The Mazda3 gets a new face for 2010
The 2010 Mazda3's face is either aggressive and goofy looking, depending on how you look at it.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)Mazda presented its new 2010 Mazda3 sedan at the 2008 LA Auto Show, and I have to admit that I don't really know what to make of it.
The revised front end has more overtones of Mazda's Nagare concept than any Mazda vehicle to date. From certain angles it's decidedly sinister, with its sharply raked bi-xenon headlamps, enlarged lower grille opening that eliminates the need for an upper grille, and organically styled side grille openings with integrated foglights. But from other angles, that huge grille opening looks like a big goofy grin.
Moving back across the body, we see that the Mazda3 sedan features the same coupe-like silhouette of the current model. The new 3 uses a chassis that's similar to the current model, but with tweaks that increase rigidity. The 3's sides feature new sheet metal characterized by a crease that starts at the front wheel wells and terminates in a well-defined shoulder at the rear of the vehicle.
Under the hood breathes a 2.0-liter four-cylinder powerplant that produces 148 horsepower. For the better-performing Mazda3, displacement has been bumped up to 2.5 liters and power increased to 167 horsepower. That's only an adequate amount of power in my book; thankfully the engines are fairly thrifty, delivering 25 city and 33 highway mpg from the 2.0 liter engine and 22 city and 29 highway mpg from the more powerful 2.5 liter mill.
(Credit:
Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)
Cabin options for the 2010 Mazda3 include a Bose 10-speaker premium surround sound system, connectivity for cell phones and portable media players, a dock for iPods, and Sirius satellite radio. A multi-information display is positioned high on the center portion of the instrument panel to further minimize eye movement while driving. Navigation, audio, and trip computer information is provided in this handy and easy-to-view location.
Pricing and availability have not yet been revealed.
See all coverage of the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The good.
Lots of features and technology available in this segment that heretofore was only available in premium European cars. Bluetooth, voice commands, Bose premium sound with Centerpoint. Very peppy engines with very descent gas mileage. The 2.0 feels nimbler and the 2.5 feels like a pocket rocket. Interior continues to exude youthful vigor with a good layout and quality plastics. Pricing is still not available, but we expect the value to be higher given all the standard features. We saw some Sport Value pre-makeover 2009s and expect the same from 2010.
The bad.
For a company that brags how they are so in tune with their target market, I cannot understand why they continue to get it wrong. iPod integration is non-existant unless you buy the iPod kit. With the kit, you get digital data input and absolutely minimal on screen info. The only thing you see will be "track 1, track 2..." Outrageous considering their young, technical natured, geeky professionals they believe will buy this car. For years I have sighed with these customers when I tell them that they can only listen to the iPod through an Aux port that is "so 20th century". The terrific sounding Centerpoint software works beautifully but only with CDs. Mazda, if you really know your customers, then you know they don't listen to Cds anymore! The circuitry is there, why limit it to CDs?
The worst.
While the Mazda 6 is available in a 2 manual transmissions, all the way up to the Grand Touring, the 3 is available in manual only in the cheaper models. If you are an aficionado and want all the goodies, you will need to wait for the Mazda 3 Speed version.