2007 Mazda 3 MPS review from UK and Ireland

Nothing.

The 3 MPS was designed as "the antithesis of a boy-racer hot hatch", in Mazda's own words, and indeed it's really more of a small GT car than a traditional lairy hot hatch; fun and capable on back roads, but just as comfortable eating the miles on the motorway.

For me, after 3 years of enjoyable, but spine-jarring Civic Type-R ownership, it's the perfect compromise, with an excellent balance between capable handling and a comfortable ride, decent refinement and serious performance.

The direct injection turbo engine is a gem; smooth and flexible, not at all laggy, and impressively economical (25mpg) given the performance. It rockets the car forward on a wave of torque from 3000rpm, and there's rarely any need to venture anywhere near the redline. It also turns the 3 into a motorway monster, with power that just keeps on coming in 6th up to some seriously inadvisable speeds.

Combined with a good gearbox with well-judged ratios, very strong, confidence-inspiring brakes and quick steering, the MPS is both supremely easy to live with, and to drive fast. Torque steer is practically a non-issue in 95% of driving scenarios, and the torque management systems work well, although it's obvious the engine is shackled by the electronic leash until 3rd gear.

Build integrity appears high after 4k miles (a slightly rattly glovebox lid aside), but some of the lower-fascia plastics are a little cheap, which spoils the cabin ambience a bit.

In conclusion, this is a very fine car for £18k and offers the kind of performance and ability you'd expect to find in considerably more expensive and exotic machinery. Best of all, it doesn't shout about it...