Mazda 2 Hatchback

Matching the extrovert appeal of the exterior design is the funky looking cabin. The Mazda 2 hatch interior shows a very unconventional design which might not appeal everyone. However,  it still manages to look smart and different from the sea of other hatchbacks.

The three-spoke round themed steering wheel with silver accents and connectivity buttons feel premium and good to hold. The instrument console mimics the funky layout of the front fascia and gets a digital panel for readouts of various data on display.

Apart from the steering wheel and instrument console, the round theme has been well executed on the AC vents as well. With the long vertical layout for the dashboard with a prominent line between two circular AC vents looks very different and appealing. The low-positioned centre console gets three round dials for climate control, while the pop-up style touchscreen infotainment system has been positioned at the upper portion of the dashboard. The gentle mix of leather and premium silver bits around the centre console, as well as, door panels further lift up the premium appeal of the cabin.

In terms of features, the Mazda 2 hatch is quite loaded with basics features such as push start-stop button, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, manually adjustable driver’s seat, leather upholstery, paddle shifter, ambient lighting, and a six-speaker audio system with a touchscreen panel. The overall space is quite decent, with enough room to seat two adults, however, the limited shoulder-room eats up space for the third passenger.

The segment of premium compact hatchbacks in recent times has seen a lot of changes. They have created new benchmarks in terms of design and flair, and the Mazda 2 hatch is not left behind in this race. The very curvy design of the Mazda 2 makes the car look very athletic, thanks to the presence of sharp curves lending it a fluidic design which looks aggressive in isolation.

At the front, the Mazda 2 gets a large open-mouth grille, with very distinctive looking V-shaped chrome garnish on the lower and side portions. This decorative grille blend in with the eye-brow shaped large headlamps, which though don’t get premium bits like projector units or daytime running lamps, still look modern, thanks to their design. The fog lamps too get unique wedge-like housing with chrome inserts which add a premium look to the front bumper.

From the side profile, the Mazda 2 looks very impressive. Its short length fully complements the curves flowing on the side doors OVRM, and diamond cut alloy wheels. Adding to the flair is the coupe-like roofline, making the overall design trendy to look at.

At the rear, the Mazda 2 gets a rakish rear windscreen which makes the car look aerodynamic and swoopy. The rest of the design remains quite simple and lacks the flair of the side and front, with the tail lamps too having a basic design.

The overall suspension setup of the Mazda 2 is quite simple in technical terms, with the car getting MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear. However, thanks to the presence of Mazda’s famous G-Vectoring control, the hatch feels spirited and active in diverse driving conditions. The car gets a turning radius of 4.85 meters, making it tight city traffic condition friendly.

The Mazda 2 has been blessed with only one engine and transmission combination. The car is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine which produces 114 bhp of power and 148 Nm of torque. The engine comes coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission which thanks to the additional assistance of paddle shifters, adds up to the overall driving dynamics. The fuel efficiency is also quite appreciable at 18.79 kmpl, thanks to Mazda’s innovative i-stop idling technology.

Despite the fact that Mazda 2 hatch is the company’s most affordable offering, the car doesn’t miss out on safety features. with The car gets all the basics gears with dual front airbags, ABS, EBD, brake assist, dynamic stability control, traction control system, hill launch assist, emergency stop signal, ISOFIX mounts, and seatbelt pre-tensioners with force limiters.

Given its size, the Mazda 2 hatch might be confused with a cheap entry level car, but make no mistake, as this affordable car from Mazda is premium by all means. Whether its the extrovert design, funky cabin layout, ample amount of features, or a punchy petrol engine which feels refined and sufficiently powerful, the Mazda 2 impresses one gradually and grows on with its maturity in every department. Also, the ride quality and handling are the best in class. Keeping a couple of small and ignorable shortcomings aside, the Mazda 2 hatchback ranks itself as one of the most desirable entry-level cars in the country.