Mazda 2 Tested October 2007

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Environment Rating Mazda deserves praise for building a smaller, lighter car when most other manufacturers have been heading the other way. The result is lower CO2 and fuel consumption figures and a diesel model that is under the 110g/km threshold. The 2 is also more than 95 per cent recyclable - a good figure. Toluene use has been reduced by 60 per cent in its manufacture, and cadmium, mercury and chromium have been completely eliminated from its componentry. Overall Rating Recommended. Stylish, space efficient, low-weight supermini that makes sense and is also fun to drive.

Summary

Mazda has not traditionally been very strong in the supermini market, offering cars that have seemed a little oddball compared with big sellers like the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa. All that changed with the current Mazda2, which majors on style and low weight to give it an advantage in this crowded category, which contains an astonishing 50-plus competitors.

This Mazda is unusual for countering the trend that sees cars getting bigger and heavier each time they're updated, this new version of the 2 not only being smaller than its predecessor but lighter too, by almost 100kg. That may not sound much, but it's a major achievement in a car that's safer than before, and carries more equipment. The benefit of lower weight is always present, in the form of lower fuel consumption, reduced emissions and improved performance. Despite being smaller the new 2 offers more interior room than the previous model, and it also scores five NCAP stars for occupant protection.

There are twp petrol and two diesel engines in the range, with the diesels coming from the Peugeot-Citroen/Ford joint venture. On the road, the fact that the Mazda 2 shares its underpinnings with the Ford Fiesta is immediately obvious. That is meant as a compliment, as the Fiesta has the best chassis in the class, with outstanding ride and handling. Thus the Mazda 2 covers almost all the bases: light, safe, efficient and fun to drive. As long as you do not need more space, it is one of the best choices in its class.