Turbo99jetta had the privilage to test drive the new Mazda 3 yesterday, here are the pictures that were left on my camera from it.

what was his take on how it drove, handled, power deliver in respect to the '09?

I have to admit it's growing on me.

i'll post up a review this afternoon if i get a chance

please send it back to where ever awful place it came from! I have a feeling that to me at least, it will only look good in black. Black really hides the "smile" well. I saw a photo of a white sedan, and the smile could not be more evident. Aside from the strange styling on the outside, i love the interior.

The very smiley grill is.. different.

And I don't know.. I really really like the older tail lights better, but I think I just like things that are rounder more than angular, especially on cars.

Lets start with the front end.. the happy face... In person its not as bad as the pics make it look. I was auctually very surprized and like the way it looked. Almost looks like its mean.
The back end is great kinda reminds me of a lexus IS250.

2.5 Motor.... Feels a lot like the 2.3, granted we only drove an automatic, but with the weight difference they feel very similar. The car is quieter than before, sounds like more material was added to take some of the road noise away.

Interior... Very good look and feel, materials feel way more expensive than before. My only complaints from the passenger seat reaching the heated seat button is hard, and with the dual climate control the way the screen is posistioned, its hard to see the temp display for your side of the car.
Interior Volume feels about the same as the outgoing car space wise, however the seats are excellent! Very nice bolstering, and confortable.

driving... This car reminds me of German made vehicles. very good weighted stearing. Breaking was excellent, Josh (speedracer) can attest to that. Handling is very good for a front driver as well, as some of you who know the corners by my work we were doing 65 with no problems what so ever.

Overall, I think the car is a better car than previous, and should do very well. The smile has grown on me after seeing the car in person, and it will continue to be a class leader espically with the options that the car has.

Nice comparison pics. The huge smile still looks hideous to me...and the rear of the car is too tall...looks bloated. Other than that, I like the overall shape of the car, and the interior is obviously much nicer. I guess I'd have to drive one to say for sure whether I like it or not.

^Nice review. Thanks Josh!

good write up, might have to check these out.

I think I prefer the old 3. But I would still get the new one if I was shopping!

If you have seen the new 3 then you know the smile. It has been called many things I am sure. Perhaps a new spin on this is a bit of heritage from Asia. Just look at any of the Dragon festivals dragons from head on. Is Mazda saying "Here is our new Dragon?" It is a wide and uplifted type of smile. Google it and see for yourself.

see my sig for ref....

Great side by side comparative pictures.
The new styling is still not rubbing off on me.
Can any of you imagine the same styling cues being transferred to the 5, 6, 8 etc.??
The new happy "smiling" Mazda family.

The smile, and the slanted eyes...doesn't work for me. And don't get me started on the back end...unless you like rounded rear ends of course...

Those tail lights look like a copy cat off the new Lancers too...

It'd be interesting what the new S3's look like...

I do have to say the sharkfin is a nice touch, since everyone mods into those anyways...