Also available without active safety systems
By rebadging a Toyota Yaris, Mazda has added a ‘new’ 2 to its range, priced from €24,690. You can also order the ‘old’ 2, which has been on the market since 2014. It will cost you at least €18,990. But what else do you get for that amount?
Mazda 2, €18,990
Although the Mazda 2 is already in its ninth year in the price lists, it is still not an outdated model. Mazda regularly updates its range with model year updates. In addition, the 2 received a facelift in 2019. Partly because of this, the model still looks very up-to-date from the outside. On the inside of the 2 we find a minimalist dashboard, which also ensures that the car feels anything but old.
Performance
Where some models are only available in a limited number of versions in the autumn of their life, that does not apply to the Mazda 2. Here you are not bothered by the relative age: you can choose from five different trim levels and three powertrains. For the latter, the range only consists of atmospheric four-cylinder. You can choose from a 75 hp or 90 hp 1.5-litre, with the latter being linked to an automatic transmission or manual transmission (both 6-speed) as desired. The 75 hp engine always has a six-speed manual transmission.
That is also the power source in the €18,990 costing and nameless basic version. It accelerates to 100 km / h in 11.3 seconds and bravely steams on to a top speed of up to 171 km / h. For €1000 more you have 90 hp at your disposal, for which a standard sprint time of 9.8 seconds and a top speed of 183 km / h applies. For comparison: the Mazda 2 Hybrid based on the Toyota Yaris does 0-100 in 9.7 seconds, but in practice it is slightly more economical with petrol.
Appearance
The basic version of the 2 can be recognized by its 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps and its rear windows without an extra dark tint. Mazda sprays the 2 at no extra cost in a white unilak. Metallic is possible: most colors cost an extra €700, Mazda’s signature Soul Red even €1,050. More expensive versions of the 2 can be recognized by chrome-colored elements in the grille and front bumper and by light-alloy wheels up to 16 inches. You will never find that on a basic version; by definition you can not select light metal for this, although larger than 16 inches is not possible for any version of the 2 anyway.
Ordering a base-2 is a straightforward affair, because for almost all options, they are only available on the more expensive versions. On the inside we find brown with black fabric upholstery and here too Mazda gives the two words ‘upgrade required’ for other possibilities. The same goes for the I-ActiveSense package, which includes adaptive LED headlights, a head-up display, keyless entry, a reversing camera and a navigation system: quite a few things you might want, but for which you can’t get to the basic implementation.
Active safety systems are missing
What else is there? On the outside we find LED headlights and heated exterior mirrors. Inside we find a leather-wrapped steering wheel with buttons with which you can operate the cruise control and audio, among other things. The infotainment system therefore does not contain navigation, but does contain Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth. Air conditioning is also present, but if you are not a fan of it, you can operate both the front and rear windows electrically. You can start with the push of a button, and finding an ideal sitting position is easy because both the steering wheel and the seats can be adjusted in all directions as standard.
Finding a safe seating position is especially important in the base-2, because he lacks active safety systems. Thanks to Mazda’s model year updates, there is a lot to get on the 2, but here too applies: only on more expensive versions. Except for an emergency stop signal, a Mazda 2 at no extra cost has none. The Japanese does have a total of six airbags.
This brings us to the end of the equipment choices for the Mazda 2. With a starting price of €18,990, it is one of the cheapest cars you can buy in the Netherlands today: the most favorably priced A-segmenters cost from €15,500. In that light, the standard equipment is quite nice. In terms of appearance, the white unipaint, the lack of accents and the hubcaps do not help it, but smartphone connectivity, cruise control, air conditioning and an extensively adjustable seating position make up for a lot. The latter is certainly welcome: if you want to go through traffic a bit smoothly with the 75 hp 2, you have to love pokers. We even found that with the 90-hp version. Are a modest appearance and ditto ease of performance no problem and do you like a car that does not actively interfere with your safety? Then a basic 2 is a great means of transport.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl