The name was derived from the Italian word "festa", meaning holiday, festival or party, and according to the manufacturer "expresses a desire to spend an enjoyable time in the car together with family members or friends."

Both front- and four-wheel drive transmissions are available; the former uses a torsion beam suspension at the rear while the latter has a trailing arm multi-link arrangement.

Mazda supplied the Premacy for use in the Nissan Lafesta Highway Star beginning in May 2011.

[3][4] Unlike the Premacy, the new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star ditches the Nagare design.

[8] Following the discontinuation of the Mazda Premacy, sales of the Nissan Lafesta Highway Star ended on March 24, 2018.