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:

• 

  I would buy another one! - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By clapp6 - November 29 - 10:49 am

  After owning this car for 1 year here are my thoughts: 1)Fun to drive everyday 2)Not as much cargo room as you think 3)Breaks a lot! (been in the shop multiple times for bad shocks, replace belts, power steering pump, and many more parts) 4)Good gas mileage but could be better 5)That zoom zoom factor is addicting Simply put, every time I drive this car I fall in love with it a little bit more even though it has it flaws.

• 

  Style, Value, and Performance - 2010 Mazda Mazda6
  By Michael - November 28 - 4:26 pm

  This is our second Mazda, having just traded a 2007 CX-9. Exterior styling is much more attractive than Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, and it is much sportier too. This car is a tremendous value. We paid $28,500 with $2000 in rebates.

• 

  rough and not ready - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By beejka - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Forget this car on long trips if you need lumbar support, it is very rough on the back! When you want to pass quick in traffic, the automatic is not too responsive with a quick burst of power. I got the sport automatic with the ability to "autoshift" through the gears, but that doesnt help much. The car also rides very rough on concrete expressways. It runs much smoother on asphalt expressways.

• 

  A great small suv - 2004 Mazda Tribute
  By ddobie - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I know the Tribute is classed as a compact,but it feels bigger and more secure than other compacts.

• 

  Zoom Zoom - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By janway3 - November 28 - 10:00 am

  My wife talked me into test driving it while I was preparing to buy a Mazda 6. Well that was all it took. A lot of car for the price. will make you feel young again at any age. And talk about drawing attention, the stylig is great.

• 

  Miserable Experience with the CX7 - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By IronyAbounds - November 28 - 9:43 am

  The CX7 is a blast to drive, when it is running at least, but the driving experience can blind you to a cheap interior, a technology package that is woefully deficient, and a general feeling that the vehicle is not built with the quality it should be. Most of all, after 4 CEL problems and multiple experiences when the vehicle simply does not run, I believe the CX7 has some real engineering deficiencies. Run, dont walk, away from the Mazda dealership and do not get sucked in by the initial driving enjoyment. You are likely to face real problems down the road.

• 

  Great Car - not so fuel efficient - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By rsilverst - November 28 - 5:23 am

  I am writing this review as a mostly happy owner of my new Mazda3. After driving my first 1000 miles of mixed highway/city miles, I am a bit disappointed that all 4 tanks of gas have yielded between 23 and 25 miles per gallon. I realize that the car is rated 22/29. Nonetheless, given the highway split, I am a bit surprised its coming in at the low end of middle. This is not a large car, and it surprises me somewhat that my 13 year old Corolla with 155,000 miles on it was getting significantly better mileage. For now, I am very happy with the car - its great fun to drive. But maybe I will end up going for a hybrid in a couple of years.

• 

  08 Tribute i Touring - 2008 Mazda Tribute
  By David - November 27 - 11:10 pm

  The wife and I have been doing research on small SUVs and we purchased a great one! The Tribute has a ton of standard features and Mazda did a great job with instilling the "sport" into driving, even in this SUV. We werent expecting it to go fast since we opted for the 4 cyl but so far we are impressed. It doesnt have a problem passing, merging, etc. Also the interior quality is 10+. It feels like the knobs to turn the vents are wrapped in leather. And the glossy black dash isnt cheap, its sturdy polished ABS. Love the car! If you are comparing it to other manufacturers this one has a ton of standard features for less cost than the others.

• 

  Great car, with some minor gripes - 2014 Mazda Mazda6
  By jmsamler - November 27 - 1:27 pm

  We have officially owned our car for 1 year now, and it has been through all 4 seasons here in MI. Overall, it is a great car, but it is not perfect, but I guess no car is. Read on for more details. This car is very well made and rock solid, no creaks/squeaks and its beautiful inside and out. This car just exudes quality craftsmanship and feels modern and up to date. We have the GT, with no options. Gas mileage is good but have never seen anywhere near 38 mpg, getting about 33-34 on the highway and 27-28 in mixed driving, mostly around town.

• 

  Just took delivery - so far so good - 2014 Mazda Mazda6
  By mrod500 - November 27 - 12:07 pm

  I havent had the car a week yet but so far so good. I agree with the others that its arguable one of the best looking cars on the road today. I also like that Im not lumped into the "Camry and Accord" group. There simply arent that many Mazda 6s on the road so its nice to be a little different. I can see why they charge more for red or white. I went with white since so many of my friends have red cars. It looks great! I traded in a Corolla for this car so naturally it feels super loaded to me and it is. Its got literally everything. Ive had several BMW models in the past and I like to feel the road and thats what you get with the huge 19" wheels.