Mazda

Mazda MX-5 — 25 years and counting

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The MX-5 Miata roadster has a record of unrivaled longevity. Mazda this year marks the 25th anniversary of its little sports car that has endured for a quarter century, true to its roots as an affordable rear-drive open-air two-seater.

Mazda3 — Close to perfection

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

No vehicle even with today's advanced technologies and 21st Century engineering capability has reached what we consider the pinnacle of perfection in its respective segment, but some come remarkably close. One example: The compact 2014 Mazda3.

Mazda CX-5 — An extra dose of performance

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The CX-5 was introduced for the 2013 model year with a 2.0-liter four rated at 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. It felt sluggish to us and it took the luster off an otherwise well-conceived, delightful small crossover. Mazda has answered the call for increased performance in its new and impressive 2014 CX-5.

Mazda6 — A sedan with personality

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The all-new Mazda6 looks and drives great, offers style and comfort, and is one of the most fuel-efficient gas-engine-propelled mid-sized family sedans available anywhere. To say we were impressed with the upscale Grand Touring edition we drove is an understatement.

Mazda CX-5 — A showcase for SkyActiv

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Mazda has wiped its compact SUV crossover slate clean. Gone are the long-running Tribute, a clone of the previous-generation Ford Escape, and the competent, but slow-selling CX-7, which has resided in the Mazda lineup since the 2007 model year.

Like a young still wet-behind-the-ears baseball phenom just stepping off the bus from Smallville into the big time to replace the old, retiring veteran slugger, the CX-5 enters the compact crossover game against an array of heavyweight players. Mazda has bet all its small crossover marbles that its new entry — loaded with the latest SkyActiv technology — can elevate the brand against such stalwarts as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4.

Mazda3 SkyActiv — More performance, better gas mileage

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Mazda is bringing a new technology to its lineup for 2012 called SkyActiv. When fully implemented it will involve revised engine and transmission designs, weight reduction, and chassis tuning.

Simply put, the goal of SkyActiv is to dramatically increase gas mileage without the use of turbocharging or supercharging, and without losing the performance that Mazda has become known for over the past decade with its “Zoom Zoom” persona.

Mazda5 — The essence of a 'mini' van

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The Mazda5 is currently the only vehicle in the U.S. that truly lives up to the name “minivan.” The standard minivans of today are big vehicles, nothing mini about them, designed to haul large numbers of passengers and large amounts of cargo.
 
The thing is not everyone looking for some extra space needs the size, large price tag and diminished gas mileage that the standard-sized minivans offer. But they desire the space and utility of a minivan design. The Mazda5 has all the traits of a typical minivan including sliding rear doors, a third-row seat, rear seats that fold flat creating a large cargo area, and the driving dynamics of a car.

Mazda CX-9 — Seven go Grand Touring

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The CX-9 entered the marketplace the same year as the much ballyhooed GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave although the GM assemblage has gone through some changes. The Outlook is gone with the rest of Saturn and the Chevrolet Traverse now fills out the GM threesome.

And as with the GM segment entries, the CX-9 carries on in a very acceptable and rewarding manner based on the two weeks we spent in a loaded 2011 Grand Touring all-wheel drive model.

2012 Mazda5

SAN DIEGO — Arguably the first sport utility vehicles were actually minivans, a new segment ushered in by Chrysler in 1984. These vehicles were versatile and family-oriented and somewhat diminished the onus that began to surround the description “station wagon.”

Mazda2 — Modern minimalist fun

 By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Looming government mileage standards that have the industry scurrying to adjust their fleet numbers skyward and a stubbornly sluggish economy have combined to fuel the reemergence of the small car in America.