Mazda MazdaSpeed3 Sport

Mazda3 has long been a favorite around our house. Whether sedan or five-door hatch, the 3 always rates a positive response from my two 20-something boys and their less-hip parental beings.

MazdaSpeed3 was one of the beneficiaries of the automaker's low interest rates in March, the second lowest behind beleagured Toyota. Photo: Mazda)

The front-drive compact has sporty drivability, good styling and a nice interior. Of the general range of modestly priced compacts, Mazda3 scores among the best.

So it was with some disappointment that I found the MazdaSpeed3 troubled by a number of flaws that limited my driving enjoyment. My 25-year-old elder son, who also road tests cars for publication, was similarly put out.

Foremost among my complaints is the prodigious torque steer that accompanies even moderately hard throttle. Ramming 262 turbocharged horsepower through the front wheels of a compact car can be problematic, but this was a bit much.

The Speed3's nice tailored interior is loaded with appealing features. (Photo: Mazda)

Fast starts were just about impossible without loads of wheel spin and a pitched battle with the steering wheel. Even a deep stab on the gas pedal while accelerating in second gear is greeted with a sharp pull from side to side. Don’t even try it in a turn. Not fun at all.

The powertrain itself is pretty sweet. The 2.3-liter four runs smoothly with just a hint of turbo lag at low rpm and a booming exhaust that lets you know it means business. The six-speed manual transmission shifts nicely with well-spaced gear ratios.

On the highway, the Speed3 races along happily enough. Just look at that smile on its face.

The handling is crisp and aggressive, facilitated by a suspension that is very firm. Maybe too much so. Which leads me to my next beef: a ride that is harsh and bumpy on all but the most glass-smooth surfaces.

Sure, I know that a stiff suspension goes with the sport-compact territory, and I’m good with that. But when the ride is like a brick and your passengers are planning a rebellion, you know it’s just not right. Back-seat passengers were particularly not amused.

The five-door hatchback that I tested looked cool, with its huge Subaru-style hood scoop for the turbo’s intercooler and its stubby but racy demeanor. I encountered a young guy driving a nearly identical Speed3 in an electronics-store parking lot, and he was wildly enthusiastic about the meeting.

But the jury’s still out on that grinning grille, which has infested most of Mazda’s 2010 products. Some like, some hate it, some are indifferent and some just think it’s kind of weird. I’m still in that last camp, but it is gradually growing on me. No worse, I suppose, than the self-consciously glowering faces on some other sporty cars.

My complaints notwithstanding, I’m sure there will be plenty of hot-hatch drivers who will better appreciate MazdaSpeed3’s raucous behavior. I just found it sort of raw-boned considering the greater refinement of the competition.

One thing that gets good grades is the low price of entry into the MazdaSpeed club. The fully equipped test car, including a $1,895 tech package that included an upgraded 10-speaker Bose audio, navigation, and keyless start and entry (a great feature), came to just $25,840, including shipping.

That puts the whole package into a better perspective.

What it is: Five-passenger, four-door hatchback, front-wheel drive.
Engine: 2.3-liter turbocharged inline 4, 263 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, 280 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm.
Transmission: Six-speed manual.
Wheelbase: 103.9 inches.
Overall length: 177.6 inches.
Curb weight: 3,245 pounds.
EPA mileage rating: 18 city, 25 highway.