The 10 Quickest Production Mazdas Ever Made

When many manufacturers have come and gone from the fanatic world, Mazda has stayed constant. The corporate has made driver enjoyment a core a part of its philosophy, emphasised by the phrase “Jinba Ittai”, that means “automobile and driver as one”. From the three-row CX-90 SUV to the small Mazda 3 Hatchback, all of the model’s autos provide a heightened stage of driver engagement that is a step above others of their respective segments.

2009 Mazda MazdaSpeed 3

Base MSRP

$22,740

Base Trim Drivetrain

Entrance-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Transmission

6-Velocity Guide

Base Trim Torque

280 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm

Base Trim Curb Weight

3,153 lbs

Engine

2.3L Inline-4 Gasoline

Horsepower

263 hp

Gasoline Financial system

18/25 MPG

Develop

Nevertheless, the corporate has at all times targeted on a “much less is extra” strategy relating to energy. The MX-5 Miata solely just lately hit 200 horsepower, and earlier than the CX-70/CX-90, no different car within the firm’s lineup had eclipsed 300 horsepower. That does not imply the vehicles are gradual, nevertheless, as over time the corporate has provided loads of autos that may dash to 60 mph at a powerful clip, and we have compiled the ten quickest manufacturing Mazdas right here to indicate you the way the corporate handles straight-line pace.

10

2022+ Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo

0–60 mph: 6.2 seconds

The Mazda CX-5 could also be getting on in years, nevertheless it has confirmed to be a really resilient possibility within the firm’s lineup, largely because of its nice appears and wonderful driving demeanor. Like with many autos within the model’s lineup, it comes with a turbocharged and non-turbocharged engine possibility, and if you’d like any type of pleasure, you may go for the turbocharged model.

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It makes 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque when utilizing Premium gas, permitting the mannequin to hit 60 mph from a standstill in as little as 6.2 seconds. Greater than sufficient for anybody searching for some hustle out of their crossover, and we anticipate issues to get even higher when the following era is revealed later this 12 months.

9

2009 Mazda 6 3.7 V6

0–60 mph: 6.1 seconds

The second-generation Mazda 6 is the least beloved out of the three because of its barely bulbous styling, nevertheless it was the era that provided the sedan with essentially the most highly effective V6. Sure, when you opted for the upper “S” trims, you unlocked entry to the naturally aspirated 3.7-liter Ford Duratec V6, which produced a powerful 272 horsepower. Whereas not a real Mazdaspeed mannequin, it was fast for certain, capable of join the entrance wheels to the pavement effectively sufficient to dispatch a 6.1 second 0-60 mph run. It was an thrilling mannequin, one which’s usually forgotten about as a result of it was solely round till 2012.

8

2024+ Mazda CX-90 & CX70 PHEV

0–60 mph: 5.9 seconds

The CX-90 and CX-70 twins are an fascinating conundrum. The 2 SUVs are virtually equivalent save for the actual fact the CX-90 has a number of further seats, but, the CX-70 has a barely larger beginning value. We nonetheless really feel that each fashions would have been nice being offered below one nameplate, however what do we all know, we solely evaluate vehicles for a residing.

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Nevertheless, what we are able to say is that each fashions are actually handsome, and surprisingly driver-focused in methods SUVs of this dimension hardly ever are (which has its personal execs and cons). It is slightly sprightly, too, due to the PHEV model which mixes a four-cylinder engine with electrical help. This further on the spot torque permits each fashions to hit 60 mph a hair below 6 seconds, making these freeway merges an absolute breeze.

7

2004 Mazda RX-8

0–60 mph: 5.9 seconds

Whereas the RX-8 is healthier identified for its nimble chassis and distinctive exhaust word, the mannequin is not too dangerous in a straight line both. When paired with the six-speed guide, you unlock extra energy from the 1.3-liter rotary, however barely much less torque as the automated. Whereas 238 horsepower and 159 lb-ft of torque is not going to amaze, in one thing that weighs simply over 3,000 lbs, it is ok to let it hit 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, not less than in accordance with one long-term take a look at Automotive & Driver performed in 2004. Adequate for a sports activities automobile that is extra concerning the journey than the vacation spot, and getting it on this high ten record.

6

2021+ Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo

0–60 mph: 5.6 seconds

Coming in concerning the center of the pack is the model’s present entry-level mannequin: the Mazda 3. Out there as a hatchback and sedan, the fashions are among the most refined, enticing, and fulfilling autos within the compact section, regardless of not sporting any type of high-performance badge.

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The closest factor you will get to that’s the small Turbo badge discovered on the again bumper, which signifies this mannequin is hiding AWD and as much as 250 horsepower (when utilizing Premium gas). 0-60 mph is available in simply 5.6 seconds for each physique types, so choose whichever you want extra and prepare to shock some unsuspecting rivals on a again highway.

5

2019+ Mazda MX-5 Miata

0–60 mph: 5.5 seconds

Because the 2019 mannequin 12 months, the Mazda MX-5 Miata’s naturally aspirated 2.0L I4 engine produces 181 hp, up from the pre-2019 mannequin’s 155 hp. This made for a welcome peformance increase, and all of the Miatas with this engine and the guide transmission are kind of equally fast, give or take. The quickest one on document examined thus far within the US was a 2024 RF Membership that Automotive and Driver examined, so that is the determine we go together with right here. For one thing that solely makes 181 horsepower, 5.5 seconds to 60 mph may be very spectacular, and counteracts the concept that this automobile is gradual. Vehicles just like the BMW M4 Competitors xDrive and the 911 Turbo S have fully skewed our notion of what fast is, and that is loads nice for many drivers. Nevertheless, the RF undoubtedly is not low-cost, beginning at a whopping $37,550 for 2025, territory that’s beginning to get crowded with some fairly compelling opponents.

4

2010 Mazdaspeed 3

0–60 mph: 5.8 seconds

Sure, we all know it could be arduous to imagine, however the second-generation Mazdaspeed 3 proved to be a bit slower to 60 mph than the primary regardless of having the identical powertrain. This was because of elevated weight due to the restyle and an improved traction administration system that aimed to additional mitigate the earlier automobile’s insane torque steer.

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The outcome was a combined bag, a automobile with an important really feel and a well-balanced chassis, however one which additionally by no means felt composed. Nonetheless, it has at all times managed to appeal, and the one hope is that one other high-performance Mazda 3 might be on the best way below the brand new Spirit Racing sub-brand.

3

2006 Mazdaspeed 6

0–60 mph: 5.8 seconds

Coming in proper subsequent to it’s the often-forgotten Mazdaspeed 6, the model’s high-performance sedan with the identical turbocharged powertrain because the Mazdaspeed 3, a six-speed guide, and AWD. This makes the car fairly a unicorn, capable of dash to 60 mph in simply 5.4 seconds due to these 4 factors of contact. We expect the car appears nice, as your complete first era of the Mazda 6 was a looker, however, once more, the mannequin was a combined bag. Many felt it wasn’t as excessive because it ought to have been, because it wasn’t as well-balanced as its smaller sibling, and that it may have used a bit extra energy. Nonetheless, it is coveted at present, and good luck discovering a low-mileage instance.

2

2007 Mazdaspeed 3

0–60 mph: 5.5 seconds

The unique Mazdaspeed 3 was a torque-steering front-drive monster, however all of that uncooked energy really labored to its benefit when it got here to straight-line efficiency. The corporate let the two.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine free, with only some traces of code within the ECU and a GKN mechanical limited-slip differential to maintain all 280 lb-ft of torque in test.

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Paired with the automobile’s barely decrease curb weight and a strong clutch that allowed flat-shifting via second and third, the automobile was able to squeaking out a 0-60 mph time within the mid-five-second vary. Nevertheless, it wasn’t an train you wished to carry out usually, and even then, it nonetheless demanded laser focus to maintain the wheel straight through the maneuver.

1

2002 Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Sort A

0–60 mph: 4.7 seconds

Lastly, we get to the RX-7, and naturally, solely the quickest of all of the RX-7s qualify for the highest spot. It is the top of the FD era: the Spirit R. It is no secret that Japanese automakers usually depart the perfect vehicles for his or her dwelling nation, and the Spirit R is not any totally different, because it represented the swansong of the FD era. This small run of 1,500 vehicles was separated into three classes – Sort A, Sort B, and Sort C – and Sort A was not solely the perfect performer but additionally essentially the most produced out of the three.

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1,044 Sort As had been made, and so they differed from the opposite two due to additions like a extra highly effective 1.3-liter twin-turbo rotary engine making “solely” 276 horsepower, as per the JDM gentleman’s settlement, a rear-seat delete, a five-speed guide, BBS wheels, and extra which improved braking and chassis rigidity whereas additionally dropping the load over an everyday FD. The outcome was a mannequin that might dash to 60 mph in a powerful 4.7 seconds, a time that is nonetheless fairly spectacular to today. It might very effectively be the good manufacturing automobile Mazda has ever made, and when you ever discover one on the market, it will be costly.

Sources: Mazda, Automotive & Driver, MotorTrend.