Mazda2 Review

Mazda2

Being slightly smaller than its predecessor helps but Mazda have also used new kinds of steel (high and ultra-high tensile) in the body shell. This makes the car 10 per cent lighter (22kg) and improves safety and rigidity at the same time. The weight of the suspension system was reduced by 13kg, some of the internal organs were moved and the wiring harnesses shortened. The latter saved just 2.86kg and thinner bonnet hinges and catch, a further 0.69kg. It doesn’t sound like much but think in terms of bags of sugar and it all adds up.

To start with, there were three engine options but now there are four and three trim levels. The 1.3 petrol unit comes in two forms, 75PS and 86PS. The lower output unit is in the TS and the higher is in the TS2. The test car housed the other petrol option, the 1.5, which is only available in Sport trim. The recent addition to the line up is the 1.4 turbo-diesel, which can be put into the TS or TS2.

Despite the output variations, both versions of the 1.3 engine have the same fuel figures of 40.9-, 61.4- and 52.3mpg for the urban, extra-urban and combined cycles; Co2 is 129g/km. The 1.5 Sport is a little less economical at 37.2mpg (u), 57.6mpg (e-u) and the combined works out as 47.9mpg with CO2 emissions measured at 140g/km. As usual, the 1.4 diesel takes the prize for frugality with 53.3mpg, 76.3mpg and 65.7mpg, for the respective cycles and only 114g/km CO2. So, the weight-loss programme works.

The new Mazda2 has brought some changes to the inside, too. The wheel-in-every-corner layout allows for a relatively spacious cabin. Despite being some 55mm shorter than the previous model, you now sit lower so there is plenty of headroom. While the rear legroom is moderate, it is adequate for adults and, as it is a 5-door hatch, the rear seats are easily accessed. The 3-door version arrives later this year (2008).

The rear seats have the usual 60:40 split and fold function, except on the TS, which has a one-piece folding bench. Either way the boot capacity is the same at 250-litres with the seats up and 469-litres, to the belt-line, with them folded, or 787-litres to the roof.

The main interior changes are in the front of the cabin where the 5-speed, manual shift has been moved and is now stack-mounted some, 38mm higher than before. It makes for easier hand movement back to the steering wheel after a gear change. The parking brake is also a little closer to the driver: the driver’s seat height adjustment range has been increased and the rake-adjustable steering column has 50mm of travel, so it is easy to find a comfortable driving position.

The dashboard is formed of two levels with the smoother top half containing the air vents and small instrument nacelle, which houses sporty, white dials, across the range. There is a definite circular theme going on, reiterated in the centre console, which spans the two levels, by the chunky, climate controls below a circular bezel containing an information display and some of the audio controls.