The Mazda 2 is one of those cars that most consumers will underlook because of the brand loyalty that they have towards the german brands or others. Mazda’s offering on the compact hatch segment Mazda 2 faces some tough competitors in the segment such as the Opel Corsa, Suzuki Swift, Kia Rio, VW Polo, and Hyundai i20. I spent time testing the range-topping model Mazda 2 Hazumi to find what it has to offer compared to its rivals, and here are my thoughts.
Quick Facts
- Model: Mazda 2 Hazumi
- Engine: 1.5Litre naturally-aspirated
- Power: 85 kW & 148Nm
- Transmission: 6-speed Automatic
- Boot capacity: 280 Litre
- Fuel consumption: 5.7L/100Km (Claimed)
- Price: R368,900
Exterior
Compact and minimalist design. The Mazda 2 looks simple but yet stylish with the typical Mazda front-end that we have grown to love on the bigger siblings such as CX30 and CX5. a look that most could describe as cute. The front-end boasts a blacked-out honeycomb grille with a continuous chrome bar flowing around each side of the grille and wrapping under the LED headlights. subtle body lines on the side with side mirror integrated turn signal. and to sum up, the Mazda 2 Hazumi comes fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels.
Interior
Well put together and well specced. The interior is definitely one of the best and most comfortable in its segment. well designed with a lot of soft-touch points all around the cabin. Covered in soft high-quality leather trims on the dashboard, center console, door panels, and on the multi-function steering wheel that features controls for the audio, phone, and cruise control.
In terms of tech features, the Mazda 2 Hazumi comes jam-packed with several features such as a 7-inch infotainment display that is controlled by the rotary dial in the middle of the center console, with integrated navigation, reverse-view camera, and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay compatibility via USB. Other interesting features equipped in the Mazda 2 Hazumi include Smart keyless go/entry, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, auto-folding mirrors, and a digital heads-up display with traffic signs recognition.
Practically
While interior space isn’t where the Mazda 2 shines, the interior can feel a bit cramped for adults passengers over 1.80m at the back, but it is however very comfortable and spacious enough for two adults or a family of 3, preferably with kids under the age of 12 as the rear legroom and headroom are not very modest for taller individuals.
The seats are comfortable and made of leather mixed with Alcantara. height-adjustable driver seat and ISOFIX child seat anchor for the rear passenger seats. Being a compact small hatch, the Mazda 2 luggage capacity is also quite limited. claimed at 280Litres, as tested it can only fit about 1 large suitcase and an additional duffle bag and backpack which seem pretty decent. a bit more space can be found by folding the rear seats which also splits into a 60:40 configuration.
Safety
Small but not compromised. When it comes to safety the Mazda 2 Hazumi is equipped with a total of 6 Airbags for the driver and front passenger, as well as side and curtain airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) with brake assist as well as blind-spot monitoring system and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
The Drive
Powered by the naturally aspirated 1.5L, four-cylinder petrol engine, developing 85 kW and 148Nm of torque mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission that sends all the power to the front wheels. A little bit more torque would be great and useful, as I suspect the engine tends to work quite hard when tackling steep inclines. Having paddle shifters makes it much easier to downshift and get to a slower speed to pull just a little more torque when overtaking. The Mazda 2 Is no rocket ship but is quick when it needs to be. the ride quality is notably smooth, with stable suspension even at high speed. it soaks up road imperfection with ease. Thanks to its lightweight and sharp steering that makes the spirited driving experience more fun. Unlike its rivals that come paired with turbochargers like the Opel Corsa and Hyundai i20. the 1.5Litres naturally aspirated engine proved to be quite fuel-efficient after driving in mixed conditions. I managed an average fuel consumption of 6.1L/100km over the 5.7L Claimed by Mazda.
Verdict
Perfect daily?
After my experience driving the Mazda Hazumi for about a week, I have come to give it a solid 7,5/10 near-perfect small hatch. although its price is quite on the steep side compared to its rivals. It however does all it is intended to do well. Jam-packed with useful premium features that make the driving experience really enjoyable. It’s is definitely worth shortlisting in your potential purchase list.
Pricing and aftersales
The New Mazda 2 range comes priced as follow
Mazda2 1.5L Active 6MT 5-Dr R275,100
Mazda2 1.5L Dynamic 6MT 5-Dr R300,500
Mazda2 1.5L Dynamic 6AT 5-Dr R317,600
Mazda2 1.5L Individual 6MT 5-Dr R326,500
Mazda2 1.5L Individual 6AT 5-Dr R343,500
Mazda2 1.5L Hazumi 6AT 5-Dr R368,900 (Tested)
All prices include a 3-year/unlimited km warranty, 3-year/unlimited km service plan, 3-year/unlimited km roadside assistance, and 15 000km service intervals
