Mazda3 SP25 Sedan 2009 Review

Price Guide (recommended price before dealer and statutory charges): $30,690 (man)
Crash rating: Five star Euro NCAP
Fuel: 91RON ULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 8.6
CO2 emissions (g/km): 204
Also consider: Volkswagen Golf TSI Comfortline; Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback; Toyota Corolla Levin hatch

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
Engines and Drivetrain: 3.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.5/5.0
Safety: 4.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0

About our ratings

Who'd have thought the Mazda3 would ever top the new-car sales charts in Australia? But it did exactly that earlier this year; even outselling small-car stalwart, the Toyota Corolla.

A good model range, stylish appeal, fun driving dynamics and high levels of safety and equipment are all keys to the Mazda3's success. The new model has only been on sale since April but many critics have already tipped it as an early contender for one of the many Car of the Year gongs at the end of 2009.

There's a lot of attention on the turbocharged Mazda3 MPS, but we happened to recently get acquainted with the sporty SP25 which effectively fills the middle of the range.

The usual Mazda3 attributes apply here: roomy cabin and boot; sporty driving position; long list of standard equipment; but it's what's under the bonnet that distinguishes this model. The SP25's 122kW/227Nm 2.5-litre fuel-injected four-cylinder petrol engine has 12 per cent more power and 25 per cent more torque than the 2.0 in the regular Mazda3 models.

At first, it's hard to pick the difference in performance. Perhaps that's because the 2.0 revs so smoothly and is a perky engine at the best of times. Perhaps the SP25 doesn't pin your ears back because the power delivery of the 2.5 is so smooth.

The stopwatch shows that the SP25 is quicker, but it's a narrow margin: 8.5 seconds versus about 9.5 for the regular model. That SP25 figure is not exactly breath-taking. It's a bit slower than a Ford Fiesta XR4 and a bit quicker than a Suzuki Swift Sport, neither of which are particularly quick cars. But it is not all about straight-line performance -- as with the rest of the Mazda range, there is a high level of grip, in this case from a 17-inch wheel-and-tyre combo compared with a 16-inch set up on the model below it.

Despite all Mazda's efforts and all its claims, the new model may be quieter than before but it is still relatively noisy by class standards. This is partly the trade-off for having grippy tyres and also, possibly, Mazda's pursuit of saving weight; in this instance some sound deadening may have been removed to keep off the kilos.

Apart from these minor foibles, the Mazda3 SP25 is a pleasant drive and a good blend of fun without drawing too much attention to itself. That may be a downside to some; the only way to distinguish the SP25 from the regular model is the slightly more overt front bumper, some badging, and the unique wheels.

Nevertheless, the SP25 will no doubt carve out a niche following. It may also find appeal in those states where young drivers are not allowed to drive a turbocharged or high powered car. The SP25 delivers a sporty experience in a slightly tamer package than the turbocharged Mazda3 MPS.

At the dearer end of the Mazda3 spectrum, the SP25 comes with a full safety kit, including front, side and curtain airbags, as well as stability control and seatbelt reminders for all positions. The previous Mazda3 was a four-star car, this one earns a five-star safety rating from NCAP.

We appreciated the built-in satellite navigation, which is standard on this model. The toggle switches on the steering wheel can be a bit fiddly at first but once you get used to them they're fine.

Why other car makers don't fit navigation as standard is beyond me, especially when you see so many of those portable devices stuck to windscreens. It's a telling example of Mazda Australia getting the small details right, and delivering what customers want.

No wonder the company is selling so many cars at the moment.

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