Mazda 2 Reviews

There’s no doubt the little city package has loads of street presence with style to burn. But with the growing competition for buyer attention in this segment, it needs to be a bit more than just a head-turner.EngineThe Mazda2 Maxx is powered by a 1.5 litre, four cylinder in-line 16V DOHC engine, with sequential valve timing. It puts out 82kW at 6000rpm and 141Nm at 4000rpm. Fuel economy numbers for the five-speed manual sit around the 6.6l/100km and 7.0l/100km for the four-speed automatic.Exterior The Maxx is compact at just under 3.0 metres long and 1.68 metres wide, and with a strong crease line swooping from top of the front wheel arch to high in the rear, it sits with a sense of purpose and agility. Body-coloured power mirrors and door handles, a rear roof spoiler and alloy wheels are standard features that dress up the Maxx.InteriorInside, the Mazda2 Maxx is comfortable and airy. The seats are basic but offer some support. Head and leg room is adequate and the rear seats are 50/50 split fold.Mazda’s whole 2 range shares the full complement of interior features but for a six stacker CD player, a multi function steering and a slightly higher grade cloth trim that appear only in the Maxx and Genki models.Safety and security On top of the basic airbag package, safety features in the Mazda2 Maxx include anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, central locking and an engine immobiliser.PricingThe Mazda2 Maxx starts at $18,650 for the three-door manual and tops out at $21,300 for the five-door automatic. The optional safety pack that includes side and curtain airbags will set you back another $1,100.Driving On the road, the ride comfort is above average and handling is surprisingly tight. The Maxx also stays quite flat going hard into corners.Acceleration is far from mind-blowing - as you’d expect from the modest outputs - but it’s decent for such a small car. It doesn’t make too much of a fuss around the 110km/h mark on the freeway and holds its line well on the bitumen. At that speed you do get a little tyre rumble and side-mirror woosh but generally the cabin is quiet enough to hold a conversation without having to shout.Around town is where the Mazda2 Maxx shines, with the electrically-assisted steering getting extra bonus points when trying to jam the little car into tight parking spots. The multi-function steering wheel is a nice touch - both from creature comfort and safety points of view -and the gear-stick placement takes a bit of getting used to. But at this modest level of performance, the quirkier the car, the better it will possibly endear itself to potential buyers.

After a period of building solid, but less than thrilling models Mazda has undergone a transformation in the last decade and now produces cars like the Mazda 2 that have plenty of pizzazz.Mazda has always produced nice cars, but there was often little to get excited about. There were exceptions of course, like the MX5 and RX7 to keep you thinking there just might be an exciting sedan coming, but for the most part they were staid middle of the road machines that simply didn’t get the juices flowing.That all ended with the Mazda 6 and the Mazda 3, and the release of the small Mazda 2 in 2002 completed the transformation of the range from ho-hum to hallelujah.MODEL WATCH There was plenty of small car history that preceded the front-wheel-drive, five-door Mazda 2 hatch, and plenty it had to live up to. The 121 ‘bubble’ car was an adventurous design with cute styling that stood out in the rather bland small car crowd and became a favourite with some sections of the market. That was followed by the clever 121 Metro, which went in the opposite direction in terms of styling, and was bland in the extreme.The Mazda 2’s job was to re-establish Mazda’s credentials in the small car field after the disappointing 121 Metro, and it did it well. So well, in fact, that it was hailed as the best small car of its time by many motoring scribes. It was upright in the way of the 121 Metro, but had none of the 121’s boxiness. It had style much in the way of the 121 ‘bubble’ without being too adventurous.Its lines were clear and precise, giving it an athletic look that was the very antithesis of the rounded ‘bubble’ car and the boxy Metro. The 2 was a car with a clean shape and purposefully flowing lines. It looked good, and still does.Inside it was a small car masterpiece, the dash was rated the best in a car on the south side of $50,000. That’s some praise and it was justified as the dash was attractively styled and practically laid out. Like the 121 Metro the interior of the 2 was roomy and flexible. The seats were comfortable and supportive; the rear seat was a 60/40 split-fold able to be slid back and forth for more room. Likewise the boot was roomy with a low floor for good storage capacity.Ample power came from a 1.5-litre double overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine that generated 82 kW at 6000 revs and 141 Nm at 4000 revs to give the little Mazda a generous amount of zip on the road.While it had variable valve timing it did need to be revved to around 3500 revs to get the most out of it. Under that it felt like it was lacking in torque. If asked, however, it would respond by sprinting to 100 km/h in less than 13 seconds and account for the standing 400-metre dash in a reasonable 19 seconds.Buyers could choose between a five-speed manual gearbox and a four-speed auto, the latter a little soggy in use and not as smooth and flexible as some other small cars.There was nothing soggy about the Mazda 2’s on-road performance; however, it was well balanced, agile and responsive. Few small cars were thrown around on the road, they were mostly conservatively driven around town by people who couldn’t care less about handling, but there was fun to be had in the little Mazda if you cared, or dared, to explore its limits. The ride was also commendable. Well controlled, it was supple and very comfortable.All round, the Mazda 2 approached, and sometimes, exceeded similar sized European cars for its on-road sophistication. That was something few Japanese cars can claim. There were three models released at the launch of the Mazda 2: the Neo, Maxx and the Genki.The Neo opened the range and came with plenty of equipment, including a full array of dials, halogen headlights, air, central locking, a vast assortment of pockets, bins and holders to stow just about anything you might to carry, tilt-adjustment on the steering column, AM/FM radio and CD player, rear centre lap/sash belt among a raft of features.Step up to the Maxx and you found it also had alloy wheels, remote central locking, velour/cloth trim, in-dash six-stacker CD system and the driver’s window was powered. For more there was the oddly named Genki that added front fog lamps, ABS antiskid brakes, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist to the list.IN THE SHOP Mazda build quality and design integrity means the Mazda 2 really only sees the dealer when it’s time for a service. Rarely does anything that go wrong. It’s worth checking for a service record to make sure it’s had regular oil changes... The all-alloy four-cylinder engine has a timing chain, not a belt; co there’s no call for a change.Other than that, test drive the vehicle and make sure the auto shifts smoothly, but positively. If it’s a manual make sure the clutch engages without slipping, it’s a little sharp in the take up so be aware that it’s normal. Make the usual checks for dings in the body, particularly at the extremities, which are the most vulnerable in parking lots.IN A CRASH Impressive primary safety performance was provided by the beaut chassis, its agility and responsiveness providing plenty of capability of getting out of trouble when faced with a crash situation. Beyond the crunch the seat belt pretensioners and load limiters, along with the front airbags came into play for the final layer of protection. An added bonus came in the knowledge that the Mazda 2 was given a five-star NCAP rating in its homeland.AT THE PUMP Mazda’s official fuel economy figures say the 2 will do around 6.5-7.0 L/100 km on average, which seems to be borne out by owners who report similar fuel consumption numbers.OWNERS SAY Kenn Sellick doesn’t plan to trade out of his 2002 Mazda 2 Neo manual any time soon. In the 145,000 km it’s done he’s only had to replace tyres, wiper blades and a wheel cover. He rates the 7.0 L/100 km he averages as disappointing, and doesn’t like the fact that it has a space-saver spare wheel.After owning a Mazda 121, which was utterly reliable for 16 years Jennifer Harris bought a Mazda 2 three years ago. She has now done 32,000 km in it, and says it’s the perfect car for her use. The interior is versatile and has plenty of room for four adults, and the seat height means she can slide in sideways without having to lower herself into it. She also praises the performance in second and third gear, saying it has plenty of pull.Greg Dower has done 25,000 km in his 2005 Mazda 2 Maxx and says it is great, but a little under-powered. He says the air works well in summer, and he likes the steering wheel controls for the sound system, but criticizes the wind noise around the rear view mirrors, the space-saver spare, and the odd tyre size with the alloy wheels that are expensive to replace.Paul Rolands bought a Mazda Neo manual new in 2003. It has now done 130,000 km and he says he is more than happy with it. It copes really well with the twisty roads he regularly drives on and he says it’s head and shoulders above the 1998 Hyundai Excel it replaced, the gearshift is very good, and the fuel consumption varies between 6.3 and 6.6 L/100 km. There have been no problems apart from an erratic fuel gauge, the clutch feel, and he would like more torque at low range to improve the low-end performance.LOOK FOR • Stylish looks• Roomy and flexible interior• Good fuel economy• Low-end performance soggy• Brilliant handling• Good build qualityTHE BOTTOM LINE Small wonder, this little Mazda is a gemRATING 85/100

The company has sold 28,439 new cars so far in 2008 - 10 per cent ahead of the same period last year and more than the 27,505 new vehicles it sold in an entire year in 2000.

The Mazda 2's raging success since its release last September is down to chucking desirability and driveability into the mix; it goes as sweetly as it looks and it does look awfully sweet.The first-gen model 2 went almost as well, but was something of a caravan aesthetically. That you can't shove as much stuff into the sharply sculpted newcomer has affected sales not at all adversely. Indeed it's proved a fillip to the extent Mazda this week released an even less practical and even prettier 2, one that out of sheer personality as much as performance removes the grimness from the daily grind of a city where traffic is in perennial gridlock.“It's the sporty-looking alternative to the five door, for people who really don't see the need for the extra doors,” Mazda's Glenn Butler says.“The previous Mazda2 headroom was in the realm of ridiculous; you had enough to wear two top hats. So how much do you really need? We were able to pare back the dimensions and the three-door is simply the next logical extension of ramping up the visual appeal.”And as we say, that appeal marries blissfully to dynamics and handling that are clearly at the fore of a class that in addition to the usual appliances from Toyota and Nissan, also includes such game offerings as Ford's Fiesta and Suzuki's Swift.The stipulation — stumbling block for too many punters - is that 2's ability is best unlocked with a five-speed manual; the four cog auto pushes the curb over the tonne and denudes the sense of involvement and sheer fun.The current carryover 1.5-litre DOHC petrol four does enough to get the manual to 100km/h from standing in about 10 seconds and is sufficiently tractable to avoid constant cog swapping.Well behaved and compliant over Sydney's conspicuously deteriorating roads, the 2 comes into its own through the tight and curly stuff, enormously agile and rewarding for something so modest.The electrically assisted steering, though slightly numb, is direct and accurate. So capable is the 2 that, in typical Mazda fashion, it could easily handle more urge. Indeed a turbo-charged version is inevitable.“The Mazda2 three-door would make a great basis for an MPS, wouldn't it?” Butler asks.And with the world having been cruelly denied a hot 6, he adds with emphasis that Mazda Australia “are certainly agitating” for just such a super-mini.At $15,750 for the entry-level manual Neo, the Mazda2 three-door slides in $750 under the least expensive five-door. The $17,960 Maxx saves the same amount on its five-door sibling.Nice prices, made only slightly less so by the $1100 required for the comprehensive safety packs that add side and curtain SRS airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control system. Do please tick this box.The five-door Maxx that scored high last year in Carsguide Car Of The Year judging was considered only with this potentially life-saving addition. The fully-equipped version won the maximum crash-safety rating of five stars at the latest round of Euro NCAP testing.For that alone, the 2 justifies the hefty premium over the $13,990 drive away Holden Barina, that little re-badged Daewoo with its two-star safety rating. Even at a gnat's chuff over $19K plus on roads (and another $1500 if you must have an auto) the Maxx with safety pack, in which we've spent the past week, is outstanding value, especially as it is the best car in the class.The captivating exterior statement continues within, with styling that's distinctive but subtle next to, say, Fiat's fetishist 500. The white dials light up in orange at night and are at all times pleasant and easy to the eye. Visibility from the driver's seat isn't brilliant in the rear three quarters, what with the 2's high and flat bum (“Looks kind of like Beyonce,” says a young female colleague) and small wing mirrors. Neither that, or the lack of telescopic steering-wheel adjustment, seriously compromise the driving position.The forward seats are firm but supportive; the back ones are easily accessible through the elongated doors and accommodate we burly types comfortably enough. And speaking of size, Butler notes: “The first quarter of this year is the first time that I can recall when light cars have outsold large cars. Large cars used to be number one, now they're number three, so Australians are voting with their coin.”And given the 2 now comes in slightly cheaper still, you can get two new fully-equipped Mazdas for the price of one locally made land barge that costs twice the money to run.It's difficult to see the Mazda2, in either form, as anything other than the car of the moment.

The newest addition to the Mazda range is a sharp-looking little hatch that doesn't deserve to be called a shopping trolley. But it can complete such mundane tasks without an issue.

A record number of Mazda baby cars delivered last month helped drive the company to an all-time sales record and its 10th straight month of rewritten records.

The little Mazda 2 is the second generation of Mazda's smallest car but it has all the good things the company's deserved reputation promises.

Small vehicles are bulging out to the mid-size boundary, while mid-size is threatening to spill into the large class. And increased safety features are generally adding more poundage.

It's fair to say the Mazda 2 has never really lived up to expectations. Competing against the likes of Toyota's renamed Yaris and the popular Hyundai Getz, it languishes near the middle of the light c

A little purple Mazda2 Maxx, that is. Mazda describes the colour as Iris Blue but purple is as purple does and so their week was perfect.They wanted to travel in the purple car, pat the purple car and own the purple car. Me? I just delighted in something that was compact yet spacious, easy to park, could fit all the shopping and, I admit it, was purple.OK, so the Mazda2 comes in colours other than Iris Blue but the truth is it would have lost none of its appeal in any other colour.Even the men of the house had to admit that the Mazda2 packs plenty into its little frame. And talking of small, the Maxx model manages to put an in-dash six-CD player, alloy wheels and a sporty rear roof spoiler in a car costing just $20,875 for the automatic.Even the next model up, the Genki, will set you back only about $22,000. My long-legged other half kept trying to tell me it was a perfect "girls' car". You know, the sort just perfect for a quick shopping fix, zipping around the city and avoiding other vehicles in tight car parks. Sounds perfect really and I noticed he was more than keen to take that little delight everywhere.The deceptively spacious design meant he had plenty of headroom and the back-seat drivers had plenty of space even behind his seat.And when they haven't come for the ride and you need extra space in the back, those back seats fold flat and move around – quite a snazzy little trick in a little baby built to please.But small doesn't mean lack of power. Mazda's long experience in building quality cars that just keep going has been put to good use. The Mazda2 comes with a 1500cc engine and is available as a manual or a four-speed activematic. Whatever that means. What it does mean is that even with a full load of passengers and picnic basket and Esky in the boot, we zipped up the Southern Expressway leaving bigger cars in our wake. Zoom-zoom goes the catchy tune and zoom-zoom we could.And popping in some fuel was a delightful surprise. Not many dollars pushed the fuel gauge on the 45-litre tank well up – and with economy on the automatic rated at about seven litres/100km, you can just keep driving that adorable little machine on and on and on.Mazda2 Maxx automaticCompact outside, but spacious insideZippy engineGreat choices of coloursLittle bit of engine noiseFamily daytrips OK but no room for a weekend awaySlightly boxy look that could date quickly