Mazda2 – What you need to know

The popular third-generation Mazda2 hatch and sedan are well into their current lifecycle, but regular updates are keeping Mazda’s smallest model range fresh

The long-serving, popular Mazda2 range is available in two body styles and up to four trim levels, suiting a broad range of buyers.

The attractive hatch and sedan offer an alluring package, the most recent update bringing equipment and safety improvements as well as styling tweaks inside and out.

Priced from $22,720 plus on-road costs, there are four hatchback models – Pure, Pure SP, Evolve and GT – and two sedans: Pure and GT.

All models use a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, combining with a six-speed automatic transmission. There’s also a six-speed manual option on the Pure hatch.

Both the sedan and hatch have the same standard equipment across each model grade (except body-specific features), so that eliminates much of the guesswork.

Opening the batting for the Mazda2 is the Pure hatch at $22,720 plus on-road costs, with a six-speed manual transmission and the following standard equipment:

• Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• 7.0-inch infotainment touch-screen
• Cruise control
• Air-conditioning
• Reversing camera
• 15-inch alloy wheels

The exterior colour palette for the Mazda2 extends to nine options, the most recent additions being Aero Grey Metallic and Airstream Blue Metallic. Premium paint adds $595.

Regular updates for the Mazda2 have seen it keep up-to-date with safety equipment, including driver assist systems under the i-Activsense banner.

All models are fitted with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, reverse emergency braking and rear cross traffic alert, in addition to six airbags, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

There’s also blind spot monitoring, hill launch assist, rain-sensing wipers, auto on/off headlights and an emergency stop warning.

Forking out for a Mazda2 Evolve gains you traffic sign recognition and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, while another step up to the range-topping GT, in either body style, adds a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors and adaptive cruise control.

Standard on all Mazda2 model variants is a 7.0-inch colour touch-screen accessing AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There’s also phone and music streaming, a USB input and a six-speaker audio unit.

If satellite navigation is a must and you’re not inclined to use your smartphone nav, prepare to shell out for the Mazda2 Evolve or GT in either body style.

A benefit of the recent upgrade sees the infotainment screen now operable by touch, when the car is in park, with the central rotary dial used for on-the-go tasks.

New seat designs now feature on the Mazda2, along with a decorative dash panel and colour accents surrounding the air vents.

Not a fan of grey/black cloth seats? Then glide past the Mazda2 Pure and Pure SP and shimmy over to the Mazda2 Evolve for sporty-looking black cloth seats with red stitching and colour-matching trim around the vents.

How about leather pews? They give the cabin a prestigious look and the Mazda2 GT in both hatch and sedan features black leather and synthetic suede seats with red stitching and colour-matching vent surrounds.

That said, every Mazda2 receives a ‘touch of class’ via the leather-wrapped steering wheel, handbrake and transmission lever.

LED headlights also feature across the range, but not LED daytime running lights – the Pure and Pure SP miss out on these.

Air-conditioning? All Mazda2 models have air-con as standard, but stepping up to the Evolve or GT produces single-zone climate control, along with an active driving display.

In the recent update, redesigned bumpers with a body-colour grille adorn the Pure and Pure SP. All other grades have a black grille, with hatchbacks wearing a colour accent on the grille and rear bumper.

The door mirrors on the Pure are also now body-coloured, joining the Evolve and GT, with the Pure SP having gloss black caps. All are power-folding, but the units on the Evolve and GT automatically fold when the doors close.

The SP also now has a shark’s fin antenna, along with a black carbon-fibre-style roof, while a snazzy chrome exhaust is included on all models bar the Pure.

Alloy wheels are standard across the range, with silver 15-inch rims on the entry-level Pure and 16-inch alloys on all other variants – silver on Evolve, black on Pure SP and a silver-and-black machine finish on the GT.

Powering the Mazda2 is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 82kW of power (81kW with the auto) and 144Nm of torque (142Nm with the auto).

It runs on regular unleaded and, to further reduce running costs, is compatible with E10 fuel.

The Mazda2 Pure hatch comes with a six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic, with all other models using the six-speed auto only. All are front-wheel drive.

The Mazda2 hatchback and sedan are a similar size, but the sedan is longer at 4320mm (hatch: 4060mm) and offers 440 litres of boot space compared to the hatch’s 250L.

That’s a big difference in cargo terms, but the hatch does offer a more versatile load space than the sedan.

The hatch is a little taller overall at 1495mm (sedan: 1470mm), while overall width is identical between the two body styles at 1695mm. They also share the same 2570mm wheelbase.

Maximum towing capacity on the Mazda2 is 900kg with a braked trailer, or 500kg unbraked.

The Mazda2 is a lively performer, it’s fun to drive and there is plenty of choice across the range to satisfy most buyers.

If the budget is tight, the Mazda2 Pure hatch in manual form offers an engaging drive, and the level of kit is more than adequate.

However, if you have a bit more money to spend, the Mazda2 Evolve hatch hits a sweet spot.

The auto doesn’t detract from the driving enjoyment, the hatch offers versatility, and it has many more standard features.

How much does the 2023 Mazda2 cost?
Pure hatch manual – $22,720
Pure hatch/sedan auto – $24,720
Pure SP hatch auto – $25,520
Evolve hatch auto – $26,220
GT hatch/sedan auto – $27,920
*Prices exclude on-road costs