The Mazda 2 is now in its third generation and has established itself as a market leader in this segment. It competes against a slew of popular vehicles that have proven to be formidable foes, but the little Mazda manages to be dependable, appealing, and ultimately a good value for money offering.
Aesthetics
The improved Mazda 2 has managed to adapt the front end of its larger siblings; also known as the Soul of Motion design elements and Skyactiv-Technology updates., technically known as KODO, this improvement makes the vehicle extremely appealing; the sleek lines and angular front pose a good proposition and tend to attract a lot of attention. The Mazda 2 has black 16″ alloy wheels on the corners, enhancing the vehicle’s presence and giving it a slight advantage over its competitors.
Comfort
The Mazda 2 excels on the inside, with premium materials that provide a sense of superiority, sophistication, and longevity. The vehicle accommodates four passengers snugly it has enough legroom for rear passengers. The part cloth and leather seats are my favourite feature; the levels of comfort are second to none and provide plenty of support; these levels of comfort were appreciated on long trips.
Entertainment
The capable audio system fills the cabin with ease and I frequently had to turn down the volume knob a bit due to it being a little too loud, what impressed me even more is the lack of distortion from the six speakers regardless of the genre of music. The audio controls are simple to use and understand.
Climate control is efficient and provides access to manual controls as well as the option of enabling the automatic climate control function of the desired elements; on hot days, a dose of A/C can be used.
Performance, Economy and Drive.
The Mazda 2 may well be considered archaic in this segment, however the sprightly 1.5L 4 cylinder engine performs commendably in keeping up with the competition, irrespective of the old school method of naturally aspirated motors. Mazda’s approach to performance is fascinating; the 1.5L engine has a compression ratio of 14, which adds to the Mazda 2’s efficiency. To put things in perspective, diesel vehicles have a compression ratio of at least 16, which makes a significant contribution to the incredibly low fuel consumption figures. During my testing period, I achieved a combined consumption figure of 6.4 L/100 km and drove 780 kilometers while only filling up the 44L tank once.
Technology
- Head-Up Display
- Blind spot monitoring
- Integrated navigation
- Bluetooth® hands-free system
- Multi-function steering wheel with audio controls
- Carplay™ & Android Auto™
Summary
The year 2021 has been filled with a profusion of pricey, magnificent, and exotic automobiles that have managed to shatter my senses; nonetheless, certain cars stand out regardless of the power, technology, or price they contain. The Mazda 2 is a compact vehicle that gives a lot for a lot less; it has plenty of space, highly efficient, and is quick enough to keep up with the striving competition.
It may not light up the timing boards or rank as the most exciting package but because Mazda has spent some years perfecting their entry-level product offering it has become very difficult to fault it.
One other note is the remarkable reliability record Mazda has managed to amass over the years, Mazda prides itself in this and has tailored warranty plans that are included in the purchase price.
Would I get the Mazda 2 as a daily driver that provides ample fuel range, sufficient power and class leading comfort? In a heartbeat.
Gottagged Rating
7.5 / 10
Price
R 383 900
Warranty
3-YEAR MAZDA UNLIMITED-KILOMETRE WARRANTY
Every Mazda is designed and built to the highest performance and reliability standards. Our Mazda vehicles are backed up by a 3-year Unlimited Kilometre Factory Warranty to further reassurance on how much we believe in our vehicles.
3-YEAR MAZDACARE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Mazda cares about offering you peace-of-mind motoring. That is why we offer a 3 – year Unlimited Roadside Assistance Plan to keep you moving every minute of the year. It includes toll-free calls and services such as free towing rescue due to minor or major mishaps and emergency medical help.
3-YEAR MAZDACARE UNLIMITED KILOMETRE SERVICE PLAN
Mazda are has designed a service plan to suit your needs. It covers scheduled services for 3 years, regardless of your mileage. The service plan operates alongside the Mazda Unlimited Kilometer Warranty.
