Mazda 2 2022 review: Pure SP

An asking price of $23,690 locates the Pure SP on the second rung of the Mazda2 ladder, above the Pure and below the Evolve and top-spec GT.

It also puts it a cut above the sub-$20K entry-level crop of light hatches and micro SUVs, so you should expect the standard features list to be well beyond bare bones.

And it is, but sadly, the Mazda2 is showing its age, in this case relative to the Pure SP’s competitors like the recently upgraded VW Polo Life ($25,250), and Toyota Yaris Ascent Sport ($23,740). First impressions are more about what’s not in the car, rather than what is. 

The headlights are LED. (Image: James Cleary)

To quote my initial road test notes, ‘No auto headlights, no digital speedo, no front centre armrest, no rear centre armrest, no boot tie-downs.’

The 7.0-inch multimedia screen is tiny by current standards, and the plastics around the dashboard are as hard as Dwight 'The Rock' Johnson’s abs.

Manual air-con (rather than climate control) is to be expected at this price-point, and things begin to pick up once you dig a bit further.

16-inch alloy rims. (Image: James Cleary)

The headlights are LED, cruise control is included, as are 16-inch alloy rims, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, gearshift and hand brake lever, six-speaker audio (with digital radio), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a reversing camera, as well as keyless entry and start.

If you’re shopping around the city car category you’ll notice the age-related shortcomings, but overall the Mazda2 Pure SP’s standard equipment list meets the price brief.

Manual air-con (rather than climate control) is to be expected at this price-point. (Image: James Cleary)

At just over four metres long, a fraction under 1.7m wide, and close to 1.5m tall, the Mazda2 hatch is small but not tiny. Space up front is fine for two full-size adults, and rear room is surprisingly generous.

At 183cm tall, I enjoyed good head and legroom in the back seat, but if you need to accommodate three grown-ups in there, make sure they’re good friends, flexible, and on-board for a short trip only. Up to mid-teenage kids will be fine three-across.

Storage runs to two large cupholders in the front centre console, with a small box behind them, and an oddments tray in front of the gearshift. There’s also a decent glove box, and bins in the doors with enough room for full-size bottles. 

Space up front is fine for two full-size adults. (Image: James Cleary)

Different story in the back, with no door pockets, no fold-down centre armrest, no cupholders, or adjustable ventilation outlets. Although, you could slip something small in the storage box at the rear of the front centre console, and there are elasticised map pockets on the back of both front seats.

In terms of connectivity and power, there are two USB-A ports in the front (one for Apple CarPlay / Android Auto connectivity and another for power only), an SD card slot, an ‘aux’ input, and a 12-volt outlet.

At 183cm tall, I enjoyed good head and legroom in the back seat. (Image: James Cleary)

Boot capacity is 250 litres (VDA) with the 60/40 split-fold rear seats up, which is modest for the class. And it showed as we started to load in the three-piece CarsGuide luggage set.

After some mixing and matching the best possible combination proved to be the largest case (124 litres) paired with the smallest (36 litres), the 95-litre mid-sizer sitting forlornly off to one side.

Then our bulky pram loomed into view. After some pushing and shoving, while resisting the temptation to apply some axle grease to smooth the process, it fitted in the boot space. But, even with the hard cargo cover removed, the tailgate wouldn’t shut. So that’s a miss for parents of young kids.

Fold the rear seat down and the space grows to 852 litres, but it’s worth reiterating there are no tie-down anchors for straps or a luggage net, although there is a light built-in.

The spare is a steel space saver, and if you want to hook up a small trailer, you’re okay up to 900kg braked, and 500kg unbraked.

The Mazda2 Pure SP is powered by a 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated, four-cylinder petrol engine, driving the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Mazda2 Pure SP is powered by a 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated, four-cylinder petrol engine. (Image: James Cleary)

Featuring direct-injection and variable intake valve timing, the all-alloy unit produces 82kW at 6000rpm and 144Nm at 4000rpm.

Mazda’s official fuel economy number for the combined (ADR 81/02 - urban, extra-urban) cycle is 5.3L/100km, the 1.5-litre four emitting 121g/km of CO2 in the process.

Stop-start is standard, and over a week of city, suburban and freeway running we recorded an (at the bowser) average of 7.1L/100km.

Minimum fuel recommendation is 91 RON standard unleaded (or E10), and you’ll need just 44 litres of it to brim the tank. Using the official consumption figure that translates to a range of 830km. 

The Mazda2 Pure SP is covered by Mazda Australia’s five-year/unlimited km warranty, which is the mainstream market standard now, with roadside assistance included for the duration.

Servicing is scheduled for 12 months/10,000 km intervals, and that distance recommendation is lower than the 15,000km which is more the category norm.

The Mazda2 Pure SP is covered by Mazda Australia’s five-year/unlimited km warranty. (Image: James Cleary)

The average annual service price over the first five years is $340, with the cost of brake fluid (required every 40,000km/two years - $72) and a cabin air filter (required every 40,000km - $101) additional.