2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Review
With the existence of racing go karts and hot rod riding lawn mowers, it's no wonder that performance-tuned compact hatchbacks (also known as hot hatches) are so popular these days. Their small size and light weight make a perfect reason to pack a bunch of horses under the hood. Not wanting to be left out of the party, Mazda introduced a turbocharged version of the economy-minded Mazda MAZDA3 in 2007, and it became an instance success for offering impressive performance at an affordable price. Like the base hatchback, the Mazda MAZDASPEED3 was completely redesigned for 2010, but it adds a more powerful engine and improved suspension tuning that delivers an exhilarating ride.
The base Mazda MAZDA3 is available as a sedan or a hatchback, but the sport-tuned SPEED3 is only available on the latter body style as its top-of-the-line model. Competing against cars such as the Volkswagen GTI, Subaru Impreza WRX, Chevrolet HHR SS and the all-new Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart, the 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 comes in with the lowest starting MSRP of the bunch at $23,195. The term "bang for the buck" may be overused when it comes to affordable performance cars, but with such a low price and dynamic performance capabilities, the 2010 SPEED3 is a car that enthusiasts of all ages can afford and drive as an everyday vehicle.
2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Exterior
While the first-generation SPEED3 varied little from the base model in terms of styling, the all-new Mazda MAZDASPEED3 gets a unique look that is more aggressive and more identifiable. Up front, the 3's big grin is still the centerpiece of the fascia, but it has a unique grille and smaller fog light bezels. Of course, the easiest way to tell the SPEED3 apart is by spotting the massive (and functional) air intake in the hood which feeds air to the turbocharger's intercooler mounted atop the engine. The new grille incorporates stylish lines that mirror the side body creases that cut through the passenger doors. These side creases were seemingly inspired by the 2006 Mazda Nagare Concept, and are accented on the SPEED3 by unique lower side sills that help give the car a stance that appears lower (the SPEED3's height is .4 inches shorter than the base 3, but ground clearance is the same at 4.7 inches). Since all MAZDA3 five-door models come with dual exhaust outlets, the only changes made to the rear of the SPEED3 were larger-diameter exhaust outlets and a taller liftgate spoiler. The sporty look is finished off with big 18-inch wheels that not only help fill the wheel openings but also give the car a cooler stance worthy of the hot hatch label.
The SPEED3 is available in much more attention-grabbing colors such as Velocity Red and Celestial Blue, but this test car came in Liquid Silver Metallic which, while definitely stylish, helped the car blend in a little more giving it more of a sleeper look.
2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Interior
Looking around the cabin of the SPEED3, many changes are obvious but at less of a degree than the exterior or even other hot hatches - which may be a good or bad depending on personal taste. The padding and the bolstering of the SPEED3's front seats look or feel no different than a regular 3 hatchback, but the entire cabin gets stylish red and black accents that almost appear pearlescent at times on the seat and door panel inserts. If the black and red theme isn't enough to set the SPEED3 apart, Mazda also included MAZDASPEED logos on the door sill plates, tachometer and embroidered on the front floor mats. The SPEED3 also gets aluminum foot pedals and unique instrument gauges that indicate its higher redline (6,700 rpm) and top speed (155 miles per hour) than the base 3 hatchback.
The cabin design of all 2010 MAZDA3 models gives the car a much better layout and has improved overall quality and ergonomics than its predecessor. Moving the display for the audio and HVAC information to the upper instrument panel 'brow' not only put the display closer to the driver's line of sight, but it also opened up space to not look as cluttered. The large central knob in the center stack gives easy control of the AM/FM/Sirius Satellite Radio stations, but they can also be controlled through the switches mounted on the steering wheel. Bluetooth connectivity is standard as is the auxiliary jack and power outlet found in the center console storage area.
The only option package that is available on the 2010 SPEED3 is the $1,895 MAZDASPEED Tech Package that upgrades the audio system and adds a compact navigation system, push-button start and perimeter alarm system. The most interesting part of this package is the business-card-sized navigation screen that is placed in the upper brow of the instrument panel. Unlike the majority of the cars on the market that use GPS or DVD to power their navigation system, the SPEED3 uses an SD card for memory, and it can only be controlled using the buttons mounted on the steering wheel. Most cars also charge this package's price just for the navigation system, but the SPEED3 also adds in all the other goodies including the 242-watt, 10-speaker Bose audio system with a six-disc in-dash CD/MP3 changer.
2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Performance & Handling
The modified exterior gives the car a sportier look, but anything with the word "speed" in its name better come packing some heat. In the case of the MAZDASPEED3, Mazda replaced the standard 3's 2.5-liter engine with a turbocharged and intercooled 2.3-liter direct-injected inline-4. As expected, power output is increased significantly to 263 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque with 15 PSI of turbo boost available, but despite the major increase in power, fuel economy doesn't suffer too much. The EPA rated the 2010 SPEED3 with fuel economy estimates 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.
The SPEED3's sport-tuned suspension gives the car great handling without resulting in an overly rough ride in daily driving. This balance between sportiness and practicality is actually the best part of the car as the suspension tuning is tight enough to make it a road-course-ready car yet isn't abusive cruising around town or on long interstate drives. Improvements to the car's handling include larger front and rear stabilizer bars, sport-tuned MacPherson struts up front, sport-tuned multi-link suspension in the rear and larger front disc brakes. For optimal handling, the 18-inch wheels are wrapped in 225/40R18 Dunlop SP Sport 2050 summer tires.
Among its core competition, only the SPEED3 and the Chevy HHR SS have front wheel drive, and despite the limited slip differential and Mazda Torque Management System the car still exhibits noticeable torque steer when accelerating. Despite the retuned suspension and engine and the restyled exterior and interior, the only thing that Mazda didn't change on the car was the six-speed manual transmission. Shared with the base 3 hatchback, this transmission is the only one available for the SPEED3. While the transmission is more than ready to lay down the 263 ponies, a shorter throw for shifter would have probably added to the car's overall sporty attitude. In the end, the SPEED3 delivers impressive acceleration with a 0-60 mph time of around 6.3 seconds.
2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Safety
Matching its origins as a trusted family car, the MAZDASPEED3 got good safety results from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Although the MAZDA3 hatchback scored Good ratings for front, side and rear impact protection, it was not named as a IIHS Top Safety Pick list for 2010 since the roof-strength test has not been administered. Standard safety features for all 2010 MAZDA3 models include six airbags, active head restraints, electronic brake-force distribution with brake assist, four-wheel anti-lock brake system, tire pressure monitoring system, traction control and dynamic stability control.
Summary
For those looking for a fast, sporty hatchback without breaking the bank, it would be a challenge to find a better deal than what the 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 offers. After driving other sport hatchbacks, it's easy to see that the 2010 SPEED3 is more refined than its predecessor and most of the competition to feel fun in quick launches or handling tight corners and also comfortable when cruising around in everyday driving. The Volkswagen GTI may have invented the hot hatch, but the MAZDASPEED3 has definitely perfected it.
Select photos by Jeffrey N. Ross.
Mazda provided a vehicle for this review.