2022 Mazda 2 price and features: MG3, Kia Rio, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Polo and Suzuki Swift rival gets sporty new Pure SP grade with update

Mazda Australia has released the third-generation Mazda2 light car's sporty new grade as part of a MY22 update.

Dubbed Pure SP ($23,690 plus on-road costs), the addition slots in between entry-level Pure (from $21,190, +$200) and mid-range Evolve ($24,690, +$200) grades, with it available in the Mazda2’s hatchback body-styles but sedan, and with only a six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.

The Pure SP adds a black grille, black 16-inch alloy wheels, black side mirror covers, a chrome exhaust tip and black cloth upholstery (with red stitching) over the Pure.

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For reference, the Pure is also offered in both body-styles, with the hatchback having the option of a six-speed manual. It comes with LED headlights, power-folding side mirrors and 15-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, push-button start, a 7.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, digital radio, a six-speaker sound system, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear selector, brown/black cloth upholstery and front and rear seatbelt reminders (new for MY22) feature.

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to front and rear autonomous emergency braking (with pedestrian detection), cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

The Evolve is only available as an automatic hatchback, with it getting dusk-sensing lights (including LED daytime running lights), rain-sensing wipers, auto-folding side mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels, a shark-fin antenna, a chrome exhaust tip, satellite navigation, a head-up display, single-zone climate control and navy blue/cloth upholstery over the Pure.

Then there’s the flagship GT ($26,190, +$200), which can be had as an automatic hatchback or sedan, with it featuring keyless entry, blue/grey leather upholstery with grey Grand Luxe synthetic suede accents, adaptive cruise control, surround-view cameras and front parking sensors over the Evolve.

Platinum Quartz metallic is a new no-cost paintwork option for the Mazda2, while Polymetal Grey metallic has also been added to the line-up, although it attracts a $495 premium.

2022 Mazda2 GT sedan

As before, all variants of the MG3, Kia Rio, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Polo and Suzuki Swift rival carry over an 82kW/144Nm 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, dubbed G15.

That means Australia misses out on the revised unit that was introduced in Japan for MY22. It uses a higher compression ratio and new vortex fuel injection to deliver a 0.4L/100km improvement on the combined-cycle test, to 4.9L/100km for the manual.

Also seemingly missing locally are wireless Apple CarPlay support and wireless smartphone charging, but it’s not unusual for Japanese-market Mazda models to differ when it comes to available features.

2022 Mazda2 pricing before on-road costs

UPDATED FROM: 22/09/2021