94 MAY / JUNE 2022 popularmechanics.co.zaO p i n i o n s o n c a r s w e ’ v e d r i v e nPM GARAGET
HIS LITTLE Mazda2
caught me rather
off guard. I don’t
usually gravitate to
small cars, but this
one really appealed
to me. For a daily
commuter, this size vehicle
makes a lot of sense, and this
particular compact hatch will
serve you diligently on that
front. Comfort levels are high,
finishes and workmanship
are impressive, and there are
features aplenty ... most of
which you might only expect
in more premium vehicles.
Standard across the entire
Mazda2 range now are LEDheadlights (which are also
self-levelling), front and rear
electric windows, driver and
passenger airbags, a multi-
function steering wheel,
push-start (keyless) ignition,
60:40 rear-seat split, and
ISOFIX connection points
for child seats.The power plant is punchy,
with the 1.5-litre putting out
85 kW at 6 000 rpm and 148 Nm
at 4 000 rpm. Handling is
fantastic – cornering, lane
changes, and highway cruising
are all melt-like-butter smooth.
There are four spec levels in
the range: Active, Dynamic,Individual, and the flagship
Hazumi, the features list
for which is very impressive.
It includes items such as
head-up display, blind-spot
monitoring, wireless charging,
and many more.
It’s hard to fault Mazda’s
exterior styling, throughout
the range of vehicles, and the
little 2 retains those desirable
aesthetic cues that make its
bulkier siblings so good to look
at. Naturally, there isn’t a lot of
space inside – there’s sufficient
in the front seat, but if you’re
slightly larger than average,
you’re not going to fit in the
back too easily. – Mark SamuelDRIVINGMazda2
» 1.5 L petrol
» 6-speed automatic
» 3-year/unlimited km
warranty
» 3-year/unlimited km
service plan
» 85 kW; 148 Nm
Priced from
R284 800
(base model)
mazda.co.zaFIGURES
Comfort levels are
high, finishes and
workmanship are
impressive, and there
are features aplenty.