Should I buy a Mazda2 or a Toyota Yaris

City cars like the Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris are ideal options when considering buying your first brand-new vehicle. And also, at the opposite end of the spectrum, they are perfect for those looking to downsize if they no longer require a large family car.

That’s because, in both cases, the Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris are affordable to purchase, economical to own, have a great reputation for reliability and are among the safest cars in their class. And they deliver these attributes without compromising on modern creature comforts, style or being fun to drive.

So, if you’re considering either the Mazda2 or the Toyota Yaris, which one is best?

The Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris are the most popular models in the light car class for good reasons.

Firstly, they come from two of the most dependable car makers, with both Toyota and Mazda renown for their reliability and long-term ownership credentials.

And yet, in spite of their high-quality reputations, the 2 and Yaris are still among the most affordable new cars on-sale in Australia.

While the Toyota Yaris was previously available in either hatchback or sedan body styles, it is now only offered as a five-door hatchback in three model grades - Ascent, SX and ZR. The Mazda 2 retains a wider choice of options, with the Mazda2 available in three trim levels as a sedan and four as a hatchback.

The Mazda2 is also cheaper (just) than the Toyota Yaris, with the entry-level Mazda2 Neo starting at $14,990 (plus on-road costs, in either hatch or sedan form) – in contrast the most affordable Toyota Yaris Ascent costs fractionally more at $15,390 (plus on-roads).

Although that is when both are equipped with standard manual transmissions (a six-speed in the Mazda2 and a five-speed in the Yaris). Both offer automatic transmissions as an option, costing $1600 extra for a four-speeder in the Yaris, while a more modern six-speed unit adds $2000 to the base price of the Mazda.

There’s a decent step-up to the mid-level variants, with the Mazda2 Maxx at $17,760 (plus on-roads) and the Yaris SX at $18,080 (plus on-roads), and another equally sizeable jump to the flagship variants, with the Mazda2 GT starting at $21,680 while the Yaris ZR, which is exclusively available with the automatic transmission, costing $22,670.

Mazda does offer an additional level between the Maxx and GT in the hatchback line-up, with a Mazda 2 Genki variant that starts from $20,690.

Other than choosing from a variety of paint colours (and whether you want an automatic transmission) there are no options available on the Mazda2, with that broader range creating a logical series of stepping stones in terms of equipment levels.

All variants are powered by the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 81kW and 141Nm.

The entry-level Mazda 2 Neo rides on 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps and has cloth interior trim, manual air conditioning, power windows, push-button start, rear parking sensors and a basic four-speaker audio system with Bluetooth connectivity.

The mid-spec Mazda 2 Maxx adds alloy wheels and a 7.0-inch colour screen that brings a reverse camera and a higher-grade six-speaker audio with DAB+ digital radio and the option of sat nav (which is standard in the Genki hatch), along with LED headlamps, front fog lamps, rain sensing wipers, climate control air conditioning and larger 16-inch alloy wheels.

At the top of the range, the Mazda2 GT picks up all that extra gear, plus has leather accented interior trim and a more comprehensive part-digital instrument cluster.

In comparison, the Yaris Ascent has much the same basic features as the Mazda2 Neo with the exception of having a key rather than push-button starter, and is powered by a smaller-capacity 1.3-litre four-cylinder that generates 63kW and 120Nm.

The Toyota Yaris Ascent does, however, have a few key features over the Mazda2 such as a 6.0-inch colour touch screen with a six-speaker audio system and reverse camera as standard.

Moving up to the mid-level Toyota Yaris SX and it not only adds a more powerful 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine that goes head-to-head with the Mazda 2 on outputs (producing 80kW and 141Nm), but it brings additional equipment like front fog lamps, a premium steering wheel with audio controls and sat nav.

The flagship Toyota Yaris ZR has 15-inch alloy wheels, bi-LED headlamps, a rear spoiler, sports front seats and climate control.

All variants of the Mazda2 come equipped with low-speed automated emergency braking (AEB) as standard, while the Mazda2 Genki and Mazda2 GT feature a more comprehensive suite of active driver aids, including blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert with AEB in reverse.

Only the Yaris ZR comes standard with a Toyota Safety Sense package that includes AEB, lane departure warning and auto high beams. However, the extra safety kit can be added to the Ascent and SX too, costing an additional $650.

Both cars have five-star ANCAP safety ratings with the Mazda2 achieving a total of 36.35 points (from a possible 37) and the Yaris scoring 35.41 points even though it has an additional (seventh) knee airbag.

However, the Mazda’s result dates back to 2014 when the current generation first launched while the Toyota is dated from 2017, in-line with the vehicle’s mid-life update.

In terms of fuel consumption, the Mazda2 is the more efficient option with its 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine consuming an average of 5.4L/100km with a manual transmission, and 5.5L/100km with an automatic. The Yaris Ascent, even with its smaller 1.3-litre four, consumes an average of 5.8L/100km with a manual and 6.4L/100km with an automatic.

The extra power from the larger 1.5-litre in the Yaris SX and Yaris ZR doesn’t bring much of a penalty in terms of consumption at an average of 5.9L/100km with a manual and the same figure as the 1.3-litre with an automatic.

Both Mazda and Toyota have five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty coverage for all their models with roadside assistance.

The Mazda2 requires regular maintenance every 12 months or 10,000km (whichever comes first) with each visit costing between $295 and $324. The Toyota Yaris has the same limit on mileage, but requires more regular visits every six months. However, each of those scheduled services costs just $140.

The Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris are perfectly suited to darting around the city or the suburbs. They are small and spritely, reasonably comfortable and, ultimately, are easy and safe to drive.

However, the Mazda does feel a little more resolved in almost every area. The engine is fizzier and more willing to rev, the manual transmission is slicker (and the automatic smoother) in the way it shifts, the steering is sharper and it sits on the road with a greater sense of certainty.

The Mazda 2 is actually quite a fun little car to drive, where the Toyota Yaris feels more conservative in its character.

Neither of these cars are the newest kids on the block, and will be replaced by fresher models within the next 18 months. Despite their age though, the Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris remain the best options within the light or city car segment with efficient engines, decent creature comforts, good safety credentials and excellent on-road manners.

The Mazda 2 is, in our opinion, the better choice; it’s more stylish - both inside and out - is more fun and efficient to drive and has a broader model range from which to choose.

However, as Toyota has already revealed the new-generation Yaris that is due to arrive in local showrooms sometime next year, there will be significant discounts on the current model during its run-out phase. Depending on the dollar amount, this could compensate for the Yaris’ minor shortcomings.