I don't care for much of the Mazda 2. The body is frumpy looking and is too organic for my tastes. The fender flares up front look like an after thought based on trying to copy the 6. The smiling face lower grille is something I consider a mistake on all Mazda's. Nothing about the interior I like, and the steering wheel spokes are too thick. I used to really like everything Mazda used to make, but their current designs are lacking to clean lines of a few years ago. The Mazda 2 is no exception. The original Mazda 6, 5, and 3 were all awesome looking when production started, but the refresh has really had created some odd looking product. The Mazda 2 starts off weird.
Agreed 100%!
I used to be a Mazda fan, but the new design direction is just too out there. The refresh of the 3 and 6 have made them bloated looking.
The 2 doesn't really look bloated, but it does look like a mish-mash of last minute changes so that it could fit in with the other Mazdas.
I'll be interested to see how well this does from a sales stand point in the U.S.
It's going to need to either be priced significantly under (doubtful), or get much better fuel economy (probably slightly) than the Fiesta if it's going to compete at all. Even then, I think the smaller engine and softer suspension are going to turn quite a few people off.
Die-hard Mazda people are going to wonder where the Zoom-Zoom went.
Though... If a Mazda comes out with a Mazdaspeed version before Ford comes out with a ST/SVT version, I will certainly be checking it out with renewed interest...
I'll put up with a bit of ugly for more fun!
