Mazda Wins 6 Car And Driver Editors' Choice Awards
October 29 2021, Centennial Mazda
Car and Driver has spent the last 60 years making a name for themselves as an authority in the automotive industry. From running speed tests using handheld stopwatches in the 1950’s to today’s high-precision GPS testing tech, their Buyer’s Guide team has spent decades perfecting their unique series of rigorous vehicle testing methods.
Since then, their team has created 10 testing categories and collect over 200 data points to ensure they provide a complete and unbiased analysis of the roughly 400 vehicles they test on an annual basis. Everything from a vehicle’s performance, fuel economy, cargo space, safety, and even its seating height are taken into consideration.
Only vehicles that Car and Driver editors had hands-on driving experience with are eligible for an Editors’ Choice award, and this year, six of Mazda’s 2021 models stood out from the overwhelming sea of vehicles available in today’s market. These are the vehicles that, in their own words, “we would recommend to our friends and family; the vehicles we think are reliable, safe, and fun to drive.” Let’s find out which Kia models made the cut.
Mazda3
Compact Car Editors’ Choice Award
Highs |
Verdict |
More upscale than most competitors, well-equipped cabin, spry handling. |
The good-looking Mazda 3 preserves the brand's fun-to-drive nature while showing up its mainstream rivals with its more upscale cabin. |
Mazda6
Family Sedan Editors’ Choice Award
Highs |
Verdict |
Classier than its rivals, great handling, quiet cabin. |
The Mazda 6 is a marvelous family sedan because it's beautiful, sophisticated, and fun to drive. |
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Sports Car Editors’ Choice Award
Highs |
Verdict |
Playful handling, just-right four-cylinder engine, makes every sunny day special. |
Top-down and bombing along a winding road, the Miata is nearly perfect despite its many well-known compromises. |
Mazda CX-30
Subcompact SUV Editors’ Choice Award
Highs |
Verdict |
Eager driving dynamics, near-luxury interior trimmings, plenty of standard tech goodies. |
If you're shopping small SUVs, the Mazda CX-30 should be at the top of your consideration list. |
Mazda CX-5
Compact SUV Editors’ Choice Award
Highs |
Verdict |
Beautifully sculpted bodywork, delightfully athletic and equally refined, decidedly more premium than competitors. |
The CX-5 is a masterclass in making a mainstream SUV feel like it belongs in high society. |
Mazda CX-9
Compact SUV Editors’ Choice Award
Highs |
Verdict |
A rare fun-to-drive SUV, near-luxury cabin trimmings, top-quality fit-and-finish |
Even with seating for up to seven passengers, the CX-9 still offers plenty of that Mazda magic. |