Mazda introduced the seventh generation of its 323 model in 1994 in a few body shapes, including the 323 C coupe, which didn’t look like it was related in any way with the rest of the range.
Usually, a compact hatchback had one three-door version and one five-doors version, and, eventually, a sedan. But Mazda decided to do things differently and offered the seventh generation of the 323 range with a choice of two 3-door hatchbacks. Except that one of them was named coupe, and it was, well, another 3-door hatchback.

Mazda decided to have a sportier-looking 323, and then, it named it coupe. While the car’s profile was attractive, the details were not at the same level. At the front, it featured two raked headlights flush to the hood. A tiny grille took the space between the hood and the bumper. But the car needed more cooling, so the designers made room for a bigger grille on the lower side of the bumper. While the car looked well proportioned up to the B-pillar, things got different on the rear side with a very sloped C-pillar. The quarter panels were big, and the triangular, long, rear side windows were too small to mask the massive fenders.

Inside, it was Mazda as usual with good fittings and decent material quality. The instrument cluster was rounded above and featured a center stage speedometer with the tachometer on the left, and the fuel gauge plus the coolant temp tucked on the right. Depending on the option, the carmaker installed sporty bucket seats at the front and a split-folding rear bench.

Under the hood, Mazda offered the 323 C with a choice of three gasoline engines.