Hot hatches aren’t what they used to be, so look out says Neil Hopkins.

There was, once upon a time, a day when Golfs, Astras and Ford’s Focus ST ruled the roost when it came to hot hatches. However, there is a new contender on the block - the Mazda 3 MPS.

If truth be told, I’m somewhat of an automotive snob. To me, sports cars are only sports cars if they’re powered through the rear wheels, and hot hatches are the sole preserve of the boy-racer set. Since hitting the road in the Mazda 3 MPS, I’ve had to revise my thinking. The 2.3-litre turbocharged engine is staggering. The handling for a front wheel drive car through the corners is confident with little understeer (no doubt thanks to the stability control systems). And the sheer brute force of the thing almost caught me unawares – because it doesn’t look like it should have such strength.

Yes, you’ve got reminders in the cabin that it’s the MPS (which stands for Mazda Performance Series, in case you were wondering). And yes, from the outside, there’s a whiff of sportiness with the alloys, deep throated front grille and chromed exhaust pipes. But otherwise, the version I took out looks like a suave four-door hatch. A wolf in sheep’s clothing you might say.

If you’re into trading performance figures, then you can casually drop into conversation that the MPS version of Mazda’s award-winning 3 series will hit 62mph in 6.1 seconds. That’s quick. Quicker, in fact, than the S2000 that we’ve also reviewed in this edition.

There isn’t any turbo-lag on the MPS, something which shouldn’t come as a surprise, but to anyone who has driven a turbo before, it still might. A small tap to the accelerator has the turbo vanes spinning frantically, ramming more air into the system and increasing the bang-per-buck factor.

As the turbo spools, the only comparable feeling is that which you get listening to a stirring piece of classical music. It starts soft, then builds inexorably towards the top of the power band. It’s a sensation that truly stirs the soul, but without deafening the ears.

And yet, the Mazda 3 MPS is staggeringly practical as well. There’s plenty of space in the back for the children and the boot is definitely a useful size. There’s all the usual safety kit (ABS, air bags and so on), plenty of comfort and refinement. And, as we mentioned in the Mazda 6 write up in the last issue, the build quality is superb and cabin ergonomics absolutely spot-on.

So, what is there not to like about the 3 MPS? Not a lot is the answer. One thing I’d change – but only because I’m picky – is the fact that the speedo starts at the 6 o’clock position and 70mph is about a quarter of the way around. Yes, Mazda, we know that you can zoom-zoom to the other side of 150mph, but we just can’t do that on British roads. I’d have preferred it if the 0 of the speedo was a little further around so that I didn’t feel quite so cheated when I couldn’t press the loud pedal anymore, with the speedo needle barely started on its journey.

In short, the Mazda 3 MPS is a stunningly good car. It mixes brawn with brains, space with performance and logic with passion. If you’re after a car for the family or something to light a smile once in a while, you won’t go wrong with this one. Ford, Vauxhall and other contenders to the hot hatch crown – watch your step…