When the Mazda Cosmo Sport broke cover in Japan in May 1967, its combination of drop-dead good looks and the world's first production rotary engine placed it in a segment all its own, lending it instant cult status. The coupe seemed a decade ahead of its time. It even appeared as a state-of-the-art patrol car in the futuristic 1971 Japanese TV series "The Return of Ultraman." As the show's protagonist cruised down deserted Tokyo streets, passing boxy, nondescript 1960s sedans, his Cosmo Sport looked like a road-going spaceship ready to blast off.

When we first saw Mazda's tiny 2 at the 2008 Geneva show, we were immediately intrigued. Mazda execs labeled it a global B-segment car, but "global" doesn't always translate to American-bound. Would it come to the States? If so, would it endear itself to Americans enthralled with SUVs and pickups?

Freshly equipped with new styling and a more robust powertrain, the 2012 Mazda5 is ready to take on... Er, let's see. The Kia Rondo was discontinued, right? So, the 5 has no real competition, at least until Ford's new C-Max shows up later this year. Sized like a crossover with the seating of a minivan, the Mazda5 is a mix of both, with wagon and hatchback parts thrown in. It's an automotive platypus. And despite occupying a nonexistent segment, it has been successful. The 5 is, coincidentally, Mazda's fifth-best-selling vehicle.

Thus far, the subcompact addition to the Motor Trend long-term fleet has been a supersized hit. Despite the Mazda's miniscule footprint, even the tallest of staffers have had no problems fitting into this car, and even being comfortable while driving. The value is also impressive. As associate online editor Kirill Ougarov noted, "It's well appointed, although it could use an armrest or two.

Complaints of torque steer aside, the Mazdaspeed3 has proved a highly likeable part of the long-term fleet. Staffers enjoy the Mazda's power response, its excellent steering, and the flexible cabin. This is a great car to drive on a twisty road. However, many are still unsure of the Speed version of the Mazda3 as a viable daily driver, pointing out the interior noise, rough ride, clutch engagement like an "on/off switch," and minor interior gripes.

Your opinion of the Mazdaspeed3 depends on the cars you coveted in high school. Were they the European thoroughbreds, the ones with equal amounts of heritage and performance? Were they Detroit's finest, with rear tires as wide as their torque plateau? Or were they economy cars, the ones with 15-inch wheels shod in R-compound rubber for weekend autocross duties, the ones that constantly needed a bit of fiddling with a laptop plugged into an OBD-II port, the ones that had a stack of Sport Compact Car issues integrated as a load-bearing part of their frame?

Imagine this scenario: At the end of our 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year program, a small crew of trans-dimensional beings suddenly materialize and capture the winner, the Mazda CX-9. Search parties go out. The National Enquirer does an exposé. But of course, no one listens. The poor Mazda sits in isolated stasis.
In 2011, these beings, whom you may understandably now refer to as jerks, release the CX-9, allowing it to rejoin the automotive landscape. How would it fare in this brave new(ish) world?

For those who think the Mazda2 is merely a rebadged Ford Fiesta, think again. Associate editor Scott Evans "was skeptical when people remarked there was a noticeable difference in handling between the Mazda2 and the Ford Fiesta, but then I realized that they were right. This little car is ridiculously fun to throw around."

Although the Mazda RX-8 has passed on and will be replaced in the near future, we still find it to be one of the most interesting vehicles on the road. Sure, it might not be the best to drive, as it takes a whole new approach to get it to go fast, but it looks great and it’s pretty fast as the higher rev range.

Mazda may be killing off the RX-8 due to the motor not meeting the new emissions regulations and the fact that it hasn’t really sold the way the company had hoped, but it’s not gone yet. And Mazda is ensuring that the RX-8 will be remembered as it has presented everyone at SEMA with the RX-8 Grand-Am GT. This version of the Mazda RX-8 has just completed its 2010 racing season and did extremely well, walking away with six out of the 12 races.

Mazda produced the RX-7 from 1978 to 2002 and, compared to the RX-8, it did very well. Now, after almost ten years, the Japanese company will bring back the RX-7 DNA with the launch of a new sports car called the RX-9. And, however chronologically deficient it may be, the RX-9 is being made as a successor to the RX-7 and not the RX-8. We should be seeing this new model hit the streets as soon as the RX-8 bids adieu to the market.

With a history that began in 1989, the Mazda MX-5 is one of the best sold convertibles on the market. In its 21 years of history, the MX-5 saw three different generations, numerous design updates, and even more engine changes. However, the most impressive update has been announced for the fourth generation that is set to be launched in 2012.

Mazda is primed and ready to hit the Geneva Motor Show with their latest concept, the Minagi. This new concept car previews the next generation CX-5 SUV and now, the Japanese automaker has finally pulled the covers off of the new concept SUV .

Mazda is celebrating its 900,000th unit of the MX-5 with the launch of a new special edition, the Mazda MX-5 Kendo.

Shortly after their announcement of the new Mazda MX-5 Kendo which celebrated the 900,000th Miata to come off the production block, Mazda is readying up another special edition for the European market.