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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  one great mazda - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By dallas1 - June 1 - 10:00 am

  My sixth mazda and by far the best one yet for looks performance and features. At 64" legroom is critical and the 3 has the best drivers space of any cars in its class with more legroom than my wifes volvo S60. Outstanding handling and precise and sure stopping. 5-speed is smooth and shifts are 2-click exact.Leather seats are firm and yet comfortable. Watching for excessive rear wheel break dust which may reduce after some mileage on pads and rotors.

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  NICE car! - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By Daywatts - June 1 - 10:00 am

  I love my car. It hugs the road, manuvers well and brakes are excellent. I narrowly missed someone who pulled out in front of me. The brakes did their job without any extra handling necessary. It has a large turning radius but I wonder if it is built this way to have better overall manuverability. I dont like the gas mileage. The manufactor claims the car gets 26-32 mpg yet I can only squeeze out 25 mpg when driving conservately. I usually get the top rated gas mileage for each car Ive driven. Mazda is directly to blame for this yet the government has freed companies up to lower gas mileage and the companies are now able to fudge its numbers.

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  love my 6 - 2006 Mazda Mazda6
  By rickpaul - June 1 - 9:00 am

  If you are looking for a sedan that will do everything well, this is the car. My 6s automatic is fast, agile, comfortable, and loaded with features. I have ridden people in it who own much more expensive cars, (Audi A4, Acura TL, BMW 3 series) and they cant believe how nice it was and how smooth and quiet it was while still being able to eat up an exit ramp. Because the car doesnt represent the least common denominator however, you can get rebates and incentives on it that make it a better deal than a Hyundai or a Mazda3. If you like to drive, and you cant afford a luxury marque, you absolutely cannot go wrong buying this car. Zoomzoom.

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  Exemplary vehicle - Mazda sets the standard again. - 2013 Mazda CX-5
  By govind_nair - June 1 - 7:07 am

  Its hard to come by a crossover SUV which gives exceptional mileage combined with excellent sports-car like driving dynamics and styling all at a competitively great price. Its just a practical and fun to drive car with a brand new Skyactiv engine & 6-speed transmission along with impressive interior space & wheelbase. The tactile steering feedback is excellent. I really like the blind spot monitoring feature. The interior is simple and elegant with high quality materials. The GT Technology package is not necessary in my opinion. Even though it only has 155HP power, you can feel what the Mazda engineers have tried to achieve in this vehicle with the SkyActive engine and suite of technologies

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  Luv the car but hate the electronics. - 2017 Mazda CX-5
  By Don - June 1 - 7:03 am

  Navigation poor. Obviously they have never used or seen a Tom Tom. Mazda would benefit greatly by partnering with Tom Tom. It is a shame to have this system on a car that is,otherwise, a very up to date vehicle. I would have expected a system like this four or five generations ago. Also, the sound system is not really great, for a ten speaker Bose system. Can`t operate the windows unless engine is running. Nav screen is bright at night and dim during day instead of bright in daylight and dim at night.It is distracting and a pain to keep resetting it On auto it should not require adjusting.

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  My just reward - 2009 Mazda Mazda6
  By Michael B. - June 1 - 12:06 am

  I just purchased the iSport on Thursday. WOW... Very fun to drive, great on corners, accelerates good enough for interstate roads and speed limits. The body style is excellent. I love it.

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  Bang For Your Buck - 2010 Mazda Mazda6
  By Jeff&Melissa - May 31 - 11:30 pm

  If youre like me and want to have some fun while driving but dont want to pay top dollar to get it, than the Mazda 6 Sport V6 is for you. I test drove every car in its class and some cars above it (much more expensive) and the Mazda outperformed dollar for dollar every time. Ive had mine for a month now and I still have to take a look at it each time I get in or out and think to myself "what a beautiful car"

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  Thank Goodness its under warrenty! - 2008 Mazda CX-7
  By AMB - May 31 - 11:06 pm

  Yesterday was the second time in less than 2 weeks that the car broke down and I had it towed to the dealer. After about 2,000 miles I had to have the brakes replaced (the car shimmied with each application of the breaks). At 26,000 miles I was told by the service manager that I should replace my tires. No one at the dealership seemed to think this was outrageous. Last week, the air compressor quit and a belt broke. It took the dealer 4 days to repair. Yesterday, I heard a clunk, my battery light went on, then the car quit. I have 28,400 miles on the car. This is a lease vehicle. When I turn the car in 12/2009, I am done with Mazda!

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  Fun to drive but mileage suffers - 2009 Mazda Mazda3
  By TheAsianRacer - May 30 - 9:30 pm

  Previous to this, I had a Mazda Protege5 and that was fun and I had gotten great gas mileage regardless of how I drove it. Recently I got a Mazda 3s and it is fun to drive but my protege was more fun. The biggest issue I have with it is yes, we get more performance but your gas mileage suffers greatly depending on how you drive. My style of driving has been the same and yet Im getting just barely 22 mpg around town and if Im lucky Ill get 28 on the highway. The car is a blast to drive but the 16in rims and tires make the car feel less responsive but otherwise its a great car.

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  fabulous car - 2005 Mazda Mazda3
  By bekah - May 30 - 12:13 pm

  I love this car. So cute, so much fun. I feel like I am in a hatchback sportscar. LOVE IT. Would recommend Mazda to anyone.