2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$23,340 to $23,340

Original MSRP

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4.2

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(16 reviews)
2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Preview summaryImage

Last year, the 2009 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 earned third place in Motor Trend’s “Small, Fast, Fun” comparison, and apparently Mazda wasn’t happy with that. For 2010, the MAZDASPEED3 underwent an extensive redesign and styling upgrade that resulted in improvements to the transmission, suspension, and electronics, as well as fresh and functional aesthetic changes.

Just like the rest of the Mazda line, this front-wheel-drive hatchback gets the Nagare treatment, a Japanese word translating to “flow,” resulting in a new lower air dam and hood scoop bookending the new smiley-face grille. Following along the side, new side skirts lead the eye around the vehicle, showing off the larger-diameter dual exhaust tips, a larger wing, and wheels that have increased in width by half an inch.

The big changes happen under the skin, specifically in the suspension. Stiffer springs and increased damping improve both the MacPherson front strut and multi-link rear suspension, and thicker sheetmetal in high-stress locations results in what Mazda claims is a 2% increase in torsional rigidity.

The six-speed manual transmission has also been reworked with taller gearing for all but first and sixth. This, in conjunction with a larger hood scoop producing increased airflow and a new intake duct, was applied in an effort to increase overall efficiency. Braking and steering have been similarly reworked, ditching the respective mechanical and hydraulic systems for electronic units that provide an unevenly progressive ratio for the steering and an assist system for the braking. Mazda also added a torque-sensing conical limited-slip differential and a re-engineered torque-management system to deal with all the power put out by the direct-injected, 2.3-liter, turbocharged, 263-hp four-cylinder engine.

A unique interior shows off its namesake, with a MAZDASPEED3 emblem and red stitching on the bucket seats, as well as an LED boost gauge in the otherwise standard cluster, a first in the MAZDASPEED3. For those who want a bit of luxury, grab the optional Tech Package to add keyless ignition, a 5-channel Bose 6-CD satellite radio, and a navigation system with alarm.

With all these upgrades, it looks like Mazda is aiming for first place this time around. The 2010 MAZDASPEED3 won’t be released until November, however, so we’ll have to wait to see if they got it right.

Michael Perkins
Published May 31, 2022 by Michael Perkins
A CarGurus contributor since 2008, Michael started his career writing about cars with the SCCA - winning awards during his time as editor of Top End magazine. Since then, his journalistic travels have taken him from NY to Boston to CA, completing a cross-country tour on a restored vintage Suzuki. While his preference is for fine German automobiles - and the extra leg room they so often afford - his first automobile memories center around impromptu Mustang vs. Corvette races down the local highway, in the backseat of his father's latest acquisition.

User reviews for 2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3

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by Eric S
May 20, 2024
Well its fun to drive, looks great and is quick. Mine apparently has a warn out motor at only 122,000 miles. Dealer reset my codes, put in a can of freon and sent me on my way. Codes came up immediately and air conditioner stopped blowing cold air. Nice car, too many problems. I believe the previous owner neglected service.May 20, 2024
by trevor m
Jun 03, 2020
I think the dash should be warrentied regardless, its a hazard. Other then that the car is great.Jun 03, 2020
by Anonymous
Sep 17, 2014
Blast to drive. Head turner. very easy to maintain. FAST. I can honestly say since I have purchased her, I have not had any problems AT ALL. The only thing I dont like is it is so hard to keep the Hatch clean!Sep 17, 2014

2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Pricing

Original MSRP
$23,340 to $23,340
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Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 10

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.0 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Door sill trim: scuff plate · Door trim: cloth · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Parking brake trim: urethane · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Assist handle: rear · Cargo cover: hard · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.53 · Limited slip differential: front

Engine

Alternator: 110 amps

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: grey · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system

Seatbelts

Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather · Upholstery accents: cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 16.2 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: summer performance

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: front · Rear wiper: with washer

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