Mazda2 Maxx sedan 2010 Review

Price Guide (manufacturer's list price, excluding on-road costs and dealer delivery): $19,090
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Nil
Crash rating: Five-star
Fuel: 91 RON PULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 6.4
CO2 emissions (g/km): 152
Also consider: Honda City; Nissan Tiida; Toyota Yaris

About our ratings

The light sedan sector has long been wanting for a bit of substance. Most of the existing miscellany of misfits feel at best half-baked and, at worst, downright doleful. Thankfully, Mazda's newcomer, the Mazda2 Maxx sedan, has lifted expectations. The all-new offering proves an amiable and enthusiastic contender in an otherwise indolent market segment.

Now sourced exclusively from Thailand , the Mazda2 range is kept in a competitive price bracket without skimping on quality or equipment. In fact, there's now more 2 on offer than ever before. Offering a five-door hatch and four-door sedan and dropping the slow-selling three-door, Mazda will retail its single-spec Maxx sedan from just $19,090.

That might seem a little pricey for some but first impressions are encouraging and, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the new Mazda2 sedan presents a viable alternative to many same-class -- and a few next-size -- rivals with a strong feature list, well sorted safety credentials and a satisfying specification catalogue.

With more kit than the competition, the Maxx sedan's packaging already places it at an advantage. Standard features include 15-inch alloy wheels (space saver spare), a six-CD tuner with auxiliary audio input and steering wheel-mounted remote controls,  power windows and mirrors, plus remote central locking.

More importantly, strong safety stats see the Mazda2 score a maximum five-star ANCAP rating, its six airbags, stability control, anti-lock (disc/drum) brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution and traction control all included at no extra charge. All five seating positions include head restraints and three-point inertia reel seatbelts, while the front seats add pyrotechnic pretensioners.

Inside, the Mazda2 sedan's spacious and inviting cabin highlights how the clever utilisation of space can make a small space feel big. Seating proportions are generous enough to accommodate four adults -- five at a pinch -- with rear leg and head room quite liberal when you consider the available space.

Up front, the seating is supportive and well cushioned, and the fabric is soft to the touch, again defying the norm at this end of the price scale. The same, however, can't be said for the urethane steering wheel which can get a little clammy after a few hours at the wheel.

Heating and ventilation controls are simple to operate, and with standard air-conditioning, Maxx makes short work of foggy windows on cold days. The rear window defogger is set on a timer (roughly 12 minutes) for the forgetful among us.

With many rivals feeling decidedly slap-dash in their fit and finish, it's nice to find a light car with decor as friendly and well screwed together as the Mazda2. A simple and sensible layout presents a concise array of controls and switchgear, all of which are light to the touch and user-friendly in terms of functionality. Road noise too is well contained -- another big plus at this end of the price spectrum, and perhaps a reflection of the roads driven on our test. We found none of the 'boomy' character noticed on the launch drive.

Easy-to-read orange illumination is kind on your night vision and quick to read at a glance, allowing focus to remain front and centre. Bright headlamps pack a lot of impact for their compact size, offering clear distance vision and a thorough spread of light. The high beam lamps are especially effective.

On the downside, plentiful but uncovered storage areas might pose a few problems; all are easily visible to prying eyes.

The boot, though, has to be seen to be believed. Eclipsing all comers bar Yaris and, with 450 litres of space on offer, it competes with plenty of larger sedans. The only downside is a slightly tight aperture when loading bulky items such as a pram (it's always advisable to take your pram to the dealership when shopping a new family car). The high boot lid makes (optional) reverse parking sensors advisable for shorter drivers.

Under the bonnet, a lively but frugal 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine delivers spritely acceleration and impressive fuel economy. Developing 76kW/135Nm, this smooth operator is mated to a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions to return a combined average consumption figure of just 6.4L/100km (6.8L/100km for the auto.) Our manual test vehicle achieved 8.0L/100km driving mostly in urban areas.

A light gearbox and clutch combination can take a bit of getting used to, as can the finger-touch electric power steering that, although pleasant when tackling tight inner-city car parks (a tight 9.8 metre turning circle is a true asset here), is far too light at highway speeds, feeling elusive in its communication with the driver.

Suspension setup is a happy compromise between a comfy ride and playful handling, the strut front/torsion-beam rear arrangement offering nimble cornering in spite of the lack of road feel. At a more enthusiastic pace, the added weight of the larger rear end is noticeable by comparison to the shorter hatchback (which we've also tested), but only seems to impact on the car's grip when pushed hard through corners full of nasty lumps and bumps.

Small quibbles aside, the new Mazda2 Maxx is easily the pick of the light sedan litter and a fantastic all-rounder. A great city car with a big personality, big safety and a big boot. The only thing this little sedan isn't big on is price.

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