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Road test - Mazda3 MPS
Road test: Mazda3 MPS
Does 256bhp, front-wheel drive and a practical hatchback body make the hottest hatch? We find out...
Price: £18,995
On sale: Now
0-62mph: 6.9 seconds; top speed 155mph
Average fuel: 29.1 mpg
Standard equipment: Body-coloured door handles and mirrors, power assisted steering, electric windows, climate control air-conditioning, a BOSE premium CD/stereo, remote central locking, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, high-power xenon headlights, 18" alloy wheels, roof-mounted rear spoiler, sports seats, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearknob.
Tiscali verdict: Massive performance wrapped in a practical five-door hatchback bodystyle, but there are compromises in drivability and the MPS is thirsty 7/10
After a period in the 80s' and 90s' when it went out of fashion, the hot hatch is back! But a set of stickers, fancy interior trim and a body kit just won't cut it anymore. Today's hottest of hatches boasts double-tonne bhp, a 0-60mph time under seven seconds and enough safety kit to make having fun more of a challenge. Now Mazda wants a slice of the market with the Mazda3 MPS, a car that is fitted with the most powerful engine currently offered in a hot hatch, a 2.3-litre turbocharged four cylinder, producing 256bhp. So, it may have the most powerful engine, but is the Mazda3 MPS good enough to be considered against more established rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf GTi and Honda's Civic Type R. We find out.
£18,995 sounds a lot for what looks like a standard Mazda3 with a more macho look. But, for that you get pretty much all the equipment you'll ever need, included as standard an attractive set of 18" alloy wheels, comfy, figure-hugging, part-leather trimmed sports seats, climate control and a bassy BOSE CD/audio system. It's surprisingly practical for a hot hatch too, the five-door bodystyle means there's enough room for five passengers and a reasonably sized boot.
The Mazda3 MPS is powered by a 2.3-litre turbocharged four producing 256bhp, mated with six-speed manual transmission. There's no doubting the power of the engine, top speed is an impressive 155mph with 62mph coming up in just 6.1 seconds. The power band is short; the engine does its best work from around 3,000rpm and it's all done at about 5,500rpm. The MPS is brutally quick, and we'd advise that you treat it with respect.
With a combined fuel economy figure of 29.1mpg, there's no getting away from the fact that the Mazda3 MPS enjoys a drink, and if you use all of its performance you'll spend a lot of time at the pumps. But, considering the power output, it's a surprisingly easy car to drive sensibly. The only demerit is the heavy clutch, which can make stop-start driving a leg-aching chore.
The Mazda3 MPS might be fast, but there's still the full compliment of safety kit, with front, side and curtain airbags as standard. The outer rear seats have Isofix child-seat mountings. ABS and electronic brake-force distribution and traction control are also fitted as standard.
What about the alternatives? Take a look at our pick of hot hatch alternatives here.
So what's it like to drive then? In a word exhilarating. The Mazda3 MPS is a real Q car. Unless you specify the optional £500 Aero kit you'll be hard pressed to spot it against hot hatch rivals. The handling is tight, with plenty of grip and little body roll. Sadly the steering lacks feel, and there's also a worrying torque-steery tug on the steering if you put the power down too heavily. This can catch out the unwary! All the power through the front wheels made me wonder whether the MPS would be a wheel spin wonder, but I'm pleased to report that apart from some torque steer, it's very hard to get the MPS to misbehave. However, you always feel that every Mazda traction control system is having to work very hard in the MPS.
To sum up: the Mazda3 MPS offers a staggering performance, is fun to drive and is reasonably practical. I just wonder if it's special enough in a market of standout alternatives.
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