Spy Shots: 2010 Mazda3 interior snapped
Judging from exterior shots of the 2010 Mazda3 that were released last week, Mazda is looking to be more than a bit player in the small car market. The styling of the new Mazda3 looks more expensive than the current model, and is perhaps a better example of the brand's new design language than the also recently redesigned Mazda6. We've been looking forward to seeing pics of the Mazda3 on the inside, and judging from this one spy shot we've seen so far, the Zoom Zoom designers didn't go cheap on the interior. The first thing that draws attention in the Mazda3 cabin is the Civic-esque two-tier dashboard. We're not huge fans of this style, but Mazda designers did a nice job of integrating the top deck with the lower level and center stack. Judging from the sole pic, some buttons on the center stack look to be a bit small, but main knobs for HVAC and volume are nice and big. The interior in this example is two-toned with what looks to be an aluminum-finished applique above the glove box, and more contrasting colors on the seats and doors. One thing that didn't change from the current generation Mazda3 is the red back-lighting on all the gauges, buttons, and knobs that we've come to expect from Mazda.
Gallery: 2010 Mazda3
[Source: TTAC]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kaptain75329 12:40PM (10/13/2008)
"I dig it. I reckon some folks won’t like the Civic-style dual cowl, but I appreciate the return of driver-oriented dashboards." - Justin Berkowitz, TTAC
Couldn't possibly agree more.
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Ayatollah Rodriguez 12:56PM (10/13/2008)
Nothing surprising here, last 3 also had nice interior.
Look Mazda makes good cars, as simple as that.
Rev 2:15PM (10/13/2008)
I don't see what's "driver oriented" about having such a huge upper cowl/info panel.
When I think "driver oriented" I think Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spider. Not an extra info panel that takes up half the dash...
ASEVENSEE4 4:07PM (10/13/2008)
IMO the Civic is totally different, Mazda has always had this sort of display separated from the radio. They just got more dashboard oriented with it and made it look more integrated. All of the gauges are all still in one area infront of the driver, unlike the civic.
Domestic 6.0 10:48PM (10/13/2008)
Looks really sweet
Swede 12:45PM (10/13/2008)
Lazy design team nicked a Honda, luckily for them the Honda interior is nice to look at. Hopefully it wont be as crappy to live with as Hondas is (can you say "scratches"?).
Handbrake is on the wrong side tho.
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JD 1:17PM (10/13/2008)
I have a Speed3 right now, and I have to say, the e brake being on the far side of the middle thing is actually a nice touch, because it frees up space next to you so you aren't constantly reaching over the e brake to get to ipod, cell phone, whatever. I mean, how often do you use the e brake in a trip? Twice. Once when you leave, and once when you get there. How many times you hit next or back on the ipod? More than twice, and it all happens in between the two uses of the e brake.
Besides, at least they put it on the right side of the driver. In my 944, it's on the left side, between the seat and the door. It's actually a convenient place (once you're used to it), but it can make getting in and out of the car more of a chore than it is already.
Torqued 8:00AM (10/14/2008)
+1 to JD.
E-brake is better on the right side. My car (wrx) has it on the left, and it cramps the driver. When it's up, there's very little room between the steering wheel and the brake handle.
Seoultrain 2:25AM (10/15/2008)
I dunno, I'm with Swede. I don't enjoy reaching over and groping my passenger to set and release the parking brake... wait, SOMETIMES I don't enjoy it.
Kitko 12:50PM (10/13/2008)
But unlike Honda, Mazda uses driver's oriented dials,second tier is used only to dispaly secondary things such as aircon temp, etc.
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Level 12:56PM (10/13/2008)
I think the USA will soon catch up to the Euro theme luxury compact cars...The Chevy Cruze is going in the same direction, We'll soon see the Euro Focus...A category pretty much only VW dominated in the US when it came to luxury compact cars....
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Red 12:58PM (10/13/2008)
I'll reserve judgement until I see it. That one shot just looks like a lot of hard plastics and doesn't particular convey much of anything regarding quality. I like the current 3, but the one thing that bugs me the most is the super hard door panels.
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Sid 1:03PM (10/13/2008)
I don't know what you are talking about because everytime someone steps into 3 the first thing they say is 'wow it's so nice inside'. It's far above-and -beyond anything else in it's class. Both in terms of design and quality. Every car in it's class has hard plastics. $30,000 Camrys have hard-plastics.
Red 1:36PM (10/13/2008)
Your opinion is your opinion, but that doesn't change the fact that the Mazda3 has very hard plastics on the door panels. I've seen early 90s vehicles with softer materials there (in fact, I used to own one). The only reason I even bring it up is because I noticed as I was leaning against it, a piece of the door panel was digging into my arm.
I never said the vehicle was bad. I just test drove it again two days ago and decided, two days ago, I was going to purchase it. But like I said, I'll reserve judgement regarding this one oddly angled pic of the 2010 model until I see the car in person.
ASEVENSEE4 2:14PM (10/13/2008)
Again, how many interiors in this segment have interiors that are padded surfaces galore? The current and by looking at the pictures next 3 will have padded surfaces where it matters, the seat fabric will be an insert on the door and the armrest will be padded. The rest of the interior will have high grade plastic panels.
Sid 3:57PM (10/13/2008)
It wasn't just opinion really. Go sit in every car in it's price range and you'll instantly notice the difference. Theres a solid feel to the whole thing.
Max 1:08PM (10/13/2008)
Not only is the double stack dash Honda-esque, the steering wheel is a dead ringer for the Si wheel with the split fork design. I am not sure if I like the combo of round and rectangular vents, but it seems pretty decent overall.
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why not the LS2LS7? 1:16PM (10/13/2008)
Why when Mazda has acres of hard plastic AB says "Mazda didn't go cheap on the interior" but when domestics do it, it's a sin?
The interior looks functional to me, but not exceptional. Well, except the exceptionally awful steering wheel. Hopefully that is optional (like the rest of the gizmos on the dash surely are).
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ASEVENSEE4 1:23PM (10/13/2008)
Hold on, you can tell what plastics are hard and which ones aren't from one picture?
Regardless, the grain, texture(finish) and fit of the plastic matters the most in this segment because you're not going to get too many padded surfaces, the Cobalt is a woefully cheap looking inside.
Sid 1:31PM (10/13/2008)
I think it's a great looking steering wheel. Sit in any Mazda today and you'll find the best steering wheels (in feel and size) outside of BMWs.