2017 Mazda2 new car review
As far as facelifts go, the updated Mazda2 is more like Megan Fox than Mickey Rourke.
The Japanese brand has given its city car a blink-and-you'll-miss-it nip-and-tuck that centres on improving its substance rather than its style, with more safety, more choice and more refinement across the range.
While the general rule of thumb to keep a car fresh mid-way through its lifecycle is to slap a new bumper bar, add some chrome or redesign the head and tail lights, Mazda decided its 2 didn't need fixing as far as looks are concerned and has kept exterior changes to a minimum - there's different trim elements and a new finish on the alloy wheels in high-grade models while the side indicators have moved to the mirrors in all variants...that's about it.
The most noticeable visual differences are four new colours added to the palette.
But dig deeper into the specifications and you'll find there's more standard equipment, including automated emergency braking on every model, improved dynamics with the addition of Mazda's G-Vectoring control as well as a new range-topping GT variant and driveaway pricing that makes it better value than before.
As it has done since 2015, the Mazda2 is offered as either a five-door hatch or four-door sedan with no price differential between either body style.
The range starts with the entry-level Neo at $16,990 with a six-speed manual transmission (a six-speed auto is a $2000 option on all models) that comes equipped with 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps, cruise control, air conditioning, push-button start, Bluetooth connectivity and rear parking sensors. It picks up automated emergency braking and electric folding mirrors over its predecessor.
It is powered by a less sophisticated version of the 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 79kW and 139Nm with a claimed average fuel consumption of 5.4L/100km with the manual transmission and 5.5L/100km with the automatic.
All other models, from the next-level Maxx upwards, feature the same engine with a higher compression ratio cylinder head that helps it generate greater outputs - 81kW and 141Nm - while lowering the claimed average fuel consumption to 5.2L/100km with the manual and 4.9L/100km with the automatic.
The Maxx costs $2700 more and brings 15-inch alloy wheels and a 7.0-inch colour multi media display with six speaker audio, internet radio apps and a reverse camera. It adds rear emergency braking and digital radio over the previous model.
Only offered in the hatchback, the previous flagship Genki specification costs from $22,690 and picks-up larger 16-inch alloys, LED headlights with daytime lights, auto wipers, climate control and satellite navigation while adding rear cross traffic alert and blind spot monitoring to the suite of safety systems.
The new top-of-the-range GT is essentially a style upgrade, similar to colour pack that was offered previously on the Maxx variant, and is available in both sedan and hatch, costing from $23,680. In the hatch, it features gunmetal and machined face alloy wheels on the outside and a bold interior upgrade with white leather and black cloth seats, white leather trim on the dash, door panels and centre console and red ring accents on the air vents. On the sedan, the same alloys are bright silver, the seats are black leather while the highlights are brown with contrasting grey stitching and the air vent rings are a bronze colour.
On the GT hatch we tested this week as part of its launch, the bold interior certainly stands out and adds an element of colour and class to the normally cheap and cheerful city car segment. The combined elements look great and lighten up the small cockpit to increase its sense of space, but the white leather could mark easily and deteriorate over time. Just saying...
In all other aspects, the 2 performs just like it always has, which is no bad thing considering it has won our Best City Car class in the Drive Car of the Year awards for the last three years on the trot.
Like before, we love it for its dynamic fizz and all-round solid driving character. The engine might not have the low-down urgency of some of its turbocharged European rivals, but it revs freely, feels spritely away from the lights and achieves close to its claimed fuel consumption in everyday driving conditions.
It is particularly well suited to the automatic transmission in our test car, which is equipped with a conventional torque converter set-up that ensures smooth getaways and comfortable cog swaps when on the move.
The steering is light and precise, making it easy to manouevre around tight spaces and inner-city streets but also adds to its engaging road manners when driven enthusiastically through the bends.
It is well matched to the suspension settings, which offers a more dynamic edge than most other cars in this class with surefooted handling and decent compliance over the bumps.
All in all, Mazda has muddled with what was already a winning formula for its tiniest car. It remains a stylish, fun and frugal small car that is safer and better value than before.
2017 Mazda2 Price and Specifications
Price: From $16,990 (driveaway)
Engine: 1.5-litre four cylinder petrol
Power: 79kW at 6000rpm (Neo), 81kW at 6000rpm (others)
Torque: 139Nm at 4000rpm (Neo), 141Nm at 4000rpm (others)
Transmission: 6-spd manual/automatic, FWD
Fuel use: 4.9L-5.5L/100km
2017 Mazda2 Prices (driveaway prices)
Neo: $16,990
Maxx: $19,690
Genki: $22,690 (Hatch only)
GT: $23,680
* Automatic $2000 option