Gen-1 CX-5 resembles Mazda's original KODO design language perfectly, with unique curve line on the sides.
Have you noticed Mazda no longer uses "KODO" anymore?
https://www.mazda.ca/en/vehicles/cx-9/features/#design
I see what you mean though, the curve line on the sides is pretty distinctive, and transitions to the rear bumper nicely. But I don't think it transitions well to the front bumper - instead, there's a separate curve that starts at the grille/hood and transitions over the wheel arch, which I like. But then it intersects with yet another design curve along the upper doors that transitions to the taillights. It's a lot going on, which isn't bad of course, it's just more polarizing. Similar to what Lexus did with it's designs - you either like them, or you don't.
I think the current gen is a lot more cohesive in design, with a clear flow from front to rear. You have a single, more gradual sweep from the headlights to the wheel arches, with another smaller sweep in the rear quarter panel to transition to the tail lights. It's a lot less "offensive" and in-your-face, and to use Mazda's words, "highly seductive". This falls in line with their push to become a more premium, refined brand. The only things I don't like about the body design of the current CX-5 is the rear and the trim around the windows. The two-tone trim is odd, and the tail lights appear to bulge out quite a bit.
Either way, whether your preference is 1G or 2G, it's pretty clear that Mazda goes the extra mile when it comes to design, compared to the competition.
Too much chrome. I despise that chrome strip on the side window. One reason I liked the 16 was that unlike almost every car out there it had ZERO chrome accents around the window. I do not understand why 70% of cars have chrome around the windows.
Chrome trim has been used to "beautify" exteriors for years. People like shiny stuff, they always have. Plenty have also blacked out the chrome trip with vinyl tape. Easy enough to do, and cheap as well. But I don't understand why they blacked out the top half and then have chrome on the lower half. Would have been better to just use one or the other.
