So the forums got combined, eh?

[ukulele]

Yeah, the front on the Nissan looks very similar to the first gen 5 and I like that a lot, also, they have just the right amount of curves in the door. Funny how when, you remove the joker smile from the front fascia and the waves from the doors, it makes the new generation way more appealing. Also, Ironic how Nissan of all companies makes the new 5 look better, because they have been putting out some ugly looking cars for quite a few years now. Of course the new Altima doesn't look to bad, but it isn't by any means a 2014 6 either.

Nissan/Infinity design team are really bored.... and it shows. I'm surprised this Nissan (Mazda5) looks as good as it does, at least their US spec cars they are designing the curves and lines are getting sharper and sharper. The Quest looks..... well it's not for me put it that way. Honda is also getting bored, they added that little "thing" under the glass after the sliding door on the Odyssey, similar to the Genesis "thing" under the rear quarter glass... they just don't know how to make things flow.

 

[cburrell]

Yeah, Nissan makes down right ugly vehicles in the last few years, and the Quest is definitely at the top of the ugly list. It is in competition with the Juke. Honda and Toyota have settled for being unoffensive, which means very boring and safe designs, that have little thought to them, yet because of their reputations, they can afford to play it boring and safe and know that many will buy their vehicles on reputation alone.

 

[Robotazky]

Oh wow! This is great news. I see a growing forum on the horizon. Very cool indeed!

 

[Robotazky]

I had to do a double-take to be sure I wasn't missing something with the new combined forum! I certainly like the 1st gen style better, and from the side the 1st gens look alot smaller to be due to the tail lights. I haven't driven a 1st gen but I do like the powertrain of the 2.5 MZR with the 6MT. I need my wife to hurry up and wear out her tires so we can pick out a more aggressive looking wheelset.

Oh...and hi everyone.

The topic has been obviously beaten to death, but as time goes on, I'm starting to have a clearer understanding of Mazda's efforts. The new one clearly looks more like a van. It's hard for any of my friends to understand the utility of our 5 until they get in it and they're just blown away by the room.

The problem for us is that, in my opinion, most 5 owners like 5s because they look like sporty vehicles, not vans. But, Mazda has to do something to create more buyers. So, if you look at it from their perspective, it's close enough to the older one that with incremental improvements the older buyers can live with the new ones, while new customers look at the vehicle differently, as something to compete with much bigger vehicles. I think to some soccer mom types, a smaller van is synonymous with "cheaper minivan", "not-as-good minivan", or even "not a real minivan".

Only time will tell. I'm very anxious to see what direction they take the 5 at the refresh and then redesign.

 

[Silentnoise713]

The more I see the new gen the more its growing on me. Joker smile works better on the 5 then it does on the 3. Tail lights aren't too bad but the rear does remind me of Frankenteins face and head. The nagare lines have to go though. I still prefer my old school original 2006 better.

When it comes to new design laugauge, I'm usually not any ealy adopter but the +'12 Mz5 has not grown in me at all. I don't mind the face and can actually accept the horizontal tail lights but it has always been the pre-dented doors that's my biggest grip. I like most of the interior updates too. Cosmetically, I think the MCR model will stick with the general design laungauge since it is not profitable to retool a new design just for two years. I only hope yet will clean up those dents and slip in a new motor.