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Mazda Guide

Despite being a very innovative company that produces cars that are high quality and fun to drive, Mazda has never gained significant popularity. The company has a strong presence in motor racing, and builds sporty, quick cars that are very well regarded. Following in the tradition of Japanese car makers, Mazdas are reliable, long-lived, and not very expensive. Mazda buyers get a great value without having to jump on a bandwagon.

Select a Model (6 Available)
Mazda MAZDA3

Year: Starting at $17,550 MPG 24-33 The 2013 Mazda 3 is one of our favorite compact cars, with sporty handling and a wider availability of the efficient Skyactiv drivetrain technology on tap for the new model year. But despite a recent makeover that toned down the Mazda 3’s goofy grille, the styling can be polarizing. On the plus side, some models – the Mazda 3 comes in sedan or hatchback form– get up to 40 mpg on the highway. If you want to save at the pump, check out the 155-horsepower Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. But you’re going to find a bit of a trade-off since the Mazda 3 is relatively expensive. While the base 2013 Mazda 3 starts at just under $16,000, including a $795 destination charge, the top-of-the-line model is priced at $23,695, including shipping. The Mazda 3 is meant for people who don’t think of their car as an appliance and want a sportier look and feel. The compact Mazda doesn’t disappoint in this area, offering five- or six-speed manual transmissions, in addition to a five- or six-speed automatic transmission. The handling is more performance-oriented than you usually find in this class. The interior has good quality materials and there are upscale options, such as a blind spot monitoring system, something that you usually see on luxury cars. …
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Mazda CX-9

Year: Starting at $29,785 MPG 16-22 The 2013 Mazda CX-9 gets a makeover for the new model year and now bears a greater family resemblance to the redesigned 2014 Madza 6, which is now poised to be one of the style leaders in the midsize sedan segment. The new look is a welcome change for the CX-9, which hasn’t been tweaked since 2009. The CX-9, which goes on sale late this fall, also gets several new safety features, including forward obstruction warning, lane departure warning, and a high-beam headlight control system. The big Mazda crossover will be equipped with the carryover 273-horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Gas mileage in the CX-9 is so-so. The CX-9 returns 17 mpg in city driving and 24 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. The CX-9 has big shoes to fill in the Mazda lineup, especially since it’s the end of the road for the Mazda CX-7, which slotted in below the CX-9. The CX-7 is being discontinued in the U.S. Pricing has yet to be announced for the redone CX-9, but it should start at around $30,000. The CX-9 has always won compliments for its communicative steering, car-like responses, and highway stability, along with good interior quality. The third row may be best left for kids, but the CX-9 is set to remain a more stylish alternative to traditional vans and boxier SUVs. …
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Mazda MAZDA2

Year: Starting at $14,720 MPG 29-35 The Mazda 2 has a lot to recommend it, from its long list of standard and safety features, to its decent cabin and cute looks. But the subcompact delivers low fuel economy for such a small car – and doesn’t even hit the magic 40-mpg mark in highway driving. The Mazda 2 also has a steep base price for such a small car, with the base 2013 Sport model starting at over $15,000. An uplevel Mazda 2 Touring model tops $17,000. On the plus side, the Mazda 2 enters the post-modern world with a new USB port, something it lacked in the past. Its refined four-cylinder engine feels livelier than its 100-horsepower rating would suggest, especially when it’s linked to the five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic transmission is optional. There’s no denying that the five-seater is a fun-to-drive city car, but there may be too many compromises for some. The Mazda 2 has a tight back seat and limited cargo room. It lacks the luxury features available in newer subcompacts like the Ford Fiesta. That means no navigation system or heated seats. The Touring model is the way to go if you’re looking for amenities. It includes fifteen-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tips, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an audio system with six speakers. The main problem with the Mazda 2 occurs once comparison shopping begins. When you stack it up against its sizeable competition, it’s merely average. …
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Mazda MAZDA6

Year: Starting at $21,725 MPG 21-30 The Mazda 6 has always been an excellent choice if you’re the type of person who cringes when you see another person wearing the same dress that you have on at a party. With the Japanese midsize sedan, you won’t see yourself coming and going on the road like you will with some of the domestic competition. Mazda is in somewhat of a holding pattern with the Mazda 6 at this point, since a fully redesigned model is on tap for the 2014 model year. In the meantime, there are no significant changes to the Mazda 6. The current generation sedan has a striking presence, with a long hood and flared front fenders. Mazda pitches it as being “sexy, yet sensible.” The base car is nicely equipped with standard air conditioning, power accessories, cruise control and a stereo system with six speakers. The base Mazda 6 is equipped with a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine linked to a six-speed manual transmission. The top-of-the-line model gets a 272-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. There are numerous options, including a rear spoiler, remote engine start on automatic-transmission models, pearl exterior paint and a power moonroof. A $1,785 technology package bundles several items, including LED rear lights, heated side mirrors and a power front passenger’s seat. On the downside, there is no hybrid option as there is with some of the competition. …
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Mazda CX-5

Year: Starting at $20,995 MPG 25-31 The 2013 Mazda CX-5 is a new small SUV that replaces the Mazda Tribute and slots in at the bottom of Mazda’s SUV lineup. The five-passenger CX-5 has lots to recommend it. It’s one of the few small SUVs to offer a manual transmission, but buyers can opt for the six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic transmission. It also delivers better gas mileage than many of its competitors, including the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Ford Escape. The CX-5 with the 155-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual delivers 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. The CX-5 uses Mazda’s new Skyactiv Technology that reduces fuel consumption and emissions without compromising driving performance. But the small Japanese SUV is far from being just a sensible pair of shoes. The shapely CX-5 is for style-conscious buyers who like Jimmy Choo and Jason Wu. There is a full complement of standard safety features, including six air bags, antilock brakes, stability control, and traction control. Options include a blind spot monitoring system and adaptive front headlights. The CX-5 doesn’t break much new ground in the cabin, but it is one of the most affordable small SUVs on the market. The base 2013 CX-5 Sport starts at $21,490, including a $795 destination charge, making it less expensive than the CR-V, RAV4, and Escape. …
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Mazda Miata

Year: Starting at $23,720 MPG 22-28 The rear-wheel-drive Mazda MX-5 Miata – which has been around for more than twenty years – stands out as one of the most spirited and affordable sports cars on the market. It charms with its classic roadster styling and engaging performance. It marks the new model year with a restyled front end. The single downfall in the MX-5 Miata is space. Taller drivers may feel cramped with the top up and the narrow two-seat cabin may leave some feeling slightly claustrophobic. The trunk is Lilliputian. The base car comes with a manual-folding soft top; a power-retractable hard top is optional. The power top is the way to go if you live in a cold-weather state. It goes without saying that the MX-5 Miata is a blast to drive, even though the engine puts out a relatively modest amount of power. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 158 horsepower when mated with the optional six-speed automatic transmission. When equipped with the five- or six-speed manual transmission, it produces 167 horsepower. Models with the five-speed manual transmission deliver 22 mpg in city driving and 28 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. Standard features include air conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and cloth upholstery. Expect to pay in the neighborhood of around $25,000 for a base model. For many households, this means that the little roadster is an excellent choice for a second car. …
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