Up Close: 2010 Mazda3

Mazda usually brings a healthy dose of sportiness to the segments it competes in, and that's the case with the redesigned 2010 Mazda3. If the current 3 is the automotive equivalent of Dr. Jekyll, then the redesigned 2010 model, with its gaping grille and angular vents in the front bumper, is Mr. Hyde. It's a little creepy, actually. The lack of a conventional bumper may make the front more vulnerable to scrapes from inconsiderate parallel parkers, too.

The cabin features a new dashboard design that has more flowing lines than its predecessor. It can have a high-mounted navigation screen above the center dash vents that's controlled by buttons on the right side of the steering wheel.

There's a mix of premium and run-of-the-mill materials in the cabin.

The upper portion of the dashboard has high-grade trim, and there was nice stitching on the door armrests of the model I sat in. The available seat heaters also have five settings rather than the more common one or two. However, there was also pretty basic flat-black plastic trim surrounding the power-window switches, and a fuzzy headliner.

On the whole, the Mazda3 looks sharp and is nice enough on the inside to hold its own with the majority of compact cars available today. Let us know what you think of that front end in the comments.

Comments

[Brady Holt]

How does the rear seat space compare to the current Mazda 3?

[Brendan]

I wondered that same thing. They said it was a little bigger. I always liked the old Mazda3, but the back seat was just too small. I hope it gained a bit more room back there. Can't wait to see the first road test report.

[Idaho Guy]

Never trust a car that looks that happy. It's hiding something.

that grille doesn't look so good close up, very "large mouth bass" 4 me. & Mazda needs 2 stop with the covered hole where the key would go on non-push button start models! Very tacky! Hope the navi is cheap...SMALL SCREEN...

[Dave T.]

check out my video tomorrow. the back seat room is about identical to the current one. so it is ok, but not as good as the civic. It doesn't feel much bigger inside but the interior is world's ahead.

[Dave T.]

check out my video tomorrow. the back seat room is about identical to the current one. so it is ok, but not as good as the civic. It doesn't feel much bigger inside but the interior is world's ahead.

[J]

2.5L?! Is that still a compact car?

[Jay]

I'm thinking the complete opposite of the front. I think the front is slick and the rear end looks too chopped and high. Otherwise, looks and sounds like a winner...

[Nic]

Front kinda looks like the RX-8.

[Tracy L.]

I'm happy they are redesigning it. The current model looks very outdated. I HATE the front grille. It looks like one of those 2 seat 2 door sports cars. It doesn't belong on a sedan. It's scary too. I like everything else. I'd always prefer a Mazda over a Toyota or Honda because of its sleekness and sportiness and I might think about purchasing this once it comes out... if they do something about that grille!

[Tracy L.]

Also, the interior doesn't look very modernized. I think they could improve and make it more attractive.

[Ethan]

I honestly don't like it at all. I agree with Tracy about the interior. Improvements defineltly need to be made. The grille is attractive at some angles and weird looking at others. Which overall doesn't add up to a good grille. The back end isn't sleek like the front. In fact its extremely boxy to me. Not like Mazda at all. So if you ask me, i'd pass and get a Civic. Or if you want great styling, check out the Lancer.

[Bloke]

I made a comment about Honda making ugly front ends, but this Mazda has them beat. This thing looks like a big mouth bass with an overbite. I do wonder about crash tests for this thing, I can't imagine that grille structure doing much at 5 mph.

[danny]

Front design has much in common with the Puegot 308. The rear is its own as the 308 only comes as a 3 and 5 door. I'll bet when the 5 door Mazda3 comes out it'll look much like the 5 door 308

[RF]

The "happiness" is more of a result of functionality rather than cosmetic. I've found a pic of a "mustache" (some parts of the "happy mount" painted with the body's color), and it looks more appealing.

This car is way advanced compared to its competition. It will have:

=> Adaptive HID's found on luxury cars
=> push-button start
=> an optional 10-speaker BOSE system
=> bluetooth handsfree phone and audio (yes, you can play music from an iPhone or any device that has bluetooth capabilities
=> dual zone auto-climate control system

All for a just hundreds or a grand more than the top of the line models of the competition. Plus, it's way more fun to drive than any other econocar.

[Six]

I'd buy this, front end and all. I *like* something that looks different.