Large grille. Too large? Fancy lights. Sporty proportions and refined surfacing. Most attractive compact Toyota in a while.
Very sophisticated. But overly subtle? Huge fake grilles in the front fascia, but I don't mind these too much. The Civic Type R is wilder.
Looks better with the XSE's 18-inch wheels. But not bad with the SE's 16s. In hatchback form the new Mazda3 looks much more dramatic. Could pass for Italian.
The fake grilles in the rear fascia--trying to pass as a Lamborghini?--I mind. Good styling and materials for the class--just not the best.
The Mazda3 raises the bar--by a lot--for affordable compact car interiors. (Note: not yet prepped.) Dialed back compared to the instrument panel of the previous generation, but still pretty far out.
Not much space for cargo, either. Still only as much cargo space as the others with their seats not folded?