Mazda is one of the most popular brands of Japanese vehicles in our country. After its recent separation from Ford, Mazda has had to go back to the drawing board to develop some of its own new and interesting products. The company’s smallest car is the Mazda2, a sub-compact city car with room for five people. Thanks to its 100-horsepower four-cylinder engine, it can provide very good fuel economy. Yet, it is the bigger Mazda3 that truly defines the manufacturer’s reputation. This very popular car, available as a sedan or a hatchback, can be powered by Mazda’s regular mechanicals or its all-new SkyActiv technology, which not only helps with fuel economy but also improves performance and environmental considerations. The more traditional Mazdaspeed3 performance-version of the small car is still available with its 263-horsepower turbo four-cylinder. By the way, the older Mazda6 has just made way for a totally new version of the mid-sized sedan. The newer design relies upon the innovative SkyActiv technology and comes with that technology’s four-cylinder gas engine. The Japanese manufacturer is promising us a diesel version of its SkyActiv technology for next year. And let’s not forget the classical MX-5, the sporty two-seater still called the Miata by its admirers. If you are looking for a small truck, your local Mazda dealer will show you the impressive six-passenger Mazda5 minivan. Mazda’s biggest success is the CX-5 mini-SUV (or CUV) that integrates SkyActiv technology. It is available with front- or all-wheel drive and it is very fuel-efficient. The bigger CX-9, powered by a potent 3.7-liter V-6 engine, has a new front-end and some interesting refinements for 2013.