Thinking Of Buying A Mazda?
Not all Mazdas a created equal. While some have a pristine reputation for their driving dynamics, reliability, and value, others are known for being rust buckets, lemons, and nothing but headaches at the mechanics'. If you're on the market for a new Mazda, you'd better acquaint yourself with the 10 worst and 10 best Mazda models of all time.
1. 2010 Mazda 3
The Mazda 3 is generally known to be a good, reliable car, but there were certain years to avoid, most notably, 2010. This particular year was rife with issues, including clutch failure, an interior that was prone to breaking, and rattling from the rear suspension.
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2. Mazda RX-8
The Mazda RX-8 was notoriously unreliable and expensive to fix. The rotary engine was known for having apex seals that would wear out incredibly quickly, and the engine was prone to flooding.
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3. Mazda Navajo
The Mazda Navajo was essentially a Ford Explorer with a makeover, meaning it inherited much of the Explorer's plethora of problems. Its limited production meant that parts for it were hard to find, and it had a reputation for poor reliability, especially problems with the transmission and engine.
4. Mazda Tribute
The Mazda Tribute suffered from problems with the transmission and four-wheel drive system. It also had a worse-than-advertised fuel economy and a low-quality interior.
5. Mazda 626
Although sporty and fuel-efficient, the Mazda 626 became famous for all the wrong reasons. It was prone to body rust, coolant leaking, and engine problems, including overheating.
6. Mazda 929
The Mazda 929 was marketed as a luxury sedan created to compete with the likes of Lexus and Infiniti, so expectations for its performance were higher than with other Mazdas. Unfortunately, it didn't meet those expectations as it was prone to transmission and electronics issues as well as rust.
7. Mazda MPV
The Mazda MPV was a popular family car, but it wasn't without its problems. Owners complained that the interior was flimsy and the engine was underpowered.
8. Mazda Protegé
The Mazda Protegé was known for rusting, having transmission failures, and engine problems. This was especially true for the 1999 model.
9. Mazda Millenia
Although the Millenia is generally well-received as an attractive car, it has a reputation for being unreliable. Most of the issues pertained to the timing belt and transmission.
10. Mazda MX-30
Released in 2022, the Mazda MX-30 was the company's first electric vehicle, so maybe we can cut them some slack for the fact that it's a pretty bad car. The largest problem is its abysmal range, which is only around 100 miles, but it also has some questionable design choices that make it impractical and make for an unoptimal driving experience.
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Now that we've covered the worst Mazda models of all time, let's talk about the ones you can count on.
1. Mazda MX-5 Miata
Modeled after classic British roadsters, the Mazda Miata is not only adorable, but it also boasts exceptional handling. It's also one of the most affordable sports cars on the market, is reliable, and easy to repair.
2. Mazda 3
Barring certain years like 2010, the Mazda 3 is generally considered a very good car. It's known for being fun to drive with responsive steering and sharp handling, has a stylish design, and is very reliable.
3. Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is an exceptionally agile car, especially for an SUV. It's also known for its stylish design and high-quality interior with high-end trims and an advanced infotainment system.
4. Mazda 6 (Third Gen)
The third-generation Mazda 6 (produced from 2014 to 2021) is well-loved for its stylish design, sporty driving experience, and great value. It also boasts a luxurious-feeling interior and good reliability.
5. Mazda CX-9
The Mazda CX-9 offers great value, easily competing with luxury SUVs that are at a much higher price point. It's known for its agility, robust engine, and premium interior.
6. Mazda RX-7
The Mazda RX-7 is loved by sports car enthusiasts for its perfect 50/50 weight distribution due to its mid-engine layout. It's also lightweight and has a striking, sleek design.
7. Mazda CX-30
The Mazda CX-30 is one of the best value SUVs on the market. It has an interior that feels much more premium than its price point, is known for its sporty handling, and stylish design.
8. Mazda 2
The Mazda 2 has a reputation for its agile handling, reliability, and fuel efficiency. Its compact size, coupled with its maneuverability, makes it an ideal city car.
9. Mazda Cosmo
The Cosmo is one of Mazda's most innovative sports cars, as it was the first production car to feature a twin-rotor engine, which imparted a unique driving experience. What's more, its futuristic body was a head-turner.
10. Mazda 787B
The Mazda 787B was the first Japanese car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, making it an instant legend. It was powered by a groundbreaking R26B rotary engine, was extremely lightweight, reliable, and efficient.
