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Mazda is having another crack at the languishing light sedan class, and the Mazda 2 Sedan brings more kit for its hatchback sibling as well.
WHAT IS IT The Mazda 2 Sedan is basically the prettier hatch with a boot grafted on. The biggest difference compared with the short-lived previous version is a more harmonious look. While adding significantly larger cargo volume, the Thai-built sedan is otherwise virtually equal to the five-door.
MAIN RIVALS Holden Barina, Honda City, Hyundai Accent, Mitsubishi Mirage, Toyota Yaris
We haven’t driven the hatch and sedan back-to-back, but we can tell you that the latter seems to give away nothing in driver enjoyment. Additionally, for both body styles, the base Neo at last scores standard cruise control and reverse parking sensors at no extra cost, although the extra gear in the Maxx (reverse camera with a larger touchscreen) and Genki (LED headlights) do mean a $700 price jump for each respectively.
PLUS: Integrated styling, sporty dynamics, smart interior, massive boot, strong value MINUS: Some road noise, ugly tiny tacho, the 2 Hatch still looks sassier
Now Mazda reckons it has cracked the code with the 2 Sedan. And bam. With a swoopy, scaled-down 3-style silhouette instead of the pregnant bull ant look encumbering most rivals, we’re actually paying attention.
Predictably, two 1.5-litre direct-injection four-pot atmo petrol engine choices lurk at the pointy end, with the base Neo using the 79kW/139Nm V-P5, while the mid-spec Maxx scores the higher-compression 81kW/141Nm F-P5 unit with stop/start and a 4-2-1 exhaust. Honestly, better fuel economy aside, the latter’s differences are miniscule: both rev sweetly, pull hard past the 6200rpm red line and imbue the smallest Mazda with a lively spirit, aided by one of the most delicious manual shifters around. Also notable is the slick six-speed auto, particularly in Sport mode – which holds ratios when needs dictate.
Besides its dorky design, one reason why the previous 2 Sedan (available only in 2010/11) flopped was because of a hefty $20K opening gambit. Now Mazda has pegged the successor with the Neo ($14,990) and Maxx ($17,690) hatch variants. Some 2rainspotters might notice the Maxx now costs $700 more, but that’s because it gains the larger MZR Connect multimedia touchscreen and reverse camera in both body styles. Better still, cruise and rear sensors are now included range-wide, with autonomous emergency braking adding $400 extra.
SPECS Model: Mazda DL 2 Sedan Neo Engine: 1496cc 4cyl, dohc, 16v Max power: 79kW @ 6000rpm Max torque: 139Nm @ 4000rpm Transmission: 6-speed manual Weight: 1035kg 0-100km/h: N/A Fuel economy: 5.4L/100km Price: $14,990 On sale: Now
Click here to read the full range review of the Mazda 2.
