During the week that the 2 was in my care, it was subjected to equal measures of peak-hour commuting and highway kilometres. Around town it was a nimble and nippy drive. My gripes were few and mainly concerned the 2’s steering, which initially felt vague on long sweeping corners and failed to self-centre as quickly as most drivers would expect. However, like the CX-9 I drove the week before, it’s something you get used to – more a Mazda quirk than an issue of note. On the subject of gripes, my only other issue was the tacky looking digital fuel gauge/odometer that was difficult to read and seemed at odds with the conventional speedo and tachometer.
A weekend trip down to Phillip Island revealed that the 2 is more at home within city limits. It handled the trip well but is ultimately geared for snappy city work, not highway hauling.
According to the official VFACTS figures released for July, I am not alone in finding the 2 an endearing drive. Mazda managed to sell 1447 Mazda2’s in July, increasing its share of the sub-$25k light car market by 8.3 percent when compared to the same period last year.
It’s not always easy putting your finger on exactly what makes one car good and another just so-so. The 2 is good, there is no doubting that, and after much deliberation I am convinced that it’s because the 2 has personality – driving it is fun – it’s a tactile experience. The brakes and clutch feel right, the manual gear shift is actually fun to use and is perfectly placed for the driver. The engine, for a humble 1.5-litre, is a personality-loaded charmer.
The little 2 proved to be an admirable travelling companion for a week and should be on the short list for anyone shopping for a new light car.
The Last Word
The Mazda2 is proof that good looks and a vibrant personality are not mutually exclusive. A city runabout that is a genuine surprise package for the daily commuter, in- particular those who enjoy their driving.
• The way it looks
• The way it drives
• Its ‘personality’
• Unusual steering
• Hard to read digital petrol gauge
Gallery
GALLERY » 2008-mazda2
Prices range from $15,750 for Mazda2 Neo to $17,960 for Maxx
| Engine: | 1.5 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT |
| Cylinder capacity: | 1498cc |
| Valve system: | DOHC, VVT |
| Maximum power: | 76kw @ 6,000rpm |
| Maximum torque: | 137Nm @ 4,000rpm |
| Fuel System: | Multi-point electronic fuel injection |
| Bore x stroke: | 78.0 x 78.4mm |
| Compression ratio: | 10.0:1 |
| Speed: | 0-100km/h: Manual: 10.0 seconds Top Speed: manual: 181km/h auto: 168km/h Throttle control: Electronic (drive-by-wire) |
| Transmission: | Manual transmission: 5-speed Automatic transmission: 4-speed |
| Wheels: | 15 x 6.0 JJ 16 x 6.5JJ Type: Steel / Alloy Spare: Temporary |
| Tyres: | 185/55R15 82V 195/45R16 80W |
| Steering: | Electronic power assist steering Turns to lock: 2.7 |
| Suspension: | Front: MacPherson strut Rear: Torsion beam |
| Brakes: | Front: Ventilated disc Rear: Drum |
| Fuel: | Electronic fuel injection Capacity: Recommended fuel: Regular unleaded (min. 91RON) Consumption: man (combined) 6.4 L/100km auto (combined) 6.8 L/100km CO2 - 152g/km Emissions standard: Euro Stage IV |
| Gear ratio (man/auto): | 1st - 3.416 / 2.816 2nd - 1.842 / 1.553 3rd - 1.290 / 1.000 4th - 0.972 / 0.695 5th - 0.775 / - reverse - 3.214 / 2.279 final drive - 4.105 / 4.147 |
2009 BMW 335i Sedan 
2010 BMW 120d Hatch manual (E87) 
2009 Holden Commodore SS Sportwagon 
2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 
2009 Ford Mondeo MB (Titanium)
Comments
Click here to jump to Add Comment box
How do you get a picture next to your name?
Get a Gravatar. Click here to find out more.
My partner was thinking about one of these; she really likes the styling of it. Found the inside to be pretty bland though - which is fine I suppose, it’s not a big dollar car - so she ended up going with a Mark 4 Golf GTI for about the same price. Older car, but it’s just about the best quality interior I’ve seen in a small car. Feels really classy inside, and our friends agree.
Still, as I said, there’s no arguing the 2 is a very good looking unit!
Another great car that eludes the US market. We won’t be happy until all the oil is gone, you know.
My wife and I looked at the 2 (Genki), but ended up going for the swift sport. She just seemed to like it more………
I have a lot of time for the Swift Damo, in fact my fiance has owned the latest Swift for over a year now - but she loved the 2. Preferred driving it in fact. I think the Swift rides better, and has better steering feel but IMO the 2 was a more ‘together’ drive around town, its a little more willing and the manual shift is noticeably better than in the Swift. The clutch and brakes feel superior as well. However, the Swift is a more relaxed drive on the open road.
Either/or - they are both talented light cars.
Nail hit on head with that test drive Steane.
Cheers Dan.
Yeah I would have to agree Steane.
The 2’s engine felt “peakier” and more responsive, and although the Swift Sport has more “kilowasps” and torque it felt a little lifeless. I think the Swift is a bit deceptive with it’s torque curve being so flat I suspect.
The steering felt better in the Swift and not quite as vague as in the 2. The clutch is better and has more feel in the 2, with the Swift being really late in the pick up. Mind you the Swift Sport handles like its on rails and if it had a turbo or supercharger on it with say 40+ more Kw it would be an absolute killer. Could do with nicer set of wheels. I saw a red two next to my MPS and it just looked like a smaller version of it…….which I thought was good. But as you know with some ladies it often comes down to looks and that’s wife my wife has ordered her Swift Sport in Nocturne Blue.
Ah well, Bush will be gone soon enough, and then who knows what great things could happen?
Or we could just get McCain, I guess.