The 2013 Mazdaspeed3 is the modified upgrade of the 2013 Mazda3 GT, which includes the addition of a turbo charged engine tuned for racing and sport tuned parts. The 2013 Mazdaspeed3’s acceleration is astonishingly fast and provides a thoroughly adrenaline filled ride. The aggressively styled exterior complete with hood scoop is the first sign that the 2013 Mazdaspeed3 is truly a beast!
ENGINE & DRIVE
Equipped with a 2.3L four cylinder turbo-charged engine (outputting 263 horsepower) and paired to a six speed manual transmission, the 2013 Mazdaspeed3 rips through zero to sixty mph at only 6.2 seconds. When you hit the gas, the pleasing but slightly muted sound of the roaring engine fills the cabin and throws you back in your seat.
With all this power, the fuel economy does suffer a little but this could also be because one is more inclined to drive fast with all this power at hand. A combined 355 kms of city and highway (semi-aggressive) driving posted a 10.4 L/100km fuel economy, well within the specified fuel economy of 11.5 L/100km in the city and 8.0 L/100km on the highway.
The combination of the 2013 Mazdaspeed3’s front wheel drive and the high powered engine causes torque steer (a bit of a pull to the left) when accelerating quickly, which should be kept in mind if not forewarned during a test drive. Also, depressing the stiff clutch pedal creates significantly more resistance than most manual transmission vehicles.
INTERIOR & EXTERIOR
The aggressively styled exterior of the 2013 Mazdaspeed3 can be attributed to the large, slotted front grille, aftermarket like front and side skirting, rear spoiler, black accent side mirrors and rims, hood scoop and dual exhaust.
The interior of the 2013 Mazdaspeed3 is both simple and functional, which is a refreshing change from the excess of buttons seen on many dashes of other vehicles these days. This can be attributed to the nice sized navigation screen which also controls the audio and other options, reducing the need for extra buttons. I would have liked to see a sunroof option available like the 2013 Mazda 3 Sport.
The interior also contains the 10-speaker Bose sound system, which is loud and sounds great. The centre console offers adequate storage for cups and other items, while also providing an adjustable armrest for front passengers.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The 2013 Mazdaspeed3 is an incredibly fun car to drive, with fast acceleration, a great sounding engine and almost too much power for its own good. However, it is also a five passenger vehicle with a hatchback for extra trunk space, making it a very practical car for daily activities. So, if you’re in the market for a performance vehicle that also can be a daily driver with bang for your buck, then you should definitely consider taking a test drive with the 2013 Mazdaspeed3 which starts at just $29,995.
