In this Quick Take version of Car Lines, my goal is to give you, the reader, a complete car review in less than 600 words. Let’s hop in and go for a ride!
For the first time in North America, the Mazda2 arrives and is on sale now. The Mazda2 was launched in Europe, Japan and Australia in 2007 but has been freshened, lightened, and re-engineered for the North American market. It’s been successful already as it was named the 2008 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show.
The Mazda2 comes as a five-door hatchback in either Sport (base) or Touring trim levels with a choice between a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. I’m currently driving the Touring 4AT. Although the little Mazda only has a 1.5 liter engine that puts out a miniscule 100 hp and 98 lb-ft of torque, combined with the relatively light curb weight of about 2,300 pounds, it’s quite peppy. Mazda did a tremendous job by reducing the weight by about 200 pounds compared to the first-generation car which not only helps in acceleration, but braking too. The four-speed automatic works well for the most part but sometimes you really have to step on it to kick it down a gear when coming out of a corner.
Handling is quite another story. If I only had one word to describe it, the word is “nimble.” The 2 really likes to go around corners and change direction. Minimal body lean and weight transfer help keep the 2 planted in most driving situations.
On the freeway, there’s not much wind noise and the cabin is quite quiet unless you hit a stretch of rough pavement. The road noise coming up into the cabin can get quite loud on anything but the smoothest roads. Hills requiring a downshift will also have the engine buzzing around 5,000 rpm making quite a racket as well.
In normal city driving, the car is a breeze to park and zip around in all while getting good gas mileage. My combined city/hwy driving has netted me 33mpg which is the highway rating. I’m sure if it were just flat roads on the highway that number would increase.
Interior amenities are quite nice including standard remote keyless entry, power door locks, windows and mirrors. The six speaker AM/FM/CD player is decent but obviously not concert quality based on the price point. The 2 also comes standard with an auxiliary audio input jack with a 12V power point right next to it. Unfortunately, Bluetooth is not available except as a cheap accessory from the dealer. Seat comfort is good with nice bolstering on the bottom and top cushions. They are a bit too soft for any trips longer than three hours. If you do plan to take a long road trip, be sure to take along something soft for the driver’s side armrest. The plastic is so hard it’ll make your elbow ache after a few minutes. Also, there is no center console except for a small one sold at the dealership as an accessory. Having said that, there’s more front leg room than all of its primary competitors as well as a class exclusive roof rack. Good thing because there’s not a lot of cargo room (13.3 cu.ft/27.8 cu.ft. rear seats up/down). However there is enough to store a bicycle in the back with the rear seats folded down.
Controls are simple and well placed with audio on the left of the steering wheel and cruise on the right. I must say that the cruise control is quite nice including the fact that it typically holds your preset speed down most hills.
My bottom line? Good transportation for a good price.
| Steering wheel mounted controls, and a simple layout makes for undistracted driving. | |
 Photo courtesy of Mazda |
| A good looking little car (with or without the fancy graphics) is enhanced by the beautiful backdrop of Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. | |
 Photo by Larry Mason. |
