12 Fastest Mazda Cars of All Time, Ranked by Top Speed

You know, people always talk about Lambos, Porsches, Ferraris… the usual “look-at-me-I’m-fast” crowd. But honestly, Mazda’s been quietly sneaking some of the fastest, cheekiest, most fun cars under the radar for decades. I mean, they’ve got rotaries, tiny roadsters, hot hatches you name it and some of these things will totally surprise you if you think Mazda = “just reliable, boring cars.” So yeah, I thought, why not rank the fastest Mazdas ever made by top speed, give you the lowdown on why they’re awesome, and, well… just geek out a little? Buckle up, it’s gonna be fun.

Mazda RX-7 FD

Not gonna lie, the FD RX-7 is the one that makes me stare out the window and daydream. Twin-turbo rotary, slippery ‘90s curves, pop-ups like, it’s anime come to life. Top speed? About 155 mph stock, give or take, which is already spicy, but the way it builds boost and just keeps pulling makes it feel faster than the number says. It’s light, it rotates (ha) beautifully, and when it’s on song it feels silk-smooth and slightly dangerous, in a good way. Prices are all over the place depending on condition and mods, but a tidy one will run you about $40k to $75k, with minty low-mile unicorns well past $90k. Just budget for, you know, rotary love and the occasional uhm, “why is it idling like that” moment.

Mazda RX-8 R3

I mean, the RX-8 gets flak for the whole apex seal thing, but the R3 version in particular is sneaky quick once you wind it out. Think around 145–150 mph on a good day, and it does it with that zingy, rev-to-the-moon rotary feel that’s super addictive. The chassis is genuinely great super neutral, steering that talks and those little rear-hinged doors are somehow still cool. It’s underrated because people fear the engine, but if you get a clean one and maintain it like a weirdo (warm-ups, premix, etc.), it’s a riot. Price-wise, R3s hover around $12k to $22k depending on miles, and yeah, that’s kind of a bargain for something that loves corners this much.

Mazda 6 MPS / Mazdaspeed6

This one’s such a sleeper. All-wheel drive, turbo 2.3, manual only like Mazda built a rally sedan in a lab and forgot to brag. Top speed is roughly 149–150 mph stock, but the way it gets there dig, grip, whoosh is so satisfying. The torque hit makes highway passes feel almost rude. It looks pretty normal, too, which is half the fun. You can find decent examples around $7k to $15k, maybe up to $18k for a clean low-mile one, and honestly it’s one of the most grown-up fast Mazdas you can daily without attracting the HOA.

Mazdaspeed3 (Gen 2)

So yeah, torque steer memes. But also, like, 155 mph legit top speed with enough room and courage, which is wild for a hatch with a big grin on its face. The 2.3 DISI turbo shoves hard in the midrange, and the chassis is playful if you, uhm, mind your throttle foot. It feels like a golden-era hot hatch loud-ish, slightly scrappy, tons of personality. Prices are surprisingly sane: $8k to $16k for most, with pristine late models sneaking higher. If you need fast plus practical and don’t mind wrangling torque, this is your troublemaker.

Mazdaspeed3 (Gen 1)

The original troublemaker. A touch rawer, honestly a bit rowdier, and somehow it feels faster than the numbers because it’s always on boost and vibrating with mischief. Top speed hovers around 155 mph too, but the journey there is more “hold tight and giggle.” Short gearing, torque everywhere, and an interior that’s simple but gets the job done. These can be had for $5k to $12k typically, with cleaner examples nudging up. It’s like buying a can of energy drink with wheels cheap thrills, big grins.

Mazdaspeed Miata (NB MSM)

Okay, it’s still a Miata, which means not insane top speed, but the turbo NB Mazdaspeed will crack about 125–130 mph and feel alive doing it. It’s not the fastest on this list, but it’s the one that makes you say “one more on-ramp.” The chassis is telepathic, the turbo adds that little whoosh-magic, and the whole thing feels like it’s cheering for you. Clean MSMs are climbing, figure $12k to $22k, and honestly I get it roof down, boost up, life better.

Mazda RX-7 FC Turbo II

The middle child RX-7 that secretly slaps. Single-turbo rotary, boxy-cool ‘80s looks, and a top speed around 145–150 mph depending on market and gearing. It’s less dramatic than an FD but more composed than you’d think, and that period turbo surge is such a vibe. You can still find nice ones around $10k to $25k, though really clean, unmolested cars are climbing. If you want vintage turbo feels without selling a kidney, the FC is that sweet spot.

Mazda RX-7 SA/FB (Turbo and GSL-SE builds)

Stock US cars weren’t rockets, but the later turbo markets and the hot GSL-SE setups can stretch their legs to the 120s-plus, and the aero actually kinda helps at speed. It’s more about momentum and that classic lightweight feel like a scalpel with seats. On a long straight it’ll surprise you by not running out of breath as quickly as you’d expect. Prices vary wildly, but you’re usually looking at $8k to $20k for drivers, with clean series-special stuff higher. It’s the charming one you grin even when you’re not going that fast.

Mazda 3 Turbo (current-gen AWD)

This one’s sneaky. It looks like a chic commuter, but with the 2.5T and AWD it just… goes. Officially it’s not marketed as a top-speed monster, but you’re looking at around 130–135 mph, and it gets there with that effortless “we’re just cruising” confidence. The cabin is Lexus-lite nice, and the torque makes city driving almost too easy. Used prices are around $22k to $33k right now depending on year and miles. It’s like a grown-up Mazdaspeed that put on a blazer and learned manners.

Mazda 6 2.5T (Signature-ish)

The turbo Mazda 6 is the long-legged one less shouty, more “let’s cover states.” Top speed is around 135–140 mph depending on conditions, and it rides with this calm, slightly sporty poise that makes you think, huh, this could be a baby Audi. Steering’s good, seats are comfy, and it sips fuel better than the speed suggests. You can pick them up for $18k to $30k used, and if you do a lot of highway, it’s kind of the sneaky smart buy that still scratches the fast itch.

Mazda CX-9 2.5T (yes, the big one)

Okay, hear me out fastest Mazdas by top speed, we gotta include the big family boat that can actually hustle. The CX-9 will do about 130 mph, which is ridiculous for a three-row that feels like a nice lounge on wheels. It’s not a driver’s car in the classic sense, but the torque is meaty and the chassis is tighter than it has any right to be. Used ones sit around $15k to $32k. It’s the “I have kids but also a need for speed on empty highways at 2 a.m.” pick, not that I’m recommending that, obviously.

Mazda RX-7 Spirit R (FD, ultimate trim)

I mean, if we’re ranking fastest, the Spirit R sits at the top of Mazda cool, even if the top speed number stays around that 155 mph limiter territory. It’s not really about top speed anyway this thing is howling-rotor perfection, the best brakes, the best seats, the extra sharpness. It feels special the moment you close the door. Prices are spicy imports and pristine examples can be $80k to $150k, sometimes more. It’s the “poster on your wall” car that actually lives up to the poster when you drive it.