2015 Mazda 2 | new car sales price

All-new Mazda 2 brings Kodo style, an improved drive experience, new more efficient drivetrains and driveaway pricing. 

Mazda has confirmed local specifications and pricing for the much-anticipated new third-generation Mazda2 ahead of its November 1 showroom debut.  

While the old Mazda2 continues as the second best-selling car in its segment - behind the Hyundai i20 - the all-new 2 follows recent updates to its Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Yaris rivals, along with the new-generation Honda Jazz.

DESIGN

The new Mazda2’s Kodo design language aligns Mazda’s light hatch with the CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3, and continues with the Skyactiv weight saving and efficiency boosting technology used by its larger siblings.

The new Mazda2 has grown in most dimensions, with the wheelbase lengthened by 80mm to 2570mm and the overall length increasing 160mm to 4060mm. It is also 20mm taller at 1495mm than the model it replaces.

The increased size of the Mazda2 does not necessarily mean a boost in cabin space however. Aside from an 11mm increase in front seat shoulder room, rear shoulder room has dropped by 30mm, and headroom has shrunk by 20mm and 15mm front-rear. Legroom is also marginally reduced by 5mm in the front and 4mm in the rear. Luggage space in the boot remains unchanged from the old Mazda2 however, at 250-litres (VDA).

Like the existing Skyactiv-based models, the 2's extra wheelbase has been used to move the front wheels further ahead of the cabin, creating a more cab-rearward profile. This has also left room under the bonnet for the complex Skyactiv ehaust manifold and enabled the driver controls to be straightened from the current model's left-skewed layout.  

The all-new chassis and strut front/torsion beam rear suspension in the Mazda2 have been refined to reduce road noise and vibration, and a quicker steering ratio has been used for a sportier feel.

VALUE

For the new 2, Mazda is reintroducing the three trim-levels used when the previous version arrived in 2007 - entry Neo, mid-spec Maxx and top-flight Genki. These replace the current Neo Sport and Maxx Sport trim levels used since September 2013.

The $14,990 ($16,990 drive-away) Neo comes with 15-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, cloth seats, matte black trim, USB/Bluetooth compatible audio system and multifunction steering wheel.

The $16,990 ($18,990 drive-away) Maxx improves on the Neo with 15-inch alloy wheels, high-gloss black cabin trim, cruise control and leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshift, and handbrake.

Also on the Maxx - with white, silver or black body colours - a $250 colour pack can be optioned which replaces the black trim with high-gloss red centre console side-panels, front door armrest panels and ventilation louvre surrounds. The seats are also coloured red, as is the front door armrest.

The top-spec $19,990 ($21,990 drive-away) Genki gets the same MZD multimedia interface as the Mazda3, with a  7-inch touchscreen with satnav, multimedia and communication apps and six-speakers. 

There is also a heads-up display for the driver, several black soft touch panels with red stitching, climate control, automatic headlights and wipers, front fog lamps, chrome-tipped exhaust and 16-inch alloys.

The Xenon headlights with segmented LED daytime running lights seen on early Japanese-market images are absent from the Australian lineup due to cost however. 

Aside from the revised pricing, Mazda estimates value gains of more than $1200 for the Neo, $1500 for the Maxx and more than $2000 for the Genki compared with the previous 2 lineup.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS

Under the bonnet, two versions of a new 1.5-litre Skyactiv-G 4-cylinder petrol engine produce more power and torque than the current 2’s 1.5, while also delivering better fuel consumption.

It can be paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed torque converter automatic transmission for an extra $2000.

The Neo comes with the 79kW/139Nm ‘standard-spec’ VP-5 engine, representing a 3kW/4Nm increase over the old model. Combined fuel consumption of 5.4L/100km with the manual or 5.5L/100km with the auto represent 1.0L and 1.3L improvements respectively.

Maxx and Genki models step up to the 81kW/141Nm ‘high-spec’ FP-5 engine, with a higher compression ratio, 4-2-1 exhaust manifold and variable valve timing on the exhaust cam on top of the standard 1.5's variable inlet timing only. A stop/start system also helps reduce combined consumption to 5.2L/100km with the manual and 4.9L/100km with the automatic.

Like all current Skyactiv petrol engines, the new 2 will happily run on 91RON unleaded petrol.

SAFETY

Safety features on the new Mazda2 include front, side and full-length curtain airbags, ABS, stability control and emergency stop signalling. Mazda expects a five star safety from ANCAP in the coming months, but is yet to be tested.

One notable omission from all grades is a standard reversing camera, contrasting with the new Jazz that includes the safety feature even on the entry $14,990 VTi. A reversing camera is optional on all Mazda2 grades however, with a display integrated into the rear view mirror on Neo and Maxx models for $778 fitted, and via the MZD screen on Genki models for $420 fitted. Front and rear parking sensors are also available as individual options, priced at $599 and $399 fited respectively.    

An i-Activsense autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system can be optioned in the Mazda2 as an extra across the range priced at $400.