There’s no doubt the 2017 Mazda 2 is an enhanced city car from the one it substitutes. From the exterior the updated Mazda 2 appears all but the same; the adding up of autonomous emergency braking (smart city brake) adds some small visual differences but the popular Japanese car hold on to the happy gaze that has made it so trendy with private buyers for years.
The updated Mazda 2 range kicks off at $14,990 plus on-road costs for the Neo, $17,690 for the Maxx and $20,690 for the Genki. There’s new variant in the range, wearing the Mazda 2 GT badge and it brings leather seats and more, for $21,680.
Powering the little Mazda is a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine that delivers 81kW of power and 141Nm of torque. It’s not all that much unless you factor in the 1076kg weight, which makes the Mazda 2 a fast little city car with rational power-to-weight ratio. However, add a bit more weight in the form of four large adults, and it will thrash about with hilly terrain or overtaking on the highway.
The Mazda 2’s power is still delivering to the front wheels via a traditional six-speed automatic transmission. This has a small negative effect on fuel economy, which the company claims is 5L/100km on the combined cycle. However, there are positives, counting a far better driving experience with a more traditional feeling gear-change, to a certain extent than the elasticity and associated noises that invariably come with a CVT.In saying that, the Mazda 2 is not a polished offering when it comes to cabin noise. It’s a noisy place inside, with the drivetrain and tyres generating far more audible nuisance than is really essential.
The Mazda 2 also has somewhat firm suspension setup, predominantly obvious if you’re sitting in the back row. It’s not hard enough to call it sore, but its firm however. Bumps and potholes are felt through the cabin a little more than we would like.
