Question of the Day: What's Faster to 60 MPH?

Since SEMA officially kicks off tomorrow and we’ve already been inundated with reports on some of the production and concept cars showing up there, we figured today would be a good day to answer one reader’s question about speedy, specialized hatchbacks.

The reader’s inquiry was which hatchback is faster to 60 mph: the Mazdaspeed3, Dodge Caliber SRT4 or Mini Cooper S.

Which is faster from zero to 60 mph, the Mazdaspeed3, Caliber SRT4 or Mini Cooper S? (Ask.cars.com)

Reader Review of the Week: 2008 Mazdaspeed3

We were surprised to see a review of a 2008 Mazdaspeed3 because we didn’t think the 2007s had left dealer lots, but after a quick inspection of national inventory we found only five 2007s in the entire country. This powerful little hatchback is a Cars.com staff favorite, and its interesting to read what real-world people think of living with it every day. Check out what one Ohio Mazdaspeed3 owner had to say about his 2008 and don't forget to submit your own review. 

Cars.com Faceoff: Cheap Speed, the Sequel

Last year, the all-new Volkswagen GTI bested the then-aging Mini Cooper and the new Honda Civic Si in one of our most popular faceoffs to date. Today, Mike Hanley, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder took last year’s champ and put it against a redesigned Mini Cooper and a newcomer, the Mazdaspeed3. Which affordable, accelerator-friendly hatchback won out? Click below. 

Cars.comparison: Small and Fast, Take II

Head to Head: Mazdaspeed3 vs. VW GTI 4-Door

This is the third head-to-head post we’ve done featuring two of the cars we got an early look at last week. We’ve been criticized heavily for not comparing more exact models and trim levels, but we were working with what we had and hopefully explained our reasoning the entire way. BUT, now we match two vehicles that couldn’t be more alike in every way. We recently reviewed the Mazdaspeed3 in full and also featured the two-door GTI in a Cheap Speed Faceoff. But last week we were able to look at the all-new four-door GTI — offered in the U.S. for the first time — and it naturally fell into place next to the Mazdaspeed3. Again, David Thomas and Mike Hanley took their turns in the two. Read on to see if they could agree on a winner.