Tests and Features

RICHMOND HILL, Ontario – For 27 years, the Mazda MX-5, otherwise known as the Miata, has changed the way we think of cars, and garnered a cult following in the process. It all started with a sketch from Bob Hall, then General Manager of Product Planning and Tom Matano, the …

ESTEREL, Quebec – The stakes are high in the car business. One false move can be catastrophic, especially when changes to critically important nameplates are concerned. Imagine Ford screwing up the F-150 or Toyota messing about with the Camry—such moves would imply immediate doom. Mazda’s entire product lineup is fresh, …

Canada’s car sales war is primarily waged in the compact segment. One such automobile has owned the title of the best seller for as long as most of us can remember, the Honda Civic. Never too far behind are the Toyota Corolla and Hyundai’s hero, the Elantra. Rounding out the …

Sometimes, not being like all the others is a risk that can turn out to be very costly. Occasionally, the risk pays off huge dividends and a new trend is set. In the new CX-9’s case, Mazda has taken a well-calculated risk and I think it’s going to pay off …

A few years ago now, Mazda launched its SKYACTIV technology, which involved fine-tuning the chassis, engine, gearbox and body to reduce fuel consumption. For 2017, the manufacturer is extending this system’s reach by taking aim at the vehicle’s dynamics. The aptly named SKYACTIV Vehicle Dynamics is a much more complete …

I could wax on lyrically for hours—no, days—scratch that, the remainder of my life—on how good the Mazda MX-5 is. I want to say that there are no substitutes and after reading a few first drive reviews on the Fiat 124 Spider from my colleagues, I will make the statement: …

The first-generation CX-9 was still available in Mazda showrooms, but it was beginning to show its age; while there had been improvements here and there over the years, it was essentially the same vehicle that had been with us for nearly a decade—an eternity in the car world. During those …

Some people think that they have to stop having fun behind the wheel when they have kids, that it's now time to sell the sports car and get into a minivan or a boring SUV to shuttle the little ones around. While some begrudgingly accept their fate and buy a …

CRESTED BUTTE, Colorado — Some manufacturers pride themselves on offering the best all-wheel-drive system on the market. Others enjoy an enviable reputation for their four-wheel drive systems. Now Mazda is throwing its hat in the ring with a rather convincing demonstration of its drivetrain’s potential. To do so, Mazda hosted …

The Mazda CX-5 has the honour of being the first model to fully incorporate the brand’s next-generation design language (dubbed KODO – Soul of Motion) and make full use of all aspects of SKYACTIV technology when it was introduced for the 2013 model year. SKYACTIV refers to Mazda’s new more …