Mazda2 Sport Nav 2015 Review
Following a short test drive of the Mazda2 Sport Nav during a Mazda test day, here is what I think about this well-equipped hatchback.
What’s the Mazda2 Sport Nav all about?
The Mazda2 is your everyday small hatchback that a lot of us rely on to go about our daily lives. The 2015 Mazda2 has had a lot of updates, the biggest update for me has been to the styling of the car. The car now looks very modern, sharp and better than ever.
We are testing the Sport Nav variant that includes 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, Lane Departure Warning System, Smart City Brake Support and sat nav.
The Mazda2 Sport Nav is powered by a 1.5-litre, 115bhp engine matched with a six-speed manual gearbox that puts the power to the front wheels. This means that the car does 0 to 60mph in 8.7 seconds and will do a top speed of 124mph. The car also only weighs 1,050kg, so it is a super lightweight little car for the city.
How does it drive?
The Mazda2 appeals to most customers in one way or another, as we all have a need for a daily run around that is fairly affordable. But just because it is a run around car doesn’t mean that it can’t be funky and fun too.
On the road the car feels very light and pretty active. The 1.5-litre engine is very responsive, so as soon as you squeeze the throttle for a little more power the Mazda2 delivers, which helps create a nippy city car and can make battling your way across town a lot more enjoyable.
The gearshift is slick, the pedals are pretty gentle, and what I like most about the car is that you get a lot of fun factor from behind the wheel. Being so small it means that you have more road to play with and you are able to squeeze the car through small spaces. maintaining its ideal use for the city.
The ride quality inside the Mazda2 Sport Nav exceeded my expectations for an affordable hatchback, I thought the cabin was fairly quiet and the suspension absorbed most of the bumps keeping me nice and comfy inside.
What’s it like inside?
The interior of the Mazda2 fits nicely in line with the rest of the Mazda range. Mazda have brought the new premium redesigned interior through to its most affordable car, meaning you get more for your money.
The materials that are used on the interior in the Mazda2 all look and feel fantastic; there is an array of leather, red stitching and quality chrome touches throughout the car. The infotainment system can be used via the large screen mounted on top of the dashboard. It is controlled via touchscreen or by the directional controls down by the handbrake. The infotainment system is well designed and intuitive to use.
The Mazda2 comes with 4 doors making it very practical to get people in and out of the back of the car, the room in the back is respectable for a small hatchback, but may start to feel a bit tight on a long journey.
The Experience
The Mazda2 provides a more vibrant, more youthful and more exciting alternative to a very busy hatchback market. The Mazda2 Sport Nav somehow feels nippy, like it’s keen to go on an adventure and will encourage you to dodge the traffic and take the back route home. It’s rare that you find a bit of life in an affordable car like this one, so we must cherish it.
Verdict – Mazda2 Sport
The Mazda2 certainly feels like a premium car. Considering this is the most affordable car from the Mazda range I was left feeling like I got more than my monies worth. The new looks really give the car a lot more desirability than the previous generation and the driving experience is more fun than ever, so things are looking good for the Mazda2, for sure.
Video Highlights
2015 Mazda2 1.5 Sport Nav Specs
- Price: £16,525
- Engine: 1.5-Litre Petrol
- Power: 115bhp
- Torque: 148Nm
- Transmission: 6 Speed Manual
- 0-62mph: 8.7 Seconds
- Top speed: 124mph
- Weight: 1,050kg
- Economy combined: 56mpg
- CO2: 117 g/km
Author: Paul Hadley