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2010 Mazda MAZDA3 Review

February 23, 2009

STYLING | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

All-new looks inside and out
Cars.com

The new Mazda3 is a looker by any standard
Jalopnik

Mazda3's side view features distinctive character lines that tie together the high rear deck and the front fascia
AutoWeek

The completely restyled 2010 Mazda Mazda3 definitely makes a statement, and while most reviews read by TheCarConnection.com love the new look, a couple of reviewers aren't yet sold on the Mazda3 2010's reworked sheetmetal.

The 2010 Mazda3 is an affordable compact from Mazda that is available as a "four-door sedan and four-door hatchback (a so-called five-door)," according to USA Today. The 2010 Mazda3 boasts a completely new look compared to its predecessor, but Car and Driver says that the "various Mazda traits make the sedan immediately recognizable as a Mazda3." Anyone looking at the new Mazda3 2010 will immediately notice what AutoWeek calls the "stronger lines" on the latest Mazda3, as well as the "distinctive character lines that tie together the high rear deck and the front fascia." Cars.com reviewers report that they "really like the new shape of the front end, especially the flares on the front fenders," and they appreciate that "the 2010 Mazda3 looks radically different while still being recognizable as a Mazda." USA Today reviewers are much harsher on the new 2010 Mazda Mazda3, though, sniping that "whatever formula Mazda used to jazz up its compact Mazda3 sedan for 2010 certainly included two squirts of ugly," including the "open-mouth grille, like a fish, [that] makes the front look so heavy you expect the car to tip on its snout."

Although there is some dissent regarding the new exterior of the 2010 Mazda Mazda3, the interior draws high praise in nearly every review read by TheCarConnection.com. Cars.com remarks that the 2010 Mazda3's cabin "looks to maintain its classy feel with a sloped center stack and a new scalloped gauge cluster that flows over the center stack and, on higher trim levels, also houses an integrated navigation screen." Jalopnik loves how the "dash sweeps dramatically from its center to the cabin's sidewalls," while also noting that "the slant of the instrument panel optimizes operating efficiency while providing an attractive focal point." The only major criticism of the interior styling of the 2010 Mazda3 regards the Multi-Information Display, which Automobile Magazine says "displays information in white and in a dramatically different font and size than the main, red display—it looks so out of place that it might as well be from another car."

Conclusion

The restyled 2010 Mazda Mazda3 wins more than a few fans with its cutting-edge (and attention-getting) interior and exterior styling.

STYLING | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:All-new looks inside and outCars.comThe new Mazda3 is a looker by any standardJalopnikMazda3's side view features distinctive character lines that tie together the high rear deck and the front fasciaAutoWeek The completely restyled 2010 Mazda Mazda3 definitely makes a statement, and while most reviews read by TheCarConnection.com love the new look, a couple of reviewers aren't yet sold on the Mazda3 2010's reworked sheetmetal. The 2010 Mazda3 is an affordable compact from Mazda that is available as a "four-door sedan and four-door hatchback (a so-called five-door)," according to USA Today. The 2010 Mazda3 boasts a completely new look compared to its predecessor, but Car and Driver says that the "various Mazda traits make the sedan immediately recognizable as a Mazda3." Anyone looking at the new Mazda3 2010 will immediately notice what AutoWeek calls the "stronger lines" on the latest Mazda3, as well as the "distinctive character lines that tie together the high rear deck and the front fascia." Cars.com reviewers report that they "really like the new shape of the front end, especially the flares on the front fenders," and they appreciate that "the 2010 Mazda3 looks radically different while still being recognizable as a Mazda." USA Today reviewers are much harsher on the new 2010 Mazda Mazda3, though, sniping that "whatever formula Mazda used to jazz up its compact Mazda3 sedan for 2010 certainly included two squirts of ugly," including the "open-mouth grille, like a fish, [that] makes the front look so heavy you expect the car to tip on its snout." Although there is some dissent regarding the new exterior of the 2010 Mazda Mazda3, the interior draws high praise in nearly every review read by TheCarConnection.com. Cars.com remarks that the 2010 Mazda3's cabin "looks to maintain its classy feel with a sloped center stack and a new scalloped gauge cluster that flows over the center stack and, on higher trim levels, also houses an integrated navigation screen." Jalopnik loves how the "dash sweeps dramatically from its center to the cabin's sidewalls," while also noting that "the slant of the instrument panel optimizes operating efficiency while providing an attractive focal point." The only major criticism of the interior styling of the 2010 Mazda3 regards the Multi-Information Display, which Automobile Magazine says "displays information in white and in a dramatically different font and size than the main, red display—it looks so out of place that it might as well be from another car." ConclusionThe restyled 2010 Mazda Mazda3 wins more than a few fans with its cutting-edge (and attention-getting) interior and exterior styling. 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3 STYLING | [9 out of 10] Cars.com: "All-new looks inside and out" Jalopnik: "The new Mazda3 is a looker by any standard" AutoWeek: "Mazda3's side view features distinctive character lines that tie together the high rear deck and the front fascia" The completely ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2010 Mazda3 has plenty of competition, but the editors from TheCarConnection.com chose these based on size, refinement, and sportiness. Ford’s Focus is a solid choice but doesn’t offer the refinement of the Mazda3 or the availability of high-end options. It beats the Mazda3 in fuel economy and for the convenience of a Ford dealer in every town. The Honda Civic is likely to be the most cross-shopped with the Mazda3, and if you want a coupe, it will win out, as Mazda doesn’t offer one. The Toyota Corolla was all-new for 2009, and while it is available in a sporty XRS package, it doesn’t compare to the Mazda3 in styling or driving fun. If price and warranty are your primary concerns, the Hyundai Elantra continues to evolve into an attractive alternative, though it's less entertaining to drive.

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See the Mazda MAZDA3 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

Comments (3 total)

  1. By Jordan #1, Posted: 7/25/2009

    Sweet. The MAZDA3 one of the strongest contenders in the highly-competitive subcompact category.
    Video review: http://tinyurl.com/knn94m

  2. By Cyndee #2, Posted: 7/26/2009

    I am glad I brought this car. My husband loves driving in manual and I love the automatic.

  3. By Stacey #3, Posted: 9/11/2009

    LOVE it. Wouldn't buy another car on the market right now!

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