to just drive drive drive. Then I had kids. So I went out and bought a SUV. (stupid me.) So I drove this SUV for 1.5 years and it was dull. plus it didnt help that I was getting 11 miles per gallon during hard times. So guess what I did? I comprimised and shopped around test drove. I got a Mazda 3 Hatchback. I love it,love it, love it. Beautiful car, fast and fun to drive. plenty of room for kids. So so happy with it. And no I dont work for Mazda.

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  This ones a keeper! - 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Matt K. - September 3 - 6:33 pm

  I owned a `92 Miata a couple years ago, sold that and couldnt take not having a Miata anymore. Bought a Crystal Blue 2001 LS with 6-spd, ABS, and Sport pkg. The refinement over the early cars and even the `99-`00 cars is amazing, very smooth, great craftsmanship (for a Japanese car of this price), for a 3-yr-old car, looks like I paid $30k+ for it. Very predictable, confident handling, outhandles cars twice its price, makes great sounds, easy to work on, the Miata community is a great one, very friendly and fun! Considered a BMW 3- series because it was more practical, inline-6 torque, German design and engineering, but repairs and maintenance are expensive. Dont regret my purchase at all!

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  Zoom Zoom! - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By John - September 3 - 3:53 pm

  Great wagon!! Drove the Saab, Volvo, BMW3, and the Subaru. I just couldnt find the same value as the 6. I got the slick shifting Manual and what fun it is!! The leather seats are some of the most comfortable Ive sat on.

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  Lemon - 1998 Mazda 626
  By Rusty Wells - September 3 - 10:00 am

  Automatic transmission had been a little rough (slight jerking) since day I bought the vehichle. Had the dealer check it out numerous times but said this was normal. After about 87,000 miles the entire transmission had to be replaced at considerable expense. Neither the Dealer nor the Manufacturor would not reimburse me, let alone share in the cost.