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2012 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Since the Mazdaspeed3's debut for 2010, Mazda has consistently upped the ante with new inclusions. Technically in its second generation, although the pilot is known as the Mazdaspeed Mazda3, the Mazdaspeed3 was redesigned for a firmer suspension in its 2010 debut and the Technology options package expanded for 2011 to include rain-sensing wipers, LED taillights and automatic adaptive bi-xenon headlights. For 2012 the 10-speaker Bose surround-sound system that was previously a part of an option pack became a standard feature, and the tag was likewise bumped up a slight $300 notch.
Even going way back to its 2007 roots, the Mazadaspeed3 seems invincible. Drivers consistently praise this hot hatchback's rocket performance and unbelievable value, and only a few report fluke mechanical problems—most commonly, black smoke from the turbo. Although that was rare in the 2007 and even more rare in the 2011 edition, there doesn't seem to be any official word on whether Mazda has modified the crankcase ventilation that appears to be causing the problem, which only a few drivers seem to even notice.
That aside, prospective drivers would be hard pressed to find a negative review in all of the years this 5-seat sport hatch has been produced. Drivers that crave front-wheel-drive performance and prefer a 6-speed stick to do it are in love with the Mazdaspeed3, even comparing it to cars twice as pricey with international checkered flags under their belt and still coming out with a preference for the Mazdaspeed3. So it may not have an analog clock or thick insulation to block out the road's song, but the breed of driver whose heart skips a beat with each rev of a refined engine isn't concerned about such things once they sit behind the wheel of the Mazdaspeed3.
To be sure, the turbocharged 2.3-liter four-banger under the hood is definitely prone to torque steer, cranking out 263 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque on a regular-fuel diet of 18 mpg city/25 highway, although some drivers recommend springing for the good stuff. Zip to 60 mph is reached in just over 6 seconds, and drivers commend the earlier-generation's clutch refinements, using words like "silken," "easy" and "thrilling" to describe the latest models. Crash-test ratings are all excellent except for side-impact protection, which is rated at 3 out of 5 stars. The 2012 Mazdaspeed3 stops from 60 mph in an excellent 113 feet, and standard safety features include traction and stability control, antilock brakes, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. A blind-spot warning system is available in the Tech package.
Standard features include a limited-slip differential, full power accessories, keyless entry, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, height-adjustable driver seat, tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, adjustable front armrest, Bluetooth connectivity and that Bose sound system with CD player and auxiliary audio jack.
Drivers over 6 feet tall are comfortably accommodated, and the rear comfortably seats 3 even with car seats or boosters, but the trunk is a mere 17 cubes unless the rear seats are folded down to afford nearly 43 cubic feet of cargo capacity. It's not meant to be your typical hatch though—the 2012 Mazdaspeed3 was built for thrills, and it offers those in spades.
Published May 31, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2012 Mazda MAZDASPEED3
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by Ben T
Jan 28, 2024
Car was in bad shape. Pictures very deceiving. Needs lots of work to make it worth 10kJan 28, 2024
by Ozz H
Jul 09, 2023
This car is awesome the interior is basic but I feels like a sport Japanese hatch as it should. This car is faster then it’s competition and these engines come with stock forged internals which is why people love modding the speed 3 for more power. I love the stylish exterior. These cars are more for people who are into the hatch life. Under rated and fun vehicle. Jul 09, 2023
by Daniel R
Jan 26, 2023
I love these cars I have one automatic car manual is just the only thing I like to drive and it has some speed. Not as much as my mach1 but way better on gasJan 26, 2023
User rating:
by Ben T
Jan 28, 2024
Car was in bad shape. Pictures very deceiving. Needs lots of work to make it worth 10kJan 28, 2024
by Ozz H
Jul 09, 2023
This car is awesome the interior is basic but I feels like a sport Japanese hatch as it should. This car is faster then it’s competition and these engines come with stock forged internals which is why people love modding the speed 3 for more power. I love the stylish exterior. These cars are more for people who are into the hatch life. Under rated and fun vehicle. Jul 09, 2023
by Daniel R
Jan 26, 2023
I love these cars I have one automatic car manual is just the only thing I like to drive and it has some speed. Not as much as my mach1 but way better on gasJan 26, 2023
by Kevin J
Nov 20, 2021
Is a great 5star car when not modified. Would love to find a clean low mile first gen example. The second gen has certain advantages but I prefer the sleeper looks of the first gen.Nov 20, 2021
by Anonymous
Aug 21, 2020
Not one thing moded all stock that’s rare for this make and model car. Nothing mechanically wrong with it just a couple of cosmetic issues. I’m very satisfied with my purchase a beast of compact car !Aug 21, 2020
by Nicholas C
Apr 05, 2014
This car is extremely fun to drive. my wife and I have owned mazdas for years now and have never had a single problem with reliability or a break down. Would absolutely recommend this car to a friend. Its design and styling look amazing as well. Apr 05, 2014
by Anonymous
Dec 04, 2012
This car is made to exhilarate the enthusiast on a budget. Best bang for the buck if you are looking for a turbo car that performs like nothing else in it's class. It's hard to keep your foot off the gas, that's the only bad thing so far that i am running into :DDec 04, 2012
What users have asked
There is a vehicle I am interested in that says, "with R production." What is that?
A Mazda3 I am interested in that says, "with R production." What is R production mean?
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Does anyone know of a programmer for the ECU to increase HP/torque
I'm not looking to achieve an outlandish 500 horses with a new turbocharger but is there anything else you would recommend to improve performance? Also what are you thoughts on Octane boosters?
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2012 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Pricing
Original MSRP
$23,700 to $24,000Price 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 · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · 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: leather · 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: trunk release · 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: cruise controls · Storage: accessory hook · 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 · Paint: pearl · 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: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
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): rear
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: intermittent
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 · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 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: leather · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cargo cover: hard · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · 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: cruise controls · 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 · Paint: pearl · 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: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
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): rear
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: intermittent