KansasCity.com's view

Some cars are so much fun to drive that it is hard to send them back at the end of a weeklong test drive. The MazdaSpeed3 is just such a car, and with a base price of $23,195, it is one of the performance bargains of the year.

The compact Mazda3 has long been a favorite of enthusiasts because it has aggressive handling and sharp looks, and the high-performance version only heightens its appeal.

This five-door hatchback is a real kick. The 263-horsepower, turbocharged engine has a power band that is so elastic and linear that the four-cylinder will blast through the gears with grin-inducing speed or accelerate steadily from less than 2,000 rpm in fifth or sixth gear. That flexibility makes Mazda’s hot compact a ton of fun for daily driving or a vigorous romp through the countryside.

On a recent afternoon, as I hurried back to the city from a small town down south, the MazdaSpeed3 was absolutely in its element. It was delightful to squeeze the throttle between corners and feel the power push me back in the seat. The brakes are quite powerful, and they, too, impart a sense of security.

Cranking 263 horsepower through the front wheels is a real challenge, and Mazda has been pretty successful. Heavy-handed use of the throttle results in some torque steer as the front wheels fight for traction, but it is well managed.

The MazdaSpeed3 is not very quiet on the highway. The exhaust note is deep and throaty, which I liked, but it seemed as if there was quite a bit of road noise, too.

The heavy suspension felt perfect while blasting along bumpy country roads, but it can be a bit harsh in the city. Taller-profile tires might soften the ride a tad without hurting its ability to hang on to the road.

For my taste, the styling seems to be a bit overdone, but the car is so much fun to drive that the styling seems secondary. The side and rear of the car are quite nice, but up front, the standard grinning grille now looks more like an evil sneer, which might be useful for moving slower cars out of your way on divided highways. The hood scoop provides cool air to the turbocharger, and the front fenders are wider to cover the 18-inch wheels.

The cabin is comfortable and well designed. The sport front seats were among the best I have experienced in a long time. They had support in all the right places and do a good job of keeping passengers anchored during sporty driving.

The instrument panel has an “eyebrow” that contains the window for the audio and climate control system as well as the optional navigation screen. The navigation screen is about the size of one found in a handheld GPS unit, and it works great.

Folding down the rear seat can expand the cargo space, and the rear hatch is large enough to swallow big items.

The optional Tech package includes keyless entry, push-button start, navigation system, Sirius satellite radio and a Bose stereo with 10 speakers. One missing option is heated seats.

Price

The base price of the test car was $23,195. The optional Tech package and delivery charge brought the sticker price to $25,840.

Warranty

Three years or 36,000 miles, with a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

2010 MazdaSpeed3

Engine: 2.3-liter, 263-hp 4-cyl.

Transmission: Six-speed

Front-wheel drive

Wheelbase: 103.9 inches

Curb weight: 3,245 lbs.

Base price: $23,195

As driven: $25,840

MPG rating: 18 city, 25 hwy.

To reach Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tom@tomstrongman.com.