When I test drove the Subaru WRX STI, I found the ride quality unlivable. When I test drove the Dodge
Neon SRT4, I found the exhaust "pop pop pop" while engine braking far too obnoxious, and inappropriate
for those of us over 30. Ditto the rear wings on many such cars. Finally, torque steer has been the downfall
of many high-powered front-wheel-drive cars.

So I was expecting to find the MazdaSpeed3, a turbocharged high-performance variant of the Mazda's compact hatch, unacceptable in one way or another.

Only one way to know: take one for a test drive.

(For my review of the regular Mazda3, go here.)

Styling

The MazdaSpeed3 looks much like the Mazda3 on which it is based, just with a subtle body kit and larger, multi-spoked alloy wheels. I haven't been a big fan of the Mazda3's exterior. I much prefer the less trendy exterior styling of the car it replaced, which I own. My feelings are much the same with the MazdaSpeed3. But in its favor the MazdaSpeed3 does without the "look at me" bits that afflict many such cars. Someone my age (40 next month) wouldn't appear odd in one.

Inside, the MazdaSpeed is again much the same as the regular Mazda3. So while the plastics are hard the appearance is suitably sophisticated, if not luxurious. The main change: sport buckets with leather bolsters and cloth center panels. Overall, the interior is at least equal to all in this class with the exception of the VW GTI, and much nicer than the unstylish, cheap-looking interior of the new Subaru WRX, which I drove later the same day.

Accommodations

You sit lower in the Mazdas than in the old Protege5, but then I suspect many people find the driving position in the P5 too high. That in the current car should be about perfect for most people, neither too low nor too high. The view out is decent, though obstructed a bit to the rear quarters by the trendy triangular C-pillars.

The MazdaSpeed3's drivers seat is better bolstered than that in the regular Mazda3, though not hardcore like that in Dodge's SRT cars. You don't feel locked in, but the bolsters in combination with the grippy cloth center panels do a decent job of keeping the driver from sliding about through the curves.

The rear seat provides just adequate room and comfort for adults. It's a bit low to the floor, a common shortcoming. As in other hatches, the seat folds to expand the cargo area. Like other compact hatches, this one should be practical. I use my Protege5 to take three kids on runs to CostCo. The MazdaSpeed3 would serve just as well.

On the Road

Now for what this review is really about: the driving experience.

The 2.3-liter direct-injected turbo four produces up to 263 horsepower, which is usually way too much to send through just the front wheels. But by limiting torque in the first couple of gears, firming up the steering, and tweaking the suspension geometry, torque steer in the MazdaSpeed3 is surprisingly minimal. The only time I really noticed it was when accelerating through turns. Often when I'd shift the turbo would kick in just as I engaged the new gear. When this happened, the wheel would pull. It's a behavior that could likely be avoided with practice.

On the other hand, as long as the wheels were pointed dead ahead I noticed virtually no torque steer. Unlike in other powerful front-drive cars, the front end doesn't get light and squirrelly under hard acceleration. It remains nicely buttoned-down. A limited-slip front differential helps transfer the power to the pavement.

I did note more turbo lag than in VW's direct-injected four. Perhaps this is inevitable, since the Mazda turbo employs more boost to generate more power per liter of displacement. But because there is boost, you do have to plan ahead a bit, especially with curves.

At the same time, the Mazda four doesn't "explode" the way Subaru's turbo fours do, especially the one in the STI. Instead, power comes on more smoothly and gradually, and more quietly. Which is good for refinement-this is a refined engine-but not as good for juvenile thrills. Maybe there'd be more of a "burst" if Mazda hadn't dialed back the power in the first couple of gears. But I noticed much the same thing in the MazdaSpeed6, which has no such tweak. Direct-injection is a more likely source. Injecting the fuel directly into the cylinder permits a higher compressions ratio. As a result, the engine has a compression ratio close to that of a conventional non-turbocharged engine, and thus feels less lethargic before the boost kicks in.

One consequence of the turbo is that in normal driving around town a dab at the throttle will do you. There's very little need to rev past 4,000 rpm unless you want to pick up speed VERY QUICKLY. In the great majority of situations, a gentle squeeze around 3,000 rpm gets the job done with less fuss than in the regular Mazda3, where the engine must rev higher to generate thrust.

All in all, the MazdaSpeed3 accelerates very quickly, and with little drama. This cuts both ways, as drama comes in both good and bad varieties.

I've read complaints about the shifter. Maybe Mazda has made some improvements since those reviews were written. At any rate, the shifter felt okay to me. The throws are overly long, but that's the case with most stock shifters. The aftermarket no doubt offers a number of fixes. Effort is light and the feel is slightly notchy, which is how I tend to like it.

The MazdaSpeed3 handles much like it accelerates. Those expecting the hard edge and sharp responses of a Mitsubishi Evo will be disappointed. Instead, handling is much like that of the regular Mazda3, with fairly sharp (but not ultra-quick responses) and a very balanced feel as nose-heavy front-drivers go.

The biggest difference compared to the regular Mazda3 is considerably more heft to the steering. This heft was likely added to counteract torque steer, but it feels appropriate to the car. Road feel might be dampened a bit, but not overly much, and the car doesn't feel larger or less agile as a result.

The suspension is firmer than that of the regular Mazda3, but not nearly to the extent I expected it to be. As a result, ride quality is surprisingly good for this class of car, and not much more harsh than that of the regular Mazda3. Impacts are more heard than felt, and they aren't even heard all that much. The tires clomp-clomp-clomp a bit, but they don't pound across minor bumps and divots the way those in an STI or Evo do. Best of all, a series of expansion joints won't make the car bounce down the road.

Noise levels are moderate, neither especially quiet or obnoxiously loud, again much like in the regular Mazda3.

MazdaSpeed3 Price Comparisons and Pricing

The MazdaSpeed3 lists for about $2,500 less than the new Subaru WRX. Adjusting for feature differences, including the Subaru's all-wheel-drive, has little impact.

Dodge has priced the new Caliber SRT4 just $60 higher than the MazdaSpeed3. The Mazda has about $600 in additional standard equipment, including a limited-slip front differential and seat heaters.

Prices change frequently, and differences will vary based on feature level. To quickly generate these and other comparisons with the specific features you want, visit my Web site, www.truedelta.com. (It's the only site that provides true "apples-to-apples" price comparisons.)

TrueDelta's page for the MazdaSpeed3:

http://www.truedelta.com/models/Mazda3.php

Last Words

In the end, the MazdaSpeed3 is much like the regular Mazda3, just with nearly 100 extra horsepower, a bit of turbo lag and heavier steering to go with it, and a slightly stiffer suspension. This makes for a very livable hot hatch.

And yet, as much as I felt I couldn't live with an WRX STI or Neon SRT, the MazdaSpeed3 left me wanting a bit more edge to the car. No doubt, as is often the case with German cars, the MazdaSpeed3 feels better the harder it is pushed. (I couldn't push it terribly hard during the test drive.) But around town it feels almost too ordinary.

I apologize if this is a case where the manufacturer just cannot seem to win.

Even with its lack of drama, I must grant that the MazdaSpeed3 represents a surprisingly good effort on Mazda's part, and easily worth the highly competitive asking price. If I was buying a car today, and my wife didn't force me into something with three rows, this would very likely be the car I'd buy.

A Note on MazdaSpeed3 Reliability

I cannot practically cover reliability within the context of this review. However, many people are interested in such information, so I started collecting my own data in the fall of 2005. Results are posted to my site, www.truedelta.com, with updates every three months.

Unlike other sources, TrueDelta clearly identifies what difference it will make if you buy a MazdaSpeed3 rather than another vehicle by providing "times in the shop" stats (with others coming in the future). You will eventually be able to specify the number of years, annual miles, and types of repairs to include in MazdaSpeed3 reliability comparisons.

To report results, I need reliability data on all cars--not just the MazdaSpeed3--from people like you. To encourage participation, those who help provide the data will receive free access to the site's reliability information. Non-participants will have to pay an access fee.

For the details, and to sign up, visit www.truedelta.com.

A link to this website and alphabetized links to my other vehicle reviews can be found on my profile page.

Some of my reviews of related vehicles:
Mazda3 review
Subaru WRX review
VW Jetta GLI review (similar to GTI)

Amount Paid (US$): 25,000
Model and Options: Grand Touring