Extensive standard equipment leads the value-for-money race; brilliant engine; good looks
Thumbs-down: All that power tests the chassis dynamics
Sure there are some standout hot hatchbacks on the market, but by any measure the Mazda3 MPS can challenge the best of them.
After a week in the latest Mazda3 MPS, Car Showroom was reminded of the clever engineering, superb manufacturing quality, handy dynamics and great value which make this turbocharged rocket so appealing.
Mazda3 MPS Overview
Mazda3 has been a standout small car and the MPS version is the high-performance version – Mazda’s ‘Hot Hatch’. With its unique turbocharged 2.3-litre, four-cylinder engine, impressive suspension upgrades, sporty exterior mods and handy interior, the Mazda3 MPS ticks all the boxes for hot hatch buyers and has proven its credibility with great showings in production car motorsport events like Targa Tasmania, the Bathurst 12-Hour and Australian Tarmac Challenge.
Priced from $38,435, Mazda3 MPS, when critiqued against rival hot hatchbacks, also stacks-up very well in the value-for-money stakes.
Included in the latest update was a weight-saving program which has pared 15 kgs from the Mazda3 MPS. Using more high-tensile steel in the body shell took-off 11 kgs straight away and incorporating a twin-beam construction for the instrument panel accounted for a further 2kgs reduction – that spells extra performance and enhanced fuel economy.
Mazda3 MPS Engine
Mazda3 MPS employs Mazda’s MZR 2.3-litre DISI turbocharged four-cylinder engine. DISI stands for direct injection spark ignition and Mazda says this provides a flatter torque curve and some 10 per cent more torque from 3,000rpm.
Maximum power is 190kW at 5,500rpm and peak torque of 380Nm arrives at 3,000rpm.
Fuel consumption is rated at 9.9l/100kms.
Drive is via a six-speed manual transmission.
The combination provides blistering acceleration and a sporty exhaust tune while simultaneously delivering everyday ease-of-operation.
Mazda3 MPS The Interior
The sporty tones of the MPS version of the Mazda3 are immediately obvious when you climb inside.
For starters there’s the leather-trimmed sports front seats with red stitching and active head restraints. The drivers’ seat has eight way power adjustment and lumbar adjustment and it combines with rake/reach adjustment for the leather-wrapped steering wheel to deliver a handy driving position.
While the standard Mazda3 curved dashboard and instrument cluster is retained, Mazda3 MPS scores a unique tachometer (with red MPS logo) and an LED turbocharger boost gauge.
Mazda3 MPS also boasts Mazda’s latest 4.1-inch multi-information display which includes the standard satellite navigation system (some rivals still have sat. nav. on the options list).
Audio is a premium Bose in-dash six CD system with 10 speakers and hands-free Bluetooth connectivity.
Rear seat accommodation is on par with others in the segment and the backrest split-folds 60/40 for cargo versatility. Boot capacity is 300-litres.
Mazda3 MPS Exterior & Styling
Great work on the styling front from Mazda – they’ve taken the good-looking Mazda3 and given it just the right amount of extra muscle and on-road presence.
The front bumper and wider front fenders are unique to the MPS and the bonnet gains an air intake to feed the turbocharger intercooler. There is also a different grille, a large rear spoiler and side skirts.
Mazda3 MPS runs 18-inch alloy wheels in a design similar to the RX-8 coupe.
The Mazda3 MPS is 75mm longer, 5mm wider and 5mm lower. The aerodynamic changes reduce the drag coefficient to 0.32Cd.
Mazda3 MPS On The Road
If hot hatchbacks are your thing, you’ll love the Mazda3 MPS on the road. Mazda has done top-notch job in calibrating the engine management system and turbocharger mapping to deliver a nicely balanced combination of tractable everyday ease with on-demand performance.
Around town the Mazda3 MPS is quite docile, but just snick into the right gear and that turbocharged 2.3-litre responds like a firecracker with neck-stretching acceleration accompanied by the racy exhaust note buyers in this league demand.
A damp run over our high-speed mountain roads test route showed reasonable poise and balance aided by the grippy Dunlop rubber. The Mazda3 MPS runs unique springs which are stiffer in the rear and softer in the front (a race car tuning norm) and on-the-limit precision is almost a match for the benchmark Golf GTI and Megane RS.
A special mention for Mazda’s electro-mechanical power steering which is noticeably firmer in feel and more direct in feedback than many others in this league. But even so the Mazda3 MPS was still easy to park and our female drivers weren’t complaining.
Mazda3 MPS Challenges
Like Ford’s potent, 224kW/440Nm Focus RS, stamping your right foot and exploiting the tacho redline in the Mazda3 MPS (particularly in the wet) leads the frequent acquaintance with the traction control system.
Mazda3 MPS Verdict
For those dinosaurs who question Mazda’s credentials in the ‘Hot Hatch’ department we would just refer you to the Mazda3 MPS’ record in events like Targa Tasmania, Bathurst 12-hour etc. Make no mistake, the Mazda3 MPS is a seriously fast piece of kit and our week behind the wheel was an exciting change from a diet of compact cars and SUVs.
Where buyers in this segment need to do their homework centers on standard equipment. Under that heading, Mazda has been very clever in delivering a comprehensive list of features for the Mazda3 MPS which frankly leaves some opposition vehicles looking under-equipped.
Mazda3 MPS The Competition
Subaru Impreza WRX is around the same dollars as the Mazda3 MPS and while its 2.5-litre turbocharged Boxer engine is short on torque (343Nm to the Mazda’s 380Nm) Subaru’s all-wheel-drive is a plus.
Volkswagen’s Golf GTI is also in the same price bracket – although its 155kW/280Nm is fair way shy of the 190kW/380Nm of the Mazda3 MPS, Volkswagen’s hallmark beautiful interior scores points.
There are a couple of new kids on the block. The Renault Megane RS 250 is similarly priced – only a three door but 184kW/340Nm, racy looks, great to drive and French style means its definitely worth a look. And Alfa Romeo’s Giulietta in QV specification delivers 173kW/340Nm with Italian style.
And talking three-doors, Honda’s spirited Civic Type R (148kW/193Nm) must be considered.
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