AT A GLANCE

Drivetrain: Transverse frontmounted front wheel drive 1496cc direct injected 16 valve DOHC four. Six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Outputs: Max 81kW at 6000rpm, 141Nm at 4000rpm, 4.9-5.2L/ 100km, 114-121g/km CO2. Performance: Maximum speed (with limiter) 188kmh (manual), 184kmh (automatic). Zero-100 kmh 9.2 seconds. Chassis: Front MacPherson struts, rear torsion beam, electric power assisted rack and pinion steering. Alloy wheels on all New Zealand models. Safety: Front, side and curtain airbags, traction control, stability control, ABS. Available ‘i-Activsense’ technologies with blind-spot monitoring, high beam control, lane-departure warning on some GSX and all Limited models. Connectivity: MZD connect systems for hands-free phoning and texts with contacts and textto-voice features. Voice command navigation systems in GSX and Limited models and is excellent. Smartphone internet linking, and tethering. Aha, Stitcher and Pandora systems supported. Seven-inch display screen. Dimensions: L: 4060mm, W 1695mm, H 1495mm, W/base 2570mm, F/track 1495mm, R/track 1495mm, Weight 1035-1047kg, Fuel 44L. Pricing: Mazda2 GLX $21,745, and GSX $24,245 (each asks another $1700 for automatic), Limited $28,595 (automatic only). Hot: Pretty ‘Kodo’ styling, will go flat-out all day on motorways and still get 640km plus on a tank, nimble well sorted handling, useful hatch space, high equipment levels, outstanding new small car from Mazda. Not: Chassis deserves a high performance version, say with the MX-5 version of the same 1.5-litre engine. Verdict: It was easy to underestimate this car, apart from rear seat space, it goes to the top of its segment in every single area. The Mazda2 will earn itself a broad, lucrative market base.