This nameplate began as Mazda’s export badge for the Capella, arriving in the 1979 model year as a compact-to-mid-size car aimed at mainstream family buyers. Early versions were offered in sedan and coupe form, and the car quickly became known for blending simple practicality with a more driver-focused character than many of its rivals. Over time, the line expanded through several generations and body styles, including sedans, hatchbacks, wagons and coupes, with later versions moving up in size and market position as Mazda’s midsize offering in many regions.
The model’s history is closely tied to Mazda’s global market strategy. In Japan, the Capella name continued, while many export markets used the 626 badge, making it one of Mazda’s most recognizable worldwide nameplates. The line evolved through the 1980s and 1990s with increasingly refined packaging, more advanced engineering, and a stronger emphasis on comfort and everyday usability. Enthusiast interest also grew around certain performance-oriented variants, especially turbocharged and sporty coupe versions that gave the car a more distinctive identity than a typical commuter sedan.
In North America, the 626 became a familiar import-era family car and later a domestic-market model built in joint-venture production. Mazda replaced it with the Mazda6/Atenza in the early 2000s, but the 626 badge continued in some markets after that transition. Production ultimately ended in 2006, closing a long run that had made the nameplate one of Mazda’s most important global sedans.