THE FULL PACKAGE

WHOEVER came up with the saying “all the best things come in small packages” had probably just been driving a Mazda2.

It’s the smallest model in the Japanese car maker’s line up but if you opt for the range-topping Homura Aka spec you get all the bells and whistles that feature on the company’s larger models, which makes it just the type of car a lot of people are now looking for: small but with all the creature comforts of more expensive, larger cars. The Mazda2 has been around for some time but has continually been evolving and getting better. Other popular and well-established small cars, like the Ford Fiesta, have now fallen by the wayside but the Mazda2 battles on.

It’s got sharp looks, is a practical if small four-seater, is economical and is good fun to drive.

And to keep it fresh for 2023 there have been a number of cosmetic changes, including a sleeker bumper design and the fitting of a black honeycomb grille to match the gloss black door mirrors.

To enhance its sporting image it has also been given a gloss black roof and shark-fin aerial.

The interior is now very upmarket with sporting black leather and suede seats with contrasting red pipping and embellishments on the squab.

The dashboard, too, has black suede with red stitching while the eyeball air vents come with red design cues.

And in an effort to pack a host of luxury features into this trendy supermini the Homura Aka version gets everything from a heated steering wheel and heated front seats to a head-up display.

Keyless locking/unlocking and keyless starting are also standard on this model while forward and rear facing

cameras help when parking and give a 360 degree view.

A seven-inch touchscreen is mounted on top of the dashboard and gives an eye-level view when using the satellite navigation system.

There’s a choice of engines available but the model driven here had the largest – the 115bhp, 1.5-litre mild hybrid version – which offers a nice blend of performance with decent economy.

It’s mated to a six-speed manual gearbox that allows you to really enjoy the little car by winding the revs up into the red zone with ease for spirited motoring.

The ride is firm but comfortable although uneven surfaces and potholes do tend to catch the Mazda2 out but in general the handling is pretty sweet and enjoyable.

There’s generous space in the front seats – so much so you forget you’re in a small car – but like most superminis the rear legroom is a little tight.

But with average fuel consumption into the mid-50s and acceleration from 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds the Mazda2 is both an enjoyable and sensible buy, especially with its big car luxuries to make the going easier.