Mazda 2 review

In 90PS SE-L trim, the Mazda 2 is more expensive than the equivalent Hyundai i20 and Skoda Fabia, as well as many other cars in its class. However, at least in SE-L form and above, the 2 does come with a generous amount of standard equipment. In the hands of What Car?’s True MPG fuel testers the 90PS model achieved more than 50mpg, too – impressive compared with equivalent petrol rivals.

However, the Mazda used to stand out in terms of CO2 when it offered a diesel version, but now without one, its lowest effort of 105g/km isn’t particularly strong considering most of its best rivals either match or better it.

The range kicks off with the SE featuring 15in steel wheels, air-conditioning and remote locking. It’s quite a mean spec and the interior, especially, looks decidedly dull in it. For this reason, we’d recommend going for the next trim up, called SE-L. Now the 2 comes alive with plusher fittings and some really great features including alloy wheels, rear electric windows, cruise control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearlever. If you avoid the least powerful petrol engine, you get Mazda’s superb touchscreen infotainment system, too.

Next-level Sport Nav models get larger alloy wheels, auto headlights and wipers, climate control, keyless entry, rear parking sensors and sat-nav as standard. Lastly, GT and GT Sport (the former unique to the 89bhp 1.5, the latter to the 113bhp) get different 16in alloys, a rear spoiler, a rear view camera, LED headlights and leather seats. With all of this kit comes a significant jump in price, though, so we’d avoid Sport Nav and the GT models and stick with SE-L.

Reliability is one of the Mazda 2’s strongest areas, because in our most recent survey, the previous-generation Mazda 2 finished first from a total of 22 small cars. That bodes well for this model.

Mazda, too, has impressed its customers, finishing in sixth place from a total 25 manufacturers in the same survey. In our own What Car? Reliability Survey, Mazda managed to place fourth from a total of 37 manufacturers – an even more impressive result.

The Mazda 2 comes with a good level of standard safety kit, which includes six airbags, traction control, hill hold control as well as tyre pressure monitoring. From mid-range SE-L trim and up, automatic city braking is also standard, although is disappointing that it isn’t even an option on the entry-level car. Further safety tech available includes a lane departure-warning system that’s also standard from mid-range. Euro NCAP rated the Mazda 2 four stars out of a possible five, which is a good effort, but behind its best rivals.

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