Mazda MAZDASPEED MAZDA3 Review

2009 Mazda MAZDASPEED MAZDA3 Station Wagon

Mazdaspeed, Mazda's internal high-performance tuning and race division, has a long history in Japan. Known for producing exciting limited-edition performance models, the badge has only recently arrived in North America. The Mazdaspeed 3 is only the third Mazda in America to receive the full Mazdaspeed treatment.

Based on the Mazda 3 hatchback, the Mazdaspeed 3 features a turbocharged engine, a specially tuned suspension and many other exclusive components. Priced well below $25,000, the Mazdaspeed 3 presents a performance bargain that should appeal to all younger enthusiasts thanks to its balance of speed, practicality and affordability. It should be noted that an all-new Mazdaspeed 3 will arrive for 2010.

Current Mazdaspeed 3

The Mazdaspeed 3 is available in two trims: Sport and Grand Touring. Both trims come with loads of standard features, including cruise control; power doors, windows and mirrors; a six-speaker stereo with CD player; and climate control. The Grand Touring trim adds more premium amenities, such as a 222-watt Bose sound system with seven speakers and a six-disc CD player in the dash. It also has xenon HID headlights and rain-sensing wipers. The only package option is a navigation system, which is only available in the Grand Touring trim.

Both trims have great fit and finish and an upscale look and feel that betrays their compact-car price tags. There is plenty of cargo room in the rear hatch. The rear seats fold down with a 60/40 split. There's even decent space in the rear seating area for adults.

At the heart of the four-door hot hatch is a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. It pumps out 263 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, and comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission. Zero to 60 mph takes 6.1 seconds, which is very impressive for a vehicle of this type.

It's been tuned for the curves as well. Out of the box, the Mazda 3 chassis is one of the best around. For the Mazdaspeed 3, it has been reinforced and stiffened even further and the suspension has been lowered to drop the car's center of gravity. Larger performance brakes have been added, as has a front limited-slip differential.

Even in the quickest of glances, the front-wheel-drive Mazdaspeed 3 reveals several immediate visual clues that it's more than your average Mazda 3. The front fenders are flared. The hood is a bit taller, the lower air intake larger. It sits on 18-inch wheels and has a rear spoiler and chrome exhaust tips sticking out the back.

In reviews, we found driving the Mazdaspeed 3 to be a truly visceral experience. It's fast and the steering is so responsive that you can feel every bit of the car working under your feet, which is one of the most exciting things about driving a true performance car. On the flip side, with such tight handling characteristics, you'd expect the Mazdaspeed 3 to be harsh on surface streets. However, the hot hatch still manages to provide a fair ride quality under normal cruising conditions.

Used Mazdaspeed 3 Models

The Mazdaspeed 3 was introduced for 2007, although this generation of Mazda 3 dates back to 2004. There have been no changes made since its introduction.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.