2011 Mazda 2 – First Drive Review « New and Used Car Listings

2011 Mazda 2 – First Drive Review

With lofty government-mandated fuel-economy standards coming down on one hand and a shaky economy spurring consumer interest on the other, carmakers are serving up more subcompact cars to U.S. consumers than ever. Among the most hotly anticipated (at least among Car and Driver staffers) is the 2011 Mazda 2, Mazda’s first America-bound B-segment vehicle since the 323 and arguably the best such car Mazda has ever built.

Although Mazda is calling the 2011 model the “third generation” of the 2, it’s more or less a refresh of the second-gen car sold around the globe since 2008. Aside from redesigned front and rear fascias and sundry new interior bits, it’s essentially the same car as before, one that shares its architecture with Ford’s slick new Fiesta—which, incidentally, also arrives stateside for 2011.

Of the two platformmates, the 2 is the simpler machine: lighter, less powerful, and available only as a five-door hatchback in Sport and Touring trim levels. Its Eurocentric cabin assigns ergonomic priority to front-seat occupants while giving rear-seaters (and cargo) the somewhat shorter end of the stick. The interior design is pleasing, but the features list is surprisingly short. Unavailable, for example, even on Touring models, are a telescoping steering wheel, a sunroof, integrated navigation (a portable Garmin system will be available from dealers), a USB port, and a hands-free Bluetooth system. The only option beyond dealer accessories is special paint.

But the 2 is a hoot to drive. The 1.5-liter four-cylinder’s 100 hp and 98 lb-ft of torque won’t exactly burn your hair off, but this engine revs freely and sounds good as it springs the 2’s feathery 2300-pound curb weight (2350 with the automatic) into motion. Better yet, the electric power steering and the chassis offer surprising feel and quick, linear responses to driver inputs. Ditto the front-disc, rear-drum brakes. Meanwhile, fuel economy is good if not worldbeating, at 29 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway for the five-speed manual and 27/33 for the four-speed automatic.

The 2 hits dealerships this August, priced from $14,730 for the manual-equipped Sport to $16,985 for an automatic Touring model. It offers a lot of driving goodness for the money. But unlike the similarly priced Fiesta, the 2 has no available sedan body style, 20 fewer hp, and fuel economy that’s 3 to 5 mpg lower on the highway. If any of those things are important to you, the choice is clear: Go for the Ford. If, however, you want to keep your B-segment car at a B-segment price—the Fiesta can be optioned to more than 22 grand—go for the more-performance-oriented 2.