Winner: 2007 Mazdaspeed 3

Mazda's Mazdaspeed 3 is the latest in a series of fantastic Mazdaspeed performance editions, including last year's Mazdaspeed 6. The Mazdaspeed 3 has the same "Oh wow!" factor as the fellow Best of 2007 winner Audi RS4, as in looking in the rear view mirror and saying, "Oh, wow, did I just drive through that curve that fast?"

By starting with the Mazda 3, one of the industry's sharpest-handling compacts, and adding a 263 hp turbocharged engine and even-more-capable handling, Mazda has created something truly unique. That it's based on the butch-looking 5-door wagonette -- by far the coolest member of the Mazda 3 family -- just adds to the appeal, not to mention the convenience.

Read more:

• 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 test drive
• 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 photo gallery