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2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Review

October 7, 2009

STYLING | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Relentlessly cheerful grinning face
Popular Mechanics

We really missed the old under-the-radar styling
Jalopnik

Revised cabin, which sports a contemporary design
Edmunds

The Mazda3 went under the knife this year and emerged with very polarizing and controversial styling, but TheCarConnection.com’s editors think the new look—especially the sometimes maligned snout—better fits the 2010 Mazda MazdaSpeed3.

The 2010 Mazda MazdaSpeed3 takes the standard Mazda3 styling to a whole new level with more aggressive visual cues. Jalopnik reports that the MazdaSpeed3 adapts the Mazda3’s “happy new design, but makes that grin louder with a deeper front splitter, a huge hood scoop,” and a “big wing.” Popular Mechanics reviewers feel that “if you can live with that relentlessly cheerful grinning face,” then you’ll find that the styling from the A-pillars on back is much more appealing. Edmunds notes the Mazda MazdaSpeed3’s controversial character, warning that “the new car adds some design flourishes that won’t appeal to anyone,” and the front “comes off looking like a football player’s mouth guard.” Autoblog similarly asserts that “if you haven’t warmed-up to the Mazda3’s new sheetmetal, the ‘Speed version won’t help matters.” While the hood scoop isn’t the most attractive on the market, at least it is fully functional and helps deliver on the MazdaSpeed3’s performance promise.

Reviewers are much more pleased with the Mazda MazdaSpeed3’s interior, which Autoblog says is “essentially Mazda3 fare, with the addition of…red stitching on the seats and steering wheel.” Edmunds is particularly impressed, finding that “refinement is improved in the revised cabin, which sports a contemporary design that melds function and style like few others at this price.” Function is first and foremost on Motor Trend’s mind, and they are pleased to find that “the interior is easy to get acquainted with.”

Conclusion

The 2010 Mazda MazdaSpeed3 makes a slightly awkward first impression, but its interior strikes the right look and the proportions are still correct.

STYLING | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Relentlessly cheerful grinning facePopular MechanicsWe really missed the old under-the-radar stylingJalopnikRevised cabin, which sports a contemporary designEdmunds The Mazda3 went under the knife this year and emerged with very polarizing and controversial styling, but TheCarConnection.com’s editors think the new look—especially the sometimes maligned snout—better fits the 2010 Mazda MazdaSpeed3. The 2010 Mazda MazdaSpeed3 takes the standard Mazda3 styling to a whole new level with more aggressive visual cues. Jalopnik reports that the MazdaSpeed3 adapts the Mazda3’s “happy new design, but makes that grin louder with a deeper front splitter, a huge hood scoop,” and a “big wing.” Popular Mechanics reviewers feel that “if you can live with that relentlessly cheerful grinning face,” then you’ll find that the styling from the A-pillars on back is much more appealing. Edmunds notes the Mazda MazdaSpeed3’s controversial character, warning that “the new car adds some design flourishes that won’t appeal to anyone,” and the front “comes off looking like a football player’s mouth guard.” Autoblog similarly asserts that “if you haven’t warmed-up to the Mazda3’s new sheetmetal, the ‘Speed version won’t help matters.” While the hood scoop isn’t the most attractive on the market, at least it is fully functional and helps deliver on the MazdaSpeed3’s performance promise. Reviewers are much more pleased with the Mazda MazdaSpeed3’s interior, which Autoblog says is “essentially Mazda3 fare, with the addition of…red stitching on the seats and steering wheel.” Edmunds is particularly impressed, finding that “refinement is improved in the revised cabin, which sports a contemporary design that melds function and style like few others at this price.” Function is first and foremost on Motor Trend’s mind, and they are pleased to find that “the interior is easy to get acquainted with.” ConclusionThe 2010 Mazda MazdaSpeed3 makes a slightly awkward first impression, but its interior strikes the right look and the proportions are still correct. 2010 MAZDA MAZDASPEED3 STYLING | [9 out of 10] Popular Mechanics: “Relentlessly cheerful grinning face” Jalopnik: “We really missed the old under-the-radar styling” Edmunds: “Revised cabin, which sports a contemporary design” The Mazda3 went under the knife this year and emerged ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

At well below $25,000, all said, the Speed3 provides more performance than the Honda Civic Si or the Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, while costing significantly less than the Subaru WRX or Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart. The 2010 MazdaSpeed3 feels a little edgy and has a tuner-car personality, so for buyers who want more frugality than sport, the Honda or Nissan might have a better overall balance. If you’re willing to invest in a set of snow tires, the Ralliart or WRX might be a better bet for chilly climes, though they cost several thousand dollars more. Please note that TheCarConnection.com hadn’t yet driven the new Volkswagen GTI—one of the Speed3’s chief rivals—at the time of this review.

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See the Mazda MAZDASPEED3 in Other Years:

2010

Comments (1 total)

  1. By  Car news #1, Posted: 10/7/2009

    This is a great sport car, I like Mazda cars...

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