2012 Mazda2 Touring Review
The Mazda2 is one of the most peppy hatchbacks on sale at the moment and it will surely win many hearts. The car on test here is in the Touring trim and this package has seats with black cloth covers with red pipping, 15” alloy wheels, foglamps, six-speaker audio system, chrome exhaust tip and a spoiler in the rear, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control and a trip computer.
If you add, for additional $295, a auto dim mirror and a compass, the total price will come to a easy-on-the-wallet figure of $16,250.
2012 Mazda2 Touring Features
Design
The Mazda2 shares platform with the Ford Fiesta but weighs 2233lbs, 319lbs less than the Ford. It is also shorter by 4.6” for a length of 155.5”. The less heft and shorter size makes the Mazda feel slightly more swift than its Ford cousin.
Power & Performance
The 5-speed manual transmission is an eager performer and nearly makes up for the paltry power output of 100hp from the 1500cc I-4 engine. The torque output is 98lb/ft. The 0-60mph was completed in 8.8 seconds while the quarter mile run was accomplished in 16.8 seconds at a speed of 80.8mph. Driving in the city doesn’t make the car feel underpowered. But it does feel underpowered every where else.
The suspension also doesn’t help matters as it bounces a lot and lot of road noise percolates into the cabin when speed picks up. So, it is best to keep the Mazda2 within the confines of the city. This reflects in its average mileage of 32.9mpg, which is decent.
What it may lack in speed, it more than makes up in providing the driver with lot of feel through the well weighted electrically powered steering wheel and crisp-shifting gearbox. The car corners very well and is very easy to park in crowded lanes in the urban landscape.
Exterior
The styling on the exterior makes the Mazda2 look deliciously cute with the smiling grille and the rounded lines being the highlights of the design. It is sure to attract the fairer sex more.
Interior
The interior is modern but it doesn’t pretend what it is not. The instrument binnacle is simple but looks sporty and there are lots of hard plastic bits around in the cabin.
The controls are large and easy to decipher and operate. The air conditioner and the heater are quite powerful. The front seats are comfortable and well bolstered with the driver’s seat position being very easy to adjust for persons of varying heights.
Mazda should have made the satellite radio and the navigation system optional like it is on the Ford Fiesta and the Chevy Sonic. An iPod can be plugged into the music system but the song selection has to be done manually, which can be distracting and unsafe thing to do while driving.
The space at the rear is less and only kids or small adults can be accommodated on the rear seats. That is why it is a car which will suit bachelors or students the best. The seats fold though and you get a cargo area of 27.8 cu/ft which is good enough for carrying small-sized luggage.
Sum up
The Mazda2 is a cheerful, honest little runabout. It succeeds quite well in being fun to drive, fuel efficient and having a pocket-friendly price tag.
