2020 Mazda2 GT review: Updated small car comes fully-loaded

Mazda’s small car is one of the most popular in the country and the Japanese brand has made it better than ever, but there is a downside.

Small hatches used to be an easy and affordable entry point into the new car market, but not any more. The fully-loaded Mazda GT is a prime example of this. Mazda has thrown everything but the kitchen sink at the 2, but does it make it a better car? Here is everything you need to know about the Mazda2 GT.

The Mazda2 is a fine looking small car.

VALUE

Mazda gave its smallest hatch a facelift in 2019, which saw the range shrink and prices soar. There is no longer a sub-$20,000 version — the cheapest is the manual 2 Pure priced at $21,990 drive-away — and we are testing the range-topping GT. It comes absolutely loaded with gear, which explains the $27,500 on the road price-tag. If you want more metal and fewer features, the cheapest model in the larger Mazda3 costs about $1500 more. The steering wheel and gear shifter are wrapped in leather as are the seats, with patches of faux suede. There is a seven-inch infotainment display that can be controlled by touch or a rotary dial. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is satnav for coverage in those out of the way places. A nifty 360 degree camera makes parking a breeze. All Mazdas are covered by a five year/unlimited km warranty. Service intervals are short at 10,000km or 12 months and will cost you more than $1600 over five years.

The 2 is a thrifty and comfortable car to drive in the city.

COMFORT

If there is one thing Mazda does well it is cabin design. A mix of hard plastics and soft touch materials give the 2’s cabin a premium feel in this usually budget-focused class. The back seat is for part time adult use only and the boot is small. The ride is firmer than you’d expect for a city car which can lead to a bumpy ride on poorer quality roads and backstreets. Road noise is also intrusive on coarser road surfaces, with a dull roar at higher speeds.

Mazda’s cabins are always a highlight.

SAFETY

The 2 gets a five-star safety rating and the GT version is loaded with all the latest active driver aids and safety tech. Auto emergency braking is standard as is lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. Radar cruise helps keep a safe distance to the car in front. Front and back seat passengers are protected with a suite of six airbags.

The GT has all the safety gear you’d want.

DRIVING

The 2’s primary focus is on providing comfortable and thrifty city motoring, so don’t expect to win many traffic-light Grand Prix. The 2 feels capable and composed at highway speeds, but you’ll hear the engine working hard when climbing hills or overtaking. The unnecessary Sport mode only makes this worse by holding on to the gears for longer. But the car shines through the corners, hugging tight in turns thanks to torque vectoring technology that improves grip and drive out of corners. The steering is precise and provides the right amount of feedback. The 2 is a thrifty machine, sipping a claimed 5.3L/100km, although you’ll do slightly more in the real world.

The Mazda2 shows why it is one of the best small hatches on the market.

VERDICT

3.5/5

The Mazda2 is a top-quality small hatch that stands out from its competitors with its premium look and feel that is great to drive. But the GT’s high price tag – while justified with the amount of equipment – will have buyers looking for more metal, especially when they can get in a bigger Hyundai i30 or VW Golf for less.

ALTERNATIVES

VW Polo 85TSFI Style, from $26,990 drive-away

Stylish, loaded with gear and with a premium feel, but misses out on some of the Mazda’s safety tech and requires premium unleaded.

Toyota Yaris ZR, from about $25,000 drive-away

The Yaris is the best selling car in this class and spacious for a tiddler but it’s coming to the end of its life cycle. A new one is coming this year, and the current one feels a little dated.

Honda Jazz VTi-L, from about $26,800 drive-away

Hands down one of the smartest cabin designs in the business, providing a far roomier cabin and more storage space than any competitor. But the Jazz falls well behind rivals on the safety front.

MAZDA2 GT VITALS

Price: About $27,500 drive-away

Warranty/servicing: Five years, unlimited km / 10,000km or 12 months, $1635 over five years

Engine: 1.5-litre 4cyl petrol, 82kW/144Nm

Safety: Five stars, 6 airbags, auto emergency braking, blind spot alert, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, radar cruise control, reversing camera with parking sensors, 360 view camera.

Thirst: 5.3L/100km

Boot: 250L