Mazda launched the fourth generation Mazda 2 here in Malaysia recently. Two variants, one a hatchback, the other a sedan. Both get the same specs inside and out. The only difference is a boot and the other a hatch. Both cost RM88,000 or thereabouts and are seriously well equipped for the price. What this new Mazda 2 brings to the table are a lot of good things for supermini buyers out there.
If you compare with the older Mazda 2,
the new one isn't based on the Ford Fiesta. It isn't all cute and
cuddly anymore and is not all spare and very no-frills looking like
the previous generation. What you get is basically a miniaturized
Mazda 3 (or if you want to go all the way, the Mazda 6) in terms of
external looks.
The exterior gets Mazda's Kodo design
philosophy which means, as I mentioned, looks like the good looking Mazda 3 or 6
and eschews traditional small hatchback principles in some ways. Most
superminis have a certain single box type styling but you see a clear
two box style in the Mazda 2's design. I have to say that it looks
unique with the A pillars set way back. Quite like how a larger sized
car is styled. It works. Even if the tyres look slightly small from some angles.
The interior is where things get
better. Interior space has certainly grown (as has overall size but
not weight – thanks to the use of lighter but stronger high tensile
steel). The rear seats in both the sedan and hatchback have a decent
enough space if you compare with the previous version. The doors may
open wide but getting in takes a little wriggling as the opening is
small. It will not beat the Perodua Myvi in terms of
rear legroom and space but you are quite comfortable with two
abreast. I like how Mazda puts styling slightly ahead of ultimate
space and legroom at the rear. I suppose in some ways, Mazda is
telling us that this car is a small, fun, quality runabout. If you
want more space, buy something else. Buy the Myvi if you want space over anything else as honestly, its the cheapest and most spacious bar the Honda Jazz. But if you want some style in your life, the Mazda 2 has it in spades.
Why so? Well, the interior quality is quite amazing
for a supermini (B segment car). As stated, the old one has this no
frills approach to getting things done. This new one is stylish.
There is a very driver-centric dashboard that is well screwed and
uses quality materials - still hard plastics but this is a supermini that isn't sold at RM150,000. Whaddya expect? There is a single large round rev-counter
flanked by two curved on top rectangles. These are for temperature,
fuel gauge and other readouts but the speedometer sits on top of the
dashboard; a heads up display. A pretty nifty gimmick that a lot will
like.
There are three round air vents, two
are to the left and right of the driver and one at the end of the
passenger side. The center vent for the passenger is part of the
decorative chrome strip that divides the dashboard. There is also a
strip or swathe or real leather with red stitching on the dashboard. Same real leather and red stitching goes to the seats too. This is so premium a touch unlike the other giant of a Japanese car
company that loves molding plastic with fake stitching. In short, the cabin made me feel like I was in a small
luxury supermini, much like sitting in an Audi A1 in some ways. Of course, you can break the illusion by tapping on the hard plastic parts in the car.
As for the internals, Mazda's Skyactiv
touches are of course there. The 1.5liter 4 cylinder engine takes
normally aspirated tuning to another level compared to what is
offered in the supermini segment here in Malaysia. You get a direct
injection engine where others offer variable valve timing. 114Hp and
148Nm torque. Both figures are easily a good 5hp and 5nm better than
most cars in its class. The Mazda 2 also gets a 6 speed torque
convertor based transmission unit which I consider as being so much
more robust than any dual clutch or CVT unit out there in its class
today.
I had a short drive in the hatchback
the other day and it is promising. The driving position is good with
good seats too. The performance of the 1.5liter is decent but you
would need to rev it above 2,500rpm before things get interesting.
3,000 onwards for real progress. There is a cammy feel at this point
where suddenly the engine comes alive and progress gets going. The
gearbox shifts smoothly and seemlessly. Not as rapid as a dual clutch
unit but it actually suits the overall feel of the car.
The overall feel of this Mazda 2 isn't
sporty. It feels quite grown up. Much like the Volkswagen Polo 1.6
hatchback I drove earlier. In fact, you could say that this was the
benchmark that Mazda used to make the 2. The feel and weighting of
the steering (although a bit too light at parking speeds), controls
and how the car turns in feels pretty similar. This makes this car an
overall smooth performer. It feels planted and secure even on its
very narrow 185/60/16 tyres (which I believe also contributes to a
very quiet and refined interior for a supermini). Very continental if
one might add. If you want more handling thrills, may I suggest a
Ford Fiesta or a Suzy Swift? But I could see myself driving this down
to Penang or Singapore and not feeling that fatigued. It is quite
sorted in my books.
I suppose this is because of Mazda's
attention to detail. You may think that SkyActiv is just some
marketing term used by them but they really do iron out most of the
details and fine tune the whole car more than what some other
Japanese and Koreans do. It just looks stylish even with its narrow
wheels (the sedan less so as it feels compromised in terms of styling
– not enough length at for the boot to look proportioned . It has
an interior which is very Japanese but looks and feels (decently for
its class) well except for some rear legroom (which still is better
than previously). It's drive train could be the smoothest in its
class due to that conventional 6 speed automatic and a smooth direct
injection engine that has over 110horses and ample torque for a
normally aspirated 1.5liter.
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