Mazda Mazda2 1.5 Sport 3dr Car Review - February 2012

The handling and driving experience as a whole is one of the main reasons that many people will enjoy the Mazda2; the handling is light and responsive, and the grip going into corners gives the driver plenty of confidence in the car. Because of the responsiveness of the drive it is almost inevitable that there is a trade-off in terms of the ride quality, which is a little firm. Although the Mazda2 is a fairly small car, the driving position has good all round visibility, and the pedals are all perfectly positioned for the driver.

In terms of the engine performance on the road, acceleration from the 1.5 Sport is good but not spectacular, getting from 0-62mph in 10.7 seconds. The top speed of 115mph is also ample for the vast majority of drivers, especially considering that the Mazda2 is really designed for suburban and urban driving.

The front end of the Mazda2 is dominated by a large air intake below the grille, but the curved shape does give it the image of a laughing mouth. The general shape of the car is curved, and the roof starts to become lower towards the back of the vehicle, going down to meet the boot door. The back end is tidy, but the boot door does jut in around the taillights which reduces accessibility to the boot.

This version of the Mazda2 is supplied with alloy wheels as standard, which helps to complete the look of the car, and also has a few luxuries such as rain sensing wipers and power folding mirrors that people may not expect from a small car. Cruise control and climate control also help to make the driving experience comfortable and easy.

One of the benefits of having a small car like the Mazda2 is that it is good for driving around town and also means that it is relatively straightforward to park. Headroom in the back does mean that taller people may be forced to stoop a little, and legroom is adequate for most people. The boot size could also be a problem for people who regularly have to carry lots of equipment or luggage.

The Mazda2 has been awarded five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test, and is supplied with the usual range of airbags to keep the driver and the passengers safe. It also has the usual driving aids to help keep the car on the road, but the omission of side impact bars is unusual. Mazda has a good reputation for making reliable cars, which should reassure anyone considering buying the Mazda2.

This particular version of the Mazda2 is listed at £12,995, but it is towards the top end of the range, and comes with a range of equipment not included in the basic model. It does come in cheaper than some of the sportier Ford Fiestas, but they are more refined and quieter in the cabin than the Mazda.

In terms of the running costs of the Mazda2, this 1.5 litre engine is able to deliver an impressive average 48.7mpg, although those looking for better fuel consumption may want to consider the diesel engine. The insurance group is not as low as some other hatchbacks, mainly because of the sportier engine, but resale values for the Mazda2 have remained quite good. The car is also supplied with a three year warranty and three years roadside breakdown assistance, which is quite competitive for this class.