Mazda 3 MPS
July 11, 2006 by Alborz Fallah
July 2009 Update: Read our Review of the new Mada3 MPS.
The Mazda 6 MPS came to Australia earlier this year with a price tag of around $49,000 and caused little to no drama. Sure it was powered by a 2.3 Litre Turbocharged engine producing 190kw of power and 380Nm of torque, and sure it could give a Subaru WRX a run for its money, but it was boring. It seemed almost like Mazda had gone out of their way to make the Mazda 6 MPS seem less of a sports car than the normal Mazda 6! The spoiler was reduced in size, the wheels looked like they came out of a old Ford’s “do not use” parts bin and essentially the car failed to inspire.
Understandably, the car is aimed at the executive types who love to watch Rally cars and Formula 1, the ones who would also consider buying a Subaru WRX STi if the bonnet scoop wasn’t so massive and if the spoiler could be smaller, so infact Mazda had thought it through, they wanted a car they could sell to middle aged men who wanted a fast turbo with AWD while having no need to let everyone know about it.
The Mazda 3 MPS is another story, no longer aimed at middle aged businessmen the new 3 is set to put the hot hatch market on fire as the new Mazda 3 range prepares to make its return. The Mazda 3 MPS starts from $39,990 for the standard which Mazda claims will represent 70 per cent of Mazda 3 MPS sales (expected to start at 130 cars a month). For those who really want to spend, an extra $3,700 will get you the Mazda 3 MPS Sports Pack Model at $43,690.
“With class leading power and dynamics, the Mazda3 MPS is the ideal flagship for the hugely successful Mazda3 range and a great addition to our MPS stable,” Mazda Australia managing director Doug Dickson
The Full list of standard features for the Mazda 3 MPS can be found at the end of this article, however the highlights of the standard Mazda 3 MPS package include:
- climate control
- cruise control
- dynamic stability control
- six airbags (dual front, side and curtain)
- 18 inch alloy wheels
- fog lamps
Optional extras include the half-leather trim for the sports seating and xenon headlights. If you are willing to, you can also get the BOSE sound system upgrade which I wouldn’t recommend as you can get an after market system with better sound, installed, for less!
The Mazda 3 MPS uses the same 190KW 2.3 Litre Turbo-charged engine from the Mazda 6 MPS, however given that it weighs nearly 200kgs less than the Mazda 6 MPS, the 3 is slightly faster to 100km/hour at 6.1 seconds and has a top speed of 250km/hour. However it gains this weight advantage not just because of its size, but due to the fact that Mazda 3 MPS is still.. front wheel drive. Yes, shock horror. If the 2.5 Litre Turbo charged Ford XR5 wasn’t scary in a front wheel drive platform, this one is sure to scare a few drivers. Or maybe not?
The good people at Mazda noticed that strapping a turbo charged engine to a Front Wheel Drive car isn’t the smartest idea in the world if you don’t have all the gadgets that will insure the car’s safety. So they strapped the gadgets along as well, so you get limited slip differential and electronic control of engine torque, as well as stability and traction control. You also get steering angle sensors to reduce torque steer in tight cornering, alongside the torque-sensing limited slip differential (also found in the Mazda RX8 and Mazda MX5) to send power to the inside wheel while cornering.
The interior of the Mazda 3 gets a dark trim with red stitching in the sports seats and the leather-wrapped steering wheel and the gearshift. Plus the addition of the aluminium pedals and stainless-steel scuff plates. And in case you forgot what you were driving, there are MPS logos on the seats.
Full Specs
Mazda 3 MPS
Price: $39,990; With sports pack $43,650
Engine: 2.3-litre turbo-charged four cylinder
Power: 190kW at 5500rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 3000rpm
Performance: 0-100km/h 6.1 seconds, top speed 250km/h
Fuel usage: ADR 81/01 – 10 litres per 100km (city and highway)
Fuel tank: 55 litres
Weight: 1415kg
Wheels: 18″ MPS alloys
Full list of Standard equipement found on the Mazda 3 MPS:
- 18″ Alloy Wheels
- 6 Speaker Stereo
- ABS (Antilock Brakes)
- Adjustable Steering Col. – Tilt & Reach
- Air Cond. – Climate Control
- Air Conditioning – Pollen Filter
- Airbags – Driver & Passenger (Dual)
- Airbags – Head for 1st Row Seats (Front)
- Airbags – Head for 2nd Row Seats
- Airbags – Side for 1st Row Occupants (Front)
- Armrest – Front Centre (Shared)
- Armrest – Rear Centre (Shared)
- Body Colour – Bumpers
- Body Colour – Door Handles
- Body Colour – Exterior Mirrors Partial
- Body Kit – F&R Spoilers
- Skirts
- Rear Apron
- Body Side Mouldings – Colour Coded
- Bottle Holders – 1st Row
- Bottle Holders – 2nd Row
- Brake Assist
- CD Stacker – 6 disc In Dash/Cabin
- Central Locking – Remote/Keyless
- Chrome Door Handles – Interior
- Chrome Exhaust Tip
- Clock – Digital
- Control – Dynamic Stability
- Control – Traction
- Cruise Control
- Cup Holders – 1st Row
- Disc Brakes Front Ventilated
- Disc Brakes Rear Solid
- Door Pockets – 1st row (Front)
- Drive By Wire (Electronic Throttle Control)
- EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution)
- Engine Immobiliser
- Fog Lamps – Front
- Footrest – Drivers
- Headrests – Active 1st Row (Front)
- Headrests – Adjustable 1st Row (Front)
- Illuminated – Entry/Exit with Fade
- Illuminated – Key Ignition Barrel/Surround
- Illuminated – Switch Panel (Window/ Locking)
- Intermittent Wipers – Variable
- Leather Gear Knob
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Limited Slip Diff
- Map/Reading Lamps – for 1st Row
- Metallic Finish Inserts
- MP3 Player
- Multi-function Steering Wheel
- Pedals – Sports
- Power Steering – Electro-Hydraulic
- Power Windows – Front & Rear
- Rear View Mirror – Manual Anti-Glare
- Rear Wiper/Washer
- Remote Fuel Lid Release
- Scuff Plates (on door sills)
- Seat – Height Adjustable Driver
- Seatback Pocket – Front Passenger Seat
- Seatbelt – Adjustable Height 1st Row
- Seatbelt – Load Limiters 1st Row (Front)
- Seatbelt – Pretensioners 1st Row (Front)
- Seatbelts – Lap/Sash for 5 seats
- Seats – 2nd Row Split Fold
- Spare Wheel – Space Saver/Temporary
- Spoiler – Rear Roof Mounted
- Sports Instruments
- Sports Seats – 1st Row (Front)
- Stereo – Aux Input socket (MP3/CD/Cassette)
- Strut Brace – Front
- Sunvisor – Vanity Mirror for Driver
- Sunvisor – Vanity Mirror for Passenger
- Tacho
- Tail Lamps – LED
- Tinted Windows
- Trim – Cloth
Print it: 
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After testing coutless cars and reading all of the above, I purchased an MPS 3. In a word, Awesome.
Now, if I was ever to look back, it would only be to check out the losers in my rear view mirror. End of discussion !
The answer to this debate is stuff all cars and buy a GOLF GTI Mk 5 better handling response and build quality.
Not as much power as the mazda but a much better package in terms of balance and engineering.
Yeah and a much higher price tag. But i guess you get to wave at the other 50 GTI drivers you pass on the way to the supermarket, so that’s something.
With all the ridicule the first two guy’s got after their comments,I have to agree with them.
Most of the arguements I have read so far are mostly from people who believe that the car/make that they are driving is probably the best.
Therefore tend to exagerate a bit in defense of their choices.
Thats human nature ,and I have been guilty of the same myself.
In my case I have been looking hard to replace a Japanese turbo 2 ltr that I have owned for 9 yrs, albeit with very few problems. Its been fantastic,but time for a change.
However good the Mazda3 MPS may be ,its shortcomings come down to the fact that it is FWD & a turbo. Yes…I know this will stir the pot again.
Sure FWD turbo’s win ralleys etc…they are light and fast.. but in the real world I dont want to be competing with a vehicle that wants to pull to the right every time I flog it… it’s just something else to concentrate on when you already have enough happening.
FWD vehicles have come a long way as far as reliability,safety,appearance & economy, but after a test drive in the MPS with a salesman who allowed me to push the vehicle to answer my questions. I found that old demon still lurks….torque steer….bolt a turbo to a FWD and ,so far, there’s no escaping the TS results.
I loved the car in general ,but even with the gadgets TS was very evident,at speed,on every bend in the Adelaide hills.
My last car was RWD, and for a turbo driven hard was a great vehicle to drive.
I really dont know where to turn now as I have tried the Focus XR5 with same results,so I guess that I will persue either RWD or AWD in a turbo configeration.
I am considering buying a 2007 Mazda 3 MPS – 2nd hand of course. Around 42,000 kilometers – for $25,000. Do people out there think this would be a good idea? Any problems/greivances with their MPS 3 that I should know of? Any comments would be appreciated.
James, I have the same model and have had no probs at all mechanically, etc. I would warn anyone thinking of this car to consider running costs though. services aren’t too bad so far (mine’s almost due for it’s 50 000k), but tyres are expensive. we got newies just before last xmas (Pirelli p-zeros – factory size), and they were $350 each. the original Bridgestones are almost $400 a pop (and not as good as Pirelli according to the tyre dude) and it can even go up from there. I still love it though, and don’t regret the purchase at all. mine was $32500 with 16000k’s on the clock in early ‘08, so 25 grand doesn’t sound too bad. cheers.
also, Geoff……torque steer has never really been much of an issue for me, only when it’s really tramped does it get like that. and really, how often are you going to drive it that hard? hardly ever is my guess. this car is still fast without ripping the piss out of it.
I went with a mate when he test drove a WRX and 3 MPS. We drove the MPS first and I was really surprised by the in gear acceleration. Then drove the WRX, *yawn* after the MPS. No where near the acceleration of the MPS, the WRX felt very flat.
Stupid mate bought the WRX, don’t know why. 2 months later he was really regretting it, said he should have bought the MPS (as I suggested). Since then he’s been trying to sell the WRX.
They are a great little car, surprisingly fast, and I’ve owned some fast cars in my time. Just to clarify, never owned a rex or mps so no brand loyalty clouding my view.
For my 2 cents, the ART of driving is where the pleasure is derived and most similar aged and priced cars perform comparably with little nuances that one driver will prefer over another. To really test yourself grab a 60’s stock VW beetle and find a really windy road and see if you can really drive, I present this from a fond memory I have of following a beetle up Broke Road in a GSR Lancer (non turbo) I threw everything at this damn beetle but he still beat me in corners and with skinny cheese cutters and inward wheel camber. Got to my mate’s place and said beetle turns in across the road. Asked my mate what the hell he had under the bonnet..stock 1500cc beetle..oh and the driver was a rally driver of some note..stil impressed by this over 10 years later! Ok quick rundown on some of the memorable cars I’ve thrashed:
- 68 Beetle with 8inch rubber – most fun in the dry – think driving a roller skate!
- Early big turbo WRX – blistering to limit but no feel at all when near the limit – why so many end up in trees!
- Gen 4 VW R32 – nicest sorted car for under 60K i’ve driven – not the most powerful but always put a smile on my face. Awesome on the track but so good that it’s the car doing all the work not driver skill – lovely to drift though
- BMW 330 – beautifully balanced
- Gen 5 VW GTi DSG – traded R32 so wife could drive auto, still miss R32’s racecar feel but effectively the GTi outperforms it – faster and can be thrown around corners just as well although have had the back end out way further than I thought possible in a FWD car – much better value than the R32 it’s still a fave
- 350Z – rear wheel drive fun!!!!
Look really guys unless you are going to buy a second set of rims and put racing tires on your car at track days then any of the new breed of hot hatches is going to outperform your talents so test drive them all and buy the one that makes you FEEL best when you drive it.
Oh and with the GFC and bankrupt bankers everywhere you can pick up a nice late model 911 AWD turbo for around 140 grand, now that’s bang for your buck and certainly worth my consideration – just have to convince the wife (yes she is the boss!)
Well. based on the production car racing i was watching on the weekend at Eastern Creek, an MPS and STi are about evenly matched around a dry track.
Bought an 07 MPS with 3,000km on the clock for $33,000. Awsome car with crazy power. Torque steer isn’t really a problem if you can hang onto it, and who cares if it takes off like it does. Own an 07 wrx aswell with turbo back exhaust and only takes the MPS off the line, then its the MPS all the way. Handling is awsome and matches the REX in most corners. Great car all round. If ya find a good deal BUY ONE!