2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 Touring review notes - AutoWeek
This 2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 has to be one of the best values in hot-hatch performers for less than $30,000 on the market today. But first and foremost, there's the driving, which this car nails in virtually every way. There's a ton of torque across the power band—enough to create the downside of torque steer at any speed, despite Mazda's efforts to rein it in—but if you're attentive and holding the wheel with both hands (as you should be), that's just more... The car is mechanical and direct in every way, from shift action to clutch take-up, suspension control to steering, and brake response. It's just a great driver's car, one that loves to run through the gears and curves as much as it rips through traffic in third or fourth, using every bit of the powerband. DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: There's no denying that this little Mazda is damn quick, but the rest of the experience leaves me a little flat. Torque steer is ever-present when you're on the juice, with the result that even though the car a capable handler, you're constantly reminded that this is a front-drive car with all of the inherent drawbacks of that platform. I also had a tough time getting comfortable in the Mazdaspeed 3 large part because while the seats are adjustable for height, the seat bottom tips forward to achieve that height. Source: autoweek.com
