Mazda2 road test by Steve Rogers
A
friend admiring the Mazda2 asked the usual question: Did I like it?
I
hesitated and then said it was an okay car but I would sooner have a Volkswagen
Polo which pleased her because she drives a VW Up. I could also have said
Citroen C3, Ford Fiesta or Peugeot 208.
Which
is why I found myself feeling a bit sorry for this well-made, well-equipped
supermini because it is the one model in Mazda's outstanding range that has
been left behind. A bit like a naughty child left doing lines while his
classmates are out playing football.
Mazda
has put lashings of time and effort into making the 3,6 MX-5 and the CX range
superb cars while the 2 trails behind struggling to keep up.
It
has had a few tweaks since the current shape hit our showrooms in 2007 and an
update this year gave it a new grille, rear bumper, cabin trim improvements and
extra sound deadening but most of this will go unnoticed.
For all that the little Mazda has many good points even if they are often followed by a negative.
The cabin materials have more of a premium feel than many of its
rivals with quality trim along the door cards and dashboard but it is still
starting to look dated. The three-dial binnacle needs updating if only to give
the central speedometer clear 30 and 70mpg markings. An easy solution is a
digital speedo already in the binnacle on the range-topping GT Sport Nav.
Something
worth shouting about is the infotainment centre operated by touching the 7in
central screen or, better still, by twirling the rotary controller between the
front seats. Other manufacturers could learn from its simplicity and ease of
use, particularly on the move, and the response time is excellent as well.
Heating
controls are separate, thankfully, operated via three nice big dials. Perfect.
Cabin
space is nowhere near class leading but good for front seat people and adequate
for two and a half adults in the back. The back seats split and drop to
increase carrying space - here's another but - boot space is not its best
feature.
The
hatchback opening at the base is on the narrow side and there is a 25cm (10in
for us old 'uns) drop into the boot well which makes lifting heavy shopping
bags a strenuous exercise.
Sharp
handling is a given with all Mazdas and the 2 is no exception but the downside
is a ride that is on the hard side of firm, and in spite of the extra sound
deadening there is a fair bit of road noise while the suspension needs to do
better at smothering jarring from potholes and poor surfaces.
Mazda
has bucked the trend to go for small turbo charged petrol engines so the choice
is the normally aspirated 1.5 litre SkyActiv G with 74 or 89bhp. My test car was
the latter and is nippy enough although be prepared for plenty of gear changing
to extract the best performance. Pick-up low down the rev range is pedestrian
without flicking down the box and the ratios are long with second is good for a
lofty 60mph.
Economy
is excellent and I beat the official figure by a country mile averaging 58mpg
over 350 miles. One 30-mile stroll returned 60mpg according to the on board
computer.
Exhaust
emissions are commendably low, due in part to the mild hybrid system which also
sharpens the response time of the stop/start so pulling away from junctions and
traffic lights is seamless as the engine fires up.
Mazda2
isn't the cheapest supermini out there but part of that is down to a generous
list of kit from the base model up. The Sport Nav model has climate control,
cruise control city brake and lane keep assist, keyless entry LED lights and
rear parking sensors among the highlights.
So
a real mixed bag for the Mazda2 which needs a little more TLC from its makers. If
I was a cartoon artist drawing the Mazda2 I would give it a sad face with a big
tear dropping from its headlight eyes!
Need
to know
Mazda2
Sport Nav
£17,540
(starts £15,840)
1.5
litre; 89bhp
0-62mph
9.7secs' 114mph
53.3mpg
combined
120g/km.
1st road tax £175
Insurance
group 15
Boot:
280 litres
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