Recently I was handed the keys to the new Mazda2, a supermini with massive competition across the board. With the likes of the Fiesta, Polo, Corsa and more for competition, you'd want a pretty impressive machine to go into contention.
Mazda is kind of in my blood. My family has owned a good number of them, and I still hope to one day own a 1980s Mazda 626 coupé - I know, it’s a strange car to want. The only major issue that I have with the brand is that they are often changing and revamping their models. Some of you may think that that's a good thing, but to me it means that they accelerate the ageing of their outgoing models.
Although I complain about Mazda's design overhauls, I have to admit that there has never been a design by Mazda that didn't impress me in some way (except maybe the bubble design of the old 121 from 1991, and of course the Mazda Demio from 1996). The new Mazda2 is using what Mazda knows best - the brilliant Kodo design. Kodo design offers a stance to this small car that makes it look bigger, sleeker and very stylish.
I was driving the Mazda2 with GT trim. The finish was impeccable, with dual colours on the brilliantly stitched leather seats. The air vents look like they came out of the Audi A1, and the overall feel within the cabin is spacious, airy and extremely comfortable. I easily fit two child seats in the back, but nobody should be surprised to hear that I wouldn’t recommend this area for anyone who is taller than 6 foot.
The Mazda2 drives like a small car should. The gears are smooth and it corners nicely. It also deals with bumps in a very comfortable way. The only place where I found this car to be lacking in terms of performance is that the engine has to work hard to get you up to motorway speeds – once it gets there though the 90PS 1.5 SkyActiv engine is smooth.
Based on the Mazda2 I was driving I would be more likely to put this car in competition with MINI Cooper and the Audi A1. All three are presented excellently. The GT version is nicely trimmed, but if I was driving an entry level version I would be more likely to class it with the Polo, Fiesta, Corsa, etc. The thing is that the Polo, Fiesta and the Corsa will probably be the biggest competitiors to this car. In terms of exterior and interior style, the Mazda2 is the nicest. Some may find that the Polo is slightly more practical and that the Fiesta has a slight edge in terms of drivability. Anyway you look at it, the Mazda2 certainly makes the supermini segment much more interesting.
The Mazda2 I was driving had a 5-gear transmission which operated very smoothy. It’s available in four different trims, SE, Executive, Executive SE and the trim I drove – GT. It is also available with a 1.5litre diesel engine offering 105PS, or with another 1.5 SKYACTIV petrol engine offering 75PS. The entry level Mazda2 starts off at €15,995 and Mazda Ireland reckons that a lot of customers will opt for the Executive trim, which starts at €16,995.
In terms of fuel economy, I have to say that this is one of those instances where the manufacturer’s figures were not too far off what I had achieved. I got 6.8l/100km after my week with the Mazda2, a lot of my driving was done in urban conditions and Mazda quotes 5.9 as being their average urban consumption. There combined fuel economy figure is 4.8l/100km.
Overall, there is a lot that impresses me with this particular test drive. Firstly, it's presented excellently. Next is Kodo design - I've asked it before, and I'll ask it again, "Mazda, please don't be in a rush to move away from this." It looks great. Finally, I felt that the car could do with a little more on the power front. Otherwise, this is a great little machine and if Mazda can get more bums in seats for test drives, I imagine that it could potentially sell very well.
