Mazda
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 thanks to major investments in fresh models and platforms. The compact Mazda 3 helped Mazda carve out a niche as a mainstream brand with a sophisticated vibe, while SUVs like the CX-5, CX-9, and more recently the CX-30 and CX-50 have broadened the lineup and won over a whole new generation of fans. The latest MX-5 Miata, meanwhile, maintains its elemental sports-car purity and continues to embody the company's spirited philosophy. Fuel economy has also become a point of emphasis for Mazda, notably without resorting to the widespread use of turbocharging like most rivals.
Edmunds Latest Mazda News
Related information
Edmunds Top Rated
- Edmunds top rated electric SUVs
- Edmunds top rated cars
- Edmunds top rated electric cars
- Edmunds top rated electric trucks
- Edmunds top rated awards
Dealerships near you
- Mazda Dealership Dallas TX
- Mazda Dealership Austin TX
- Mazda Dealership Las Vegas NV
- Mazda Dealership Phoenix Az
- Mazda Dealership San Antonio TX
- Mazda Dealership San Diego Ca
- Mazda Dealership Denver Co
- Mazda Dealership Los Angeles Ca
- Mazda Dealership
- Mazda Dealership Houston TX
- Mazda Dealership Chicago Il
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Lexus GX 460 2014
- Used Volkswagen Touareg 2014
- Used Ford F-450 Super Duty 2012
- Used Hyundai Ioniq Electric 2017
- Used Volkswagen Golf SportWagen 2017
- Used Mazda 2 2011 For Sale
- Used BMW X6 M 2015
- Used Lincoln Town Car 2010
- Used Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2011
- Used Buick Regal 2016 For Sale
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Honda Accord For Sale
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Prius2023
- Toyota Highlander
- Toyota Camry
- Model 3
- Toyota Tundra Trucks For Sale
- 2025 Tesla Model 3 News
- Honda Civic
- 2024 CR-V
Lease deals by make
- Honda Lease Deals
- Chevrolet Lease Deals
- Audi Lease Deals
- Genesis Lease Deals
- Hyundai Lease Deals
- GMC Lease Deals
- Cadillac Lease Deals
- BMW Lease Deals
- Buick Lease Deals
- Ford Lease Deals
Lease deals by model
- Honda Civic Lease Deals
- Honda Odyssey Lease Deals
- GMC Yukon Lease Deals
- Honda Passport Lease Deals
- Honda HR-V Lease Deals
- Honda Accord Lease Deals
- Jeep Grand Cherokee Lease Deals
- Honda CR-V Lease Deals
- Honda Pilot Lease Deals
- Hyundai Kona Lease Deals
Other models
- New Kia Sorento-Plug-In-Hybrid for Sale in Cedar Rapids, IA
- Used Volkswagen Tiguan in Land O Lakes, FL
- Used Honda Crosstour in New York, NY
- Used Lincoln Navigator in Elk Grove, CA
- Used Mitsubishi Raider in Coeur D Alene, ID
- Used Buick Verano in Starkville, MS
- New Audi S7 for Sale in Burbank, IL
- New Honda Prologue for Sale in Noblesville, IN
- Used Acura RL in New Bern, NC
- New BMW X7 for Sale in Brainerd, MN