Road TestCar reviews - Mazda - Mazda2 - Neo 5-dr hatchMazda modelsOverviewJapan improves the light-car breed again with the all-new, but less powerful, Mazda22 Nov 2007 THE new Mazda2 follows much the same formula as the last, except that Mazda has moved away from a ‘tall-boy’ body and replaced it with a lower-riding, sleeker hatchback form. It has the same wheelbase of 2490mm, is wider, but is not as tall or as long. Surprisingly, the new 1.5-litre engine has less power than the previous model, while torque is down slightly. These changes can be attributed to Euro IV emission adjustments. Fuel consumption is down by between 0.2 and 0.4L/100km, with manual models using a combined average of 6.4L/100km and autos consuming 6.8L/100km. Efficiency is helped by the fact that the new Mazda2 is 60kg lighter than the previous model. It all adds up to a car which is better in a lot of ways but still feels like an affordable light car. Model release date: 1 September 2007 to 1 May 2010 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen Previous modelThe Mazda2 represented the beginning of the re-invention of the Japanese brand. Replacing the bland 121 Metro, the Mazda2 was a fun-to-drive light car with perky performance. It was based on the Japanese ‘tall-boy’ formula, which opened up a lot of interior space and looked a lot fresher. It was powered by an 82kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine - up 28 per cent over the model it replaced. Available only as a five-door hatch, the Mazda2 kicked off at $17,790 with the Neo and rose to $20,570 for the Maxx and $22,195 for the Genki, with air-conditioning standard on all models. A four-speed auto cost an extra $1750. Prices were sharpened as competition in the class hotted up. |
Road TestClick to share
|
Facebook Twitter Instagram