What could make the already excellent Mazda 3 better? A tune-up by the Mazdaspeed crew and a healthy dose of power through turbocharging is exactly what the doctor ordered. The already potent and highly-regarded 2.3-liter engine ingests that boost to put out 263 horsepower, which finds its way to the ground through a limited-slip differential. While it surges forward under acceleration, Mazdaspeed’s skilled engineers didn’t neglect cornering prowess, an essential for any car wearing the Mazda badge. They beefed up the chassis to make it stiffer and applied expert suspension tuning, skillfully crafting the Mazdaspeed 3 to be both compliant around town and surgically precise in a turn. It looks the part, too, although the subtle cues that separate this hatch from its lesser stablemates match its businesslike demeanor: it goes fast and turns sharply without too much fuss. Its multi-talented charms have wowed the motoring press, and it won’t take too long in the driver’s seat for you to be won over as well.
