My mother drives a '01 Mazda '04 MPV, my father drives a Mazda Tribute, and I drive a '99 Mazda Protege. None of us have had any problems, other than routine maintenance. I get 36 MPG, and make sure to get my oil changed ever 3,000 miles. I suppose you'd have to do some more research, you could try consumer reports, they're usually good for that. My boyfriend drives a Scion TC after tossing his GMC Jimmy because it kept on breaking down.
I will tell you this though, when my car dies, I will be purchasing a Toyota Highlander hybrid.