2011 GX

Launched in Europe, Australia and Japan in 2007, the Mazda2 reaches our shores this year. A subcompact four-door , the Mazda2 is offered in GX and GS trim levels. A 1.5-litre 4-cylinder powers the front wheels via either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic .

Mazda also devised a special edition called Yozora (“night sky” in Japanese), i.e. a GX equipped with air conditioning and a convenience package. It is recognizable thanks to its brilliant black exterior finish, “2” themed decal package, short antenna, rear spoiler, chromed tailpipe and 16-inch 195/45R16 performance tires. also throws in 185/55R15 winter tires mounted on steel wheels.

One of the engineers’ objectives with this generation of the Mazda2 was to reduce the weight of the car. And they did: the new generation is 10% lighter than its predecessor. The biggest reduction (around 22.6 kg) was achieved through maximum use of high-tensile steel, which also enhances vehicle rigidity and safety. Modifications to the suspension brought about another 12.7-kg weight decrease. Even the door speakers are 50% lighter. Several other components such as the intake manifold, gear shifter and linkage, wiring harness, etc., were also slimmed down to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle.

Interior and trunk

Relatively easy to access, the front seats are comfortable despite the absence of lumbar adjustment, and a cushion that is a bit short for tall people. Curiously, the passenger seat in our test vehicle seemed a tad firmer than the driver’s seat and therefore more comfortable on longer distances. The driving position is good thanks to adjustable seat height and a tilting steering column. Headroom and legroom are adequate, but the passenger has to angle their legs to the left to stretch them out. The doors open very wide; when completely opened, they are hard to close because you have to lean way out to reach the handle.

Entering and exiting the rear is difficult. The door openings are narrow, and there is little space between the B-pillar and the seat cushion. The bench seats two but with its low cushion it is not particularly comfortable. Legroom is adequate but headroom is so tight that tall people have their head up against the ceiling. The 60/40-split seatback folds about 15 cm higher than the trunk floor.

Photo: Mazda For a subcompact, trunk capacity of the Mazda2 is reasonable. The hatch opens wide and the sill is low.

Convenience and safety

While interior finish and the quality of materials are beyond reproach, sound insulation against road and engine noise leaves room for improvement. Total storage capacity is unimpressive, with no centre console to speak of.

Gauges and controls are well laid out. The glove compartment and several controls are not illuminated at night. The air conditioner is a bit hard pressed to cool the interior at temperatures of 25oC and up, but it is efficient below that temperature. The system delivers much more air, around 65%, to floor level than to the windshield in the Defrost/Heat position, but fortunately, an intermediate position improves the situation somewhat. Curiously, there is just one assist handle, on the front passenger side.

Relatively complete, standard equipment on the entry-level GX includes power mirrors, doors and locks. To allow owners to personalize the outside of their car, Mazda also offers “Mazda skin” decals, available in four themes and three sizes, to match one of the seven different paint colours.

Safety equipment includes dual front, side and curtain airbags; antilock brakes and emergency brake assist; stability control; four head restraints; good headlights; and a brake override system that always prioritizes the brake pedal over the accelerator pedal if ever both are engaged simultaneously. Still, the system is programmed to allow heel-and-toe downshifting with the . The rear head restraints can be lowered enough so as not to hinder visibility, an excellent initiative that should be imitated more often. Visibility is very good in all directions except to the rear on a three-quarter angle.

Engine and transmission

The 1.5-litre 4-cylinder develops 100 horsepower and 98 pound-feet of torque, allowing the Mazda2 to move along smartly in routine driving. However, downshifting and hilly terrain are a test of the modest engine reserves, and all passing manoeuvres require serious planning.

The five-speed manual transmission is easy to shift, with well-spaced gears. The clutch is relatively progressive and requires little pressure. The four-speed automatic generally functions smoothly.

On the road

The suspension is a classic, McPherson strut front, torsion beam rear design. All models, except the Yozora, ride on 185/55R15 tires. The European suspension adjustment is particularly well carried out and one of the strong points of this Mazda. The fine-tuned blend of suppleness and firmness ensures a very comfortable ride, whatever the surface. For this type of car, road holding, too, is very good, though not as sporty as that of the . The Mazda2 drives with a feel that belies its small size.

The power steering is well weighted, stable, precise and relatively quick. It transmits a bit of road feel, and the turning radius is tight. The front disc, rear drum braking system is powerful and fade resistant.

Inspection

An inspection at a CAA-Quebec technical inspection centre showed that the Mazda2 rests on a sturdy platform. Rust proofing is not applied everywhere, but several joints are sealed. The windshield washer fluid tank is placed front and left of the engine compartment, which is questionable for safe roadside fill-ups. The holes in the mesh grill under the front bumper are large enough for road debris to get through and damage the air-conditioner condenser. Two very exposed sensors under the drivetrain may not survive contact with a snow bank. Likewise, the fuel vapour recovery device under the rear bumper is poorly protected. At the back there is a tie-down hook to help secure a canoe, for example, on the roof. The engine’s overhead camshafts are chain driven.

Conclusion

The Mazda2 is a city car that can be enjoyed on trips of varying lengths thanks to its well-tuned suspension. Road noise, however, is more or less constant. Thanks to its overall balance, handling, versatility and reasonable fuel economy, the Mazda2 should experience the same popularity as Mazda’s other products in Quebec.

PROS: front comfort, ride, well-tuned steering, road holding, handling, fit and finish, pleasant manual transmission

CONS: perfectible sound insulation, insufficient storage, ¾-rear visibility, power a bit limited, rear seat does not fold flat

2011 MAZDA2

Engine: 16-valve, 1.5-litre 4-cylinder Horsepower: 100 hp at 6,000 rpm Torque: 98 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm Transmission: 5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic Suspension: independent/semi-independent Brakes: disc/drum : 248.9 cm Length: 395 cm Width: 169.4 cm Height: 147.6 cm Weight: 1,403 to 1,075 kg Tires: 185/55R15; 195/45R16 Maximum towing capacity: forbidden Airbags: dual front, plus two side and two curtain airbags

Fuel consumption with manual transmission Natural Resources Canada rating: City: 6.8 L/100 km (42 mpg) Highway: 5.6 L/100 km (50 mpg) Test result: 6.5 L/100 km (43.5 mpg) Test temperature: 14°C to 27°C

CO2 emissions: 2,879 kg/20,000 km

Fuel tank capacity: 42.8 litres

Fuel requirement: regular grade gasoline

Acceleration: 0–100 km/h: 12 seconds 60–100 km/h: 8.9 seconds

Competition: Chevrolet Aveo, Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Versa, Swift+, Yaris

Warranty:  Full basic coverage: 3 years/80,000 km  Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km  Surface corrosion: 3 years/80,000 km  Perforation damage: 5 years/unlimited km  Emissions control system: 3 years/80,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/128,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module, onboard diagnostic system).

Factory replacement parts:  Rear bumper: $410  Front brake disc: $71  Brake pads: $99  Muffler: $244  Front fender: $110

Price according to trim level:  GX: $13,995  GS: $18,195  Yozora: $19,280

Main options:  : $1,100  Air conditioning: $1,195 (GX)  Convenience package: $895 (GX)

Price as tested: $17,480

Dealers: Quebec: 53 Canada: 159

© August 2010. All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec