In the worst of the pandemic downturn, all but three car brands saw decreases in sales. One of the brands to grow against all odds was Mazda. Why are more drivers choosing Mazda, and will the brand that relies on conquests to grow be able to keep up the pace? How do Mazda deals compare to offers from Honda and others? Let’s take a look at why Mazda’s reliability, pricing and brand reputation are all at the top of the game right now.
Mazda Sales Grow For the Most Part
In 2022, Mazda sold 294,908 vehicles in the US, with the CX-5, CX-30, and CX-9 being the crowd favorites. Despite witnessing an 11% sales drop in 2022, Mazda’s sales trajectory from 2019-2021 was overwhelmingly upward. In contrast, Honda experienced a substantial 33% sales decrease in the same year, while Toyota saw a 9% reduction. The significant sales decline of Japanese automakers, including Honda, is primarily attributed to persistent supply chain issues in the first half of 2022.
Let’s be clear: Mazda is no GM or Ford when it comes to volume. Last year, Mazda had just 2.1% of market share in U.S. light duty vehicle sales. But it’s the growth that counts. Back in 2017, Mazda’s market share was 1.7%. It’s not exactly quick growth, but it’s an upward trend that continues to this day.
Mazda Reliability Is Top-Tier
There’s a lot to love about Mazda’s number one strength: reliability. Mazda has earned a spot in the list of the 10 Most Reliable Brands for over a decade, yet the brand doesn’t have the same household reputation for quality that Toyota and Honda enjoy. We think it’s time to change that, as Mazda has earned a top-tier reputation in today’s auto market.
In the most recent Consumer Reports reliability ranking, Mazda is in 4th place, just above Honda in 5th. The year prior, Mazda was in second place, while Honda was in 5th. In 2020, Mazda shocked the industry when it scored first in reliability, beating even Toyota.
This year, Toyota and BMW (to everyone’s surprise) knocked Mazda down a few spots. Mazda’s overall brand scored 65, while the reliability leader Toyota scored 72 points. Honda scored 62 points. In case you’re wondering, no brand ever scores close to 100, although the ratings are officially on a 100-point scale.
What are the most reliable Mazda models? According to Consumer Report, the most reliable Mazda cars and SUVs are the MX-5 Miata, CX-5, Mazda 3, CX-9 and CX-30. Here’s how they scored.
Mazda Has High Inventory. That’s Great News For Buyers!
Bargain-conscious car buyers should seriously start paying closer attention to local inventory numbers. Mazda currently has 106 days of inventory nationwide, with 84,876 new cars for sale in America. Honda has only 34 days of supply, with 96,517 vehicles for sale. This gives Mazda shoppers a huge advantage when it comes to negotiating prices.
Here’s inventory for the top-selling Mazda models
| Make | Model | Market Day Supply | Total For Sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda | CX-5 | 87 | 29,993 |
| Mazda | CX-30 | 106 | 19,258 |
| Mazda | CX-9 | 41 | 158 (discontinued) |
| Mazda | CX-50 | 113 | 8,848 |
| Mazda | Mazda3 | 143 | 10,256 |
See local Mazda inventory and price trends with CarEdge Data.
Inventory is one of the primary drivers of new car negotiability. Mazda has over three times the inventory of Honda. Buyers are scrambling for any new Honda that shows up on dealer lots, but Mazda shoppers are greeted with plenty of options to choose from, inherently reducing the stress of car shopping. But does Mazda have any great deals? Let’s find out.
Mazda Deals This Month
This month, Mazda is offering some compelling finance and lease options. In October, Mazda is offering enticing deals on various models. For the 2024 Mazda CX-5 Turbo, 2024 CX-90, and the 2023 MX-5 Miata, customers can take advantage of a low 0.9% APR for 36 months. Most other 2023 Mazda models are available with a 2.9% APR for 36 months, while most 2024 models come with a 3.9% APR for the same period.
Mazda’s lease deals are attractive too. Lease the CX-5 for $379/month for 36 months with just $2,999 due at signing. That’s not a bad deal considering how much drivers love the CX-5. The similar CX-30 lease starts at $301/month for 36 months with $2,999 due.
The all-new CX-90 is a larger Mazda SUV that the automaker has been promoting heavily in recent months. This more luxurious Mazda’s lease offer starts at $474/month for 36 months with $4,999 due. Yes it’s more expensive, but the CX-90 has 25% more cargo area than the CX-5.
All in all, these lease offers are worth considering for budget-minded shoppers who value reliability and modern amenities.
Could Mazda REALLY Be the New Honda?
It is plausible to consider Mazda as the contemporary equivalent of Honda in the current auto market for some consumers. With its impressive reliability, competitive pricing, and growing brand reputation, Mazda is not only drawing attention but is also emerging as a preferred choice for many. Its robust sales, even in challenging times, further underscore its rising popularity and the value it offers to customers in the automotive landscape.
Plus, Mazda actually has plenty of inventory on dealer lots right now. That is a reason to celebrate, because as we like to say: more inventory means more deals.
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Informative article. As to Mazda inventory, my experience trying to buy a CX-5 this year leads me to conclude that their supply/demand dynamic is quite regional. Where I live in the New York/Tri-State area, I have seen far more Mazdas on the road in the last year than ever before. In trying to buy one, I’ve found that dealers are not willing to discount. In September, I countered one nearby dealer’s offer of MSRP with only $500-$600 below that, and was rejected. Another dealer somewhat farther away often advertises discounted models on their website, but after every inquiry I’ve been told that car already has a deposit. In other words, these cars are flying off their lots here and they know it.