It seems wherever we look there are a greater number of small cars on the road. The subcompact segment is growing in popularity partially due to their lower price point and better economical fuel ratings. One of the main differences between the small cars of yester year and the products of today, is that small no longer means cheap, slow vehicles with limited features.
We may be willing to trade space for fuel efficiency; however, that does not mean we want less style and fewer features. While Mazda has developed a reputation for building fun-to-drive cars, this subcompact Mazda2, at 155.5 inches in length, is packed with Zoom-Zoom fun!
The Mazda Mazda2 (no, I didn’t stutter, that’s just Mazda’s naming platform) was introduced here in 2011. It fills the subcompact gap that they had in their lineup allowing them to compete with the likes of the Honda Fit and Kia Rio.
History lesson – Ford, for many years, owned controlling interest in Mazda and in turn worked quite closely with Mazda and relied on their expertise in developing small cars. Even though the “ownership” relationship has ended, Ford and Mazda continue to work together on certain projects. The Mazda2 and Ford Fiesta are examples of their current collaboration; however, the Mazda2 has a completely different powertrain, interior and styling.
The 2012 Mazda2 is available in two trim levels: Sport ($14,370) and Touring ($15,855). Both models come standard with a five-speed manual transmission. Add $840 for a four-speed automatic transmission.
The exterior styling is sleek and surprising. I had to look twice to confirm something so small actually had four doors! The Mazda2 has a soft shoulder line that emerges from the top of the front wheel well and rises to the taillights. A lower and stronger crease at the bottom begins at the front wheel and raises up to the middle of the rear tire creating an in-motion stance.
The 15-inch alloy wheels with all-season Yokohama 185/55 R15 tires fit perfectly in the small wheel wells and are pushed out leaving short overhangs, providing the maximum wheelbase. The fun part is in the happy-smiling grille. It is as if the big grin is saying, “Small can be cute, too!”
Where the front is smiling, the rear is frowning. The rear hatch has a sporty spoiler and opens to a small cargo area (13.3 cubic feet) only adequate for groceries, backpacks or other mini items. With the 60/40 split, fold-down rear seats, folded flat-the cargo capacity grows to 27.8 cubic feet.
The interior is clean and comfortable. Mazda was quite generous with the use of black and gray, perhaps to a fault. The only source of color was a small, red piping in the front and rear seats (Touring model only). The surfaces were nice to look at; however, constructed of hard plastics. My test vehicle was equipped with the 5-speed manual transmission. The shifter is located high just below the center cluster, verses directly on the floor. The Touring model receives an upgraded leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise control command buttons.
The driving experience is what you would expect from Mazda – total Zoom-Zoom. Power comes from a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 100 horsepower and 98 pounds of torque. That may not seem like a lot of horses under the hood, but mated to the manual transmission it has good pick up and go. Don’t forget, the Mazda2 only weighs 2,306 pounds. The automatic gets only a one-Zoom rating. The EPA rated the fuel economy at 29 city and 35 highway (manual) and at 28 city and 34 highway (auto).
The steering was tight and corners well thanks to its Yokohama tires, independent front suspension and anti-roll bar. The braking was improved on for 2012 and consists of disc brakes up front and rear drums in the back. If the car generated more horsepower I might be calling foul with drum brakes, but 4-wheel disc would probably be overkill on the Mazda2.
Room for improvement:
- Plenty of wind noise in the cabin
Cool Features:
- Smiling front end
- Optional Bluetooth(r)-enabled phone connectivity
The standard safety equipment for all the 2012 Mazda Mazda2 models includes six airbags (advanced dual front, front-seat mounted and full-length side curtain, and crushable brake-pedal assembly, LATCH seating system, front seatbelt pretensioners, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
In Summary – Mazda keeps the Zoom-Zoom spirit alive even in its smallest vehicle. The 2012 Mazda Mazda2 turns small into a fun driving experience. My car was colored in Mazda’s Spirited Metallic Green, which in itself had people checking out the little green machine. If you are looking for small and spunky, then check out the 2012 Mazda Mazda2.
Specifications
2012 Mazda Mazda2 Touring
Base price: $15,855 as driven: $16,920 (including destination)
Engine: 1.5 Liter 4 cylinder
Horsepower: 100 @ 6000
Torque: 98 foot pounds @ 4000
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
Drive: Front Wheel-Drive
Seating: 5-passenger
Turning circle: 32.1feet
Cargo space: 13.3 cubic feet
Curb weight: 2,306 pounds
Fuel capacity: 11.3 gallons
EPA mileage: City 29 / Highway 35
Wheel Base: 98 inches
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper
Also consider: Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Toyota Yaris
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