2022 Toyota Yaris vs Mazda 2

What's the difference?

The Toyota Yaris finds itself in a precarious position in the Australian market.

This new-generation car launches as the decline of small cars in Australia seems to be in full swing, and while it brings hybrid tech to the Yaris nameplate, it’s priced dangerously close to its popular Corolla big sibling.

So, what’s on offer here to justify the relatively high price, and should you consider the top-spec ZR hybrid model tested here or is the value further down the pecking order? Keep reading to find out.

The Mazda2 is part of the Australian automotive furniture. A long-time favourite of those at the affordable end of the new car market, looking for something compact and economical, but at the same time safe and practical.

A survivor of our enthusiastic shift to SUVs of all shapes and sizes, it’s been around in its current form for close to a decade. And in an on-going quest to keep the car fresh and competitive Mazda launched a new variant, the Pure SP, in late 2021.

It’s ideally sized for the urban environment, with lots to offer value-conscious small car buyers. But does it have what it takes to turn back the clock and fend off new and recently refreshed competitors? Let’s find out.