Mazda Mazdaspeed 3

The Mazdaspeed3 features the same turbocharged 2.3-liter MZR L3-VDT I4 engine from the Mazdaspeed Atenza (known as Mazdaspeed6 in North America and Mazda 6 MPS in Europe, South Africa, and Australia). In this application, it produces 263 bhp (267 PS; 196 kW) and 280 lb⋅ft (380 N⋅m) when running on 91 octane gasoline ((R+M)/2). This is routed through the front wheels rather than the complex all-wheel drive system found on the Mazdaspeed Atenza. The Australian market receives the Mazda3 MPS with the same engine as the Mazda6 MPS with power output of 190 kW (255 hp). The engine was listed in Ward's 10 Best Engines for three years straight.

A GKN limited slip differential is standard, along with a six-speed manual transmission, anti-lock brakes, traction control and dynamic stability control. No automatic transmission option was offered. To limit wheel slip, boost in the first gear will be limited to produce a maximum of 230 hp (172 kW), boost in second gear is also limited. The amount of boost reduction is determined by the gear selection and steering angle. There is no reduction of boost third or above.

2008 Mazdaspeed3 Grand Touring (USA)
It uses the five-door hatchback body of the Mazda3, though it has extra structural bracing and subtle exterior styling differences. Volvo-sourced 320 mm (13 in) front and 280 mm (11 in) rear brake discs hide under 457 mm (18.0 in) wheels.

Critical reception has been generally very positive, with automotive writers praising the car's balance of good performance and low cost. The review by Edmunds.com compared the vehicle favorably to some more expensive rivals, saying "It's a lot of machine for the money and it offers the same balance of speed, practicality and value we've found previously only in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution or Subaru WRX STI."

In several road tests, the Mazdaspeed3 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds with skidpad numbers in the 0.87g to 0.91 g range. A 1⁄4 mile (402 m) time of 14.0 at 101 mph (163 km/h).

Trim levels
Mazda offered two trim levels with the Mazdaspeed3. The Grand Touring model (pictured) has few outwardly visible differences from the Mazdaspeed3 Sport but includes leather and lycra weave logo-embroidered racing seats, Bose stereo with 6-CD in-dash changer, automatic Xenon headlamps with manual leveling control, LED tail lights (the main visible difference), and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The Mazdaspeed3 Sport and GT both include front and side driver and passenger airbags, air-curtains, logo-embroidered racing seats, signature red-stitched seams throughout, logo sill-plates, aluminium GT-style pedals, steering-wheel audio and cruise controls, automatic climate control and 18 inch by 7 inch wide aluminum alloy wheels. Additional cross-members within the chassis frame and body stiffen the vehicle to improve handling and control under heavy braking and acceleration in addition to quelling torsional flex. ABS brakes assist corner and wet-weather braking, lateral and through-ventilated disc brakes on all wheels provide extreme stopping power with reduced fade. DSC and Traction Control on all Speed3 models is also standard.

The JDM Mazdaspeed Axela models retained similar features to the Mazdaspeed 3 and Mazda3 MPS, They differed by all models featuring keyless entry and start, automatic Xenon headlamps, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and LED tail lights, with the options for the Bose stereo and/or the Leather and Alcantara seats and doorcards. There was no option for cruise controls and only Bose stereo optioned cars received steering wheel audio controls

The AU/NZ DM Mazda3 Sporthatch MPS was again similar to the other markets, They did not receive the keyless entry system, automatic headlamps, or rain-sensing windshield wipers. All models featured cruise controls, half leather seats, and headlamp washers, and there was the option for the Bose stereo and/or the Leather and Alcantara seats and doorcards.

In late 2007, All markets besides AU/NZ received an interior facelift. This changed the interior accent color from silver to piano black, and the seat and doorcard color from silver to black.