Mazda has never been very present in the supermini market, offering cars that have seemed a little oddball compared with big sellers like the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa. All that changes with this new Mazda2, which majors on style and low weight to give it an advantage in this crowded category, which provides an astonishing 50-plus choice of superminis.
This Mazda is unusual for countering the trend that sees cars getting bigger and heavier each time they're updated, this new version of the 2 not only being smaller than its predecessor but lighter too, by almost 100kg. That may not sound much, but it's a major achievement in a car that's safer than before, and carries more equipment. The benefit of lower weight is always present, in the form of lower fuel consumption, reduced emissions and improved performance. Despite being smaller the new 2 offers more interior room than the previous model, and it also scores five NCAP stars for occupant protection.
There are three engines in the range at launch, including a two 1.3s of 75 and 86bhp and a 103bhp 1.5. A 1.4 turbodiesel - the same engine used in the Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 207 and Mini - goes on sale early in 2008. There are three trim levels, and later on there will a high performance MPS version.