Review
As you'd expect, Mazda's perpetually irritating "Zoom-Zoom" philosophy has made the 2 a fun-to-drive entry level supermini. It was one of the largest cars in the segment when it first came out, although more recent rivals have out-grown it, but it still offers plenty of practical appeal, too.
Compared to the rest of the Mazda range the 2's design is disappointingly dull, with generic Japanese styling and little in the way of carpark appeal. The cabin is spacious but finished in some very cheap-feeling materials, while basic versions really lack equipment - despite wearing fairly substantial pricetags.
On the road the 2 acquits itself well with an impressively sharp driving experience and reasonable comfort. Like it's cousin, the Ford Fiesta, this is a car that can put a smile on your face over a twisty country road. Refinement is okay by supermini standards, but motorway cruising still gets pretty loud.
There are three petrol engines and one diesel to choose between. The entry-level 1.25 litre petrol motor makes up for in enthusiasm what it lacks in outright urge, and the mid-ranking 1.4 litre unit is barely more rapid. If you can stretch to the range-topping 1.6 litre petrol then it does at least give the 2 a decent turn of speed, at the cost of indifferent fuel economy. The 1.4 litre diesel engine is very economical, but it's also loud and slow.