Storage
Like any good city car, the Mazdaspeed 3 comes equipped with multiple storage areas to contain the sheer amount of stuff people carry around on a daily basis. The glove box is positively huge and features an easy-to-reach latch. The center storage bin under the armrest is larger than it looks, deep but not wide and equipped with a two-tiered design that separates small items from larger ones. Unbelievably, the Mazdaspeed 3 is equipped with a total of eight beverage holders, four of which are molded into the door panels for use with water bottles. The seatback storage pocket is mounted to the driver’s seat rather than the passenger’s seat, making it damn hard to use for the driver, and the lower left storage slot needs a door to restrain items from becoming entangled in the wiring for the floor-mounted Bose subwoofer after using the turbo engine to dispatch bourgeoisie metrosexuals driving BMWs and Benzes.

Infotainment Controls
The Mazdaspeed 3’s navigation system is housed in a pod atop the dash, separated from the stereo and climate controls. This is a great design that could be made better only if the screen offered touch screen control and was located within arms reach. Using the few buttons and “mouse” that are stashed down to the right of the gearshift is distracting but becomes easier to use over time. The stereo design is a bit strange. Power it up and blinking red lights scan across the dash sequentially, like an old late 1960s Cougar’s taillights (or the Trans Am from Night Rider TV fame for our younger readers). Stranger are the tuning and sound control knobs that reside on a different plane from the central power and volume knob, and a separate station display at the top of the dash over the air vents. Basically, the Mazdaspeed 3’s infotainment setup looks cool, but doesn’t function intuitively. Stick to the handy satellite buttons on the steering wheel and get a good map instead of the pricey navigation system.

Climate Controls
As with the stereo display, climate control information is shown at the top of the dash above the air vents. Otherwise, the Mazdaspeed 3’s heating and air conditioning system is simple, comprised of two knobs with integrated function buttons. One nice bit of design detail is how Mazda arranged the airflow mode buttons as a circular pod in keeping with fan speed and temperature knobs which flank it, but this also begs the question: Why not make it a knob instead of buttons?

Secondary Controls
The Mazdaspeed 3 is idiot-proof. The only secondary function that might cause someone of moderate intelligence to scratch his head in bewilderment is the spin dial that controls the height adjustable xenon headlights. Otherwise, all controls are located exactly where expected and operate exactly as anticipated. The driver’s window offers one-touch down operation but not up, and this convenience is reserved only for the person behind the wheel. Dog lovers should note that the Mazdaspeed 3’s rear glass goes all the way down for tongue-flappin’ good times. Speed junkies with too little sense should note that the dynamic stability control system can be shut off, but we really don’t recommend doing that. The DSC saved our butt on one set of off-camber S-curves.