Mazda 2 2026 review: G15 Evolve | Toyota Yaris rival tested

Mazda hasn’t forgotten the little things.

Most carmakers are moving away from little hatchbacks as sales dwindle as buyers jump into SUVs instead.

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2026 Mazda2 prices

The 2 is no longer the sub-$20,000 proposition it once was with the base Evolve grade tested here starting at $27,290 (before on-road costs). The better-equipped GT grade adds $1200 to the price, and you can get the GT in sedan form for the same price.

That makes it about $2000 cheaper than the most affordable Toyota Yaris, which has the added benefit of hybrid power, and about $3000 thriftier than the Volkswagen Polo.

A new wave of Chinese machines undercut it, with the MG3 about $7000 cheaper, while even BYD’s electric Atto 1 costs about $5000 less.

2026 Mazda2 engine and fuel use

Relying on purely petrol power the Mazda2 shows its age without any form of electrification in an era when hybrid is king and electric is the wannabe usurper.

It uses a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that makes 81kW and 142Nm, matched to a conventional six-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels.

Mazda claims it drinks just 5.0 litres of the cheapest petrol per 100km.

Rival hybrids slash at least 1.0L/100km off that figure and deliver more zip from the petrol-electric combo.

2026 Mazda2 design

The 2 is a handsome machine, and has its competitors beat for design. It wears Mazda’s trademark features with an elegance long gone from small cars.

Buyers can expect 16-inch black alloy wheels, LED headlights with auto on and off feature, auto folding black side mirrors, chrome exhaust and a little body coloured garnish in the front grille.

2026 Mazda2 features

Step inside and you’re greeted by a cabin that hasn’t been corrupted by modern distractions.

A 7.0-inch multimedia display is small by modern standards, but that’s probably a good thing for young drivers.

It is controlled via the touchscreen or rotary dial in the centre console when stationary, with touchscreen controls taken away when moving. The idea being you keep your eyes on the road more.

The rotary dial is a bit of overkill as the screen controls so few functions that a touchscreen would suffice.

It comes with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, digital radio and in-built sat nav.

The driver’s instruments are analogue with just an old school digital readout that gives Casio watch vibes for some functions.

A head-up display is one of the most useful features in modern cars, and a must for new and experienced drivers alike.

Mazda’s head-up display uses a little folding clear screen to project vital information such as travelling speed, posted speed limit and some safety warnings in front of the driver in an easy to view and read spot.

Passengers are greeted by black cloth-wrapped seats with red contrast stitching that are well cushioned and comfortable enough for long drives. The GT grade ups the ante with synthetic leather and suede upholstery.

A leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear shifter and hand brake give it a more premium feel.

Well placed and easy to read steering wheel buttons for volume, multimedia, cruise control and answering the phone are a win for users.

There are physical dials for climate functions that are easy to use on the go and a pair of USB-A ports up front so modern phone users beware you’ll need a different charging cord or adapter.

2026 Mazda2 practicality

A physical handbrake means storage options in the centre console don’t go much further than two cupholders and very small storage bin. This is a little car, so storage options in general are limited.

This extends to the rear seat, which is cramped and best suited for only two adults and long-legged humans might struggle on longer trips.

Front facing child seats can fit easily but rear facing or capsule seats will severely restrict front-seat passengers.

The boot is mini at just 250 litres, so think moderate weekly shop or a few overnight bags. If you need more the sedan ups it to a substantial 440 litres. You can fold down the back seat in both to liberate more space.

It does have a space-saver spare tyre under the boot floor, which is a positive.

The Mazda2 is one of the most compact machines you can buy at 4085mm long, 1695mm wide, 1495mm tall and with a wheelbase - the distance between the front and rear axles - of 2570mm.

You’ll feel tiny on the road, with dual-cab utes and large SUVs towering over you, but in urban environments, tight city streets and underground carparks, the size difference pays off with easy commuting and access to parking spots others just drive right by.

How is the 2026 Mazda2 to drive?

It is a commendable city driver that feels most at home in traffic and city streets, as it feels a little breathless and lightweight on motorways.

The small engine is perfect for urban driving but you’ll need to work it hard to get up to speed with power delivered very high in the rev range. This means you’ll hear the engine revving to the sky when you accelerate.

It feels asthmatic when travelling up steep hills with the car noticeably struggling on the sizeable inclines in and around Sydney. In flatter cities such as Melbourne or Adelaide you’d barely notice it running out of puff.

It is a great little car to steer, with great feedback, well balanced, direct and responsive steering.

It is light, so you’ll feel bumps and lumps along the way but it does a great job of ironing out the road imperfections for a little machine.

Road noise is intrusive at higher speeds and on coarse chips roads, but mostly it is composed and refined.

Mazda’s driver’s side mirror is magnified, which takes some getting used to and the jury is still out if it is absolutely necessary.

2026 Mazda2 safety and ownership

All driver aids work as advertised.

The car automatically applying the brakes if it detects a potential collision, it’ll warn you if something is in your blind spot or if a car is approaching from the side as you reverse and an array of sensors will help keep you centred in your lane.

Mazda backs it cars with a five year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which is par for the course these days and quickly becoming a subpar package as more brands switch to seven, eight or ten-year guarantees.

Seven years of capped price servicing will cost $3286, which is pricey compared to the rival Toyota Yaris. Owners need to visit the workshop every 15,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first.