It’s nearly been 10 years because the present Mazda 2 debuted in Australia. This yr the fun-sized hatch is again with new colors, and extra effectivity for fashions fitted with the automated transmission – however carries a barely elevated price ticket.

Mazda is even holding robust on providing a guide in its smallest automotive. The guide is just obtainable within the base trim stage, whereas an computerized transmission is obtainable all through the vary.

This yr Mazda has launched two new exterior paint colors, in Aero Gray and Airstream Blue. It’s refreshed the entrance bumper and now gives a body-coloured grille on Pure and Pure SP variants, whereas the Evolve and flagship GT obtain a black-mesh styled entrance bumper.

Pricing begins from $22,410 earlier than on-road prices for the Pure guide and stretches to $27,610 before-on roads for the range-topping GT auto. That’s pricier than earlier than, though it’s nonetheless less expensive than a Toyota Yaris.

The Mazda 2 competes within the ever-shrinking mild automotive phase. As of June 2023 it’s outsold the Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Polo, and Suzuki Baleno.

The Kia Rio (2950) has marginally overtaken the Mazda 2, whereas the MG 3 stays the category chief on gross sales.

How a lot does the Mazda 2 price?

The Mazda 2 is probably the most reasonably priced automotive in Mazda’s line-up. The vary opens at $22,410 earlier than on-road prices for the Pure hatch guide.

The Mazda 2 Pure computerized is offered in both hatch or sedan, with both physique type priced from $24,410 earlier than on-road prices.

If a sportier Pure SP hatch is extra to your liking this begins from $25,210 earlier than on-road prices. Persevering with with the hatches, the Evolve is priced at $25,610 earlier than on-road prices.

The flagship Mazda 2 GT is priced at $27,610 earlier than on-road prices for each the sedan and hatch.

Inside its phase the Mazda 2 vary threads the needle between the cut price MG 3 and expensive Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Yaris.

Essentially the most reasonably priced mild automotive to rival the Mazda 2 is the MG 3 Core auto which begins from $19,990 drive-away. The Kia Rio additionally gives extra reasonably priced pricing, kicking off at $19,690 earlier than on-roads.

The Mazda does undercut the Volkswagen Polo although, which kicks off at $25,990 earlier than on-roads, together with the Toyota Yaris vary ($24,800 earlier than on-roads and up).

Mazda 2 pricing:

• 2023 Mazda 2 Pure hatch guide: $22,410
• 2023 Mazda 2 Pure hatch auto: $24,410
• 2023 Mazda 2 Pure sedan auto: $24,410
• 2023 Mazda 2 Pure SP hatch auto: $25,210
• 2023 Mazda 2 Evolve hatch auto: $25,910
• 2023 Mazda 2 GT hatch auto: $27,610
• 2023 Mazda 2 GT sedan auto: $27,610

All costs are excluding on-road prices.

What’s the Mazda 2 like on the within?

The Mazda 2 is the model’s entry-level automobile, and it feels pared again alongside the extra luxurious Mazda 3. With that mentioned, Mazda has labored to replace the cabin for 2024.

All trim ranges have guide seating adjustment, so it will probably take a little bit of fiddling to get comfy, however when you’ve dialled in the correct place the two is a snug place to spend time.

Each material and leather-based seats have been equally comfy, and I wouldn’t want one over the opposite. Leather-based is simpler to scrub when you’re the kind of individual prone to spill your additional massive iced Frappuccino; fabric is sweet on sizzling summer time days the place leather-based burns are an actual danger in Australia.

The leather-wrapped steering wheel is identical design and form throughout the complete Mazda 2 vary. It’s simply adjustable with attain and tilt customisation, and feels good when driving.

The buttons are at a snug place and mean you can use the cruise management and alter your audio, reply or decline cellphone calls, or use voice instructions.

This can be a automotive aimed toward younger consumers, so tech performance is very vital.

The infotainment system contains a touchscreen capabilities (when at a whole cease) which is a welcome inclusion. On the transfer although, you’ll want to make use of the rotary dial down close to the gear selector.

The Apple CarPlay works advantageous, however when you’re toggling between apps and must rapidly get again to the navigation it takes a short while longer to take action since you’re compelled to make use of the dial within the centre console.

The infotainment system software program itself is straightforward to navigate and use, however in comparison with a few of its opponents generally is a bit bland visually. Newer Mazda fashions have a brisker wanting infotainment system.

Contemplating the automotive is focused at younger consumers in search of their first automotive, the actual fact my iPhone wouldn’t match within the small cavity beneath the USB ports is an oversight. The cellphone slides from side-to-side, which will get annoying rapidly.

Alternatively, I’m not too positive what the small space for storing might be used for contemplating it’s the one place you possibly can retailer a cellphone if it’s plugged into the USB port.

I used to be shocked the centre console had room for 2 600ml drink bottle. With the dearth of armrests, when you retailer 600ml Frank Inexperienced bottles you possibly can nearly type a makeshift armrest for the driving force.

For lengthy drives or a day journey to the seashore not having a spot to relaxation your arm was barely annoying, though it’s not unusual on this class.

The within of the Pure options chrome accents all through the dashboard and centre console, which is a pleasant contact.

Once you soar as much as the Evolve and GT, the inside does really feel extra welcoming and plush. It has chrome accented air-conditioning dials which are a lot nicer to the touch and have a look at.

The carbon-like inserts on the centre console and colour-coded stitched on the seats to match the dashboard and elevate the texture throughout the premium Evolve and GT fashions. Within the Evolve and GT drivers obtain a color heads-up show.

The again seat is small, however that’s to be anticipated from a compact automotive of this measurement.

It does function two ISOFIX factors and three high tether factors for youngster seats, however I might be shocked when you may match tall-ish folks in entrance of a rear-facing seat.

Tall adults may have bother feeling comfy within the again seat, however they’re usable in a pinch.

The hatch gives 250L of boot house which is simply sufficient for a medium sized baggage and never a lot else. For day-to-day actions reminiscent of faculty baggage and grocery baggage this boot measurement is compact however will do the job.

The sedan gives nearly double the quantity of boot house (440L), so in case you are ceaselessly carrying baggage or cargo this sedan is perhaps higher suited.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The Mazda 2 makes use of a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 81kW of energy and 142Nm (82kW/144Nm within the guide), and is front-wheel drive.

It’s mated with both a six-speed guide or six-speed computerized transmission.

Automated Mazda 2 fashions use 5.0L/100km on the ADR mixed cycle (5.4L/100km with the guide), function a 44L gasoline tank, and run on 91 RON common unleaded gasoline.

How does the Mazda 2 drive?

I had time to drive each the automated and the guide however in very seperate settings.

The automated isn’t going to be the quickest automotive away from the lights, but it surely does pack sufficient of a punch to maintain up with site visitors. It feels most at house in tight streets, with mild steering that makes it straightforward to park.

Regardless of its tiny footprint, the GT particularly feels secure at freeway speeds and round corners. It was a nice shock understanding if you’ll want to, you possibly can take this automotive on the freeway for lengthy journeys with out being uncomfortable.

For probably the most half the engine easy and quiet, but it surely will get a bit noisy when you’re in an actual hurry. The six-speed computerized is completely easy, with no awkwardness.

Quirks? The appropriate-hand mirror could be very magnified, which may make it laborious to know the place the aspect of the automotive is relative to site visitors.

In case you’re a brand new driver, adjusting to the totally different magnification ranges of the left and right-hand mirrors takes some doing.

The guide is a superb first-timers guide. It’s nearly unattainable to stall at low speeds, and could be very forgiving when the clutch is in.

I drove it largely round a take a look at monitor on numerous surfaces together with gravel, filth and dust, and sealed roads, and it dealt with all of it properly.

Talking of stalling… if maybe like me you’re new to a guide transmission Mazda’s auto begin/cease is nice.

If the automotive does stall, 9 instances out of 10 to restart the engine all you’ll want to do is put the clutch in and the automotive will begin up once more which is nice for getting off the mark rapidly.

There have been fairly a number of potholes on the driving route, and so they have been straightforward to note contained in the automotive. The automotive actually slapped into a few of them laborious, which wasn’t all that comfy within the cabin.

The security programs have been responsive and do the job properly. Cruise management was easy and I didn’t even discover when the lane-keeping system was activated as a result of it was very seamless and non-intrusive.

What do you get?

The G15 Pure sedan and hatch come customary with the next gear:

• 15-inch alloy wheels
• Energy-folding exterior mirrors
• LED headlights
• Automated headlights (NEW)
• Rain-sensing wipers
• 7.0-inch infotainment display
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay (NEW)
• Wired Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• Leather-based-wrapped shifter and handbrake
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
• Six-speaker sound system
• Keyless begin
• Air-conditioning
• Energy home windows
• 1 x 12V outlet
• 2 x USB outlet

The G15 Pure SP hatch provides:

• 16-inch black-finish alloy wheels
• Carbon fibre-style roof (NEW)
• Shark fin antenna (NEW)
• Chrome exhaust extension (NEW)
• Black exterior mirrors

Over the G15 Pure, the G15 Evolve hatch provides:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Black mesh-style grille (NEW)
• LED daytime operating lights
• Local weather management air-conditioning
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror (NEW)
• Color head-up show
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Purple stitching particulars (NEW)
• Visitors signal recognition

The G15 GT hatch and sedan add:

• Keyless entry
• Black leather-based/Grand Luxe suede upholstery with pink highlights (NEW)
• Entrance parking sensors
• Encompass-view digicam
• Adaptive cruise management

Is the Mazda 2 secure?

The Mazda 2 had a five-star ranking from ANCAP, however as this was primarily based on testing performed in 2015 it has now expired.

Mazda Australia says it presently has no plans to retest the Mazda 2 because the mannequin has largely remained the identical since then.

All fashions come customary with the next gear:

• Autonomous emergency braking (ahead and reverse)
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane-keep help
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing digicam
• Entrance, aspect and curtain airbags

G15 Evolve and above get site visitors signal recognition, whereas the G15 GT good points a surround-view digicam, entrance parking sensors, and adaptive cruise management.

How a lot does the Mazda 2 price to run?

The 2024 Mazda 2 is roofed by five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Each guide and computerized fashions require servicing each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.

Mazda gives capped-price servicing for the primary seven-years or 105,000 kilometres.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Mazda 2

It’s powerful to compete in a market the place gamers hold leaving, and the remaining choices are getting dearer.

I’m very completely happy a guide remains to be obtainable. It gives an excellent entry stage choice for these seeking to be taught – like me – or these on the lookout for an “reasonably priced” guide as a run round.

The inside may do with an replace, although. That is the second replace in 10 years, however there’s solely a lot you are able to do with a refresh – it’s what ages the Mazda 2 most.

There’s nonetheless a spot for it, although. Sitting between the cheaper MG 3 and newer, pricier Toyota Yaris, it gives a stability of luxurious and financial system.

Mazda says most of its long-term clients begin in a Mazda 2, earlier than shifting up the chain. It’s a cute, quirky and secure automotive to drive. It handles properly, and if it was my first automotive, I wouldn’t complain.

Click on a picture for the total gallery.

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