Video: 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed3

The Mazdaspeed3 is a member of a growing group of performance hatchbacks that includes models like the Dodge Caliber SRT4 and Chevy HHR SS, but the Mazda's entry still ranks as one of the most fun to drive on a daily basis while still offering the cargo room you expect from this type of vehicle. Mazdaspeed means performance in Mazda terms, and the company has given the car some changes on the outside to show off what this car is all about. You can see the front fenders are wider. There's a whole new lower grill design to the car. It also comes with rocker panels and standard 18-inch wheels. And around back, you'll see the single exhaust pipe, which is pretty large and also emits a loud droning sound, which hints at the power that's underneath the hood of this car. The Mazdaspeed3 features a 2.3 liter four cylinder. It's turbocharged, makes 263 horsepower, and 280 pounds feet of torque. The only transmission available is a six speed manual, but it's a very nice manual transmission. And all that power goes to the front wheels, which might concern some buyers because those wheels are also tasked with steering the car, obviously. Fuel economy is a little worse than a SRT4 or HHR SS at 18/26 city/highway. One of the big changes to the front of the Mazdaspeed3 on the inside is that it has these sport bucket seats. Now they only have manual adjustments, but those adjustments do let you get a nice driving position and the seats themselves are very comfortable. But one of the kind of outdated features I noticed in it is that it has the key, when you try and move, you have to press this little button next to the bob to pull the key out. Something you don't see on nearly any car these days and it gets a little annoying after awhile. The car also has this navigation system, which is up on the dash here, but it's controlled by controls down low. They work pretty well and pretty easy to get accustomed to them. Just a little different setup than you see in some other auto makers. Backseat space in the Mazdaspeed3 for adults isn't bad, but the front sport seats that I mentioned previously that are pretty comfortable, they're also pretty large and those kind of encroach on the rear passengers a little bit. Fortunately, the backside of the seats goes forward pretty easily, so if you needed some extra leg room, your knees push into 'em a little bit. To access the cargo area, you have to find this hidden handle down here. And when the lift gate opens, it opens pretty tall, so you can walk under it, even if you're a taller person. But at the same time, the lift overhead's low, so loading a bag like this one here isn't too challenging. You don't have to lift it up that high. This cargo area measures 16.5 cubic feet. And if you fold the backseats down, which are split, it's 43.4 cubic feet with both those seats down. The Mazdaspeed3 bests the Caliber SRT4 and HHR SS in the fun of drive department, and it also stacks up well against all wheel drive performance hatchbacks like the Volkswagen R32 and Subaru Impreza WRX STI. So if you don't want to compromise utility for performance and want to spend less than $25,000, the Mazdaspeed3 is a great way to go. (car engine roars) <v Announcer>For additional information on this car or any other go to c-