LAUNCHED: Mazda 3 MPS

Second-gen hot hatch tames the torque, but still walks the walk.

LAUNCHED: Volkswagen Polo

New-gen small car ponies up tiny turbo tech.

Trued grit - Mazda 3 MPS

The second-gen of Mazda's wild-child hot hatch is as wickedly potent as the first, but chassis changes have reined in the manic torque steer, and helped deliver handling that's no longer a handful.

Tiers of joy - Mazda 3 SP25 v Golf 118TSI

Moving down one level from GTI and MPS still brings miles of driving smiles.

Now with maw - Mazda 3 SP25

The gaping grille is the first indication that Mazda's tighter, punchier new SP25 has an even healthier appetite for performance.

DOWNLOAD: Mazda6 vs Honda Accord Euro

Wheels Road Test Annual 2009 - Facing off here are the second generation of two of Japan's best mid-sizers.

LAUNCHED: Mazda MX-5

Revvier, rortier, more refined. It even looks happier...

Mazda CX-9 short stay - April 2009

Space, the final frontier.

City Of Lights - Ford Fiesta LX vs Honda Jazz VTi vs Mazda 2 Neo vs Toyota Yaris YRS

We've established that Ford's globe-trotting Fiesta is a small car with sizeable talent. Time now to see how brightly it shines when facing its natural nemeses.

Audi TTS v BMW 135i v Mazda RX-8 GT v Nissan 350Z

Japan takes on Germany in this shootout of compact coupes. Their differences are many, but their goal is the same: max attack for under $100K.

This week's Wheels - Mazda 6 Diesel Sports hatch

The 6 fills a Japanese-branded gap in the diesel passenger market.

This week's Wheels - Ford Fiesta LX

Prized progeny of the blue oval proves good drives can come in small packages.

2009 VW Golf 103TDI Comfortline review

Four blokes pile into a Mk Vl Golf for a weekend getaway. Good thing the diesel derivative is punchy, swift and, errr, macho.

2009 Holden Calais review

Holden's new Active Fuel Management system quashes the notion that a big V8 equals big fuel bills. Our run from Sydney to Melbourne on one tank provides the proof.

2009 Mazda MX-5 review

The MX-5 still represents enormous bang for buck in a tight little package.

Mazda MX-5 Review

With 20 years of production creeping dangerously close to one million units (855,000 at last count), and a claimed 178 awards under its belt, the world’s best-selling open-top two-seater has plenty of reasons to smile. But the facelifted third-genner cracks a Botox grin like it’s rocked in the door at 6am after a night of dance-party tomfoolery. Or woken up and found Jennifer Hawkins cooking it breakfast. Or perhaps both.

Mazda 3 SP25

Bigger engine and a revamp, yet the sporty 3 remains much the same.

2009 Mazda RX-8 SP review

We drive Mazda Australia's fire-spitting turbocharged RX-8 Targa car

HSV Astra VXR review

Limited-run NURBURGRING edition reminds us why we like HSV's VXR.