Mazda’s New Flat Logo Ends 28 Years of Tradition, Designed for the Digital Age

Mazda officials state that the new, streamlined badge is designed to look better on smartphones and laptop screens

For the first time in 28 years, Mazda is refreshing its branding with a new, flatter logo designed for the digital era. Optimized for smartphones and digital displays, the redesign moves away from the metallic, three-dimensional look of its predecessor while maintaining the brand’s signature identity. This marks Mazda’s most significant logo update since introducing the seagull-inspired “M” emblem in 1997.

A Modern Look for a Digital World

While Mazda has yet to officially unveil the new logo—its social media still features the current design—Japanese media outlets, including Nikkei, confirm the update is happening. A formal announcement could come as early as today, though some speculate it may be timed with Mazda’s 105th anniversary on January 30. Reports also suggest that the new logo may coexist with the current design, depending on its use case.

The revised emblem first surfaced in July 2024 when Mazda filed a trademark with the Japan Patent Office. Though it ditches the layered depth, sharp edges, and metallic texture of the outgoing version, it remains unmistakably Mazda. Officials say the flatter design enhances visibility on digital screens, though they haven’t provided further details.

Subtle Yet Significant Changes

A closer look reveals several refined tweaks. The outer shape is now smoother and more rounded, while the curved “seagull” wings have been straightened for a sharper, more modern appearance. The black-and-white color scheme creates a clean, high-contrast aesthetic, though it lacks the dimensional highlights and shadows that gave the previous design its polished, three-dimensional effect.

Mazda Joins the Flat Logo Trend

Mazda’s redesign follows an industry-wide shift toward minimalistic logos, with brands like Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Volvo, Nissan, Ford, Renault, and Jaguar all embracing flatter, simplified emblems in recent years.

It remains unclear when the new logo will appear on production models. The Mazda EZ-6 sedan, unveiled in 2024, featured an illuminated emblem without shadows or highlights, though it retained the curved wings of the previous design. Whether this signals a transition phase or a permanent dual-logo strategy remains to be seen.

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  • Growing up with a father who was a mechanic I had an appreciation for cars and motorcycles from an early age. I shared my first bike with my brother that had little more than a 40cc engine but it opened up a world of excitement for me, I was hooked. As I grew older I progressed onto bigger bikes and...

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