Car Star of the month: Mazda2

What looks like a Fiesta, drives like a Fiesta and is based on a Fiesta but costs around £2,000 less? Why, it’s the Mazda2 of course! And while the Mazda beats its Ford cousin in pricing, there are other advantages too, in choosing this model over the Blue Oval option.

So there are those which argue that the Mazda2 generally offers less kit and that the interior is not quite as polished as the Ford equivalent, but nonetheless you can save some serious money on the model by making some very minor compromises. At the upper end of the Fiesta range you will find cars which beat the Mazda models in both power, kit and economy but at the base of the ranges, the Mazda2 1.3 TS 3dr offers 54.3mpg on a combined cycle versus 51.4 mpg from the base model Fiesta Studio 1.25. These two entry level models differ in power delivery too, with the Mazda2 1.3 delivering 89 lb of torque at 3500 revs and achieving 0-62mph in 14 seconds. Meanwhile the Fiesta model delivers a less impressive 80 lb of torque at 3600 revs and a 0-62mph time of 16.9 seconds thanks to its smaller engine.

The Fiesta however might arguably prove a better option if you want an automatic as Ford’s six speed dual clutch trumps Mazda’s 4 speed option on the automatic model, but otherwise the Fiesta only offers something more than the Mazda2 range if you are willing to pay for it. At the base of the range the Mazda2 offers a decent enough spec; with ABS, EBD, Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser, 15-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, electric door mirrors, remote central locking and dead locks, electric front windows, manual air-conditioning, fully adjustable seats, driver and passenger airbags and CD radio all included as standard.

In total there is an 11 strong model range on the Mazda2 with either three-door and five-door hatchback body styles. Customers have a choice of three petrol and two diesel powertrains, three equipment levels (TS, TS² and Sport) and typical 0% APR* or low-rate finance on every model, until 30 September 2010. Prices for the regular Mazda2 range start at £9,820 (on-the-road), with TS² models beginning at £10,820 and Sport models from £12,630. Ford offers a bigger range, but its base model costs £11645, while the 1.4 diesel models start from £13,395 and the 1.6 Econetic, which boasts by far the best fuel economy starts at an eye watering £15,145. Mazda’s 1.4 diesel engine can be had for £12,405 if you opt for the TS2 trim, saving nearly £1,000 over the cheapest Fiesta 1.4 diesel option and £2740 over the Econetic. By opting for the 1.4 Mazda, you pay £20 road tax, while the Econettic is VED-free, but this is a tiny price to pay, while the better fuel economy of the Econetic will take you a long time to recoup the extra money you pay at purchase.

Mazda also added in July, a new special edition Mazda2 Takuya available for £11,915, which is well worth checking out as an alternative. Based on the TS^2, the five-door Takuya boasts extra kit over the standard model with 16-inch alloy wheels, a sports styling kit (incorporating spoiler, sports bumpers and side skirts) and front fog lights over and above the TS2. The interior of this special edition model also boasts black sports trim, trip computer, leather steering wheel and gear knob, steering wheel remote audio controls and a Parrot Bluetooth^® hands-free kit.The name ‘Takuya’ – pronounced ‘tah-koy-yah’ – is taken from the Japanese for forerunner or pioneer.

Even if you buy a regular model Mazda2, as it is less popular than the Fiesta, you gain a sense of exclusivity on the road, allowing you to stand out. The lower level of demand also means it is likely there will be a shorter waiting list for a new model while there are also likely to be some really great used car deals around too.

Visibility in the current generation Fiesta is rather hairy and here too the Mazda boasts an advantage. The model is shorter at the front and the A-pillars less obstructive while the driving position also gives you a good view of the road. Meanwhile the current generation Fiesta leaves you feeling so low to the ground that you feel unable to see to the very front of the car, while the wide A-pillars slope back and obstruct your view when you are moving out of a side road. Here the Mazda2 proves it is no exception to this rule.

It is often the case that when carmaker’s base their cars on a popular model from another brand, that they are smart enough to take the best bits of the established model, improve on the rest and offer pretty much the same for a smaller price tag. In this scenario its worth looking at the new replica to see what it can offer and check if the new model improves on the old.

Mazda also recently emerged as the best carmaker for ‘customer satisfaction’ with the brand and its dealers topping the automotive sector in the UK Institute of Customer Service Satisfaction (ICSS) survey with a score of 80.6 percent, well above the industry average of 75.6 percent. It is with this in mind that we award the Mazda2 the honour of being August’s Car Star; as this model is well worth checking out the next time you want an affordable and reliable supermini. Afterall, how can 26,000 people survey by ICSS all be wrong?

Author: Faye Sunderland, August 2nd, 2010
Filed under: Car Star, Mazda | 1 Comment »

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