2010 Mazda 3

2010 Mazdaspeed3


Price: $23,195


The Mazdaspeed3 combines sizzling performance with the practical four-door hatchback utility of the tamer compact Mazda3, which has a sleeker body and more refinement for  2010.

Car buffs get the best of two worlds with the Mazda3--high performance and practicality--and for a reasonable list price of $23,195. Not bad for a car that can do 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and top out at 155 mph, while providing reasonable interior space for its size. However, a 6-footer with long legs won't have much leg space behind a tall driver.

There's plenty of cargo room, especially with the split rear seatbacks folded forward. The low, wide cargo opening will be especially welcome when, say, rushing to remove luggage at airports.

Powering the Mazdaspeed 3 is an intercooled, turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 263 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This sophisticated engine is carried over from the 2009 Mazdaspeed3, but power delivery is more linear and seamless. There's still some turbo lag, and the front-wheel-drive car exhibits a bit of torque steer. All-wheel-drive would cure the torque steer, but would make the car costlier.

The engine could easily develop at least 300 horsepower, but Mazda feels that the current figure is more than sufficient for a front-drive car. Estimated fuel economy is 18 mpg in the city and 25 on highways, with premium-grade fuel recommended.

The automaker has made the six-speed manual transmission's gear ratios taller in second through fifth gears to make better use of the engine's torque. Fourth and fifth gears are best for 65-75 mph passing. In fact, even sixth gear provides a reasonable 65-75 time if quick passing isn't required. No automatic transmission is offered.

The manual gearbox shifts a bit stiffly but surely. It works with a clutch that could use a more progressive action and has a "springy" feel that takes getting used to.

The new electro-hydraulic power steering is plenty quick. It provides higher effort at highway speeds for better control but sometimes feels overly heavy. The anti-lock brakes work well and have a brake assist feature for surer panic stops.

Handling is in the sports-car class. A stiffer structure allows use of stiffer springs and higher damping rates. The firm ride is supple, but gets a little jerky on uneven pavement, and sharp bumps and dips can be felt. Helping roadability are stability and traction control systems.

The Mazdaspeed3 looks wicked. It differs in appearance from the regular Mazda3  by having a lower air dam and round fog lights that frame an organic, metallic-black grille. The hood now has an intercooler scoop that provides air flow to improve efficiency of the power-boosting turbocharger's intercooler. And front fenders are flared to accommodate wider 40-series tires on 18-inch aluminum wheels with a design similar to wheels on Mazda's RX-8 rotary engine sports car.

Also, the Mazdaspeed3 has sculpted side skirts and a lower overall stance. At the rear are larger, sexy dual exhaust tips, a valance painted the same metallic black as the grille and a larger, roof-mounted spoiler.

The quieter, more refined interior has unique Mazdaspeed3 cloth and leather seats and is mainly black, with tasteful red accents and stitching. Enhancing the sporty interior appearance is stitching on the steering wheel, door trim, shift lever boot and center armrest.

The mildly revised instrument panel has a dashboard designed to provide a roomy feel. It puts important information high and deep, closer to the driver's field of vision. The instrument cluster includes electroluminescent gauges, a new LED turbo boost gauge and a new tachometer. While climate controls are large, sound system controls are small, although sound system readouts on a small dashboard screen can be read quickly.

The form-fitting driver's seat provides good support during quick maneuvers and while snaking through curves.

The Mazdaspeed3 is well-equipped, with such standard items as dual-zone automatic climate control, center console with a padded sliding armrest, power windows and door locks, AM/FM/CD system with six speakers and steering wheel audio controls near the tilt/telescopic steering column.

An $1,895 Tech Package contains a push-button engine start/stop, compact full-color navigation system, advanced keyless system and upgraded sound system with an in-dash CD changer and a 10-speaker surround sound feature.

But you can't get a sunroof, seat heaters, rain-sensing windshield wipers or swiveling HID headlights.

The hood is held open by an old-fashioned prop rod, but fluid filler areas are within easy reach.

For the money, the Mazdaspeed3 is hard to beat for performance and practicality.