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2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Once again unwilling to take even a small break, Mazda has added additional features to its Mazdaspeed3 just a year after a major redesign. The optional Technology Package that previously added a 242-watt Bose stereo, alarm, proximity fob for entry and ignition, and a navigation system has been beefed up with rain-sensing wipers, LED taillights, and automatic adaptive bi-xenon headlights – all features unavailable previously.
Otherwise, they ain’t fixin’ what ain’t broke with what might be the best hot hatch out there. A 2.3-liter, direct-injected, 263-hp turbocharged four-cylinder still sits beneath the hood, grafted to a six-speed manual tranny. It’ll get you to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds, but unfortunately Mazda has failed to address the substantial torque steer so many have complained about. Still, the limited-slip differential does its job quite well, except in wet conditions, where the inexperienced driver may find some unintentional hooligan antics livening up the ride. The MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear was stiffened last year, and you can definitely feel it in the corners as well as over bumps, which resonate into the cabin. Yes, it provides a significantly harsher ride than its less performance-oriented siblings, but if you’re looking at a Mazdaspeed3, you’re more interested in tackling turns and carving corners than a haughty highway haul.
And the trade-off for that bump resonance is an increase in torsional rigidity – Mazda claims 2% - from the stiffer springs, increased damping, and thicker sheetmetal that were applied last year. Sure, 2% isn’t going to make headlines, but this more than any other industry is a game of inches.
The taller 2nd-5th gears added last year, as well as the larger hood scoop and new intake ducts, were all applied in an effort to increase efficiency, resulting in an EPA-estimated 18/25 mpg. That said, you’ll need premium fuel to get it, so the gain becomes slightly negligible. Fully electronic braking and steering also contributed to the efficiency crusade, and both systems have received very positive reviews from testers and owners alike.
Unfortunately, the Mazdaspeed3 suffers from the same tiny, useless, and tauntingly annoying nav screen as the rest of the Mazda3 lineup, and you can’t get the rest of the goodies in the Tech Package without it. It’s a glaring spot of rotten on an otherwise blemish-free apple, if you can ignore the torque steer that so threatens to bring on the knee sweats. Still, it’s hard to ignore the fact that you can get a performer like this, one that offers 263 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm, in a four-door hatchback platform.
Now if only they’d offer it with AWD.
Published May 31, 2022 by Michael Perkins
User reviews for 2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3
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by Ozzy F
May 27, 2022
Suspension problems , and some plastic parts in the truck that don’t know where they go.May 27, 2022
by Anonymous
May 05, 2022
It is a very nice car, the interior is wonderful and the overall feel of the car is just raw power. It has plenty of trunk space (my testing of this was fitting 12 cases of water in the back) and overall the feel is great. The only thing that isnt great is the paint, which they didnt do great back when the cars were made, and theyre starting to show their age with chipping and flaking. Other than that I highly recommend this car if you want a fun little driver.May 05, 2022
by Anonymous
Nov 08, 2021
to many modifications and a bad rear end really carotid.Nov 08, 2021
User rating:
by Ozzy F
May 27, 2022
Suspension problems , and some plastic parts in the truck that don’t know where they go.May 27, 2022
by Anonymous
May 05, 2022
It is a very nice car, the interior is wonderful and the overall feel of the car is just raw power. It has plenty of trunk space (my testing of this was fitting 12 cases of water in the back) and overall the feel is great. The only thing that isnt great is the paint, which they didnt do great back when the cars were made, and theyre starting to show their age with chipping and flaking. Other than that I highly recommend this car if you want a fun little driver.May 05, 2022
by Anonymous
Nov 08, 2021
to many modifications and a bad rear end really carotid.Nov 08, 2021
by Mike L
Mar 11, 2015
Fun to drive looks great fun to modify. Comfortable sleek and sexy! Makes me smile as I drive it. Sounds great! Steering is tight, additions are great. Sporty but still practical. Gas mileage is still good for how powerful it is!Mar 11, 2015
by Sean R
Jun 30, 2012
it has refined interior compare than the old models. it has alot of power coming from a turbo charge 4 cylinder engine with an excellent gas mileage. its been reliable since i bought it brand new. never been in an accident.Jun 30, 2012
by Anonymous
May 15, 2012
Mazda has really outdone themselves and captured their Zoom-zoom motto well when they engineered and designed this vehicle. Very fun to drive, very quick and torquey little car. Handling is great. It comes equipped with a Bose sound system, which offers superb sound quality. The navigation system with 3 language options makes getting places a breeze.May 15, 2012
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2011 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Pricing
Original MSRP
$23,700 to $23,700Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & 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: mast · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Sirius Satellite Radio · Total Number of Speakers: 6
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: hands-free 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: front seatback · 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: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
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