2010 Volkswagen GTI vs 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 November 2009 AUTORIVALS.NET

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These two competitors do not make a ton of sense to me. Both are performance-oriented but in the form of hatchbacks. Both automakers don't even offer coupes that are performance-oriented (or any coupe at all for that matter). Nevertheless, they remain popular and well criticized by the automotive world for their performance, usability, and their design... the end. 2010 Volkswagen GTI vs 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 The GTI's front fascia is new with a more aggressive look (unlike the jolly look of the 3). The lower grille looks good but the upper grille is questionable as it goes from headlight to headlight. The headlights still look a bit cartoonish like the last generation with a shape that doesn't look as well integrated as it could. The new 3 takes a different design direction than the frumpy looking predecessor. Mazda could've had a looker here... but then they went crazy. The headlights, hood scoop, and fog lights all look good but then BAM! Like a kick in the face, they throw on a happy meal smile for nobody's amusement but their own. The 3 has a bit more going for it with a more unique design (which isn't saying much). Aside from the smiley grille, there's more interesting design cues like the upswept line on the side, creases over the rear fender, etc. The GTI can look a bit plain from, well... all angles. The GTI doesn't put a window behind the rear doors which creates an oversized C-pillar and makes the profile look stubby. I didn't know Volkswagen was in the phone business either but their rotary phone wheels tell otherwise. From this angle, the Mazda actually looks good (because you can't see the grille). There's fender flares, a rear spoiler, and good looking rims compared to a bland GTI profile. It's hard to get over the cartoonish looking taillights of the GTI just like the headlights. The design is nice but the shape is too rounded and not integrated at all in the rear fascia. They seem to be thrown on at the last second. The 3's lights actually curve into the fender crease and the rear bumper but the taillight design isn't as good as the GTI's. A flat bottom steering wheel in a car under $25,000? That's unheard of but the GTI offers it showing that it is a performance-oriented car. The rest of the design says 1990s except for the GPS screen which may be placed too low. The 3's interior looks silky smooth. Everything is well laid out but the upper information screen looks oddly placed. Ergonomically however, it is better with placement closer to the view of the road.

SPECIFICATIONS PRICE: $23,230 - $23,830 ENGINE: 2.0L I4 Turbocharged HORSEPOWER: 200 hp TORQUE: 207 lb-ft SIZE (L x W x H): 165.8 x 69.3 x 58.4 in. WEIGHT: 3100 - 3213 lbs 0-60 MPH: 6.3 sec 1/4 MILE: 14.9 sec @ 96 mph TOP SPEED: 126 mph FUEL (CITY/HWY): 21-22 / 29-31 mpg SPECIFICATIONS PRICE: $23,195 ENGINE: 2.3L I4 Turbocharged HORSEPOWER: 263 hp TORQUE: 280 lb-ft SIZE (L x W x H): 177.6 x 69.7 x 57.5 in. WEIGHT: 3245 lbs 0-60 MPH: 5.8 sec 1/4 MILE: 14.3 sec @ 100 mph TOP SPEED: 155 mph FUEL (CITY/HWY): 18 / 25 mpg RECAP RECAP PROS +Aggressive lower grille +Flat bottom steering wheel CONS -Cartoonish head/taillights -Somewhat plain -Rotary phone rims PROS +Nice profile +Silky smooth interior CONS -Ginormous smile

Video Source: YouTube via Car and Driver

NOTES Yes, this GTI is 63 horsepower and 73 lb-ft short of the Mazdaspeed 3 (but also 145 lbs lighter). There is a rumor that a 270 horsepower version is coming as a R20. Keep your fingers crossed GTI fans (or don't you Mazdaspeed fans).