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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  Tribute - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By lissa - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I really love my Mazda Tribute, it drives well and has lots of room inside. The wind noise is pretty bad on the interstate.

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  gas guzzler - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By wedgeclose - June 29 - 2:00 am

  took delivery in mid january...got a very good price on the car...a rare LX with luxury pkg. including sun-roof in lt. tundra (green). the sales experience was fun but im glad we did our homework on pricing and invoices. we got it out of there for $24K. the car is really pretty and there were no flaws whatsoever. They gave us a free tank of gas which is good because if they had given us only a 1/4 tank we would have run out before we got home. 30 miles! Very disappointed in the gas mileage.

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  Mazda3 S - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By Shawn - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Have over 20,000 miles on it in a year and it has been great. Very well handling car. Can be sporty when you want it to be, but can also perform like an economy car when you want it to. I consistently get 31-35 miles a gallon on the highway (rated at 31).

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  Buy one now - 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By Rick - June 28 - 10:10 pm

  Great car. Fast, agile, surprising gas mileage. Get the limited slip differential and traction control and watch the dashboard light up in the rain. Better by far than my old RX-7. Only beef is despite a bunch of little cubby holes the interior still has limited space for storing anything bigger than sunglasses. But who cares, drop the top, mash the gas, and it does not matter.

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  Good All-Around Car - 2007 Mazda Mazda3
  By JustAGuy - June 28 - 12:03 pm

  Ive had this car for almost a year and have enjoyed it very much. It is very comfortable and stylish and is a pleasure to drive. For being a naturally aspirated 4-banger, it also performs pretty well. It is a great daily driver that I am very proud to own.

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  not bad, if you can spend the money - 2006 Mazda RX-8
  By chris - June 28 - 10:03 am

  First off this car is a blast to drive. Handles very well. I average around 18 mpg in mine and it is on premium fuel. I personally havent had any reliability issues, but I go easy on the rotary. Plenty of aftermarket parts available for it and turns heads everywhere. Overall a great car if youre willing to spend a little more on gas and maintanance.

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  Great compact car - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By yjystr - June 28 - 6:30 am

  Its really a fun-to-drive car, much better than Civic and Corolla. Made in Japan makes the car perform very impressive.

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  Not All Good Things Can Be Perfect. - 2007 Mazda Mazda5
  By the mazda5 - June 27 - 8:40 am

  Pretty good, but its huge list of features have to include the following in the next 2 years: a 5 or 6 speed automatic, rear air conditioning, standard tinted windows, an available V6 [maybe from the Mazda6], a panoramic sunroof =D, power sliding doors, Bose speakers, a better screen for the navigation system, a smoother transition between gears, 2nd row outboard armrests, dual zone auto-climate control, power front seats, a "shark fin" antenna instead of the weird one it has now, a bigger center console, and more power outlets. Other than that, its a great car with a bunch of features packed into a crossover that is a hit worldwide. If only they advertised it more openly... who knows?

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  Very Impressed - 2012 Mazda Mazda3
  By ms_addy - June 27 - 7:04 am

  I spent a whole day with my father test driving cars. It was around 6pm that I had my chance to test drive my Mazda 3. Let me tell you, it is an awesome ride! I was trading in my 07 eclipse and looking for a four-dour under 20k. I tried hyundais and honda but I felt like I was driving a car for my mother. The mazda 3 I got had everything I wanted and then some! Im a young lady finishing College and needed something with good gas mileage without being weak and slow.

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  My First Mazda! - 2010 Mazda Mazda3
  By Lisa - June 26 - 3:53 pm

  Ive only had the car for one day but I absolutely love it! I have the GT HB with the Moonroof/Bose package and Im amazed at what you get for the money. I looked at Toyota Rav4, Matrix, Nissan Rogue & Versa, Subara Impreza and Mazda3. The Mazda3 had everything I wanted at the right price. The others didnt even come close. Ive been driving Nissans for 22 years so I really had to step out of my comfort zone to buy something else but Im glad I did. The car is fun to drive and thats a priority for me. Im still in shock that I actually have it! I had trouble finding a GT HB with a M/T in Black with black interior. I was told it would be August but one dealer in Texas had one and I got it!