Am I the only one who thinks the Cruze is a lame duck...

[Z284ever]

I agree that the Cruze's styling is already getting stale. And we're still almost a year away from it's release here.

I'd doubt any last minute cosmetic freshening will take place though.

[CrunkedRL]

Originally Posted by K-1

When the 3 starts selling in Corolla- and Civic-like numbers, then you can use it for a yard stick. But isn't a blah front-end and a bland profile exactly the criticism in this thread? Seems the 3 fits right in.

It's fine that you would buy the 3, but tens of thousands of people disagree with you every month.

I don't think the Mazda3 is blah and bland in design at all and actually I think it's the most spirited and inspiring design out in the compact class to date. To me it's all about the finer details and well understood execution of design. I can read the profile of a Mazda3 from the front fascia to the rear and know just within seconds it is marketed to be a sport touring compact. I have not been able to do the same for the Cruze. Fuel efficiency maybe the Cruze's only saving grace

[fp115]

Originally Posted by Mr. Burns

The new Mazda 3 blows the Cruze away IMO, and it's out now. The next gen Civic should be interesting as well. The Cruze is way too dull, it's like another Cobalt. The car needs to be out now to stand a chance, otherwise when it does come out all of its competition would be either rolling out new next gens or be a year away from doing so.

To each their own opinion. The Mazda 3 as a very boring side profile and the front looks like a beaver waiting to take a bite out of the next tree. The Cruze is the only one its class to have a clear, crisp beltline, something which most companies are reluctant to do unless the car was twice the price.

Let's actually use good Cruze pictures to compare to the ones you put up of the Mazda 3







Don't forgot the interior...

[Simon says]

. . . and don't forget who is around the corner . . .

Originally Posted by K-1

It's fine that you would buy the 3, but tens of thousands of people disagree with you every month.

More like 6

1. Mr. Hertz
2. Mr. Avis
3. Mr. Enterprise
4. Mr. National
5. Mr. Dollar, and
6. Mr. Thrifty

Before you get a heart attack, please keep in mind that I AM ONLY KIDDING . . . . well partially anyway.

[Z284ever]

Originally Posted by fp115

To each their own opinion. The Mazda 3 as a very boring side profile and the front looks like a beaver waiting to take a bite out of the next tree. The Cruze is the only one its class to have a clear, crisp beltline, something which most companies are reluctant to do unless the car was twice the price.

Let's actually use good Cruze pictures to compare to the ones you put up of the Mazda 3






Don't forgot the interior...

Yeah, too bad that is the Cruze concept you're comparing those production cars to. Concept, wheels, concept tires, concept brakes, concept ride height, concept details. I do admit it looks good there, but not really a fair representation of the production car.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by CrunkedRL

I don't think the Mazda3 is blah and bland in design at all and actually I think it's the most spirited and inspiring design out in the compact class to date. To me it's all about the finer details and well understood execution of design. I can read the profile of a Mazda3 from the front fascia to the rear and know just within seconds it is marketed to be a sport touring compact. I have not been able to do the same for the Cruze. Fuel efficiency maybe the Cruze's only saving grace

I consider the front-end more "weird" than "spirited." As in, an Asian guy during self-gratification. And the profile lacks a character line, as you critiqued the Cruze for in the OP.

You don't like the Cruze. You like the 3. We get it. But, just because you think it looks dated, dull, and uninspired, doesn't mean it's doomed. Look at how many Corollas and Civics sell (far more than 3s). Obviously, this market isn't looking for "finer details" and "well understood execution of design." The market wants white bread. Mazda is serving them bread pudding. Chevy is somewhere in the middle. Sales #s will bear out who had the proper design. We'll just have to wait and see.

[CrunkedRL]

Originally Posted by Simon says

. . . and don't forget who is around the corner . . .

I know and I can't wait! The first gen Ford Focus was a game changer in the states and I expect the next gen to be no different.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by Simon says

More like 6

1. Mr. Hertz
2. Mr. Avis
3. Mr. Enterprise
4. Mr. National
5. Mr. Dollar, and
6. Mr. Thrifty

Before you get a heart attack, please keep in mind that I AM ONLY KIDDING . . . . well partially anyway.

You missed the reference. Talking about Corolla and Civic. Cars that are the exact antithesis of the 3.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by CrunkedRL

I know and I can't wait! The first gen Ford Focus was game changer in the states and I expect the next gen to be no different.

The one with a ba-gillion recalls? It changed the game alright, but not in a good way...

[ARCANGEL]

Originally Posted by CrunkedRL

I know and I can't wait! The first gen Ford Focus was game changer in the states and I expect the next gen to be no different.

this new focus is gonna be awesome I await it greatly!

[CrunkedRL]

Originally Posted by K-1

I consider the front-end more "weird" than "spirited." As in, an Asian guy during self-gratification. And the profile lacks a character line, as you critiqued the Cruze for in the OP.

You don't like the Cruze. You like the 3. We get it. But, just because you think it looks dated, dull, and uninspired, doesn't mean it's doomed. Look at how many Corollas and Civics sell (far more than 3s). Obviously, this market isn't looking for "finer details" and "well understood execution of design." The market wants white bread. Mazda is serving them bread pudding. Chevy is somewhere in the middle. Sales #s will bear out who had the proper design. We'll just have to wait and see.

Well I don't think it's just me who thinks the Cruze is already dated. I think we both know the reason why Corallas and Civics outsell anyone else in this segment is due to perception, same for the Accord and Camry eventhough the Malibu far exceeds them both in the looks category. The Cruze is not withstanding. I like bread pudding btw

[calgaryhhr]

Originally Posted by fp115

To each their own opinion. The Mazda 3 as a very boring side profile and the front looks like a beaver waiting to take a bite out of the next tree. The Cruze is the only one its class to have a clear, crisp beltline, something which most companies are reluctant to do unless the car was twice the price.

The new Kia Forte seems to have a pretty well defined, clear and crisp beltline. I think it should provide a very close comparison to the new Cruze.

[Mr. Burns]

Originally Posted by fp115

To each their own opinion. The Mazda 3 as a very boring side profile and the front looks like a beaver waiting to take a bite out of the next tree. The Cruze is the only one its class to have a clear, crisp beltline, something which most companies are reluctant to do unless the car was twice the price.

Let's actually use good Cruze pictures to compare to the ones you put up of the Mazda 3

My policy when posting pictures of cars is to post real-world pics, which is what I did for both. Unfortunately I could not find any better real-world Cruze pics, seeing as it isnt out yet.

The 3's side profile is much more interesting and modern than the Cruze's (which is really dull and bland), even using your pictures.

The Cruze does have a great interior though.

[fp115]

Originally Posted by Z284ever

Yeah, too bad that is the Cruze concept you're comparing those production cars to. Concept, wheels, concept tires, concept brakes, concept ride height, concept details. I do admit it looks good there, but not really a fair representation of the production car.

Umm wrong. All the pictures I posted are in production form, especially the Holden ones.

[Mr. Burns]

Originally Posted by calgaryhhr

The new Kia Forte seems to have a pretty well defined, clear and crisp beltline. I think it should provide a very close comparison to the new Cruze.

The Forte has aged horribly, and is already dated.


The Koup has some hope, but IMO the Cobalt SS looks better.





I love the Cobalt SS, I think it looks really good. Doubt any Cruze coupe (if there will be one) will look as good.