Driving Review: Mazda2
I have come along way since I started in this industry back in 2007. I was young (or younger), naive and terrified. I was one of only a handful of females in the industry (ok not much has changed) and I had little knowledge of cars, even if I thought I knew everything.
My first ever car review was of the Mazda2. My colleague at the time, Ian McLaren (CAR magazine) took me out on the road and showed me the ropes. I was so nervous. And I knew nothing about this car. Well let me tell you, I fell in love it almost instantly. And that love affair never died, it was merely…forgotten…shall we say, until now!
The first generation Mazda2 was launched in 1996 but it was the third generation that reached South Africa in 2007. And now the 4th generation arrives in SA.
Bearing in mind this car is launching in to the biggest competitive segment. The B segment takes up 17% of the market share where petrol is seen as the most popular engine choice and manual transmissions dominate. But let me tell you, the Mazda2 1,5 DE AT is about to change things very quickly.
It is the first time the Mazda2 has had a redesign in 7 years.The design has evolved quite dramatically, the front end resembles a Hyundai 120 in some ways, but it is the back that is clearly Mazda2…and my favourite rear of any car in the class. It has always been a good looking car and it just grew up a bit, but still maintains what I wrote about back in 2007, “It’s sporty good looks are it’s first appeal with a sleek yet funky look.”
The interior of the 1,5 DE Hazumi is class leading, if just for the soft touches and quality feel. There is no other car in this segment that offers a cabin like this. It oozes class and feels like you could be in a car beyond this segment. To give you an idea of what you may find in this model, the standard features on the base model, which is the 1,5 Active, includes electric windows, height adjustable front seat, air conditioning, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, Aux and USB port, multifunction steering wheel, front and driver airbags and ABS. The Hazumi model adds Stop/Start, half leather seat trim, sat-nav, dynamic stability control, auto on/off lighting, rain sensing wipers, keyless entry, a 7-inch colour touchscreen, internet radio integration and bluetooth. And breathe!
If you thought that was impressive, wait till you drive it. This engine is just superb. First off, it is quiet…very, very quiet. When at cruising speed you wouldn’t be able to tell that it was in fact a diesel engine. The only negative here is the road noise, of which there is plenty. I can’t say many of us are fans of automatic transmissions in smaller engines, but there is enough torque, 250 N.m to be precise, to allow you to overtake cars with ease, even on an incline. I didn’t get to drive this model for as long as I would have liked to, but it was long enough to decide that this would be the engine I would go for.
The target market for this car is spot on, think Millenials, those born in the 80s and 90s (thank goodness I qualify), those who are tech savvy and ambitious. Those who “like to be loved” as Mazda puts it; although I am not sure who doesn’t, but then again, I am a Millenial and therefore want to be loved. One of my best friends, Cat Anderson, owned a previous generation Mazda2 and says that it was one of the best cars she has ever owned, her exact words were, “I loved it – I couldn’t believe how fuel efficient it was! Mine was a 1,5, but felt as powerful as a 1,8. It was comfy and had all the right features in all the right places.” I think this sentiment is carried through to this new generation.
There is one thing car owners have to consider, and that is after-sales service. Mazda has only recently relaunched in South Africa and if David Hughes, MD MazdaSA, is anything to go by, then you will want to own a Mazda…and soon. They are humble in their predictions, they are honest and don’t claim to be anything but what they are, which is a small manufacturer with a lot of work to do. And service is one of their key focuses. The great thing about small companies is that they often provide the best service with a personal touch. This is what I took from the Mazda2 launch, that they would add that personal touch that so many other manufacturers now lack due to being too big. This is what I think will set Mazda a part. Time will tell.
If you want to drive an alternative to the Volkswagen Polo, the Ford Fiesta, the Hyundai i20 or the Renault Clio, then get in to the seat of a Mazda2 and decide for yourself.
Pricing:
1,5 Active – R188 000
1,5 Dynamic Manual – R199 900
1,5 Dynamic AT – R211 300
1,5 Individual Manual – R211 400
1,5 Individual Automatic – R228 800
1,5 DE Hazumi – R259 900
An incredible launch offer gives you a four-year/unlimited km service plan (it is usually three years/unlimited km) and a three- year/unlimited km warranty.