As with many other recently introduced diminutive rivals, the all-new
2011 Mazda 2 dispels the myth that subcompact must somehow equate with boring econobox.
Before the front-wheel-drive Mazda 2s arrival, the smallest entry in Mazda's zoom-zoom lineup was the Mazda 3, a compact for those desiring sporty handling. During the past several years, the Mazda lineup has added a number of well-regarded products, although numeric (2,3,6) and alphanumeric (CX-7, CX-9) name badging lack the pizzazz these vehicles provide. While an all-new offering here in the states, Mazda 2 has enjoyed a trial run since 2007 in Europe and Japan.
The Mazda 2 currently shares some underpinnings with the well regarded Ford Fiesta subcompact, although Mazda's variant is solely a five-door hatchback while Fiesta is available in hatchback and sedan body styles. Also unique to each are the drivetrains. Between the two, the Mazda 2 boasts the lower starting price, a big factor in a cash-conscious segment.
Many new subcompact names have debuted during the past half-dozen years including the Scion xD, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa. In the subcompact world, bodystyle are largely relegated to sedan or five-door hatchback. The few offering two-side door configurations are Toyota's Yaris and Scion's new iQ; although iQ qualifies more as a micro car along the lines of the truncated Smart Fortwo.
Checking in a shade under $14,000, Mazda 2 is the type of purchase a parent might choose when seeking a relatively inexpensive mode of transport chuck full of safety nuances for college-bound offspring on their way to Carbondale, DeKalb, Chambana or beyond. Trim level choices are simple: entry Sport ($13,980) or up level Touring ($15,435). Both come with a five-speed manual standard. Add $800 when ordering a four-speed automatic. No option packages coupled with front-wheel-drive exclusivity also reduce the calculus at the checkout counter. Our Touring tester with five-speed manual transmission listed for the aforementioned $15,435 with the $750 destination fee as the only other outstanding charge, bringing the total to $16,185.
Mazda 2, built in Japan, comes nicely decked out with an array of safety items once deemed unworthy of the lowly subcompact. Anti-lock brakes, traction control, front-seat side air bags, side curtain air bags and brake and accelerator pedals that angle out of harms way in the event of a sizable impact. In addition, the new 2 is the first Mazda launched in North America with a brake override system. Due in part to a Japanese rival's much publicized sticking brake syndrome last year, Mazda implemented a brake prioritizing function if brake and accelerator pedals should be enacted simultaneously.
Air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, remote keyless entry, rear window defroster along with power windows, locks and outside mirror come standard in both trims. Touring adds upgraded cloth seats with red piping, rear roof spoiler, fog lights, chrome tipped single exhaust, six-speakers (up from Sport's four) and steering wheel mounted cruise controls and secondary audio functions. In-dash navigation, rear-view camera feed and second-row entertainment systems are available in some larger Mazda vehicles.
As recently as 2008, Ford Motor Company held a 33.4 percent stake in Mazda. By the conclusion of 2010, the figure dropped to 3.5 percent. Despite the smaller percentage, Ford still rates as one of Mazda's largest shareholders and the two continue sharing technology.
Interiors can be any color, as long as it's black (to paraphrase Mazda's 3.5 percent Patriarch Henry Ford) although silver/aluminum accents are found sparingly. Between the supportive front bucket seats one finds a hand-operated parking brake, and three single beverage holders molded into a long, narrow, cylindrical shaped floor caddie. The furthest rearward is reaches to back seat occupants. While power window and outside mirrors monitor from the driver's side door, power lock are found between the front bucket seats, so both the driver and shotgun rider have equal access to securing the vehicle. Nearby are two cigarette-lighter style power outlets (one is a USB port) to power up electrical devices.
The long, deep dashboard top creates a spacious ambiance thanks to a large, steeply racked windshield providing decent visibility. Four small, circular air vents intersperse across the black dash. The ignition cylinder is located on the steering column below the turn signal stalk that's home to front and rear windshield wiper controls. Three large, easy-to-grab dials monitor fan speed, direction and temperature. At night, the instrument panel and dashboard illuminate with bright red backlighting, a visual borrowed from Mazda's larger vehicles.
Upgraded cloth seats (no leather surfaces are available) in our Touring tester included small side bolsters. Front headroom is decent, accommodating 6-feet, 5-inches body frames and shorter. While Mazda promotes this subcompact as a five-passenger vehicle, don't put too much stock in the press release. Two adults in back are the real-world limit, especially with limited leg and head room. With the 60/40 split rear seatbacks folded onto the cushions, 27.8 of cubic feet opens up. If maximum cargo room is the top priority, Honda's subcompact Fit (57.3 cubic feet) is probably the better fit ($15,100 starting price with a 117 horsepower, four cylinder).
With a total length of 155.5 inches, the Mazda Deuce garages easily. The flat roof gently slopes rearward to the rear hatch and a pentagon-shaped, rectangular-inspired rear window with standard wiper. It's aero-dynamically appealing, not a box-on-wheels. In front, large and long cat's-eye-shaped headlight housing flanks Mazda's circular winged body-colored M logo. Headlights stretch along the side almost half way up the hood. Eye-shaped housing, a circular logo and a large, half-moon, horizontally opposed air flow region create an image of a smiley face staring forward. Six exterior colors are available, including the heavily promoted 'Spirited Green.' Body-colored side-view mirrors fold in if brushed up against a stationary object. Smallish 15-inch tire come standard in both trims, although Touring models feature alloy wheel while Sport models sport steel types. A small, circular electronic release button along the bottom unlocks the hatch once pushed, replacing the mechanical variety necessitating a key.
Powering the Mazda 2, is a 1.5-liter, inline, double overhead cam, four cylinder cranking out 100 horses. With five-speed manual transmission, the engine generates 29 miles per gallon city and 35 highway. Subtract one highway mile if ordering the four-speed automatic transmission. These numbers qualify as some of the higher figures in the sub-compact, non gas-electric hybrid segment, although many rivals opt for a five-speed automatic transmission, slightly enhancing highway postings. Regular unleaded fuel fills the diminutive 11.3-gallon tank. The powertrain warranty is good for five years or 60,000 miles.
This engine is designed for happy fuel economy numbers rather than whiplash-inducing horsepower. While most sub competitors meet or exceed the 100 ponies, Mazda's new subcompact easily kept up with suburban Chicago highway and side street traffic (thanks in part to a relatively light 2,306 pounds). The Mazda 2 handles aggressive turns exceedingly well with minimum body lean. Our tester's manual clutch had a relatively short foot throw, engaging about a third of the way down. Quickly shifting through the gears was effortless when merging onto the Tri-State Tollway.
Ford's platform twin of the Mazda Deuce features the much hyped 'Sync,' a factory-installed, communication interface allowing portable cell phones and digital media players to work with the vehicle's existing sound system. It also responds to hundreds of voice commands, allowing hands-free usage of portable phones and iPods. Some folks can't live without the latest in high-tech nuances, even in their mobile sanctuary. If so, Fiesta is worth a look. However, Fiesta hatchback's starting price is $600 more than the Mazda 2; so for consumers who need to keep costs in line, the choice is elementary.