The new Mazda2 is good. Very good in fact. That's not too surprising given how impressed we were with the Mazda3 and Mazda6.
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What makes the 2 such a revelation is how much good stuff there is in its little frame. In terms of technology, features and simple "feel", the 2 does a number on most of its light car competitors.
In a sense, the Mazda2 belies its "light" car categorisation. It is 16cm longer than its predecessor and its wheelbase is stretched a further 8cm. Its size is closing in on the old Mazda 323.
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We collected a six-speed manual Mazda2 Genki from Ballarat City Mazda before swapping it over for the six-speed auto. In either version, it does not feel like a budget point A to point B car.
The appearance is quite swoopy and not at all like the old "econoboxes" which used to be standard fare in the light car class.
Inside, things are a little cosier. The one dimension which has not changed is width. In that regard it is line-ball with its obvious competitors, such as the Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo.
The feel and layout of the interior is first class. The instruments are stylish and uncluttered with a large analogue tachometer and an easy-to-read digital speedo. On the Genki there is even a head-up display.
The audio, communications and navigation functions are all displayed on a large colour screen which is touch activated but can also be operated using a control knob mounted between the driver and the passenger. It is one of the most effective and user-friendly interface systems we have seen to date. This system is only available on the Genki but even the standard infotainment package has a quality look.
Even the less important details, such as the feel of the plastics and other materials inside, point to a car well outside the light car category. The one obvious omission is a rear-view camera, which is an option.
The so-called high-spec engine in the Mazda2 Maxx and Genki has the same 1.5-litre capacity as the standard Mazda2 Neo and the performance gains are marginal at best (81kW compared with the Neo's 79kW; 141Nm compared with 139Nm). It does, however, offer an improved combined cycle fuel economy figure of 5.2-l/100km compared with the base model's 5.4-l/100km in the six-speed manual. The improvement is even greater for the automatic (4.9-l/100km compared with 5.5-l/100km for the Neo).
While the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre is not dull, it isn't quite as sharp as some of the small turbo engines filtering through. It is still more than adequate for cruising on the highway or on country roads. If anything, we preferred the manual version, with its slick shift because it allowed us to wind up the engine a bit more.
The ride and handling feels solid and very competent, a balance between comfort and agility. It isn't as sporty as some of its competitors and is perhaps pitched to suit a more general audience. Importantly, it does not feel in the slightest bit tinny or cheap.
As a mechanical package, the Mazda2 is competitive with most things in its segment. What puts it right at the top of the tree is attention to detail with everything else. Little wonder '2 is such a hot number.
Mazda2 Genki
ENGINE: high spec 1.5-litre inline petrol four
POWER: 81kW at 6000 revs
TORQUE: 140Nm at 4000 revs
TRANSMISSION: six-speed manual or six-speed automatic
DRIVE: front-wheel-drive
FUEL: petrol, manual 5.2-l/100km (ADR81/02)
ANCAP SAFETY RATING: not yet tested
OTHERS TO CONSIDER:
- Ford Fiesta Sport
- Honda Jazz VTi-L
- Toyota Yaris YRX
- Volkswagen Polo Comfortline