2012 Mazda Speed3

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Rating7.1

Ranked #8 in 

Compact Hatchback
Write Review
$24,000
Starting Price 

Year

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Practical cabin and generous cargo capacity

Harsh ride quality

Bose surround-sound system now comes standard

Quick acceleration and athletic handling

Desired features such as the sunroof are absent

Respectable fuel economy despite a high engine output

Only manual transmission is available

Specs & Features

$24,000

price

263 hp @ 5500 rpm

horsepower

280 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

torque

6-Speed Manual

transmission

2.3L 4cyl FWD 6M

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 Hatchback makes for an excellent contender in the compact hatchback. With standalone trim on offer, the Mazda Mazdaspeed3 has a base MSRP of $24,000. It competes directly with the Volkswagen GTI Hatchback and the Subaru Impreza WRX Hatchback. Meanwhile, the Mini Cooper S is a less powerful rival from the subcompact hatchback. Only a 2.3L Turbo Inline-4 engine is offered, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Together, they produce 263 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Accelerating from 0-60 in 6.3 seconds, the speed3 maintains a combined fuel economy of 21 MPG. Mazda offers the speed3 in 4 stunning colors, with the Liquid Silver Metallic being a particular favorite of ours.

Buying Advice

Touring is the only trim on offer which comes with features such as a limited-slip differential, cruise control, leather steering wheel, keyless entry, and more. That said, we do recommend the optional Mazdaspeed3 Tech Package worth $2,135. It includes LED taillights, blind spot monitoring, rain-sensing front wipers, and more.

Trims

    Touring
    $24,000 onwards
    • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • Cloth/Leather Seat trim
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Remote keyless entry

Compare to similar cars

Price

$14,530- $16,860

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.27

Horsepower

100 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

98 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$17,995- $29,545

Gasoline

8.57

170 hp @ 5700 rpm

177 lb.-ft. @ 4250 rpm

5

Read Review

$15,265

Gasoline

7.18

94 hp @ 6000 rpm

89 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

4

Read Review

$18,845- $21,715

Gasoline

7.84

132 hp @ 6000 rpm

128 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

$24,000

Gasoline

7.1

263 hp @ 5500 rpm

280 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

5

Read Review

$14,115- $17,200

Gasoline

7.34

106 hp @ 6000 rpm

103 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

5

Read Review

$18,495- $29,095

Gasoline

7.45

170 hp @ 5700 rpm

177 lb.-ft. @ 4250 rpm

4

Read Review

2012 Mazda Speed3 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    6.5 sec--
    7.7 sec15.8 sec-
    8.6 sec16.6 sec-
    9 sec17 sec-
    9.05 sec--
    2012 Scion IQ

    Ranked #6

    10 sec17.4 sec103 mph

    2012 Mazda Speed3 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      18 mpg25 mpg21 mpg15.9 gal.286.2/397.5 mi.
      2012 Scion IQ

      Ranked #1

      36 mpg37 mpg37 mpg8.5 gal.306/314.5 mi.
      30 mpg38 mpg33 mpg11.1 gal.333/421.8 mi.
      2012 Mazda 2

      Ranked #3

      28 mpg35 mpg32 mpg11.3 gal.327.7/395.5 mi.
      26 mpg32 mpg29 mpg13.2 gal.343.2/422.4 mi.
      24 mpg33 mpg26 mpg14.5 gal.333.5/478.5 mi.

      2012 Mazda Speed3 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        177.6 in.69.7 in.57.5 in.4.7 in.103.9 in.

        2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring

        Ranked #2

        176.6 in.69.5 in.59.8 in.5.9 in.106.3 in.
        171.9 in.69.5 in.61 in.5.8 in.102.4 in.
        168.4 in.71.2 in.58.5 in.5.7 in.99.9 in.
        165.4 in.70.3 in.58.3 in.5.4 in.101.5 in.
        2012 Mazda 2

        Ranked #6

        155.5 in.66.7 in.58.1 in.5.1 in.98 in.

        2012 Mazda Speed3 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          17 cu.ft.94.6 cu.ft.42.8 cu.ft.
          19.8 cu.ft.94.2 cu.ft.49.4 cu.ft.
          15 cu.ft.93 cu.ft.46 cu.ft.
          15.4 cu.ft.85 cu.ft.29.9 cu.ft.
          2012 Mazda 2

          Ranked #5

          13.3 cu.ft.87.1 cu.ft.27.8 cu.ft.
          15.3 cu.ft.84.4 cu.ft.25.7 cu.ft.

          2012 Mazda Speed3 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            42.8 cu.ft.17 cu.ft.42.8 cu.ft.60 ft.
            29.9 cu.ft.15.4 cu.ft.29.9 cu.ft.-
            2012 Mazda 2

            Ranked #3

            27.8 cu.ft.13.3 cu.ft.27.8 cu.ft.-
            25.7 cu.ft.15.3 cu.ft.25.7 cu.ft.-
            49.4 cu.ft.19.8 cu.ft.49.4 cu.ft.-
            46 cu.ft.15 cu.ft.46 cu.ft.-

            2012 Mazda Speed3 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              --3281 lbs.
              1500 lbs.850 lbs.2844 lbs.
              2012 Scion IQ

              Ranked #2

              --2127 lbs.
              --2295 lbs.
              -858 lbs.2983 lbs.
              -1078 lbs.2968 lbs.

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