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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  Design Flaws - 2010 Mazda CX-9
  By Jason - December 18 - 11:20 pm

  A few areas have made us not pleased with our choice. Gas mileage is much less than advertised. The car is too heavy - sluggish when passing on highway or going up hill, poor gas mileage. There is a design flaw with the doors. They are big, unnecessarily heavy, and balanced wrong. When parked level, they will naturally fall hard to a full open position. As the doors are so big, they will catch any wind and open hard. The check strap on the door is under-engineered for such a heavy door. Within 45 days, the check strap broke, the door slammed back into car body. $1500 damage and Mazda will not even return phone calls or acknowledge issue. Not happy with the CX9 or Mazda, give both a pass.

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  Love my new Mazda - 2016 Mazda CX-3
  By alli mcquillin - December 18 - 6:56 pm

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  RX-8 - a Family Rocket on Wheels - 2007 Mazda RX-8
  By P.C.H. Cruiser - December 18 - 3:50 am

  With the wifes permission I went looking for a Miata to replace our 2003 Sequoia. Saw the RX-8, drove it, got it sideways on a suburban, could not stop laughing, went back and bought the car. The only problem is I cant get my wife out from behind the wheel and now must go back and buy her the Miata!! The fuel economy is awful but everything else is wonderful. For a family of three it makes a great family sedan that can carve corners while it goes to the grocery store. Its shiny black form reminds us of the Batmobile and, between its shape and the angry shriek it makes as it runs up to 9,000 RPMs, it turns heads where ever it goes. BUY IT !!!

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  Super! - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By WOW!!! - December 17 - 7:00 am

  I bought the CX-7 touring with AWD, moon roof, 250 watt speakers,and 6 cd changer. Its a fun car, you can take it around the corners with no worries. Its got good handling, great passing power, but the seats after a long drive gets a little uncomfortable. Over all its a super car. I also noticed the engine heats up a little too much some times but not a major problem.

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  who can complain when theyre smililng?? - 2000 Mazda MX-5 Miata
  By annabelle - December 17 - 2:00 am

  what a joy to own, it never wants to go see the Service Dept, it only wants to whine around some turns...Not a particularly "fast" car, but it hugs a turn and grabs the road like a barrel horse....it is tough to make it fishtail,(but can be done, so be careful)...and even though it is relatively affordable, it turns heads. Lots of Bang for the Buck.

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  Cute design and fun to drive - 2004 Mazda RX-8
  By no name - December 17 - 2:00 am

  Difficult to see blind spot on drivers side, but awesome car to drive.

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  rocket ship - 2004 Mazda Mazda3
  By hotptato - December 17 - 2:00 am

  test drove the sedan 2.3L 5spd. wow what a rush,great take off speed,0-60 in a blink of an eye,handled turns outstanding,its like buying a BMW but alot cheaper, cant wait to buy one with in a month

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  Fun Crossover - 2010 Mazda CX-9
  By vegasred - December 16 - 4:00 pm

  Just purchased CX-9 Touring with moonroof, bose sound system and power liftgate for around $32,000. Ive been test driving and looking at new cars for over a month. I work out of my car so I needed power plugs for my laptop and GPS. I also needed a car that I could be in for over 8 hours and drive over some gravel roads and rough terrain. The CX- 9 had everything I needed and it cost less then all the other cars I looked at. I really liked the Highlander, Acadia, MDX and Enclave but after doing all the research I kept going back to the CX- 9. Im really enjoying the Sirius radio. The bluetooth Im still learning but it seems to have difficulty locating my phone every time I try to use it.

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  Great Car, Skip the built in Nav - 2008 Mazda CX-9
  By nbiz - December 16 - 2:26 am

  Wonderful car, we love how it drives. It doesnt look that big from outside, but feels huge and comfortable inside. However, I wish I could return the nav system. It gives us a proper route about 1 in 5 times, otherwise it suggests routes that are hundreds of miles off course. Luckily we usually know the basic directions, otherwise 1 hour drives would take 5. Also it grays out when going over 5mph, which all built-ins do and I thought I could deal with, but no. Please get this great car, just skip the nav.

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  excellent vehicle - 2006 Mazda Mazda3
  By steve - December 14 - 3:06 am

  This is a fun car to drive and it the quality of build is high. It is priced to beat the overly popular Civic.