Mazda2 sedan makes a return

The Australian light car market is a desert for sedan buyers, but a handful of car companies are determined to turn that around.

Mazda is one such company, having reintroduced its Mazda2 sedan, which was previously sold here during the second-generation model's life cycle. The new sedan is based on the third-generation hatch that debuted in Australia late last year.

During the car's local launch earlier this week, Mazda Australia Marketing Director Alastair Doak revealed that sedans represented just a 10 per cent component of total light car sales in Australia, according to VFACTS.

"While sedan models account for only about 10 per cent of the overall segment, for the two most successful entrants – Honda City and Hyundai Accent – their mix of sedan is about 20 to 25 per cent," he said.

"In this context, you could be excused for asking why we would bother bringing in the Mazda2 sedan, because we did try this once – with some mixed results.

"On this occasion, we have a sedan that was designed from the programme's conception as a sedan, rather than being a modified version of an established hatch. Also, we will offer the new Mazda2 sedan in both Neo and Maxx grades – to broaden its reach of potential sedan buyers."

That's at odds with the hatch, which also comes with a range-topping Genki variant to complement the entry-level Neo and mid-range Maxx.

Otherwise, however, the sedan closely follows the specification, pricing and marketing of its hatchback equivalents. Prices for the sedan match the hatchback counterparts and start from $14,990 for the Mazda2 Neo with six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic transmission costs $2000 extra, and the Mazda2 Maxx – also available with manual and auto transmission options – is priced $2700 above the entry-level variant.

Both cars are powered by 1.5-litre four-cylinder engines, with very slight differences in output and fuel economy. Installed in the engine bay of the Mazda2 Neo is a 79kW/139Nm engine with a 4-1 (conventional) exhaust manifold and a 12.0:1 compression ratio. This engine consumes fuel at the rate of 5.4L/100km (manual) and 5.5L/100km (auto).

Expelling its exhaust gases through a 4-2-1 manifold and boasting a 13.0:1 compression ratio and i-stop (auto-stop/start facility), the engine in the Mazda2 Maxx is rated at 5.2L/100km (manual) and 4.9L/100km (auto) in combined-cycle fuel economy testing.

Mechanically, the sedan is identical to the hatchback, but the 260mm of extra length tacked on behind the rear axle of the sedan yields an extra 190 litres of boot space, taking the total up to 440 litres. Most of the sheet metal is shared too, even down to the door skins.

Safety features for both grades include front/side/curtain airbags, stability control with electronic brake force distribution, emergency brake assist and ISOFIX child safety seat anchorages.

Features fitted as standard to the Mazda2 Neo include 15-inch steel wheels, electric windows/mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control, trip computer, four-speaker MP3-compatible audio with CD, Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming, multi-function steering wheel, keyless start and rear parking sensors.

Additional equipment standard in the Mazda2 Maxx comprises 15-inch alloy wheels, unique seat upholstery (fabric), leather-trimmed gear knob/handbrake lever/steering wheel rim, seven-inch infotainment screen (MZD Connect system with single-point controller), six-speaker audio with internet integration and reversing camera.

Colours available for the sedan are mostly a match for the hatch, other than the sedan's Titanium Flash Mica in lieu of Smoky Rose Mica offered with the hatch. The other colours shared across both body styles are: Dynamic Blue Mica, Soul Red Metallic, Aluminium Metallic, Jet Black Mica, Snowflake White Pearl Mica, Gunmetal Blue Mica and Metropolitan Grey Mica.

The Mazda2 sedan has gone on sale in Australia with effect from this week.

Check out the new Mazda 2 sedan review at motoring.com.au