Mazda 2 Overview
The Mazda2 is the brand’s subcompact sedan offering in the Philippines that utilizes the brand’s KODO – Soul of Motion design theme. It’s the smallest vehicle in Mazda’s lineup. Following the sultry design of its bigger brothers, the Mazda2’s lines around the body go smoothly with the head and tail lights, giving it a dynamic look. Ten-spoke wheels and skirts around the body give it sportiness, enhancing the overall allure of the Mazda2.
Beyond the doors is a 5-seater, with a 7-inch touchscreen LCD monitor in the middle for entertainment that can be controlled via buttons on the steering wheel or through the rotary Commander Control near the gear shifter. It also has paddle shifters, active driving display, and automatic climate control. New in the Mazda2 sedan is the G-Vectoring Control (GVC), which is part of the brand’s series of new-generation vehicle dynamics control technology. GVC uses the engine’s torque to distribute power among the wheels based on steering input. By optimizing the vehicle load among the wheels, it enhances the car’s handling and riding comfort. In short, more fun in driving with less to non-existent body roll.
Mazda 2 Launch
Mazda Philippines launched the Mazda2 Sedan, along with its hatchback brother, in April 2015 at the Manila International Auto Show. Since then, the ‘2’ hatch has become a staple choice for car buyers who want a good-looking small city slicker.
Mazda 2 Chassis, Platform & Powertrain
Under the hood is a 1.5L SKYACTIV-G 16-valve engine that produces 108 hp with 139 Nm of torque. It’s coupled to a SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode that can be turned on with a flick of a switch near the shift knob.
The Mazda2’s suspension setup is McPherson struts in the front and torsion beam axle at the back. Front and rear brakes are ventilated discs and solid discs, respectively.
Mazda 2 Driving Performance
The 1.5L SkyActiv gasoline engine inside the Mazda2 sedan’s bonnet matches the engaging feel behind its steering wheel. Granted, its 107 hp and 139 Nm of torque are less than what its rival, the Honda City, can produce. However, the six-speed SkyActiv-Drive automatic transmission did its job well to send that power to the front wheels with precise timing.
In terms of handling, the Mazda2 sedan has a light steering feel, which makes it very maneuverable within tight city streets. That loose steering feel tightens as you reach 60 km/h and above, which, in combination with the car’s G-Vectoring control, accounts for more precise steering. It made driving on winding roads feel safer and more comfortable. Braking, on the other hand, was a cinch with its front and rear disc brakes.
Mazda 2 Technology Features
The Mazda2 Hatchback’s 7-inch floating touchscreen infotainment is navigation-ready and works passively in the background. It displays upcoming intersections on the top of the screen, while road speed limits are detected and also displayed on the head-up display (HUD), together with your current speed. Convenient driver-assist features are present, too, such as automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, backing camera, rear proximity sensors, and speed-sensing door locks.
Mazda 2 Exterior
The Mazda2 follows the Kodo design language that’s observed on every Mazda vehicle. An aggressive set of halogen reflector headlamps light up the road ahead and bring visual interest to the prominent grille that is flanked by a pair of fog lamps. The rear is equally as interesting as the front, thanks to a swooping roofline coupled with a set of slim taillights.
Mazda 2 Interior
The Mazda2’s interior elements match the car’s price as it’s filled with soft plastics and polyurethane trims for the standard variants. The Mazda2’s ergonomics are well thought out. Space inside the Mazda2 Hatchback is a bit limited for individuals taller than 5’6”.
Mazda 2 Safety
Standard safety features across the Mazda2 range are dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, stability control, rear parking sensors, high-mount stop lamp, and a rear-view camera. Security is taken care of by immobilizer. Dynamic stability control, as well as an anti-lock brake system with EBD, round out the safety features on this vehicle.
Mazda 2 Pros and Cons
The G-Vectoring Control technology from Mazda keeps the ride stable and reduces the car’s body roll, all of this while the driver is kept cradled in the updated interior design that makes the sedan classier and premium-looking. On top of that, you get good practicality thanks to the decent trunk space that could accommodate a good amount of cargo.
The sedan tens to have quite a bit of road noise from the tires creep into the cabin. This will depend on the kinds of tires that the dealer fits the model with. Another con that can be said for lower-trim models, is the lack of a tachometer in the manual variant of the sedan.
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