Mazda Mazda2 1.6 Sport Diesel 5dr Pre-Model Car Review - March 2012

The four cylinder engine delivers a decent power output of 94 bhp at 3800 rpm with torque figures of 152 lb-ft at 1700-3000 rpm. This is even better than some of the petrol models and gives the car a decent top speed of 109 mph.

Acceleration is naturally a little on the slow side but this model still outperforms some of the other models in the range, reaching 0-62 mph in 11.5 seconds.

Engine noise delivers the sporty sounds which drivers desire but is not disruptive or overly intrusive within the cabin, making the overall driving experience comfortable.

In terms of in-car equipment, this car offers some advantages over other models and there is a fair selection of features.

Standard equipment includes: power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity and an advanced stereo system with both CD and MP3 compatibility.

Leather seats remain unavailable as an option whilst a metallic paint finish can be given to the exterior for an additional £420.

Reliability is expected to be strong within this model thanks to Mazda’s strong reputation for building high quality vehicles. This means that owners should have little concerns about their investment and there is always a three year warranty for 60,000 miles offered on the car to increase these assurances.

Unfortunately, safety levels can be seen to let the car down a little and this hatchback fails to offer some of the services expected from a car of this class.

Safety features are improved on this model and the car scored a top five star rating for occupant safety in the NCAP crash tests. This is thanks to an advanced safety kit which includes driver, passenger and front side airbags as well as an alarm and immobiliser.

In terms of practicality, the boot offers 250 litres of space with the seats up and 787 litres when the seats are folded down. This puts this as average for the class, allowing it to compete fairly well against rival models.

Aside from the boot, space within the cabin is fairly good for a hatchback and the car can fit four adults comfortably. Getting five adults into the vehicle would be a bit more difficult however and would result in restricted movement and a somewhat uncomfortable drive.

Priced at £14,765 this car is a little dearer than some of the other options within the range. Despite this, the car is still reasonably priced within its class and this means that it is still a viable option for families on a budget.

On top of this, the running costs are exceptionally low in this model thanks to great green credentials which see carbon emissions at a low of 110 g/km put the car under road tax band B. Insurance premiums are a little higher than on other models falling under insurance group 16 but this is still fairly cheap.

Resale values are fairly strong for these cars as well and that means that, as a long term investment, this car will more than pay for itself. This means that those prepared to make the initial outlay for the car will soon be able to recoup the additional expense in subsequent savings.