BIGGER ON THE GRIN SIDE

The Mazda2 looks smart but roomy it is not

VALUE

The Mazda2 range kicks off with the Neo hatch at $16,990 on the road. The top-spec GT tested here is $22,890 drive-away. Replacing the standard six-speed manual gearbox with a sixcog auto adds $2000. Servicing needs to happen every 12 months/10,000km and the first three visits to a dealership will cost $886. The twotone leather in the GT hatch looks stunning but the cream panels will attract dirt faster than Donald Trump. The infotainment software is as good as it gets in a mainstream car and satnav is standard.

COMFORT

The Mazda2 is a smart looker but it simply can’t match some rivals for interior packaging. Even the top-spec Mazda2 GT tested here is starting to look a little dated. No one expects a light city car to have space for massive suitcases and the Mazda2 hatch doesn’t disappoint with a 250L cargo area that can’t compete against the likes of 280L in the Polo or a thumping 370L in the Accent. The sedan’s 440L boot is a smarter move if carrying cargo is a priority but neither body style has huge rear space. The lack of USB ports in the back is also an oversight soon noted by anyone who spends more than 10 minutes in the rear.

SAFETY

The Mazda2 is a five-star car courtesy of a solid structure, six airbags and seat belt reminders for all pews that helped the light car score 36.59 out of 37 when tested by ANCAP in 2015. Default gear for the GT runs to autonomous emergency braking, reversing camera and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

DRIVING

Few baby cars put a smile on your face like the Mazda2. The firm ride and responsive steering make it fun to pilot up congested city alleys or wide open country roads. Power from the 1.5litre four-cylinder engine isn’t neck snapping but given the Mazda2 GT tips the scale at just under 1060kg, it doesn’t need to be. Roadholding and handling prowess is evident in the ability to change direction without upsetting the balance of the car or those inside. Mazda has done some work to quieten the car but tyre roar is still evident on coarse chip roads.

ALTERNATIVES

The Hyundai Accent dominates the light car segment with competitive prices and a five-year warranty. An automatic Accent Sport in sedan or hatch guise is a $16,990 drive-away proposition until the end of the month. Toyota’s Yaris is the other big mover in the segment and dealers are in holiday mode until the end of February, pushing the light car out the door for

$15,990 for a manual Yaris Ascent up to $23,640 for a ZR fitted with a four-speed auto.

VERDICT

The Mazda2 GT is a fairly compelling package, providing you’re not looking to cram much into it. Other light cars are larger but none will put a bigger smile on your face.