The Mazda2 makes affordable driving fun again, writes Michael McAleer, Motoring Editor
Whatever happened to the small hatchback? Perfect for young or older motorists who wanted something that was easy to park and nimble to drive, these cars were ideal for thousands of motorists.
Alas, just as the fast-food industry entice us to "supersize", so the car industry seems determined to lay on the extra pounds in their offerings. Take a brief look at the current 207. It's the motoring equivalent of the double whopper compared to the early iconic 205. Similarly with the Renault Clio II or even the Ford Fiesta. Just how big does a small hatchback need to be?
Car firms may have volumes of market research showing people would like a little more legroom in the back and a bit more headroom up front, but what it seems to ignore is that they want this extra space without having to opt for a larger car.
Given that many of these cars are bought for urban and suburban driving, a larger car that's harder to park in tight driveways and at shopping centres doesn't seem to fit the bill. If it did, these buyers would simply move up to a family hatchback. If money was tight, they would opt for a used car in that larger category. The simple fact is that larger options were and are available, but supermini owners don't want, well, a supermini.
Then there's the environmental issue. The heavier a car is the more fuel is needed to push it along and the higher its carbon emissions.
While many supermini manufacturers will argue that their small cars feature new engines that match older models for fuel consumption despite the extra weight, one has to ask what benefits would be reaped if they'd cut weight as well.
It all adds up to a "supersize me" competition in the supermini class that leaves many motorists harking back to a time when their little car used to fit in the driveway and didn't feel like a minibus to drive.
Thankfully, these points seem to have been taken on board with the new Mazda2. Against the trend that sees key opponents getting larger and bulkier, the Japanese marque has opted to make its new car slightly smaller and lighter.
On the weighing scales, the new car is 100kg lighter and the environmental benefits are clear. The entry-level 1.3-litre manages a CO2 figure of 129 g/km and a combined official fuel consumption figure of 5.4 L/100km (52.3mpg). That's better than 1.2-litre rivals from Renault, Fiat, Volkswagen and Nissan, to name but four.
Then there is the handling: the fact that the new car is lighter and nimbler than most rivals shows itself not only when you flick it into a parking spot, but also when you weave your way through Dublin's madcap back streets.
The steering is perhaps its greatest feature: pinpoint accurate and offering just the right mix of feedback and weight. Put simply, it's fun to drive.
We've tackled the same routes in several of its supermini competitors and at the end of our journey we usually feel the strain of 200km of twisting country roads.
With the Mazda2 you nearly feel you could do another 100km without complaint.
The whole package feels nimble and fluid, something that can't be said of its many frumpier rivals. These traits come into their own, both in rural driving and winding through city streets. It's as easy to drive as many of the smaller city cars yet offers a lot more space.
Our only complaint in terms of driving characteristics is that the ride could be more pliant - it's a little choppy on the 16" alloys of our test car - and Mazda has traded soft cushioning suspension for more taut handling. Buyers looking for a regular all-round supermini are advised to opt for standard fare 15" wheels.
While we drove the two petrol variants of the new Mazda, the test car we spent most time in was a 1.5-litre version, something of a hot hatch when it came to road manners. This was incredibly nippy, shooting along motorways without a whimper of complaint and pulling away from 80 to 120km/h in fifth gear with incredible ease.
There's a nice little short throw gearbox - relatively high mounted on the dash - that adds to the sporty feel. Put the entire package together and this car harks back to the traits of the 1980s superminis many young motorists of the time adored. They made affordable driving fun and that's what Mazda2 does now. The engine range is 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre, with a 1.4-litre diesel coming later.
The 1.3-litre is not as peppy as the 1.5-litre, but we were greatly taken by it and it doesn't leave the car greatly underpowered - you only really miss the larger engine when you're cruising on the motorway. The weight saving of the smaller engine also adds to the car's nimble feel.
Sadly, not everything is ideal with the Mazda2. The Japanese firm dropped the ball when it came to designing the interior. It could have done so much more with the plastics, particularly on the dash. It's not that's its bad or cheap; just dull. If only the designers had looked to the likes of the new Fiat 500 and introduced a slightly more conservative take on the Italian, we would have fallen completely for the Mazda2.
As it is, this car lacks that little quirkiness. It's very functional and there are no real complaints in that regard, but the overall feel fails to match the car's road-going ability. It's real rival in this regard is the Opel Corsa and here the Opel has its beating.
In terms of practicality, there are five doors and despite the rather smart, sporting lines it doesn't lose out too much in terms of practicality. Rear-seat room is quite tight and best reserved for young children or the occasional short run into town with a couple of adults. The good news is that there is ample headroom for six-footers, and that does not come at the price of exterior looks. While others - including the previous generation of this car - turned into boxy, rather boring people movers, the new Mazda2 keeps its sleeker shape, one of the smartest looking superminis on the market at present.
Bootspace is on a par with many rivals, despite seeming slightly smaller, and it was ample for even a weekly shop, though we did end up using the rear footwell to store a few bags.
Pricing for the new Mazda2 starts at €15,895, which is competitive if not class-leading, while the price of the range-topping Sport SE version is higher than most equivalent rivals. It's powerful, but it's still hard to justify spending €20,000 on a car in this class.
However, the Sport SE version does come with a host of extras, including cruise control and auto-wipers. We still have our class favourite in this segment when it comes to value - the Suzuki Swift - but in terms of driver fun, the Mazda2 just pips it to the top prize. The Swift is our star for its combination of peppy engine, sporty design, great price and high-level of specification.
The big difference here is that the Mazda2 takes engine and styling characteristics and adds some very sharp handling. It may not match the Suzuki on price but it has a touch more ability on the road. The well-respected brand name also comes into play when comparisons are this close and Mazda wins extra points for that.
A rather dull interior aside, this is a really impressive small car. It's nippy, nimble and fun to drive, it looks smart and it's undoubtedly going to be reliable given Mazda's enviable record in this area.
That will shore up resale values, making it a good buy. While the Mazda might cost a few hundred euro more than a price-conscious competitor, you're likely to make that back in a higher resale value.
If you don't need the extra space being offered by its rivals, then the Mazda is really worth a test drive and would certainly be on our supermini shortlist.
Factfile
ENGINE:A 1498cc inline, four-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve petrol engine offering 102bhp @ 6,000rpm and 137Nm of torque @ 4,000rpm
SPECIFICATION:Standard features on entry model include: 15" steel wheels; ABS, brake assist; steering assist; dual front airbags; anti-theft alarm; radio/CD with MP3 jack; electric front windows
Touring version adds:15" alloy wheels; air-con; audio steering controls; side and curtain airbags.
Sport SE adds:16" alloys, climate control a/c, cruise control, traction control; rear power windows; Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and auto-sensing lights/wipers.
L/100KM (MPG)
Urban:7.6 (37.2)
Extra-urban:4.9 (57.7)
Combined:5.9 (47.9)
CO2 emissions:140g/km
Annual motor tax:€313
Price:€20,895
(€15,895 to €20,895)