Oh, I thought that was the Boat Butt styling out back.

 

I'm not feeling the one on the 3, but I think the somewhat 5 pointed one on the Miata looks better then what they had before the refresh. Aside from the on the 3, the others look fairly clean IMO.

 

I feel like the smiley face makes the car look so much less aggressive. I saw a tuned Mazda speed 3 with the smiley face and I thought it was cool looking until I saw the front. It made my wife laugh that the owner spent so much to make the car look mean yet it was a huge smiley face on it

 

A happy car is a good thing I guess.

 

Very true!

 

Definitely don't like it. To me, it's not as bad as current Acura styling, but in terms of overall styling I hate, Mazda right now would probably be #2 after Acura.

 

Acura still tops the number 1 ugly car line-up period!
Mazda is OK, I just think the smily face on the # is over done.

 

I used to like Mazdas, but ever since they redesigned the 3, everything has been downhill as far as their front ends go. I can't stand that horrible Joker smiley face at all.

 

The old aftermarket black vinyl bra is sadly needed on this car.

 

I think Mazda is actually pretty smart going with the smiley-face design. A lot of people (women?) are going to be drawn to a "happy" car that matches their disposition. You are what you drive, right? Personally, I think the new design is silly, but I doubt that I'm in the target demographic.

On the other hand, Acura really dropped the ball with their styling direction. Distinctive, yes. Attractive, no.

 

I've owned mazda6 for 6+ years now and I honestly think mazda ****ed up. no mo zoom zoom ftl

 

I agre that they ****ed up but the from what I read i the magazines the zoom zoom is still there

I have to agree the awkward grille, front fender line , and arrow shaped rear takes some getting used to but when you see them loaded with the stock 19's it look pretty solid. The wheels and the kit make a huge difference

I bet you there will be bunch of companies producing after market grilles for the mazdas

Me either. It drives me nuts when I see the new 3

Its the repeated smiley pattern in the grille that pushes it over the top








There are so many other ways to design a grille. I am blown away by this decision, but then again look at the Acura grilles.. The grille is critical in giving the car its attitude and is a major design cue. It should be done correctly.

 

Personally, I think the Mazda 3 is too happy, it must be on something if you ask me. I think we should give the Mazda 3 an oil analysis to make sure it is clean and sober

 

Though I'm on the fence about the design, I think its a bit in poor taste on the 3. I feel its interestingly appropriate on the MX-5, while the larger vehicles in the lineup don't look as exaggerated. There are certainly better looking cars out there, but I'd say there exist far worse. If I had to offer the design praise, I'd say it represents a bold change from the aggressive bias too many brands rely on.

With the topic of smiling faces being thrown around, I suppose its just Mazdas attempt at a trend. Can't say they lack personality.

 

I was recently looking to get a white 2010 Mazda3. I'm keeping my old car for now, but I do like the new design.

(mid-20's male here)