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The much-loved little compact city hatches are manoeuvring in abundance – a sign of their popularity. And with good reason – there’s a large selection of them, and most punch well above their weight. Fun, easy to drive, economical and cost-effective to buy – they tick a lot of boxes for potential car buyers.

Compact, stylish and tech-savvy, the Madza2 is fitted with either a spritely 1.5 4-cylinder motor or 1.5 4-cylinder turbodiesel, employing SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, which unlocks quick-witted agility and frugal fuel economy.

With the abundance of choices, it is a good thing that Mazda has introduced their Individual Plus derivative with enhanced features to help elevate it above the ordinary. There are two new exterior colours: Eternal Blue Mica and Deep Crimson Mica on all Mazda2 models, too and if you’re into diesel as opposed to petrol, there is now a diesel as well.

The Individual Plus 1.5L Auto derivative brings the total model range offering to seven. This flagship model comes with an array of enhanced features that are now also available on the Mazda2 Hazumi 1.5L DE Auto derivative. These include Shark-fin antenna, auto-fold mirrors, Heads-up Display (HUD), half leather seats, Side and Curtain Airbags, Rear parking sensor as well as the Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) safety feature. In addition to the LDWS, the diesel model also introduces Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM). Furthermore, the LED Front fog lamps and Cruise Control from the Dynamic model as well as Automatic Shift Switch (Paddle Shift) has been introduced to the Individual Plus and Hazumi models.

On the road

Little city cars can sometimes feel just that - little. That sensation can potentially leave the car’s driver underwhelmed and believing they are less than safe as opposed to driving a larger vehicle. I’m happy to say this little Mazda doesn’t leave its driver with this impression. Instead, it is the opposite – offering a reassured drive that leaves you feeling like you got bang for your buck; sitting confidently on the road and comfortably manoeuvring the city’s challenging roads with aplomb. The Mazda2 has good levels of road grip for sprightly darts around corners, though it isn’t a sports car - the Mazda MX5 is best left for hairpin cornering escapades. The suspension is such that rough road setups are minimised without the Mazda2 feeling like a marshmallow.

The Madza2 is an accomplished city car - happy to drive through less than perfect road conditions and outpace its competition in a sprint. The 1.5-l petrol engine has a maximum power of 82 kW and 145 Nm of torque. All models are driven via either a 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox. Fuel consumption sits around the 6.6l/100km level for the petrol and drop to 5.3l/100km in the diesel. These figures combine both a mixture of highway and urban driving cycles.

So, would I buy the Mazda2? I’d certainly consider it and certainly shortlist it. It’s a great all-rounder with a willingness to please.

Plus +

Extensive list of standard equipment.

Sassy styling.

Easy and fun to drive.

Minus –

Only two engines on offer.

The competition

Ford Fiesta, Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20, KIA Rio, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208, Renault Clio, smart forfour, Toyota Yaris and VW Polo.

Pricing

Active 1.5L Manual – R215,100

Dynamic 1.5L Manual – R230,200  

Dynamic 1.5L Auto - R243,200

Individual 1.5L Manual – R243,300

Individual 1.5L Auto - R257,200

Individual Plus 1.5L Auto – R286,200

Hazumi 1.5L DE Auto – R331,400

Service and warranty

Backed up by a 3-year unlimited kilometre factory warranty, 3-year roadside assistance, a 3-year service plan and a 5-year Corrosion Warranty.

My Choice

Individual 1.5L Manual – R243,300

www.mazda.co.za/cars/mazda2