Mazda2 Neo 2007 Review

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.5/5.0
Safety: 3.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.5/5.0

Released just a couple of months ago, the new Mazda2 is already effectively doubling the sales of the previous model. Popular wisdom suggests that the new car's styling flair has overcome buyer resistance to the superseded car's hatbox-on-rollerskate look.

Mazda2 now looks sleek and sporty, fresh and modern; putting paid to the sense of regret in buyers who purchased the old model for its price, value and packaging -- in spite of the styling.

Considering many buyers in the light car segment are perhaps a wee bit fashion conscious, it's no huge surprise that the new '2' is doing so well, and the fact that the car is still quite a practical beasty is icing on the cake.

Some buyers will tend to overlook the styling when taking delivery of a car, but it's an important element in the new car buying experience. In the case of the Mazda, it's pleasant and clever in the way it manages to look low-slung, thanks to the upwards sweep of the sculpture lines, but the car is no harder to enter than any other light car on sale currently.

Part of the reason that access is so easy can be traced back to the Mazda's decent head and legroom, which, in combination with other internal dimensions, bless the 2 with virtually Small car spaciousness -- in a Light car, don't forget.

Overall, the Mazda's practicality extends to the rear of the cabin and the luggage compartment. During the test, we did the family thing and put the heat on the the 60/40 split-fold rear seat facility, which could fold down to leave enough room for a small child's bike and, in the '40' per cent section, accommodate said child.

If you are carrying kids around in the Mazda2, it's nice to know that safety is right up to the moment, with standard ABS and dual front airbags.

For all practical purposes, the trim materials and floor mats are as durable-looking as you would expect, but do manage to impart a sense of style in keeping with the car.

We liked the Mazda's functional features, such as the height-adjustable seatbelts, the large oddments tray in the centre console and the ashtray that doubles as a cupholder. These are all usefully 'at hand'.

From the driver's seat, the temperature warning light that shines blue when the engine is not up to operating temperature is a handy gadget, but needs to be balanced against the fact that Mazda (and most small and light car makers) are no longer supplying old fashioned temperature gauges.

In a similar vein, the fuel gauge is a digital (LCD) read-out and that may require a little bit of familiarity from the owner, but it's quite clear and easy to read.

On balance, most will grant that the dash layout is both functional and stylish. By 'functional', the switchgear operation and placement are conventional and entirely logical, as you would expect to find in a Japanese car.

Radio reception is not always up to par, but the auxiliary input is -- as always -- a good jigger to have for those long trips into the country (or middling trips into dormitory suburbs, given the weak reception).

By the standards of Light cars from years ago, the Mazda2 is a fairly quiet environment. It's gratifyingly quiet at idle or cruising speed. From lower revs, it's reminiscent of the Mazda6's engine note, but presents more of a light Japanese car timbre.

In fact, that's how you would describe the Mazda2 generally. It feels tight and well built, but it also seems very light. There's nothing to pick for build quality though.

Once the car is under way, it's a bit 'Jekyll and Hyde'. Drive it with a bit of determination and its character changes somewhat.

Steering turn-in and response is quite good. The new Mazda2 is less top-heavy than its predecessor and with that lower centre of gravity there's far less body roll.

It wasn't a problem during the test, but the Mazda's steering may not be light enough for some drivers. A Carsales Network reader who recently test-drove the new car found the steering was too heavy -- and since the Mazda is the sort of car that would appeal to elderly drivers with RSI or arthritis, this needs to be factored into the purchasing decision.

The engine doesn't sound especially charming at lower revs, but once it's revving above 3000rpm, it's transformed. It certainly sounds more overtly sporting at higher revs and also pulls much more willingly -- it's still accelerating with reasonable determination right up to the redline. So this speaks volumes for the engine's character.

The gear shift was one aspect of the Mazda2 that was at odds with the car's covertly sporting endeavours. It's light enough, but hampered at times by the throttle set-up and, when driven hard, gearchanges called for some higher degree of force than might normally be required.

The genius of the Mazda2 is its versatility -- whether you choose to own it as a daily driver and never take it high up into the rev range or whether you're prepared to drive the Mazda2 with a bit of guts and determination, it will reward you either way.