David Linklater.

It’s not immediately obvious, but the new Mazda2 has gained some important driverassistance and safety technology. By

What’s new about the revamped-for-2017 Mazda2 supermini? Not a lot if first impressions are anything to go by.

It’s car industry-speak to talk about a mid-cycle upgrade being a ‘‘facelift’’, but you’d be hard pressed to apply that description to the Mazda2 Limited here. Styling changes for this model are best described as tweaks: there’s a new garnish on the grille, side-mirrors with built-in indicators and the obligatory ‘‘shark fin’’ antenna on the roof. New wheel designs, too.

Inside, there’s not a lot more excitement. The steering wheel and instruments have had a spruce-up and there’s now a shiny black finish around the MZD Connect touch-screen. So, just keep the old car then? Well, maybe. The Mazda2 (introduced in 2014) is still a standout in the supermini segment if you like your small cars with a touch of sophistication and sporty handling. It still sells as well: yearto-date it’s a solid top-five performer in the light-car segment – no match for the top-selling Suzuki Swift but certainly in the game with the Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris. But there have been some substantial upgrades to the latest Mazda2, even if the neighbours won’t necessarily notice.

The basic mechanical package has been carried over: 1.5-litre Skyactiv engine and six-speed automatic gearbox, with a rockerswitch on the console to select normal or Sport modes. The motor is still an energetic but fairly raucous affair, although the car is quieter thanks to extra sound deadening under the bonnet and around the glass areas. You still grit your teeth at times as the