Mazda2 GT nails the fun factor for baby hatches

There’s an emphasis on entertainment in the Mazda2 GT that compensates for the lack of space.

The Mazda2 GT hatch is one of the best cars in this class to drive. Picture: Supplied

VALUE

The Mazda2 range kicks off with the Neo hatch at $16,990 on the road. The top-spec GT tested here is $22,890 drive-away. Replacing the standard six-speed manual gearbox with a six-cog auto adds $2000. Servicing needs to happen every 12 months/10,000km and the first three visits to a dealership will cost $886. The two-tone leather in the GT hatch looks stunning but the cream panels will attract dirt faster than Donald Trump. The infotainment software is as good as it gets in a mainstream car and satnav is standard.

COMFORT

The Mazda2 is a smart looker but it simply can’t match some rivals for interior packaging. Even the top-spec Mazda2 GT tested here is starting to look a little dated. No one expects a light city car to have space for massive suitcases and the Mazda2 hatch doesn’t disappoint with a 250-litre cargo area that can’t compete against the likes of 280 litres in the Polo or a thumping 370 litres in the Accent. The sedan’s 440-litre boot is a smarter move if carrying cargo is a priority but neither body style has huge rear space. The lack of USB ports in the back is also an oversight soon noted by anyone who spends more than 10 minutes in the rear.

The interior is classy without being class-leading. Picture: Supplied

SAFETY

A solid structure, six airbags and seat belt reminders for all pews helped the light car score 36.59 out of 37 when tested by ANCAP in 2015. That’s a good score by any measure and earned the Mazda2 a five-star rating. Default gear for the GT runs to autonomous emergency braking, reversing camera and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

DRIVING

Few baby cars put a smile on your face like the Mazda2. The firm ride and responsive steering make it fun to pilot up congested city alleys or wide open country roads. Power from the 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine isn’t neck snapping but given the Mazda2 GT tips the scale at just under 1060kg, it doesn’t need to be. Roadholding and handling prowess is evident in the ability to change direction without upsetting the balance of the car or those inside. Mazda has done some work to quieten the car but tyre roar is still evident on coarse chip roads.

Ride and handling are two of the Mazda2’s strong suits. Picture: Supplied

ALTERNATIVES

The Hyundai Accent dominates the light car segment with competitive prices and a five-year warranty. An automatic Accent Sport in sedan or hatch guise is a $16,990 drive-away proposition. Not as flash as the GT but not as expensive either.

The Hyundai Accent heads the field as a value buy. Picture: Supplied.

Toyota’s Yaris is the other big mover in the segment and dealers are in holiday mode until the end of February, pushing the light car out the door for $15,990 for a manual Yaris Ascent up to $23,640 for a ZR fitted with a four-speed auto.

VERDICT

The Mazda2 GT is a fairly compelling package, providing you’re not looking to cram much into it. Others light cars are larger but none will put a bigger smile on your face.

VITALS

Mazda2 GT

$22,890 drive-away

ENGINE 1.5-litre 4-cylinder,

TRANS 6-speed manual, FWD

SAFETY 5-stars, 6 airbags

THIRST 5.2L/100km