SUMMARY
When comes to power and performance, few hot hatches can match the Mazda 3 MPS. It's the quickest and fastest Mazda you can buy, accelerating to 60mph in 6.1 seconds and onto a top speed of 155mph. Some buyers may be put off by its plain looks, while for others, this will be one of the key draws. The styling tweaks are very subtle and spotting the difference between this high-performance version and a standard car requires a keen eye - the 3MPS whispers, rather than shouts that it's a hot hatch.

BEHIND THE WHEEL
Little gives away that this is the top-of-the-range Mazda3 from behind the wheel. That's no bad thing, though, as the 3 has one of the best cabins around. It's spacious, well thought out and very user-friendly. The driving position is very good, as the steering wheel adjusts for height and reach and you bucket-style seats to hold you in place through corners, while still being comfy enough for motorway trips. A couple of design touches are especially welcome at night: soothing blue backlit dials and orange LEDs that run between the stereo buttons. As you turn the volume up and down, they light up. The higher the volume, the more lights come on.

COMFORT
Passengers should appreciate the roomy cabin; there's loads of head and legroom. Plus being a five-door, everyone should find it easy to get in-and-out of. The sports seat does a good job of holding the front passenger in place when the car's being driven quickly and is comfortable when it isn't. On the move it's generally a quiet car; the only noticeable noise is the sound of the booming turbo under acceleration.

BEHIND THE WHEEL
Little gives away that this is the top-of-the-range Mazda3 from behind the wheel. That's no bad thing, though, as the 3 has one of the best cabins around. It's spacious, well thought out and very user-friendly. The driving position is very good, as the steering wheel adjusts for height and reach and you bucket-style seats to hold you in place through corners, while still being comfy enough for motorway trips. A couple of design touches are especially welcome at night: soothing blue backlit dials and orange LEDs that run between the stereo buttons. As you turn the volume up and down, they light up. The higher the volume, the more lights come on.


COMFORT
Passengers should appreciate the roomy cabin; there's loads of head and legroom. Plus being a five-door, everyone should find it easy to get in-and-out of. The sports seat does a good job of holding the front passenger in place when the car's being driven quickly and is comfortable when it isn't. On the move it's generally a quiet car; the only noticeable noise is the sound of the booming turbo under acceleration.

EQUIPMENT
All cars get MPS-branded sports seats, 60:40 split folding rear seat, centre armrest with cup holders, leather steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake lever, BOSE six-CD autochanger, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, trip computer, remote central locking, electric front and rear windows, climate control, power steering, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, stability control, traction control, limited slip diff, driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, ISOFIX childseat anchor points, Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser, 18-inch alloy wheels, 'Sports Appearance Pack' (unique grille, bonnet, bumpers, side skirts and rear spoiler), body-coloured door handles, electric/heated door mirrors, tinted glass, xenon headlamps, front fog lights, automatic lights, rain-sensing wipers and chrome exhaust tailpipe.

Mazda 3 MPS   Mazda MPV