CALL IT MAZDACRAZYFAST 3; OUR LONG-TERM MAZDA HATCH WAS ANYTHING BUT BORING.

Byline: BOB GRITZINGER

Whether we were wailing through winding back roads or making weekend warehouse-store runs, we found very little we didn't like about our long-term 2007 Mazdaspeed 3. To a person, we were deeply saddened to see this hatchback screamer leave us after 12 months and nearly 20,000 miles in the fleet.

"What other car can match this amount of performance and utility, and come in at this price?'' queried one staffer. "One year later, this Mazda still stands at the top when it comes to hopped-up hatchbacks.''

That's high praise for any vehicle in the AutoWeek stable, but it is even more dramatic considering this little five-door filled the big shoes left by our previous long-term hatchback, a 2006 Audi A3. Price and point of origin for the two are worlds apart, but similarities in configuration and powertrains (turbocharged four-cylinder, six-speed tranny) led to inevitable comparisons. The Audi's fit and finish was superior, but the Mazdaspeed 3 more than held its own in performance and features.

We still question whether the electronically controlled limited-slip differential does enough to manage torque steer in the lower gears, but we did learn to control the turbocharged 2.3-liter four's power via careful application of the right pedal. And once up to speed with turbo boost on tap, the car was pure joy to drive, offering instant acceleration matched only by its excellent handling, spot-on steering and confidence-inspiring braking.

"The car is so balanced and quick that the everyday commute becomes a joyful encounter, another opportunity to really drive, rather than a painful slog through the urbia,'' said an editor, who bemoaned the lack of American roads that might allow us to sample the Mazdaspeed 3's autobahn-level top speed and performance.

Not to worry. The car was equally capable as a grocery-getter and gear hauler, its huge rear maw absorbing everything from holiday-shopping bags to piles of winter gear for our resident snowboarder. Equipped for the winter with a set of smooth-riding, snow-eating Bridgestone Blizzaks, we had little concern for driving the car in the worst of weather (though rain-soaked roads weren't ideal for the snow tires). During our freezing Michigan winter, we also came to ...