There’s no getting around it:

We live in a tough new world of $4 per gallon gasoline, and a U.S. economy that has its share of difficulties — with no signs of relief coming anytime soon. But enthusiasts still need to have fun, right? Right! Luckily, small turbocharged engines make sense, as they offer decent fuel economy when driven like Grandma — the Chevrolet Cobalt SS, for example, gets an EPA-rated 30 mpg on the highway — along with kick-in-the-pants acceleration that’ll make Prius owners “green” with envy when you get playful with that right-most pedal. Add in that all four cars here start at under $27,000, and you can see we just might be on to something.

For those of you keeping score at Road & Track, it has been Mazdaspeed3: two; and the Mazdaspeed3’s competition: zero. In the two previous comparison tests in which it took part, the Mazdaspeed3 unleashed its special brand of punishment, first on the Honda Civic Si, Mini Cooper S, Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V and Volkswagen GTI in our June 2007 issue, and more recently on the Dodge Caliber SRT4 in the February 2008 issue.

So here’s the question: Can the Chevrolet Cobalt SS, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart or Subaru Impreza WRX dethrone the mighty Mazdaspeed3 as the King of the Sport Compacts?

Read the full article on RoadandTrack.com

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