Introduction

Mazda MazdaSpeed 3 -- 2007 First Drive: Wild child. That's how Mazda engineers describe the newest member of the MazdaSpeed family. Obvious hyperbole aside, pinning a label like this on the 2007 Mazda MazdaSpeed 3 is a little misleading. Of course this high-performance version of the automaker's popular compact hatchback has a wild side — stuffing a ridiculously powerful turbocharged motor into a lightweight body will do that. But to our way of thinking, the fact that this new model is one of the world's quickest front-wheel drive cars is only part of its appeal: it's also practical for everyday life.

That's right: After spending the day driving the MazdaSpeed 3 on street and racetrack, what really makes this car so attractive is the way it combines giggle-inducing performance with everyday practicality. Add a window sticker in the mid-20s, and we predict a lot of folks are going to get a little wild child themselves over the zoom-zoom folks' latest offering.

Model Mix

The Mazda MazdaSpeed 3 comes only as a four-door hatchback, but there are two trim levels to choose from. The base Sport and top-of-the-line Grand Touring versions of this hot hatchback get the same basic appearance and performance upgrades, including more stylish sheetmetal, a 2.3-liter turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission, sport-tuned suspension, bigger brakes, and 18-inch alloy rims.

Prices for the Sport model start at $22,835 including $595 destination, making it competitive with other high-performance compacts such as the Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged, the Honda Civic Si or the Volkswagen GTI. For that money you also get a long list of desirable standard features including front sport seats, cloth upholstery, automatic climate control, keyless entry, cruise control, AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers and an audio input jack, as well as special MazdaSpeed interior trim. Also standard are whiplash-reducing active head restraints, side-impact airbags for front seat occupants and side-curtain airbags for front and back. Four-wheel-ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) with brake assist and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) are also standard.

Step up to the Grand Touring model and you get a nicely-equipped car for a sticker price of $24,550, including $595 destination. All the good stuff is here, including bright xenon headlights and LED taillights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, cloth sport seats with leather side bolsters, a trip computer, antitheft alarm, and a premium 222-watt Bose audio system with a six-disc in-dash CD changer and seven speakers. If you're feeling flush, you can add a GPS navigation system ($1,750), an auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and universal garage door opener ($250), and Sirius satellite radio ($430). Toss in a few other assorted doo-dads and a fully loaded GT model will set you back just over $27,000.

Interested? Better hurry. Mazda says only 5,000 Mazda MazdaSpeed 3s will be available this year. Many are already spoken for, which means you best act fast if you want to park one in your garage.