Mazda

Mazda Motor Corporation dates back to 1920 and produced its first vehicles in 1931, but it didn't begin exporting cars until the early 1960s and its automotive business wasn't formally known as Mazda until 1984.

Renowned as the company that popularised the Wankel rotary engine - mostly via sports cars from the original Cosmo Sport through to the RX-8 that was discontinued in 2011 - Mazda has since grown to become Australia's second most popular auto brand behind Toyota.

This is largely thanks to its wide range of passenger cars - including the Mazda 2, Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 - its trusty BT-50 ute and, more recently, its comprehensive SUV line-up that currently comprises the CX-3, CX-30, CX-5 and the newer-generation CX-60, CX-70, CX-8, CX-80 and CX-90, plus the evergreen MX-5 sports car.

All of these models live up to Mazda's well-earned reputation for producing reliable, comfortable and high-quality vehicles that also offer relatively spirited driving dynamics.