New Mazda 2 2015, presentation and road test in Barcelona

2015 is going to be a very important year for Mazda in terms of new releases, since it is renewing its entire range, whether with new generation launches or with restyles of its current models. The first novelty has been presented in Barcelona and it is the Mazda 2.

The Japanese city car raises the bar: quality goes up, the exterior design changes and it comes with state-of-the-art equipment typical of higher segment models. Just in case that was not enough, it debuts Skyactiv engines in both diesel and petrol versions. We tested it at its European presentation in Barcelona and here we tell you everything about this Japanese city car.

Exterior design: Kodo lines and front with family resemblance

When the CX-5 was launched, we had barely heard of the Kodo design, which basically refers to the moment just before an animal starts to move, but little by little Mazda has been changing the design of its models to the new Kodo lines, and the Mazda 2 is the latest to receive this aesthetic change.

But besides the front family look, it has other novelties we cannot overlook. At the front, the first thing that stands out are its headlights, which depending on the trim level can feature Full LED technology (all LED lighting functions).

The Japanese brand tells us the design has been pushed back (moving the A-pillar backwards) and the wheelbase has been increased for more interior space. In some photos you can see red accents on the grille belonging to the Sport trim, which will not reach our country but adds a very eye-catching touch. At the rear the changes are smaller and it is perhaps where it most reminds us of the previous generation.

Interior that significantly increases quality

The interior design follows the basic lines seen on the Mazda 3, but on a smaller scale, yes, in the case of the city car the increase in quality is more than visible. The dashboard is divided into two areas: the driving zone (on the driver’s side) and a more open area in terms of controls and design, known as the entertainment zone (front passenger seat).

In practice we see an interior that improves in quality, there are still hard plastics but with a better feel than the previous generation, the design is very well executed and practically from the second trim level onward it features a touchscreen on the center console. Depending on the trim, the lower part of the dashboard on the passenger side can be leather, fabric or plastic. The fittings and perceived quality are typical of a higher segment.

It is quite a spacious car, it is not a compact, but at least four adults can ride comfortably on board, the driving position is comfortable with good visibility and everything within reach. The instrumentation is the same as on the Mazda 3, a very well-executed cluster with an attractive design, and in addition the units with the touchscreen incorporate the controller on the center console for easier operation.

Equipment typical of a premium model

If we talk about elements such as Full LED headlights, automatic city emergency braking in case of collision, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, automatic high beams, among other features, you would never imagine a city car with all this equipment and you would be thinking more of a saloon.

Well, the Mazda 2 has all this arsenal depending on the trim, along with features such as the Head Up Display which improves the visibility of information and offers greater safety behind the wheel.

There are three equipment levels: Pulse, Style and Luxury. Although there are also several optional packs which in some trims the brand promotionally gives away at no cost. Within the basic equipment we can find: 4 electric windows, push-button start, electric mirrors, A/C, multiple airbags, ESP, radio with USB and Aux input (but without touchscreen), among other elements.

Meanwhile the Style adds: a 7-inch touchscreen, 6 speakers, climate control, parking sensor plus the Comfort Pack at no cost (rear privacy glass, lane departure warning system, fog lights, among other elements).

And finally the Luxury: specific upholstery, Full LED headlights, city emergency braking system, 16-inch alloy wheels, blind spot monitoring, automatic high beams, Head Up Display, among other elements.

Mazda 2 2015 prices

Three things must be deducted from the official price list: the discount depending on the brand’s version, the PIVE scrappage incentive discount and the financing discount.

With these three elements, we have a Mazda 2 petrol 75 CV Pulse from 10,620 euros, and a 75 CV Style for 11,320 euros. Meanwhile the 90 CV petrol Style starts at 12,820 euros and the 105 CV diesel Style at 14,620 euros.

Finally the Mazda 2 90 CV petrol Luxury starts at 13,770 euros, and the 105 CV diesel Luxury at 15,570 euros.

Engine range: 1.5 Skyactiv-G (75, 90 and 115 CV) and 1.5 Skyactiv-D with 105 CV

The Mazda 2 debuts two new engines with Skyactiv technology that we have already seen in other powertrains from the brand. These two engines are very important because they represent an entry step to the current ones, and we will surely see them in other models from the brand, such as the Mazda 3. It also debuts the new SKYACTIV-Chassis and the SKYACTIV-Body bodyshell, both designed to offer good stability and a driving feel more typical of a compact than a city car.

In petrol there are three versions, all based on the 1.5 Skyactiv-G naturally aspirated engine with three power variants: 75, 90 and 115 CV. Optionally there is an automatic gearbox for the 90 CV petrol engine; the 75 and 90 CV versions come with a five-speed gearbox and the 115 CV with a six-speed, with a very good feel for the segment. All three engines have 148 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm.

The diesel will take a little longer to reach the market (May-June) but is very interesting for those who want to drive the Mazda 2. It is a 1.5 four-cylinder turbo with 105 CV and 220 Nm between 1,400 and 3,200 rpm, although we have not been able to test it yet. It is very promising in terms of consumption, since it is homologated at only 3.4 litres per 100 km.

First drive: Mazda 2 1.5 Skyactiv-G 75 CV, 1.5 Skyactiv-G 90 CV and 1.5 Skyactiv-G 115 CV

Our first contact during the presentation was with all the petrol versions available in our market. On the first day we tested the Mazda 2 with the entry-level petrol engine, the 1.5 Skyactiv-G 75 CV, which is paired with the Pulse trim (the base) and the Style (much more balanced and recommended).

Behind the wheel, we see a car with a base trim (wheel covers, no mythical navigation screen) but with what matters (A/C, four electric windows, USB port, steering-wheel audio controls, very complete instrumentation…). We start it (with a button) and notice a smooth car, with a good feel in the gear lever (unusual in this segment) and progressive yet adequate acceleration for an engine of this power.

On the first kilometres on the motorway the car responds, gains speed easily and although we have to work the gearbox, the response is more than sufficient (five-speed gearbox with long ratios).

On the first kilometres off the motorway, the route runs through several roads with bends, and there we begin to notice that the chassis (firm but comfortable) responds with composure and agility, it asks for more power, asks for more horses and has no fear of corners.

The feel of the steering is typical of a city car: it does not transmit much of what happens at the wheels and it is quite power-assisted, but on the other hand we must not forget the urban focus of the car, and in the city it becomes an ally.

On motorway and country roads it meets several requirements: it is a smooth engine (no turbo), progressive, where you have to work the gearbox to extract all the horses, but with response; at the same time it is a very composed car with a very good chassis setup, ideal for more demanding roads.

Average consumption, after more than 100 km of mixed motorway and country road driving, is around 5.6 litres, a good figure which suggests we can reduce consumption even further on country roads.

75 or 90 CV? It depends on our budget, but the difference between both engines with the same equipment (Style) is 1,500 euros (approx. with more equipment for the 90 CV since it comes with the Comfort Pack as standard). It is true that among the three power variants (75, 90 and 115 CV) the difference between the two higher ones is smaller (we recommend the 90 CV), but if our daily life is more urban, 75 CV is more than enough; if we go out more on country roads or motorways, 90 CV is an ideal figure, it is more capable and also homologates lower consumption than its toned-down variant.

90 or 115 CV? Without hesitation, 90 CV: it is the ideal engine, it responds, it is cheaper than the 115 CV and moves the Mazda 2 effortlessly without needing more power.

We also had a briefer test of the Mazda 2 1.5 Skyactiv-G 90 CV automatic with the Skyactiv automatic gearbox. The gearbox is very comfortable in the city or on the road, works really well and normally tries to keep the car at as low revs as possible so as not to penalise consumption; it even has a Sport mode.

The Sport mode is curious, because it keeps the engine revving from 3,500 rpm up to 5,000 rpm, but it even pushes the revs higher in ranges where the car does not go any faster by going higher in revs. We did notice, however, that the 90 CV Mazda 2 with the automatic gearbox has a sportier getaway than with the manual, and as soon as we need power the gearbox shifts quickly and gets all the juice out of each of those 90 CV.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira