C&D: Mazdaspeed 3 vs. Volkswagen GTI

[Rich]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q4/2010_mazdaspeed_3_vs._2010_volkswagen_gti-comparison_tests

2010 Mazdaspeed 3 vs. 2010 Volkswagen GTI - Comparison Tests
Hool-Agains: We renew the search for the king of cheap speed.

BY TONY SWAN, PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN ROE
November 2009

2010 Mazdaspeed 3 vs. 2010 Volkswagen GTI

Before you start tickling your Blackberry to tell us we paired these two just a few months ago [?Dirty Speed, Done Dirt Cheap,? January 2009], listen up: These aren?t quite the same as the top two in that seven-way all-skate. Both have undergone makeovers for 2010, so we are clearly obligated to explore what effect, if any, the revisions have had on their relative standing in the cheap-speed continuum.

That?s our official rationale. Unofficially, we figure no excuse is too trivial when there?s a chance to put these compact outlaws through their paces. (How?s that? They changed the GTI?s headlight bezels? And the Speed 3 has new exhaust tips? Okay! Let?s go!)

We have a couple of very good reasons for our ongoing comparo readiness. For one, peering into the murky future of fun-to-drive, cars such as these may eventually be the only bad-boy rides to survive the carpocalypse.

Turbo-four mighty mites such as the Mazdaspeed 3 and the GTI should be able to operate below the radar screens of the what?s-your-hurry types for some time to come, with the added economic appeal of serious punch per peso. Plus they?ve got hatchback practicality and relatively subdued looks. At core they?re hooligans, but well-groomed hooligans that would pass muster with potential fathers-in-law. Few go-fast cars are easier to rationalize.

Reason No. 2: Fun. In a demographic where the car is likely to be the owner?s one and only ride, these two are capable of provoking grins no matter how mundane the day?s driving may be.

Changes to our two combatants go well beyond headlight bezels, of course. Of the pair, the Speed 3?s 2010 updates are the more extensive, embracing appearance (note the new grille and hood scoop), interior revisions (new dash and trim), new wheels (18-inch snowflake-pattern aluminum alloys), bigger footprints, stiffer suspension tuning, and revised mechanicals (new electrohydraulic rack-and-pinion steering, taller gear ratios, reprofiled torque-management electronics).

The GTI, for its part, is officially classified as generation six, though aside from appearance, this godfather of all hot hatchbacks hasn?t changed a great deal from gen five. The front and rear fascias (including a bigger hatch opening) have been restyled, as has the interior, where the center stack is dominated by a large screen intended for an updated nav system (a $1750 option absent in our test car). Mechanical changes are minimal: a stiffened rear anti-roll bar and a reprofiled electronic transverse differential lock, called XDS, which enlists the brake system to inhibit wheelspin.

Neither redesign entails a horsepower increase?no big deal for the Mazdaspeed 3, which has more than enough, but regrettable in the case of the GTI, which doesn?t. VW of America has held the line on GTI pricing: The five-door?s base MSRP ($24,590) rises by just $60. The base for the Mazdaspeed 3 is up $455, but it still holds its bargain-performance edge, at $23,945. Ultimately, though, more power and less price wasn?t enough to keep it on top.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I like the exterior style of the speed 3, however i imagine the GTI to be more cival and smooth in everyday driving. Also the higher quality of the VW and the German engineering is probably nicer than the 3.

My money would go to mazda in the end, and in the futre it may since i'm thinking of getting 3 s for possible SCCA showroom stock racing and as a DD after my 540i.

[the Teuton]

I really like the way the new GTI looks, but turbo Jap cars are the bee's knees!

[Eye of the Tiger]

I really like the way the new GTI looks, but turbo Jap cars are the bee's knees!

If turbo Jap cars are the bee's knees, then turbo German cars are the rest of the bee.


I still pick MS3 in this case

[Eye of the Tiger]

I have buyer's remorse. Now I want GTI.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Really? Are you that happy Mr. 3? Well, you shouldn't be, because you lost.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I want to change my vote to GTI. I'd just have to get rid of those fugly wheels, and b00st it some more.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

can i get a GTI with the mazda's HP and reliability.

[the Teuton]

How about a WRX with an SPT or STI suspension instead?

[CALL_911]

Gimme the GTI.

[Vinsanity]

If turbo Jap cars are the bee's knees, then turbo German cars are the rest of the bee.

the knees are the best part

[Eye of the Tiger]

the knees are the best part

but the tongue is what sucks up the nectar, then it vomits it into the cells in the hive

[Vinsanity]

but the tongue is what sucks up the nectar, then it vomits it into the cells in the hive

fine. the GTI is the bee's tongue.

[Eye of the Tiger]

What's that stupid chain restaurant that has those wicked good rolls with the honey butter?

[Vinsanity]

?

the first place that came to mind is this southern bbq restaurant called Lucille's, but I think they only have like 8 locations, all in SoCal. they do have wicked good rolls with some kind of sweet butter spread, though.

[mzziaz]

GTI

that mazda smile is just too ugly

[Pommes-T]

I am a V dub troll and of course I would take the GTI. History, heritage... NOOOOOOOO, now I am also starting it.

Seriously: I simply love the GTI's looks, whereas the Mazda... I don't like it. It smiles like a Peugeot (which I also don't like). And as a Golf driver I love everything about this car (handling, that feeling of solidity it delivers, the styling, the fact that it's actually pretty small, but with lots of interior space...) . Oh yeah, and it won the comparison.

But anyways: The Mazda surely is an awesome car with lots of power. I

[the Teuton]

How did the VDub go from one of the ugliest cars in its class to one of the best looking cars in its class just like that?

[Madman]

GTI for me, too!

Cheers,
Madman of the People

[MX793]

I don't see why people gush over the Golf/GTI's looks.  I think it's one of the blandest looking cars out there.  That's not really a detriment for the Golf because it's an ordinary car and is supposed to have broad appeal, but I want my sporty cars to, I don't know, look somewhat sporty?  Then again, yawn-inducing beats plain old ugly (new Mazda3).

[r0tor]

Mazda wins in power, performance, and reliability.... Vdub wins in just being a nice and fun to drive daily driver

[giant_mtb]

LOL What is that nasty black plastic grille-insert thing on that "Mazda?"  Jesus Christ.

[sportyaccordy]

Mazda wins in power, performance, and reliability.... Vdub wins in just being a nice and fun to drive daily driver

While there's a price disadvantage, it wouldn't take much to bring the Vdub to MS3 power. Chip + intake + exhaust. Plus you still get the better looks & (if its important to you) interior materials & upscale feel.

If we are considering the old ones though, I would probably go with the 1st MS3 over the GTI V/VI and 2nd MS3. Good looking car, same performance, much cheaper.

[SVT666]

I would have to take the GTI based on styling alone.  Forget the driving experience, I could never drive a car as happy as the 3.  Now, I would take a Cobalt SS Turbo over either of them.

[the Teuton]

Okay, in the past day, I've heard about the reliability issues of a Jetta, Toaureg, and Tiguan.

It's a good thing I didn't vote yet. I'm going with the Mazda. Coincidentally, the dealer we work with at work is a VW/Mazda split dealership.

[CALL_911]

IMO, the power issue is a non-issue for the GTI. That 2.0T pulls like a freight train, and it's one APR chip away from being a rocket. Hell, I wouldn't call 6.3 seconds to 60 and 14.9@96 slow by any means.

[2o6]

I don't see why people gush over the Golf/GTI's looks.  I think it's one of the blandest looking cars out there.  That's not really a detriment for the Golf because it's an ordinary car and is supposed to have broad appeal, but I want my sporty cars to, I don't know, look somewhat sporty?  Then again, yawn-inducing beats plain old ugly (new Mazda3).

I don't understand, either. Aside from the new front and rear facias (which make it even blander than the old model) there's really nothing to write home about. I don't understand how a new facia (which IMO is uglier) can make a car go from frumpy to "gorgeous".

[CALL_911]

The old GTI was not frumpy! I really liked its looks, actually.

Tougher question (at least for me): GTI or WRX?

[Raza]

The MkV looks so much better than the VI. 

[S204STi]

IMO, the power issue is a non-issue for the GTI. That 2.0T pulls like a freight train, and it's one APR chip away from being a rocket. Hell, I wouldn't call 6.3 seconds to 60 and 14.9@96 slow by any means.

I agree.  Particularly with DSG it's a rocket on any public road.