Hot HatcH faceoff
Although these two five-door speedsters both have racy intentions, their personalities and driving manners seem miles apart
Post Driving’s Young Grasshopper Nick Tragianis and his Editor Overlord Jodi Lai pit two hot hatch rivals against each other: The 2013 Volkswagen GTI Wolfsburg and the 2013 Mazdaspeed3.
JL on paper, everything about these two hot hatches tells me i’ll fall in love with them. High-output hatchbacks are my favourite kind of cars to drive. they’re all about cheap thrills and being able to leave unsuspecting drivers in your dust at every stoplight. Both of our hot hatch competitors are souped-up versions of very popular hatchbacks, the VW golf and the Mazda3, but once they get a boost in the performance division, the similarities end there. Even though their intentions are identical, these two cars could not feel more different when put to the pavement, right?
NT Exactly. it’s all in the execution that goes into these two cars. We are not dealing with the newest or most advanced platforms here, since the underpinnings of both cars have been around since 2009. However, it seems as though one of these cars hails from planet krypton while the other is born into a rich family only to be orphaned from his parents years later in life, despite the fact they both now wear capes. the Mazdaspeed3 takes a milquetoast Mazda3 hatchback, swaps out the engine for a 2.3-litre turbocharged fourcylinder good for 263 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, stiffens the suspension and adds a new set of admittedly sexy 18-inch wheels finished in black before calling it a day.
Yes, it’s fast. Very fast. it’s everything you can expect from a turbocharged rocket that weighs 1,461 kilograms. on the track, i’d wager good money this car would be a beastly performer thanks to its tight springs, sticky tires and incredible brakes. With its slick-shifting six-speed manual, it’s easy to slide it into the right gear, keeping the revs up as the intercooler sucks in air and force feeds it to the turbocharger for one hell of a kick. let me tell you, Jodi, this car is barking mad — almost rabid — under full throttle.
But not everyone uses a hot hatch to set personal lap records at shannonville or Mosport, er, canadian tire Motorsport park. people also drive to and from work, and load up the back with groceries and whatnot. this is where the speed3 differs considerably from the gti. the tight springs and sticky tires turn into a harsh, noisy and downright uncomfortable ride. With little opportunity to floor it while battling traffic, the engine usually stays under 3,000 rpm. You know what that means, Jodi? turbo lag. lots and lots of turbo lag. By the time the tach climbs high enough and boost starts to creep in, that sneaky smile on your face is wiped off because it’s already time to slow down thanks to the wall of traffic closing in.
JL a rabid animal is exactly what the Mazdaspeed3 feels like. it’s kind of wild and rough around the edges, trying to escape when you’re desperately trying to keep it on a short leash so it won’t attack other animals. Under full throttle, it screams, gets upset and fights with you. the debilitating torque steer under full throttle is a reminder that our little rabid animal doesn’t do too well under pressure. But once that traffic disappears, the beast is unexpectedly quick. its turn of speed will really kick you in the teeth — should you be able to hold the steering wheel hard enough.
the gti, on the other hand, is a well-trained pet. it does what you want it to, it’s reliable and predictable. it even looks more tame than the Mazda, its understated exterior paling in comparison to the Mazda’s big, loud hood scoop, smiley face and bulging lines.
the speed starts at $29,995 while the five-door gti starts at $30,375 — not a huge difference. the Mazda seems to give you more power for fewer dollars. the gti’s turbocharged 2.0l four-cylinder is rated at 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, which is a fair bit less than the Mazda. the gti, however, does more with less and makes better use of its power because the car is incredibly refined and never feels overwhelmed while the Mazda throws a fit when you try to push it. the gti also has a wider powerband and is able to access maximum torque at a low 1,700 rpm, while the Mazda, like you said, is pretty tame under 3,000.
the Mazda is also 64 kg (141 lbs) heavier than the gti, so our little VW makes up the power difference with a lower weight and more refinement. the gti is also less thirsty for fuel; it is rated at 6.3 l/100 km in the highway and 8.7 in the city, while the Mazda rings in at 8.0 on the highway and 11.5 in the city. they both need premium unleaded, though.
NT the gti’s refined character trickles down to the ride as well. the suspension setup feels softer than that of the speed3, but it’s also more comfortable in daily driving. it doesn’t rattle your spine over each bump and rut, but it also doesn’t feel as planted and athletic as the speed3 when your inner hooni- gan takes over. in the same breath, the gti still maintains a fair bit of sportiness; the go-fast pedal is responsive and makes it roar under full throttle, and the steering, if a little on the light side, provides great feedback.
let’s not forget about the dual-clutch automatic transmission; there may as well be magical elves inside, moving each gear with pixie dust as you shift through each one, because there is no other explicable way the transmission can be this responsive in a $35,000 hatchback. Heck, it even rolls back on a hill and chirps the tires when you’re in sport and Manual modes.
the stark differences between the two continue on the inside. While the Mazdaspeed3 and gti’s economy car roots still show, the latter actually does a better job improving on them. from the outset, the golf sports a solid interior with a rather logical layout, despite the fact the design itself is starting to show some age. the gti spruces up the cabin with a few sporty touches like the golf r’s thick, flat bottom steering wheel, well-bolstered plaid seats and gloss black trim with a discreet hexagonal overlay.
the speed3’s interior is still put together quite well, but it really feels no different than the standard Mazda3. trim bits look identical, the seats are no different for leather trim and red cloth inserts and the steering wheel is as thin as the one on the base Mazda3. i did love the well-weighted shifter, though, which sits low and treats the driver to short and crisp throws.
JL nick, this isn’t even my nonexistent pro-Volkswagen bias showing through, but you told me that i’d learn to love the Mazdaspeed3. i loved the gti from the moment i got behind the wheel; i didn’t have to learn anything or force myself to pick out its strengths. the speed3 felt a lot less put together than the gti in almost every situation: interior and exterior design and refinement, daily driving and heavy-footed, possibly illegal driving. My biggest beef with the Mazda was the torque steer, though. the rest i could live with easily, but it really discourages me to hoon around in that thing, even though that’s its prime directive. What’s your conclusion on our two hot hatch competitors and what did you learn to love about the Mazda that i missed?
NT Despite its major drawbacks, i sor t of l i ke the speed3’s rough-around-theedges personality. it’s like the proverbial party girl: she may not be marriage material just yet, but you still want to try and see if you can keep up with her wild side.
Both of these cars are great options if you’re looking for something practical yet want to maintain a shred of performance. But the truth is, the gti remains the superior choice between the two. it is down considerably as far as horsepower and torque figures are concerned, but refinement seals the deal, especially in day-today driving. the Mazdaspeed3 drivers might reign supreme at Mosport or shannonville, but the gti will still hold its own. and it won’t punish you with gobs of turbo lag and torque steer on the way there.