It’s probably not too often that a beefy Aussie bloke spends a week in a little three-door hatch and genuinely laments handing back the keys. Let’s be realistic here, most of the cars in this class are targeted to female buyers. They’re cute, cool and sometimes sassy but rarely a ripper drive. With small four-cylinder engines, they’re tuned for fuel-sipping in the shopping strips as opposed to sling-shotting away from the lights. Driving this type of car can be - in fact, is expected to be - a little ho-hum.
However, there are exceptions to every rule and the little 2 is one such exception.
First impressions count for plenty in this world and that’s the first test the new 2 passes. It looks good, in fact I’d go so far as to say that it is the best looking car in its class, edging out the Suzuki Swift for top spot. Bearing no resemblance whatsoever to the ‘boxy’ previous generation 2, the new 2 shares plenty of styling cues with the current Mazda range. Exaggerated front wheel-arches and sharp, crisp lines are now de rigueur for Mazda and the 2 takes its place at the cute end of the handsome Mazda line-up.
While the 2 is built to a price, there is no evidence that Mazda has skimped on quality. It’s as well finished as the rest of Mazda’s fully imported range and that’s great news for buyers shopping for a sub-$20,000 light car. Standard features on the Mazda2 3-door Neo and Maxx variants include Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). There is also air-conditioning, remote locking, power windows and mirrors, driver’s seat height adjustment, a centre rear headrest and an auxiliary jack that enables any MP3 player to be played through the 2’s four speaker audio system.
2009 Holden Cruze CDX 
2010 FPV F6 E 
2010 HSV Clubsport R8 
2009 BMW 335i Sedan 
2010 BMW 120d Hatch manual (E87) 
2009 Holden Commodore SS Sportwagon
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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.