Hiding some of the smiley face look of the Mazda3's front grille, the MAZDASPEED3 has what the company calls an "organic metallic-black grille" instead.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Mazda took that approach in developing the 2010 MAZDASPEED3. The Japanese automaker considered making the second generation of its hot hatch a Subaru WRX STI fighter with 300 horsepower and all-wheel drive, but that would have increased the price significantly.
The company also could have started with an all-new design, but why bother when the first generation was so good?
Consequently, Mazda chose to evolve the design. A little evolution now and then is a good thing and can go a long way.
Model Lineup
The 2010 MAZDASPEED3 is offered only as a 4-door hatchback and as a single trim called Sport. Last year's Grand Touring version does not return. Standard equipment includes leather and cloth sport bucket seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a Multi-Information Display with trip computer, AM/FM/CD stereo, auxiliary input jack, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio connectivity, sport suspension and P225/40R18 tires on alloy wheels. The only option is the MazdaSpeed Tech Package, with a 242-watt Bose Centerpoint 10-speaker surround sound audio system, an in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, Sirius Satellite Radio with a six-month subscription, a navigation system with a color version of the MID screen, perimeter alarm and an advanced keyless system with push-button starting.
Standard safety equipment includes dual front airbags, front side airbags, side-curtain airbags, a tire-pressure monitor, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, traction control, electronic stability control and active front head restraints.
Under the Hood
The 2010 MAZDASPEED3 has front-wheel drive and uses a carryover 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 263 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque at 3000 rpm. While the power numbers are the same as last year, Mazda says better cooling makes the engine more responsive on the road. The only transmission is a carryover 6-speed manual. EPA fuel-economy ratings are 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway.
Compare: 2010 MAZDASPEED3 vs. Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback vs. Subaru Impreza 2.5GT
Inner Space
The 2010 MAZDASPEED3's interior combines sporty and luxury elements in an impressive package for the price. Quality materials with many soft-touch surfaces give an upscale look and feel. Aluminum pedals, red seat and door inserts and red accent stitching add a sports car flair, as does the constant "boy racer" engine whine. The small steering wheel feels sporty in the driver's hands, and the sport bucket seats have enough bolstering to hold drivers in place in fast turns, but not so much that larger occupants won't fit.
The dashboard design is unique. Based on human-machine interface studies, the cockpit places the controls and readouts in two key zones. The dials and buttons most frequently used, those for the radio and climate control system, are placed high on the center stack where they can be most easily accessed.
View Pictures: 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3
A second tier of readouts for the vehicle information center, climate control system, radio presets and the available navigation system are found in a Multi-Information Display just under the windshield. Mazda says it chose this location because it is close to the driver's line of sight, making it easier and safer to check those readouts. A cluster of buttons on the steering wheel controls the second-tier functions. The readouts are easy to see, and the steering-wheel controls work intuitively. It's a pretty trick setup, but the navigation screen is quite small compared with most systems.
Discuss: Should Mazda have offered the 2010 MAZDASPEED3 with 300 horsepower and all-wheel drive?
The hatchback body style also makes interior space useful. The front seat has plenty of room, and the rear seat has enough space for adults, provided those up front aren't too tall. Those seats fold 60/40 to create a mostly flat load floor. The rear cargo area has 17 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up, and that expands to 42.8 cubic feet when you fold the seats down.
