2017 Mazda2 Genki Auto Review | Unapologetically Urban And Darn Good At It Too
Australia’s light car segment is experiencing a downturn as buyers who aren’t squeezed by pricing pressures continue to investigate their SUV options. Freedom of choice is a wonderful thing, but it leaves some incredibly good vehicles sitting on the sideline.
Mazda already knows it’s onto a good thing with the Mazda2 - it sits second so far this year in its segment and only beaten by the cheap-as-chips Hyundai Accent and is being chased by the fleet-favourite Toyota Yaris - so rather than rock the boat the Mazda2 has only undergone a minor update for 2017.
Things you can’t see include Mazda’s exclusive G-Vectoring control - a system that’s designed to make for a more engaging drive - and the standard inclusion of autonomous emergency braking across the range (previously an option).
Pricing and specifications get a shuffle at the top end too, with the previous top-rung Genki dropping down a notch, opening up space for a new GT flagship at the top of the range.
Vehicle Style: Light hatch
Price: $22,690 plus on-road costs
Engine/trans: 81kW/141Nm 1.5-litre 4cyl petrol | 6sp automatic
Fuel Economy Claimed: 4.9 l/100km | Tested: 7.4 l/100km
OVERVIEW
There’s no stand-out styling changes to the 2017 Mazda2, the colour palette has been adjusted slightly and if you look very hard you might notice new exterior mirrors and a shark fin antenna, but that’s about it.
In the Genki model, which now slots in under the newly introduced flagship GT, the previously optional S Pack has been deleted (its leather-look trim is now standard on GT), a new MX-5-style steering wheel has been added, and the pop-up head-up display has been reconfigured to be easier to interpret.