New Mazda2 review
Mazda2 - the best car in the world?
Author: David Miles
Published: 30 April 2008
So what makes the Mazda2 the World Car of the Year? I’ve no idea and I find it impossible that motoring writers from so many different markets and cultures around the world could agree on the subject.
As the car of 2008 appealing to world markets I would have expected the Audi R8 or the Mondeo or C-Class to drive off with the title.
Being fit for purpose, whether it’s a small car, medium or large car, sports car or 4x4, should always be the criteria on which these awards are based.
Mazda2 market position
With the public move to smaller, more fuel efficient, lower emission cars designed and packaged for the modern family, the Mazda2 makes a strong case for itself.
It sells in what has become known as the ‘supermini’ sector against the likes of the Peugeot 207, Vauxhall Corsa, VW Polo, Fiat Grande Punto, Toyota Yaris, Renault Clio and the Honda Jazz.
However at 3,885mm long, 1,695mm wide and 1,475mm wide it is not as large, and hence not as roomy, as the 207, Corsa or Grande Punto for instance.
Whilst the Mazda2 does well for performance, driveability, fuel economy and attractive pricing it is a relatively small car. Ideal for singles, young and older couples without children or as a second car. It is not really roomy enough as a family car.
Bear in mind it is young people and families who are most feeling the financial pressures of high fuel prices, high mortgage costs and rampant food prices so whilst the Mazda2 is relatively well priced to buy and run it doesn’t stack-up for size as realistic family transport.
Engines and specification
Currently the Mazda2 is available as a five-door hatchback with two 1.3-litre (75PS and 86PS) and 1.5-litre (103PS) petrol engines plus a 1.4-litre 68PS diesel unit. Prices start at £8,499 and rise to £11,799.
There are three levels of specification, TS, TS2 and Sport. As always there is a list of extra cost options which push the price higher. Included in these options for TS and TS2, but standard for the Sport variants, is a £395 Electronic Stability Control Programme.
Being a potential family car, ESP should be standard. After all the Mazda2 has been given a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating so this option should be standard fit. Anti-lock braking is however fitted as standard across the range.
My test car was the potential best selling model, the Mazda2 1.3 TS2 priced at £9,999, but with metallic paint and the stability programme it costs £10,349 on-the- road. The TS2 specification has 15-inch alloy wheels, remote audio controls on the steering wheel, heated and folding door mirrors, side and curtain airbags, 60/40 split rear seats, leather steering wheel and gear knob and manual air conditioning.
All Mazda2 models have electric front windows, only the Sport has rear electric windows. All models also have stereo radio/CD and MP3 player, electric power steering, driver and front passenger airbags, remote locking and alarm and immobiliser.
Interior and practicality
Like the outside the interior is modern and bright, well laid out with good visibility thanks to its low waistline. The slim rear quarter pillars allow for good rear side vision. The interior plastics and upholstery are best described as durable.
The plastics are bland and hard but Mazda has a reputation for build quality so expect everything to be long-lasting. The driving position is just about perfect with plenty of seat adjustment to meet the demands of short and tall drivers.
The rear doors are quite narrow so access for the long legged is not easy however both leg and head room is reasonable but not as good as others in this sector. The minimum boot space is a modest 250-litres but this can be increased to a maximum 787-litres with the rear seats folded and the five-door hatchback loaded to the roof. Access through the hatch to the load area is restricted though in width.
Ride comfort and driveability
The suspension is set on the firm side and this provides for plenty of front wheel drive grip with little body roll and the hatchback feels well balanced. Over poor road surfaces the ride is not so comfortable, but still better than some others in this class.
The road noise intrusion is also high over poorer surfaces. As always I would suggest staying away from the Sport version with its larger wheels, the ride performance will be worse.
The steering is light for parking but lacks feedback on the open road. The brakes seem fine but twice during my week long test drive, due to incidents not of my making, the front wheels locked-up under heavy breaking. That is not supposed to happen with ABS fitted as standard.
My test car had what I think is the best option from the range, the 1.3-litre 86PS unit. Forget the 75PS version of the same engine. It will need to be worked harder in real-life and the supposedly better fuel consumption will be worse.
Likewise the 1.5-litre petrol unit will give better performance but in a car of this size why spend more. Again the same applies to the diesel unit. Unless you are a high mileage user why pay the extra £1,000 for this unit, especially with the current price of diesel fuel over petrol.
The 1.3-litre 86PS, four-cylinder petrol engine is just about perfect for most people buying into owning this size of car. The unit is flexible enough for in-town driving yet it can cope with fast motorway journeys as well without too much stress. It is quiet and generally responsive but that depends on the car’s load.
Running costs
Officially the average fuel consumption is 52.3mpg but in reality for day to driving my car returned 43.4mpg. The CO2 rating of 129g/km will now mean an annual road tax bill of £120 but this will go down to £90 from April 2009.
The insurance group rating for this model is group 4E so generally the Mazda2 in this specification is cheap to run.
Overall the Mazda2 five-door hatchback is fit for purpose, well priced and it performs well enough for most people buying in the ‘supermini’ sector.
But worthy of the World Car of the Year 2008 title? I don’t think so.
MILESTONES
Mazda2 1.3 TS2 5-Door
Price: £10,349 as tested
Engine/transmission: 1.3-litre, four-cylinder petrol, 86PS, 122Nm from 3,500rpm, five-speed manual gearbox, front wheel drive
Performance: 107mph, 0-62mph 12.9 seconds, 52.3mpg, (43.4mpg actual), CO2 129g/km, VED Band C £120
Insurance group: 4E
For: Smart modern styling, well made, good residual values, safe and secure handling, pleasing to drive, reasonable price and running costs
Against: Unsettled ride, road noise intrusion, stability programme is not standard, narrow access to a small boot, not as roomy as some competitors
Increasingly the supermini is the choice of car-buyers in an age where the economical, practical, easy to park and ´green´ small car is king.
Mazda has launched the new Mazda2 three-door supermini, available now from £7,999 on the road.
Winner of the 2008 World Car of the Year Award, UK sales of the new Mazda2 supermini are expected to treble in 2008
The humble Mazda2 fends off competition to win coveted spot, while BMW is praised for 1-Series' green credentials and Audi R8 scoops performance and design gongs.
New Mazda2 three-door debuts at the Geneva Show, alongside Mazda Taiki and Mazda5Hydrogen RE Hybrid.
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WHAT A WELL WRITTEN ARTICLE BY DAVID MILES.
WELL DONE