While the MazdaSpeed3 has not beaten the GTI when facing it in one of our comparisons, Mazda has given it new life for 2010, and we wonder: is that going to be enough to dethrone the GTI?

You can tell just by looking at it that the MazdaSpeed3 has been restyled for 2010. No surprise, it shares the smiley-face front end with the standard Mazda3 sedan and five-door. There are definite differences in its appearance from that of its milder-mannered kin, though: the Speed has round foglights that flank the smile, there are well-defined fender flares in the front and rear, it has a larger spoiler than on the regular five-door, and there is a hood scoop, which is new for 2010. The scoop is functional, too, said to improve the efficiency of the intercooler by improving airflow. There’s also a new 18-inch wheel design — and the wheel and tire package is wider by about half an inch. The dual exhaust tips are larger than on last year’s hatch.

Can the new MazdaSpeed3 beat the next-generation GTI? The Speed3 offers fun on twisty roads at a bargain price, good looks (although we’re still trying to get used to the new nose), roomy interior for the car’s size, and the practical function of a hatchback. It is also faster at the track than the GTI is. The Mazda is definitely catching up to the GTI, but unless the next generation of the VW has gotten worse than the ones that came before, the MazdaSpeed3 isn’t quite there yet. Refinements and other improvements have absolutely made the car better than it was, but until Mazda does something to alleviate the torque steer, It seems the Volkswagen would still be king.

2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Base Hatchback Performance & Efficiency Standard Features
- Turbo compressor
- 2,260 cc 2.3 liters in-line 4 front engine with 87.5 mm bore, 94.0 mm stroke, 9.5 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder L3T
- Premium unleaded fuel 91
- Gasoline direct injection fuel system
- 14.5 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank 12.1
- Power: 196 kW , 263 HP SAE @ 5,500 rpm; 280 ft lb , 380 Nm @ 3,000 rpm
2010 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Base Hatchback Handling, Ride & Braking Standard Features
- ABS
- Brake assist system
- Four disc brakes including two ventilated discs
- Electronic brake distribution
- Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
- Immobilizer
- Front limited slip differential
- Spacesaver steel rim spare wheel
- Stability control
- Strut front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs, multi-link rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs