2010 Mazda3 to hit U.S. dealers in March
Click above for high-res gallery of the Mazda3 five-door hatchback from Detroit
In a bit of good news for those currently in the market for a new compact car, Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda's North American Operations, says that the redesigned 2010 Mazda3 is just now starting to show up in U.S. ports and is on schedule for a March sale date. That's also great news for Mazda, as the 3 is its best selling model in North America and is expected to help prop up lagging sales. As before, the new Mazda3 will be available in both sedan and hatchback form, with the choice of a 2.0L four-cylinder that offers 148 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque and a larger 2.5L four with 167 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. In other news, O'Sullivan says that Mazda will not offer Ford's latest hybrid system in the firm's midsize 6 due to high cost considerations.
Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Mazda3 five-door
[Source: Wards]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
k.w.a 5:04PM (1/23/2009)
every time i see the front it reminds me of that movie "cars". Sure the Mazda 3 is probably still the best looking car in its class, but they shouldn't get so comfortable that they allow Pixar to update their vehicles
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TIMMAH! 3:52AM (1/24/2009)
Someone needs to market add-on teeth you can add to complete the "Cars" look...
firstplace 5:06PM (1/23/2009)
it looks ridiculous.
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alex 5:12PM (1/23/2009)
agreed. it's cartoonish and a step backwards from the old model as far as the exterior is concerned
Torrent 7:39PM (1/23/2009)
It would be the best-looking car in it's class if it looked like a downsized Mazda 6.
Steven 5:08PM (1/23/2009)
Saw it in San Francisco already during a commercial shoot...why does it need all that grillage? It looks like someone got crazy with the smudge tool in photoshop.
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Steven 5:12PM (1/23/2009)
It works as a happy-faced car for sad-faced people.
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Das Otto 5:16PM (1/23/2009)
The Japanese OEM's all love to ruin a good thing. Not attractive compared to the previous model.
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pmiddle5 5:16PM (1/23/2009)
So whats with the incredibly meager HP bump with the extra 200cc's?
Thought it'd be a bit more... IDK?
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firstplace 8:54PM (1/23/2009)
probably got a torque bump and slightly better fuel economy both via a milder cam and because the torque requires less shifting...
Parkerman 5:24PM (1/23/2009)
I really wonder how some designers keep their job...
Or even.. how they decide.. YES... everyone will LOVE this..
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Mazda FTW! 5:28PM (1/23/2009)
It's really not that bad. Granted I'll keep my '06 3 but I have a a feeling it's overall appearence and far superior interior will make it a hit.
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firstplace 8:57PM (1/23/2009)
bet you it gets restyled in the next 1.5 years. Last one looked great, this one.... well... not good.
sitruc 4:55PM (1/24/2009)
I'm hoping it gets the mid-year refresh like the 2008. I guess I can hold out for 2010 and see what the Focus is as well as the Cobalt or Cruze.
Kumail 5:28PM (1/23/2009)
i wonder how it looks in black...
a simple body kit can change that smile and the black paint job will probably help too...
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Smegley 5:29PM (1/23/2009)
In pictures this vehicle is probably the biggest styling disappointment of the past year. The 2008 mazda 3 was a great driver with great styling at a great price. This is probably priced and drives okay, but that grill would turn my stomach every time I go to the garage. It is horrible.
I'll reserve final judgement till I see it in person, preferably in black to hide that thing, but somehow I can't imagine it ever looking good. If it has to smile, at least give it an evil menacing grin.
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P.V. 5:30PM (1/23/2009)
I thought the larger engine was the only available engine on the hatchback, but now it says there's the smaller engine too! I'm confused!
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JB 7:09PM (1/23/2009)
For the last model, only the larger engine was available for the 5-door. Don't think they will change that for the US market. Too bad too.
I guess the new fascia will grow on me, that's the trouble with designs, you get used to them. I think black would be a good color choice, despite being impossible to keep clean. What's with all these nooks and crannies in the front end? It will be a pain to detail that.
I think designers should be forced to wash a dirty clay model of their car and see how they like it.
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chilipepper 5:42PM (1/23/2009)
I was so looking forward to the new 3. What an incredible disappointment. Maybe if I hurry, I can get an '09 leftover.
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Timsvtgen1 5:48PM (1/23/2009)
Aww, Its smiling for the camera.
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