Hot, hot, and just plain hot. That's an apt description of the 2008 MazdaSpeed3 grand touring unit we tested recently. This front-wheel-drive sport compact is one of those fun-to-drive cars that also looks good and handles amazingly well.
One of the highlights on the MazdaSpeed3 is its hot little engine, a DOHC 2.3-liter that is turbocharged and intercooled. This 16-valve, four-cylinder, direct-injection powerpack is all aluminum and produces 263 HP. It's mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed manual transmission.
To say it's quick and responsive is an understatement.
The powertrain, however, is not the only superb feature on the MazdaSpeed3 as the car is generously comfortable and user-friendly.
On the interior, there are MazdaSpeed3 leather and Alcantara seats and carpeted floor mats, 60/40 fold-down rear seats, steering wheel audio controls, a tilt and telescopic steering column, cruise control, electroluminescent gauges, tachometer, aluminum pedals, illuminated vanity mirrors, a six-way adjustable driver's seat, automatic climate control, power windows/doors/locks, and a booming BOSE audio system with seven speakers along with an in-dash CD/MP3 changer.
The only option ($430) on our tested unit was a Sirius satellite radio system.
For a base price of $24,055, the MazdaSpeed3 also offers plenty of other cool features that make it an attractive buy. It has four-wheel disc brakes and an antilock braking system with Electronic Brake Distribution. Added to that is Dynamic Stability Control system and a Traction Control System.
Further, the MazdaSpeed3 has a torque-sensing conical limited-slip differential and front/rear stabilizer bars.
On the sporty exterior are clear-lens halogen fog lights, side turn-signal repeater lights, a MazdaSpeed3 rear lift-gate spoiler, sport-type front and rear bumpers, Xenon high-intensity headlamps, and P215/45R18 high-performance tires mounted on 18-inch alloy wheels.
The independent front and rear suspension system makes the MazdaSpeed3 tight, and the ride is enhanced with telescopic double-acting shock absorbers (also MacPherson struts in the front and coil springs front and rear). Handling is responsive with a variable-assist rack-and-pinion and hydraulic power-assist steering system. Curb-to-curb turning radius is 36.1 feet.
Not much to dislike on the MazdaSpeed3. In addition to the features noted, it also has a tire-pressure monitoring system; auxiliary power jacks; plenty of safety features, including a four-star frontal crash rating; and EPA estimated fuel ratings of 18-MPG/city and 26-MPG/highway.
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The new Rogue crossover from Nissan was also a favorable vehicle in our view. Available in two models, the S and SL, our tested 2008 Rogue S AWD unit offered generous standard equipment and pleasant handling for a base price of $20,450 (we had one option on our tested Rogue--floor and cargo mats for $180).
Powered by a 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine that produces 170 HP at 6,000 RPM and 175-lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400 RPM. The electronic drive-by-wire engine features a continuously variable valve timing control system. It is coupled with an Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission. Intuitive all-wheel drive is standard on both models (Front-wheel-drive is optional on both).
Standard equipment on the Rogue includes front and rear stabilizer bars, halogen headlamps, ABS with an Electronic Brake Force Distribution system, Vehicle Dynamic Control system, traction control system, 60/40 rear seats, a tire-pressure monitoring system, stabilizer bars, and power windows/doors/locks among its more than three dozen other features.
There is a Nissan Advanced Air Bag System that includes side-impact supplemental, roof-mounted curtain side-impact, and seat-mounted driver and front passenger airbags. In addition, there are high-strength side door-guard beams, an energy-absorbing steering column, and active head restraints on a long list of safety features. It also has a five-star side-impact crash rating.
Cargo space is plentiful on the Rogue, with 28.9 cubic feet of rear space (57.9 cubic feet with the second-row seating down), plus there is a storage compartment under the rear cargo floor. There are also map pockets and a center console, along with front-door pockets and driver/passenger seatback pockets.
The Rogue is functional and comfortable to drive. While it only has the four-cylinder engine in a category that often has more powerful offerings, it does have solid fuel ratings of 21-MPG/city and 26-MPG/highway.
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