Mazda2 hybrid drive by Steve Rogers
It has been a week to remember. Our paralympians have been breaking records for fun and I have got in on the act as well.
Well, technically my record goes to a car because the Mazda2 hybrid achieved the best economy of any car I have reviewed in 43 years. For the first time I have cracked more than 70mpg over a week’s driving - 71.3mpg to be precise, and I wasn’t even trying, it just happened.
Before getting into the finer detail a little explanation is needed. The Mazda is a Toyota Yaris hybrid. Confused? Don’t be.
Mazda does not have hybrid technology for its Mazda2 supermini and could not justify the enormous cost of development so it made a call to Toyota who happily obliged. Mazda has made a few cosmetic changes, a different bumper and grille, and a body coloured rather than Yaris’s black panel between the rear lights, and, of course, Mazda badges on the body and steering wheel boss.
So let’s forget about Toyota, this is a Mazda and a very fine car into the bargain.
It might be small but can land heavyweight punches. Economy is the star turn but it is also a hoot to drive darting around like a hot hatchback. Acceleration is more than decent thanks to the 59kW electric motor stoking the fire of the 1.5 litre petrol engine. With Ford Fiesta off the grid this, and the Yaris, are probably the sweetest driving superminis out there.
But really this is a car that wears a Mr Sensible hat. This is a self charging hybrid that can cruise in electric at all but 60mph and store up enough kinetic energy to drive around town without using a drop of petrol.
It recharges the small battery pack through acceleration and braking and has a B gear. That beefs up the regenerative braking system and feels as if it is slowing the car, which it is, but don’t be fooled into thinking it will stop the car. It is just like dropping down a couple of gears to scrub off some speed. You can watch the state of play in a graphic on the central screen.
There is no gear changing, a CVT automatic box takes care of that so expect the usual whining when the revs shoot up, but however many people often moan about this system it is very efficient and here to stay.
Cars make a big hole in a family’s finances and with prices ranging from £24k to £29k this is a big chunk of money so is it feasible transport for a young family? The curvy roof makes entry tight, particularly into the back seats. I managed to squeeze in a child seat and later transported one tall teen and two youngsters although legroom is tight and not as generous as most rivals. Likewise boot space is low down the supermini league table.
If you can get over that hurdle then the Mazda is tempting particularly if you plump for the entry Centre-Line which has more or less all you need like reversing camera, electronic parking brake, climate control, auto dipping headlights, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, radar cruise control along with a good number of safety aids.
One surprise on my middle of the range Exclusive-Line was halogen headlights. You get so used to LED headlights it is surprising how dim these seem by comparison.
Dashboard layout is standard fair, a lot of black plastic but decent quality, analogue driver’s binnacle and a quick responding touchscreen for radio and infotainment. It is irritating for passengers that a clock is only displayed with the home screen, which will rarely be displayed.
Add ons like navigation, larger touchscreen, digital driver display and a few other luxuries will be found at the top of the chain but you will need to find £29,230. Ouch.
The obvious question is why buy the Mazda hybrid over a Yaris that is £1,490 cheaper? Basically it is giving customers who like the Mazda brand a top notch alternative to the petrol Mazda2. A likely condition of the deal is that Mazda will not undercut the Yaris which sort of makes sense. At least the Mazda is a good bit cheaper than the Honda Jazz, another hybrid packing a big punch.
What a strange old world we live in when it comes to cars…
Fast facts
Mazda2 Hybrid Exclusive-Line
££25,380 (starts £24,130)
1.5 litre 3-cylinder petrol; 114bhp
0-62mph 9.7secs; 109mph
70.6mpg combined
92g/km. 1st tax £175
Insurance group 14
Boot: 286-935 litres
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