I've driven both extensively.
It's much more powerful than a Zetec, but it's the torque that's amazing. Any gear, any time, it'll just pull cleanly. Giant Leap.
Handling is brilliant, helped mainly by the tyres (super sticky Pirelli P Zero Neros) but the suspension tune is fantastic, very well balanced. Stronger.
Seats - HUGE LEAP. THE most comfortable seats I've ever sat in (did 1,600km in an XR4 on highway and it was perfectly comofortable).
All up, well worth the extra money, and not only because it's so much better than a Zetec, but because compared to anything else, nothing comes close for the price and few even for the performance. A Vertitable bargain.
Driven a Swift sport. Hard ride, no torque, peaky 1.6litre screamer of an engine, tail happy buy ultimately feels cheaper with a platicky gearshift and hard seats. For a grand more, it's a very easy decision into the XR4. To be honest, a Fiesta Zetec is a better buy than the Swift Sport, and it's far cheaper too.
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2012 Mazda3 MPS 
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