Mazda2 Genki 2015 Review

True or not, for almost a decade my default answer was Mitsubishi Evo VI TME, Porsche 911 Carrera, or Ferrari F430. But as gravity inevitably compels the grains of sand through the hour glass, these high performance vehicles have improved in small increments, while cars at the budget end of the market have advanced in leaps and bounds.

As such, my answer to that oft-asked question takes more thought nowadays.

More often I find myself talking about the virtues of cars like the Mazda2, because the honest truth is that small, affordable cars are remarkably good these days.

In 2015 you can purchase a modern compact car, such as the Mazda2, for under $20k and control the radio and navigation hands-free with verbal commands. It's got Bluetooth audio and phone call streaming. The car will even read text messages and email to you. Plus it does Facebook and Twitter too, so when you're stuck in traffic you can tell the world about it.

It also gets the sort of safety tech that should, perish the thought, keep you from harm's way, such as six airbags – including side curtain airbags that cover front and rear passengers – stability control and high density metals in the body shell. There's even an autonomous emergency braking system available for an extra $400 that identifies potential risks (at slow speeds) and brakes the car automatically.

However, the Mazda2 isn't perfect. Unlike many of its rivals it misses out on parking sensors and a rear-view camera as standard. Leather trim is not available... at all. But like a lot of vehicles in this class it still offers compelling value for money.

Step into the driver's seat and you're met with one of the most modern and functional cabins in this class. It makes a positive first impression with its tastefully finished dashboard, boasting minimal but concise controls.

The infotainment system, dubbed MZD Connect, is a highlight, and is controlled via a small rotary dial behind the gear shifter. Except for the HVAC system, everything is controlled via the dial and a few buttons surrounding it – and it doesn't take long to get the hang of the system.

The colour screen isn't massive at 7.0-inches, but its high-resolution display makes it easy to use. It comes with a solid sat-nav system and loads of other features as standard such as social media connectivity and internet radio. Suffice to say the infotainment setup imparts an upmarket ambience.

Digital radio would have been the icing on the cake (expect it during a mid-life update in a few years), but factor in electric windows and mirrors, single-zone climate control, auto headlights and wipers and first-in-class head-up display system, and you're looking at a very well equipped vehicle – compact car or not.

Comfort levels are good for front passengers thanks to the comfortable seat cushions but large-handed people will find it's a little tight getting your paws on the seat adjustment levers.

Keyless push-button engine start is another nice touch and the compact leather-finished steering wheel feels good to touch and has a number of buttons that initiate voice commands (which work surprisingly well), cruise control, phone calls and audio functions.

The instrument panel is excellent – a contemporary design that makes the Toyota Yaris' look old hat. There's a large central tachometer features a small but clear digital speedometer while the left and right screens show a range of information, from the fuel gauge to engine temperature and gear selection.

Two not-so-good points, as outlined during the Mazda2 national launch, are rear seat and boot space. The latter is only 250 litres, less than many of its rivals such as the Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Polo and cavernous Honda Jazz [Ed: check out our recent comparison for more information].

That said there were no problems fitting a baby seat in the back, but when centrally mounted there's no room either side for passengers. For a small family of three living in the inner city it's ideal and although it can't fit a surfboard or flat pack furniture like the Honda Jazz, it's still a handy little runabout.

Some negatives noticed during the week long test included a significant blind spot due to thick rear pillar that joins to the boot, wind and tyre noise, and the lack of a centre armrest.

On the road the car is a lot of fun to drive, particularly with the six-speed manual. Rowing through the gears with the throttle nailed to the carpet is a lot of fun, the 81kW engine always keen to rev. It's not quite as easy going in commuter traffic, but at the same token the auto is not as involving as this manual version.

The Mazda2 steers well too; its chassis dynamics are such that you can have fun carving up corners. The vehicle generates good levels of grip through its 16-inch 185-profile tyres, and its nose usually goes where directed. Although the rear end is pretty low tech with torsion beam suspension and drum brakes, it still feels lively.

By the same token the car can be driven very economically, the 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine using a claimed 5.2L/100km. It also emits very little CO2 thanks to its SKYACTIV engine tech, and is rated at 121g/km (on the ADR Combined cycle). During the week long test my average fuel use was 5.7L/100km which is surprisingly good considering how poorly my results usually normally are.

At 100km/h on the freeway the engine ticks over at 2500rpm, and the car feels confident at highway speeds, but it takes time to overtake other vehicles due to its relatively low output. It has a 44-litre fuel tank and is happily fuelled on regular unleaded petrol (91 RON), which helps lower running costs.

Capped-price servicing for the life of the vehicle is a nice touch, although each service will cost more than it will for a Toyota Yaris...

As Australia's second-highest selling Light car in Australia during 2014 (pipped only by the Hyundai i20), the Mazda2 is hard to fault.

So when the ubiquitous "best car" question is next asked, my default response might well be the Mazda2.

Also consider:
>> Renault Clio (from $16,790 plus ORCs)
>> Toyota Yaris (from $14,990 plus ORCs)
>> Volkswagen Polo (from $16,290 plus ORCs)