Mazda2 Reviewed: It’s tribal, not trivial

Young women buyers, the Mazda2 wants to be in your network — the latest makeover adds safety kit and keeps the cost down.

2017 Mazda2 GT Hatch

WHEN you’re on a winner, back it like Winx. The payout is only going to be marginal but you’re still at the top of the field.

That’s the approach taken with the facelifted Mazda2, bringing welcome safety updates to what is the second best-selling light car in the country (watch out, Hyundai Accent) and the most popular privately bought car in the segment.

Exterior changes are barely worth mentioning — will anyone spot the shark-fin antenna on the roof of higher-spec models?

Mazda has fitted more kit, headlined by 30km/h city-speed autonomous emergency braking on all versions, and tried to reduce noise intrusion with improved glass and sound deadening in key areas.

2017 Mazda2 GT Hatch

In this segment only the Skoda Fabia can match the Mazda for standard AEB and the maker says the likes of blind spot and rear cross-traffic alert are a first for the class.

More importantly, given the price-conscious nature of the light car segment, prices are unchanged from the previous version. Drive-away prices start at $16,990 for the Neo hatch or sedan, rise to $19,690 for the Maxx, $22,690 for the hatch-only Genki and top out at $23,680 for the GT (pictured) in four or five-door guise.

The GT nameplate takes over from the Genki S Pack after Mazda’s research showed people paying top dollar for their city car didn’t want it described as a “pack” edition.

Not that Mazda is discounting the whole pack mentality approach — the advertising campaign for the update is tagged “2Tribe” in a bid to encourage young women to feel part of a network.

Mazda Australia boss Vinesh Bhindi says the “overwhelming majority” of buyers are young women, with a smattering of males and empty nesters making up the mix.

The entry level Neo will account for almost half of Mazda2 sales, despite having an engine that is about 0.5L/100km less fuel efficient and with marginally less power than the next three grades.

2017 Mazda2 GT Hatch

It is still the only version to make do with sensors rather than a reversing camera.

About 80 per cent of buyers will pay an extra $2000 for a six-speed auto. Hatch variants are tipped to account for 74 per cent of all Mazda2 sales.

The CD player has been deleted across the range as yet another indication this car is for smartphone-equipped Millennials with downloaded tunes and apps for music-streaming.

As was the case previously, of the eight-hued palette only Mazda’s “soul red metallic” paint costs extra, at $300.

ON THE ROAD

Mazda says the facelifted 2 is quieter than its predecessor. I’d need a back-to-back drive or a sound engineer to discern the differences.

Plant the right foot — you need to, because the non-turbo 2 needs to have revs on board to do its best work — and the 1.5-litre engine cranks up the volume along with the pace. Semi-trailers blasting alongside likewise intrude on the cabin ambience.

The Mazda2 is far less vocal when driven in city environs and the steering and throttle are on par with the best in the class.

If carrying gear is part of the routine, the sedan is the pick with 440L of cargo space to the hatch’s 250L. Otherwise, the smaller hatch is a smarter look and smaller car to park.

VERDICT ★★★★

It’s a mild makeover but Mazda really didn’t need to do much to keep the 2 at the top of the charts. Active safety should tick the boxes for ANCAP and buyers alike.

2017 Mazda2 GT Hatch

AT A GLANCE

MAZDA 2

PRICE From $16,990 drive-away

SAFETY 5 stars, 6 airbags

WARRANTY 3 years/unlimited km

CAPPED SERVICING $886 for 3 years/ 30,000km

SERVICE INTERVALS 12 months/10,000km

ENGINE 1.5-litre 4-cyl, 79kW/139Nm (Neo), 81kW/141Nm

TRANSMISSION 6-speed man, 6-speed auto; FWD

THIRST 4.9L-5.5L/100km

DIMENSIONS 4060mm, sedan 4320mm (L), 1695mm (W), 1495mm, sedan 1470mm (H), 2570mm (WB)

WEIGHT 1020kg-1053kg

SPARE Space-saver

HIGHLIGHTS

NEO

Forward city-speed autonomous control, keyless start, torque-vectoring parking sensors, 15-inch steel wheels.

MAXX

Alloys, digital radio, six speakers, reversing camera, reverse city-speed

GENKI

LED headlamps, fog lamps and daytime lights and wipers, 16-inch alloys, satnav, cross-traffic alert.

GT

Leather-accented upholstery.