This new Mazda van/wagon/thing is disgusting. It looks like the current Mazda van made it with a Suzuki Aerio.

It'll be powered by the 2.3 liter 4-cyl (as in the Mazda3s&6i) and I think it's based off the Mazda6 platform. It appears (from photos) that it will be available with a manual transmission. I guess that's cool - but rowing the gears is the last thing I'd want in conjunction with "are we THERE yet?"

But the real problem - I think - is the styling. I thought the Altima had giant hideous tails ... this thing takes the cake. Not only are they HUGE - they are, for some reason, clear.

What do you guys think?

M.

 

I'm not feelin' it either. It's too much a blatant ripoff of the Matrix. Not that I'm a big fan of the Matrix, but the downward slope of the rear of the vehicle combined with the sweeping upslope of the bottoms of the windows is EXACTLY like the Matrix. Been there, done that.

 

Im liking the front and the dash board, but everything else is LACKING. I kinda like the idea of the rear doors looking like conventional doors, but what some might not see is that it actually slides back. That separation in the glass can throw some people off. Pretty cool idea. Its like a Matrix competitor with Minivan like features. Almost creative none the less. However this type of creativity(or wierdness, quirkiness) is usually seen on Japan and European roads and makes me wonder if its coming to the USA. Depending on how they market it, it might be an unexpected success like the Scion xB.

 

It is coming to the US this summer and it's based on the Mazda 3....I wonder how it's performance is going to be.

 

Ugly

 

Hmm . . .

 

The concept of this type and size vehicle in the American market.....especially from Japanese manufacturers....is anything but new.
You guys remember the Eagle Summit Wagon and its two twins...the Mitsubishi Expo LRV and Dodge /Plymouth Colt Vista.....that were sold here in the early -mid 90's, don't you? They were virtually identical triplets.

http://autopedia.com/Eagle/96_Suwgn.html