Hopeful, But Wary
The interior appearance of the new Mazda3 is of course subject to individual preferences, but I tend to judge such characteristics by way of the interior's component quality.
I was unfortunately most disappointed by the interior quality of the Mazda6-- I found the plastics hard and of poor feel, particularly the steering wheel assembly, which appears too flat and featureless. Control movements also lacked the precise action found in the new Accord or Toyota Camry, in my opinion, and this meant for a most dissatisfied analysis.
I hope very much that Mazda doesn't follow suit with the Mazda3, but judgment will have to be reserved until I can see one in person.
So far, I haven't ever seen or experienced auto interiors better than what Volkswagen is currently building, although their reliability leaves all other things to be desired. Most wretched, to be sure.
Oh yeah! Mazda must get rid of the text, "POS" on their navigational control unit, next to the shifter. What kind of moron would release something of this nature in a culture that already has a clear and known acronym for this term? How is it possible in Gods name that someone at Mazda North American Operations hasnt told someone at Mazda Japan what POS means, here? Is it really that difficult? Such doesnt endear Mazda at all, and they need to either spell out the entire word, Position, which by itself has other, much more appealing implications, (and theres plenty of room to fit that text on the unit), or figure some other abbreviation out. Its admittedly cosmetic and of no consequence to fundamental operation, but Mazda doesnt need to exacerbate its situation by seemingly self admitting to their car being a Piece Of s***. What a bunch of imbeciles.