Anyone else hate the recent Mazda smiley face design aesthetic
11-10-09, 07:57 PM
#32
Lexus Champion
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.
11-10-09, 08:26 PM
#33
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
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
11-11-09, 11:42 AM
#36
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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.
11-11-09, 03:16 PM
#38
Lexus Test Driver
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.
11-11-09, 03:59 PM
#40
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.
On the other hand, Acura really dropped the ball with their styling direction. Distinctive, yes. Attractive, no.
11-11-09, 10:45 PM
#42
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
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.
I could see them trying to appeal to a broader demographic but ....Damn
On the other hand, Acura really dropped the ball with their styling direction. Distinctive, yes. Attractive, no.
I could see them trying to appeal to a broader demographic but ....Damn
On the other hand, Acura really dropped the ball with their styling direction. Distinctive, yes. Attractive, no.
I bet you there will be bunch of companies producing after market grilles for the mazdas
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.
Last edited by I8ABMR; 11-11-09 at 10:48 PM.
11-12-09, 06:41 AM
#43
Lexus Test Driver
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 
11-12-09, 01:06 PM
#44
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.
With the topic of smiling faces being thrown around, I suppose its just Mazdas attempt at a trend. Can't say they lack personality.
