2010 MazdaSpeed3
A few years back, Mazda nominated their capable Mazda3 Hatchback for the factory tuner game. They badged this sporty compact the MazdaSpeed3. The result was a killer combo of practical presence and unyielding performance. It was a true street racer at an affordable price. Well, now it’s take two for the MazdaSpeed3, as we wonder… what more can this little hot hatchback deliver?
The impression is immediate. Mazda’s 5-door 2010 MazdaSpeed3’s cartoonish presence makes the outgoing model look almost tame by comparison. And it’s the grill, with its leering mouthful of black plastic gills surrounded by swept-back cat-eye lighting that gets your attention and keeps it.
The most purposeful new front feature is a functional hood scoop that blasts the Speed3’s intercooler with fresh air. Rear styling is also more aggressive for 2010, with narrow, protruding taillights, more angular rear hatch, larger spoiler, and oversized dual exhaust tips. The RX-8 R3-inspired 18-inch alloy wheels are now shod with wider high-performance Dunlop tires.
But powering this front-drive, grocery-getting outlaw is the same direct injected, 263-horsepower 2.3-liter turbo four as before. Likewise, torque remains at an ample 280 pound-feet, all channeled through the Speed3’s only transmission, a very appropriate six-speed manual.
Gearing in second through fifth gears is taller for 2010, while a limited slip diff remains standard. Hard launches in the Speed3 still proved tricky, however. Too much throttle and the front wheels shudder; too little and it all bogs down. But making pavement connection has improved over our 2007 test, with the new tires, revised driveshafts and updated torque management electronics reducing torque steer in a big way.
In fact, our 0 to 60 time of 5.2 seconds is over a second quicker, with a similar improvement for the quarter mile at 13.9-seconds and 102 miles per hour. Short stops were never a problem with the Speed3: 60 to 0 in a fine average of 123 feet with a solid, vibration-free pedal. Plus, for 2010 Brake Assist has been added.
Through our long slalom, the MazdaSpeed3 again exhibited a more manageable amount of torque steer with less tendency to push at each apex. You still need to squeeze rather than stab the throttle for best control; but manage the gas well, and this little hatch rewards you with pure exhilaration.
We did notice that during the high speed lane change, the electro-hydraulic steering seemed to lose boost, going from light to very heavy in an instant. The previous generation Speed3 had a stiff ride, especially on rough roads. The new Speed’s strengthened body structure and suspension tweaks; stiffer springs, higher damper rates, and revised front stabilizer bar still leave most of the shock absorption to the comfy, high-bolstered seats.
They’re mostly black cloth, but the headrests and bolsters are trimmed in black leather and there are red highlights everywhere around the cabin.
The dash has a new-found flow, drawing the eye down the center stack to the brightwork around the shifter. The switchgear layout has been revised, and the digital display has moved to a shroud under the windshield.
Door sills, floor mats, and aluminum pedals are all unique to the MazdaSpeed3. A new LED turbo boost gauge between the tach and speedo is standard, as is Bluetooth and six airbags.
With our car’s Tech package, there’s also a 10-speaker Bose sound system, full-color navigation, and push-button start.
The back bench offers a reasonable amount of room for two adults, but not for three. But it’s impressively versatile. With the 60/40 seats up, there’s 17 cubic feet reserved for cargo. Folded flat, that figure swells to a useful 42.8 cubic feet.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings for the 2010 MazdaSpeed3 are 18 city/25 highway. On our mileage loop, we bettered both, managing 26.1 miles per gallon of premium. With an Energy Impact Score of 16.3 annual barrels of oil, and a Carbon Footprint of 8.7 tons of CO2, the MazdaSpeed3 falls right in line with the Subaru WRX.
As ever, the 2010 Mazda MazdaSpeed3 is priced to move, with a base of just $23,945. The Tech package adds $1,895 more. Mazda’s frisky MazdaSpeed3 continues as one of our all time favorites. For 2010, in some ways - more refined, in others - more ferocious, but always entertaining. And, we might add, for a factory tuned hot hatchback, extremely affordable and even practical. Buy one and you’ll be grinning like a Cheshire cat, too!
Specifications
- Engine: 2.3-Liter Turbo Four
- Horsepower: 263
- Torque: 280 Lb Feet
- 0-60 MPH: 5.2 Seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 13.9 Seconds @ 102 MPH
- 60-0 MPH: 123 Feet
- EPA: 18 MPG City/ 25 MPG Highway
- Mixed Loop: 26.1 MPG
- Energy Impact: 16.3 Barrels Oil/Yr
- CO2 Emissions: 8.7 Tons/Yr
2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition
Hyundai Turns To The Dark Side To Create A Special Palisade
Hyundai turned the page on their lineup when they launched the three-row Palisade crossover utility 4 years ago. Still the same Hyundai value we loved, but with more luxury, and more room for growing families. Now for their next big hit, it looks like Hyundai is working on their night moves.
If you’ve been following the auto industry, you’ve probably noticed a darkness setting in. No, we’re not talking about EV mandates, we’re talking about the increasing number of manufacturers invoking darkness or using some reference to the color black to create special editions of their vehicles or note their highest trim level. Well, that’s what we have here with the 2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition, a way to take the range-topping Calligraphy trim to an even higher level of exclusivity.
Available in either Abyss Black or this Hyper White, the Night Edition applies a dark chrome treatment to the grille, rear bumper, and door moldings. There’s also glossy black trim for both the front and rear fascias, as well as the roof rails, while door handles are now body color. Finishing it off are 20-inch “black liquid” wheels and unique finishes for all logos including the HTRAC badge that signifies all-wheel drive, which is standard here in the Calligraphy Night Edition, optional on most lesser Palisades.
All-wheel drives get additional Snow and Tow driving modes, as well as the ability to lock in a 50/50 torque split. All Palisades share the same V6 engine, a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter unit which produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Nothing changes there, but it’s more than enough to move this big utility down the road with ease and pull 5,000 lbs. of trailer, aided by the standard eight-speed automatic transmission. In addition to steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, minimal buttons for controlling the transmission share space on a rising center console which also houses the touch sensitive climate controls. On top of the dash sits a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation standard on all Palisades. A separate 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster resides in front of the driver on Limited trim and above.
As for the rest of the interior, Night Editions adds a unique blackout theme with some added dark aluminum trim and devilish 630 watts of Harmon Kardon premium audio. There are also some exclusive premium micro-suede materials on the seats, though most of our staff felt they didn’t seem quite as luxurious as the Nappa leather seats in the regular Calligraphy. Second row captain’s chairs here of course, plus a power folding third row that holds three Palisades come as both seven or right seaters with up to 16 cupholders! There’s also adequate room for adults in that third row, though seating comfort drastically improves moving forward. Cargo capacity remains a strong point for the Palisade, with 18.0 cubic-feet available behind the third row, 45.8 behind the second, and a max of 86.4 with all seatbacks folded.
At Mason Dixon Dragway, the Night Edition delivered a moderate dose of power, enough to battle a little wheel spin off the line leading to a steady jog to 60 of 7.6 seconds; about a half second slower than the last Palisade we tested. Gear changes happened smoothly, causing minor power flow pauses throughout the quarter-mile, completed in 15.8 seconds at a respectable 90 mph.
This big unibody bruiser is suspended with MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link independent setup in back. They provided a surprisingly nimble platform for shuffling through our handling course. There was a reasonable amount of feedback through the steering wheel, helping us stay on top of the slight understeer that we encountered. There was very soft pedal action in our panic braking runs, along with a reasonable amount of nosedive, but 102-foot stops from 60 rate great!
All Palisades come with a healthy complement of active safety features like Lane Keeping Assist and Highway Driving Assist, while Calligraphies add a more advanced Parking Collision Avoidance Assist system. With all-wheel drive, Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 19 City, 24 Highway, and 21 Combined.
Even with the Night Edition establishing a new high mark, it’s still priced less than many large three-row utilities at $55,245. That’s $3,500 over the standard Calligraphy, and about $17,000 more than the base SE Palisade.
So, when it comes to this 2024 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Night Edition, there’s no need to be afraid of the dark. The only thing lurking in the shadows here is more tremendous value, something that Hyundai has been bringing to light for years and years.
Specifications
As Tested
- Engine: 3.8-liter V6
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 291
- Torque: 262 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph: 7.6 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 15.8 seconds at 90 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg): 102 feet
- EPA: 19 City | 24 Highway | 21 Combined