2013 Mazda Speed 3 – Too much Zoom?

If someone figured out a way to harmonize both performance and practicality into a single package, Mazda would be the mastermind behind the perfect recipe.  This wasn’t a fluke either as Mazda has long earned its reputation for injecting steroids into their midsize sedans and hatchbacks  for the last decade.

The Miata and RX8 are best known for Mazda’s sportier offspring, but if you forget the Mazdaspeed 3 in the list, you should be flogged.  This car is absolutely fun to drive while preserving enough elements to make it an everyday car with its large cargo area and comfortable legroom for additional passengers.

Exterior

Mazda basically gave the sculpting knife to a mad scientist to carve out the standard Mazda 3 hatchback.  The result is a very aggressive look with muscular finesse. In addition, it is also very well proportioned with 16″ wheels and moderate  size rear wing. Unlike funkier styling such as the , the Speed3 gives off a serious impression, but still blends in with everyday driving.  What we can’t understand is the Thomas the Tank engine inspired smiling grill on the Mazda speed 3.  Other than that, we were pleased with the sleek and modern looks that didn’t deviate too much from the automotive norm but just enough to make the Speed 3 visually unique.

 

Interior

As a driver’s car, all vehicle control elements have a nice feel to it such as soft leather gear shift, solid steering wheel and silky smooth pedal. Apart from that, there really isn’t much to rave about.  Material used throughout is cheap, especially both the front and rear seats and the overall cabin space is a black monotone. Worse part is the discrepancy of the two front LCD displays that are both different in size, colors, and fonts.  Although they are both very functional, this is aesthetically prototype quality and unacceptable to today’s consumer standard.   Mazda did incorporate standard technology features such as phone and bluetoothe connectivity, but the navigation software is in the stone age and very difficult to setup and use.

Performance and Handling

It doesn’t take long to realize the Speed 3 is a serious machine once the engine is fired up as the raw engine tone floods the cabin space.  Oh, and by the way, this car can really accelerate.  It only took only 10 minutes to lose my virginity to a speeding ticket.

The four cylinder engine turbo produces a muscling 263 horse power and 280 ft.lbs of torque.  Even at a shallow pedal position, initial acceleration remains dull while the turbo spools up.  Only until the 3000 RPM range is breached,  will the car suddenly bite you in the ass and throw you back towards the seat.    Due to the physics of a front wheel drive car, there is an immense amount of torque steer, making the car very difficult to control under hard acceleration.  With that in mind, you really do have to be actively conscious in where the power bands are and react accordingly to keep the car under control.

The six speed gearbox is buttery smooth and optimally spaced to maintain both power band under hard acceleration, or composure during normal driving conditions.  The brakes are good in a sense that they have solid touch, but doesn’t have that “stop on a dime” feel.  It would have been a good test to put the Mazda Speed 3 under heavier loads to determine its sensitivity to brake fade and overheating.

In terms of steering, it feels natural but lacks the sharpness and precision.  Its long wheel base and its susceptibility to chassis flex definitely doesn’t help either.

Ride Quality.

The Ride quality of the Mazda Speed 3 is subjective since the suspensions are stiff to provide a  sporty handling feel but very harsh for everyday driving.  It’s good in a sense that it gives a very “raw” car feel and fun factor especially accelerating through small lips on the road, but driving through ruts and potholes with the Speed3 is very discomforting and even frustrating.  In terms of a consumer’s perspective, the level of discomfort can easily be a deal breaker at the auto mall.

Conclusion

Our tested model of the Mazda Speed 3 is priced at 27,995$.  This number is best put into perspective with the Ford Focus ST, where its price point is a pinch away.   But truth be told, if it was the consumer battle between the two, the Focus ST is light years ahead.  The interior quality and technology included in the ST is superior to the Mazda Speed 3.  Take for example, the leather interior, advanced infotainment system with voice control, torque vectoring and hill-assist.  This is just to name a few and I haven’t even got to the performance aspects yet.  Because the ST has a more compact chassis with torque vectoring it handles and accelerates better with less torque steer than the Speed 3.  However, the longer chassis on the Mazda Speed 3 does earn more legroom in the back seats and could find justice in more practicality with more cargo space.  We understand that Mazda wants to keep their design minimalistic and traditional, but we are now in a new generation of automotive technology and this is really our only argument to vouch for the Speed 3.  It’s as if Mazda only had the desire to make the Speed 3 fast and cared for nothing else.  Maybe the abandoned smiley grin on the all new 2014 Mazda Speed 3 is a sign of seriousness and hopefully find its way up the hatchback podium.