Mazda 2 Hatchback 2023

Mazda Philippines launched the facelifted Mazda2 Hatchback, along with its sedan brother, in December 2019. The subcompact hatchback adopts the meshed grille of the bigger Mazda cars, aligning it with the Japanese marque's current design language. 

In September 2023, Mazda Philippines gave its tiny hatchback a mid-cycle update, moving away from the discrete look it had before and building up its sporty appeal. For this facelift, Mazda updated the interior and exterior of the Mazda2 in several places to help keep it in fighting form. In addition, Mazda introduced a new color for the hatchback called Aero Gray, a color they also introduced in the much larger CX-3 crossover.

Under the hood is a 1.5-liter SkyActiv-G 16-valve engine that produces 108 hp with 141 Nm of torque. It’s coupled to a SkyActiv-Drive six-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 MacPherson struts in the front and a torsion beam axle at the back. Front and rear brakes are ventilated discs and solid discs, respectively, providing strong and consistent stopping power.

The 1.5-liter SkyActiv gasoline engine inside the Mazda2 Hatchback’s bonnet matches the engaging feel behind its steering wheel. It puts out 107 hp and 139 Nm of torque are and is mated to a 6-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 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.

The Mazda2 Hatchback’s seven-inch floating touchscreen infotainment, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is navigation-ready and works passively in the background. It displays upcoming intersections on the top of the screen. Convenient driver-assist features are present, too, such as automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, backing camera, rear proximity sensors, and speed-sensing door locks. On top of these creature comforts, Mazda has fitted its proprietary i-ACTIVSENSE suite of safety features, which consist of front and rear smart city brake support, forward obstruction warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The Mazda2 Hatchback follows the KODO design language that’s observed on all current Mazda vehicles. The sole Sport variant of the Mazda2 Hatchback comes with auto-leveling LED headlights and daytime running lights. Speaking of the headlights, the Mazda2’s lights feature a sleek, and sweeping curve that complements the vehicle’s flowing body lines. The grille features a mesh design that is incorporated inside contrasting trim. The back of the car is less angular and simple in design featuring the same contrasting accents as with the front end.

The Mazda2 Hatchback is available in the following color options: Snowflake White Pearl, Soul Red Crystal, Jet Black, Aero Gray Polymetal Gray, Machine Gray, and Eternal Blue.

The Mazda2’s interior elements match the car’s price as it’s filled with soft plastics and quality materials for its trim pieces. The seats are wrapped in premium leather and suede upholstery with contrast stitching to provide an air of sportiness to the small hatchback. The center console is dominated by the shifter and the rotary controls for the seven-inch touchscreen. Thanks to the way Mazda laid out the Mazda2’s interior, the infotainment system appears to float above the dashboard further maximizing the car’s small space.