First Look: 2010 Mazda3

Mazda will debut its all-new 2010 Mazda 3 at the L.A. Auto Show next month, but tonight the company has released three crystal-clear images of the compact sedan. We’re impressed by the radical looks, because the current model still has a contemporary look. The rear taillights are a bit wide and thin, but we’ll have to wait and see how it looks in person in L.A. The 2010 Mazda3 will come with either a 2.0- or 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, but no other specs were released. We’re also not sure what the hatchback version will look like. Mazda says it will be shown sometime after the L.A. show. For now, check out the three photos of the sedan below.

Comments

The back is ugly, kinda reminds me of a Sebring. The rest of it is okay, but still looks a lot like the current model.

Broq

The front and rear look different but everything else looks the same as the current model. The front fog light treatment reminds me of Mazda Biante. Curious to see how the hatchback will look like.

The tailend looks like the Milan mated with the Sebring, and that's not a compliment.

BTW, what does this mean? "The rear taillights are a bit wide and narrow"

I like it. Looks far more upscale than the direct competition. Can't wait to see some in-person shots.

Media shots don't provide a lot of perspective but I can see the family resemblance to the new 6. Dual exhaust pipe outlets is excessive for a 4-cyl. compact car.

J,
They're wider than most taillights and a bit thin, or narrow, meaning not tall and bulky no?

Surely you mean wide and SHALLOW then? Wide and narrow is impossible, surely?

I think this looks nice. It would have been hard to update a car which is already pretty much spot on, design wise. I guess they went for evolution rather than revolution.

fair enough.

I like it. The current model is already a good looking car so I'm happy to see the changes were not radical. It will be interesting to see more photos since these provide only a glimpse. I also am curious to know what the hatchback will look like since I currently own one of those.

I see a little bit of Mazda RX-8 in the front end.

Looks like a nice car.

I like it...er yeah some people bring up good points about the rear; It does remind me of a Sebring.

All the news about cars are on http://thepassioncars.blogspot.com/

I personally don't like Mazda cars as they cut too many due to the Ford influence. I also can't stand the "Zoom-Zoom" advertising tag line as it has to be one of the all time worst. Now having said that Mazda clearly has the best small car in the Mazda3 and I think these pictures look great. It screams Lexus IS which I believe is a great design to compliment. Now if Mazda would only shrink the new Mazda6 as it's to big they could have two hits on their hands.

Looks nice; the back looks so bare though like the current one; seems lots of cars have a bare trunk cover with the license plate mounted below these days like the new Acura TL.

I can see some Miata in the front though; can't wait to see the interior: Mazda is doing really good with that these days.

The 3rd picture (very bottom), reminds me alot of the now-extinct Cavalier, its cause of how the tail lights wrap around the side. But, i do have a vivid imagination. I like the new 3 either way.

i saw a pic of the interior...push button start!!

Can anyone confirm if the gauges can have any illuminating colors other than RED?

the rear is heavy and the front is busy. no.

Looks pretty nice. Although I'd have to take these photos with a grain of salt; those professional car photographers know how to shoot cars to maximize their appearance.

Looks great. I have to disagree with some of the posts here, I do NOT see Sebrings or Cavaliers in the tail lights. Although I find it interesting how a lot of manufacturers seem to be abandoning the barrels/tubes/whatever tail lights in favor of LEDs.

I hope Mazda continues the design elements to the Miata (I hate the MX-5 name; bring back the name Miata--especially since everyone still calls it that). The current Miata looks a bit blah, but the design features here and on the Mazda6 will make the Miata looks fantastic.

Are the pictures here the U.S. spec Mazda3?

where's the pic for the hatchback?!?!??!?

where's the pic for the hatchback?!?!??!?

I like how the design evolves the current car, though the front, to me, is repulsive. I've been a Mazda fan for decades and have owned several and several friends have purchased Mazdas after my advice and been satisfied with them. The current developments are both exciting and disturbing: the new 6 loses some of its finesse by gaining size and weight - two things were were more of a boon in the old car compared with the over-large camry and accord - and the rear should have been copied from the Euro model; it looks like it came from the same design works as the current Camry, though in a way it pays tribute to the 93-02 626s taillight arrangement (which were great in their size and numerous brake lights). The interiors are great and I see the same dedication to quality continuing in this 3, but the design is vaguely honda-ish in its attempt to be unique and "futuristic"; utilizing the themes from the numerous concept cars (especially the Furai) would be a great help for their upcoming vehicles.