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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  Great car for dry weather - 2008 Mazda Mazda3
  By Abna - August 14 - 4:50 am

  I bought this car after researching the Focus, Civic, Fit and Corolla. It is definitely better than those cars. I missed a crucial factor when making my decision: I live in Seattle where it rains a lot and gets slippery. It also snowed a lot this winter and this car was a total disaster. It got stuck twice in my apartment complex and took more than one hour and lots of effort park it. This car is fun to drive, very sporty and handles tight but is meant for dry weathers only.

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  Mazda is the best - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By george H. Pannell - August 13 - 4:26 pm

  This Mazda3 has been an exciting and very dependable car to own. The comfort and the ride of the car has been great. I picked this car over the Toyota Corolla because of the body style and performance. This car has more horsepower than the Corolla.

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  Zoom Zoom Zoom = Fun Fun Fun - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Joy joy - August 13 - 2:00 am

  Purchased my Protege5 six days ago, so I cant say much on reliability and build quality quite yet, but it is fun to drive. Very peppy and stiff handling. The options dont cost an arm and a leg either. Good wind noise protection, but bad road noise at 60 plus mph.

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  Road Noise, Radio - 2014 Mazda CX-5
  By charlesc32 - August 12 - 1:31 am

  Nice car. Love the back-up camera and blind spot warning system. However, the road noise is excessive. It came with Yokohama Geoearth tires. Very noisy. At the behest of my tire dealer I changed to Michelin Defenders. Touted as the quietest tires available. Dont believe it. The road noise reduction was not noticeable. I just wasted lots of money. Told him so. He was not inclined to change his advice. Didnt expect him to do so. It would seem the Japanese engineers could address this road noise problem as the GM engineers have. I think, in retrospect, I should have bought an Encore. So far, CX-5 Touring is reliable.

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  Great Car - 2011 Mazda CX-7
  By jlmm3 - August 11 - 3:50 pm

  I bought my first mazda (mazda3 s) used in 2009 and I loved it. Since then I have bought 3 more and now I have a 2011 mazda3 s 2.5 and we just bought a 2011 Mazda CX-7 i touring. My wife loves the car, and I do too. It drives VERY nicely and is very well put together on the inside with alot of attention to detail. As far as being pokey, I have not seen it at all and I have the non-turbo engine.

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  We love our DoubleOught - 2000 Mazda 626
  By Bryan Epley - August 8 - 10:06 pm

  We have made our final payment on the zoom/zoom and we only have 59K hassel free miles.Thanx to Edmunds we researched and paid for a reliable auto. Ours has 130 ponies bridled to a left-leg flexor and feel this combo is the most fun, cost conscience way to get around.

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  Much better than people think - 2002 Mazda 626
  By RTG - August 7 - 8:46 pm

  I have had several cars from compact to midsize cars not one of them could do what the 626 4 cylinder can do; drive from Raleigh NC to Philly Pa. on one tank of gas with gas to spare. I admit the car somewhat sluggish when pulling off but accelerates great after you are moving. The interior is nice but the seats could use lumbar support for longer drives.

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  Fun, practical, could be more efficient - 2004 Mazda Mazda6
  By 1st time Mazda man - August 5 - 5:03 pm

  This car is fun to drive and the hatchback version is very practical. A few things could have been better, like auto window buttons but this is a fine car and has been very reliable. The average gas mileage is probably only 19 mpg so this is probably the biggest shortcoming I can find.

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  2008 Mazda CX7 Review. - 2008 Mazda CX-7
  By Edward DEustachio - August 4 - 10:06 am

  Great mid-size SUV. Handling above average but could be better. Fuel economy not good. Plenty of power. Would love to see this model in a hybrid. Would love to have been able to purchase the sun roof as a stand alone option.

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  2003 Tribute - 2003 Mazda Tribute
  By Loriann23 - August 3 - 10:00 am

  My experience has so far been excellent. The tribute is fun to drive, and handled well in the Winter on slick roads even with only front wheel drive.