Hottest hatchback contender: The new Mazdaspeed3
CNET Car Tech reviews the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3.
Wayne Cunningham Managing Editor / Roadshow
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
The problem with big cars with lots of horsepower is that, unless you live near the Utah Salt Flats, you never get to actually use all that potential. And going fast in a straight line isn't lasting fun. But a small car with good handling and a torque-y engine can lead to hours of enjoyment on winding roads. That's where the Mazdaspeed3 comes in.
This hot hatchback offers tight, quick handling appropriate for tackling mountain roads with switchbacks, while its small, turbocharged engine pours on the twist. The tech features in the cabin are only moderate, but Mazda employs a clever implementation of navigation.