- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.5i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
76kW, 135Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 6.8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Takes 2 to tango
Pigeonhole: Hatchling.
Philosophy: To create as much space as possible...in a tiny space.
Trivia: The name for the flagship of the Mazda2 range is Genki, which in Japanese means high spirited or cheerful. Mazda Australia says there is no special meaning behind Neo (basic model) and Maxx (middle of the range) other than trying to sound different. It has certainly achieved that.
Who's buying it: The new Mazda2 has been bolting out of the doors since it went on sale last month, but the company says it has not yet collated buyer-profile data. Anecdotally, the maker says it appeals to both sexes across all ages, from first-car buyers to retirees.
Why you'd buy it: Quality, value, space efficiency, perky engine, good sound system.
Why you wouldn't: Despite genuine attempts by Mazda to add a few curves to give the styling some flair, the most affordable Mazda is still a box on wheels. It doesn't push the same emotional buttons as, say, the latest Euro hatches.
Standard equipment: Reasonably well equipped for a base model: air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, CD player. It has central locking but no remote. That is reserved for more expensive models.
Safety: Dual airbags and height-adjustable seatbelts with pre-tensioners. Anti-lock brakes are available only on the most expensive version. No independent crash data available yet, but Mazda says its internal testing has shown the car is equal to, or better than, the top performer of the baby-car class.
Cabin: So roomy it almost echoes. Countless cubbies to store mobile phones, wallets, CDs, old pens and other junk. The toll money will never be found again. Big dials for air-conditioning and audio controls. Big rear hatch with low lip takes the hassle out of loading large objects.
Seating: Good support and great choice of fabrics, although be warned: the Maxx gets a bright beige interior. It looks great in the showroom but it will get dirty very quickly. A low floor line means rear occupants have great leg room.
Engine: The 1.5-litre four is perky (82kilowatts) but is a bit noisy when rushed.
Transmission: Five-speed manual is light and precise, but I could happily live with the four-speed auto. Automatics and small cars usually don't mix, but this moves along nicely.
Steering: The power-assisted steering is a touch too light for my liking. Turning circle is 9.8 metres. Par for the class.
Ride: Good, soaks up most bumps and thumps, though not with the same finesse as the Europeans.
Handling: It is shaded by the Europeans in this department, too, but it is by no means an embarrassment. The light steering makes light work of corners and roundabouts and it is competent on winding country roads.
Fuel: The manual returned an impressive 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres with a mix of freeway and city driving. The auto was marginally thirstier (9.8 litres/100 kilometres).
Brakes: Front discs, rear drums. Good, responsive pedal.
Build: Top marks.
Warranty: Three years/100,000 kilometres.
Security: Immobiliser.
Audio: Above-average sound from AM/FM CD player. The top two models even get six-CD in-dash players with steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.
Cost: The Mazda2 range stretches from $17,790 to $23,915. The Neo, pictured, is the basic model.
Verdict: The Mazda2 is an excellent small car but its relatively conservative styling makes it a sensible person's choice. For example, it won't push some people's emotional buttons in the same way as the cute Citroen C3.
Prices correct at publication date.