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Mazdaspeed, Mazda’s internal high-performance tuning and race division, has a long history in Japan. Known for producing exciting limited-edition performance models, the badge has only recently arrived in North America. The Mazdaspeed 3 is only the third Mazda in America to receive the full Mazdaspeed treatment.

Based on the Mazda 3 hatchback, the Mazdaspeed 3 features a turbocharged engine, a specially tuned suspension and many other exclusive components. Priced well below $25,000, the Mazdaspeed 3 should appeal to all younger enthusiasts thanks to its balance of speed, practicality and affordability.

Even in the quickest of glances, the front-wheel drive Mazdaspeed 3 reveals several immediate visual clues that it’s more than your average Mazda 3. The front fenders are flared. The hood is a bit taller. It sits on 18-inch wheels and has a rear spoiler and chrome exhaust tips sticking out the back.

At the heart of the four-door hot hatch is a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. It pumps out 263 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, and comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission. Zero to 60 mph takes fewer than 6 seconds, which is stunning for a vehicle of this type. The Mazdaspeed 3 is about as fast and quick as it gets, inside or outside of its class.

It’s been tuned for the curves as well. Out of the box, the Mazda 3 chassis is one of the best around. For the Mazdaspeed 3, it has been reinforced and stiffened even further. The suspension has been lowered to drop the car’s center of gravity. Larger performance brakes have been added, as has a front limited-slip differential.

The Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 is available in two trims: Sport and Grand Touring. Both have great fit and finish and an upscale look and feel that betrays their compact car price tags. There is plenty of cargo room in the rear hatch. The rear seats fold down with a 60/40 split. There’s even decent space in the rear seating area for adults.

Both trims come with loads of standard features, including cruise control; power doors, windows and mirrors; a six-speaker stereo with CD player; and climate control. The Grand Touring trim adds more premium amenities, such as a 222-watt Bose sound system with seven speakers and six-disc CD player in the dash. It also has xenon HID headlights and rain-sensing wipers. The only package option is a navigation system, which is only available in the Grand Touring trim.

In reviews, we found driving the Mazdaspeed 3 to be a truly visceral experience. It’s fast and the steering is so responsive that you can feel every bit of the car working under your feet, which is one of the most exciting things about driving a true performance car. On the flip side, with such tight handling characteristics, you’d expect the Mazdaspeed 3 to be harsh on surface streets. However, the hot hatch still manages to maintain a quiet life under normal cruising conditions.