Looking through my archives it seems that I receive a Mazda 2 model every other year allowing me to write about any updates the model has received.
At a glance, the images taken of this most recent model would suggest that, when compared to the images taken of a Mazda 2 that I had four years ago, it remains relatively unchanged at face value.
The year 2018 saw a subtle face-lift for the model, while this 2020 car has received further nips and tucks to its exterior with restyled headlights and a different front and rear bumper than previously seen.
Priced from £15,940 the Japanese offering to the small car market is better equipped than the slightly cheaper Skoda Fabia, whilst rivals such as the Ford Fiesta or the Corsa from Vauxhall, start at around £1,000 more than the Mazda.
At entry level, the ‘SE-L’ comes equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, brown cloth interior with black inserts, AM/FM radio with CD player and auxiliary and USB input, auto-dimming rear view mirror, climate control air conditioning, rain sensing front wipers, and rear parking sensors.
An ‘SE-L Nav’ is priced from £16,940 and adds advanced smart city brake support, a 7-inch colour touchscreen featuring DAB radio, navigation, multimedia commander and Mazda connect system as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, lane departure warning system, and lane-keep assist system.
Priced from £17,640 is a ‘Sport Nav’ as tested, which adds blue cloth interior trim, rear privacy glass, signature LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, and smart keyless entry.
A range topping ‘GT Sport Nav’ is priced from £18,440 adds Blue/Grey leather with black Granlux inserts and heated front seats, colour active head-up driving display, heated leather steering wheel, and a reversing camera.
The exterior of this model tested is treated to an optional paint finish called ‘Ceramic Metallic’ and, at a cost of £540 it is very much worth it. Inside, the Mazda 2 is starting to feel a little dated compared to rivals, some would also say it looks a bit cheap, although things are helped greatly on this new model thanks to a plethora of stitched soft-touch fabric around the cabin.
Mazda look after your engine choice for you, with just one petrol engine being available. That engine being the 1.5-litre Skyactiv-G producing just 90ps which will see 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds with a top speed 114mph when paired with the 6-speed manual gearbox.
There is a sluggish (12 seconds for the traffic light dash) 6-speed automatic available on the ‘Sport Nav’ trim only. Unlike most rivals, Mazda have kept engine capacity reasonably high avoiding the use of small capacity turbocharged engines, and as such, the Mazda 2 doesn’t feel overly potent.
One major benefit for the Mazda 2 is that it will see a much better return when it comes to fuel economy, with a rail world combined return during my week of mixed driving, mostly town and back roads if truth be told of 50mpg.
This car is ideal for the school run or for those who do a commute with moderate traffic, and more than capable of a long motorway run should the need arise.
Fact File for model tested
Make : Mazda
Model : 2
Trim : Sport Nav
Engine : 1.5-litre petrol
Gearbox : 6-speed manual
Cost : £18,180
Words & Photos: GRAHAM BAALHAM-CURRY
images must not be used in any way without prior written consent of the photographer
