Interior design question. Which is better?

[markuszoom5]

What do you think? I like the 2010 interior design of the MZ5 petter than the 2012. What does everybody think? 2012 gauges look toned down, but they have the electroluminescent backlight. The 2012 is simply red gauges. Crappy if you ask me. They do look sleeker but also cheaper.

 

[Davicho]

I drove a 2012 as a rental when mine was at the body shop and I didn't like how the dash is so bulky it feels like your outward line of sight is minimized and your sitting lower.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Aside from the 2012 gauge cluster (I HATE the pod look), steering wheel, and unnecessarily huge headrests, I like everything else about the new interior more. Also prefer red lighting over green, even though green is easier on the eyes.

 

[flcruising]

Maybe they went red because Pontiac is dead?

 

[Silentnoise713]

Audi and VW are still red, no? If given the option, I prefer a nutural white light over red. I do love electroluminescent backlight! (Deja vu with this post)

 

[was98strat]

There's not much about the 2012 interior or exterior that I like. I think Mazda is trying really hard to turn the mazda5 into a regular boring minivan! From the tail lights, to the sidecswoops, to the front grill to the miles and miles of bulky dash! I thnk they tried too hard!

 

[Robotazky]

I have only sat in a new one for like 30 seconds. I thought the dash was nice, but the leather seat was very hard compared to our '09 GT. I do like some of the curves in the new one.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Never got to the interior because I couldn't get past the exterior of the new 5... I would like to have the larger engine and 6-speed transmission though.

 

[b55er]

Major complaint about my 09 that seems fixed in 2012.. Dash Illumination.

In my 09, after dusk, I have to manually lower brightness to the first beep. I drive with illumination at high during the day. Driving with illumination at high is way too bright during evening. I typically control brightness when: during day driving with rain with wipers on, or when I feel like driving during the day with lights on, dusk, etc..

I find the dash illumination either too bright, or too dim, too often. I'm usually turning that potentiometer knob in the cluster every day.

 

[Hennreypaul]

Though the interior of the 2012 is not good compared to the 2010, but its not too bad, I agree that the dash illumination would also be fixed this time to give it a look.

 

[Heat]

... I would like to have the larger engine and 6-speed transmission though.

I would love to have the 6th speed on my manual (I have an '09), would increase gas mileage by a few miles per gallon at highway speeds.

As far as dash illumination goes - I never noticed it being too bright or too dim.