2011 Mazda2 Touring AT: Subcompact has lots of competition

Written by Steven Macoy
Thursday, 23 June 2011 10:55

Our bright red Mazda2 sedan sure took us back. Thirty-five years ago, we participated in a test drive pitting a Volkswagen Rabbit (memorable for its shockingly Spartan interior), another subcompact so forgettable we don’t have a shred of memory of what it was, and a Mazda GLC (short for “Great Little Car,” or so the test drivers were told). The Mazda was far and away the best of the group.

That’s where the stories diverge. The Mazda2 is 100, maybe even 1,000, times better than the GLC — more refined, safer, quicker, more nimble, better equipped, and with a superior warranty.

But in 1976, there were few subcompact choices. If you wanted good fuel economy and reliability in those days of gasoline shortages and lines, you bought a VW, Toyota or Datsun; if you wanted safety, you just didn’t go there. The GLC’s descendant, the new-for-2011 Mazda2, is really up against it. Even Ford and Chevrolet, which earned lasting notoriety among subcompact aficionados with the Pinto and Vega, are pounding out some pretty fair iron these days.

So what’s special about the Mazda2? In a word, refinement. Take the measure of the whole package, and the Mazda2 establishes itself as one of the most competent subcompacts we’ve driven. It adds up to more than crisp handling, spunky performance from the 100-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine,  acceptably smooth and quiet ride, and good front-seat leg room. The car feels sure of itself. Confident.

But for all that, there are better choices out there for almost every need.

For one thing, the Mazda2 is among the thirstiest cars in this segment. Our Mazda2 Touring, with a 4-speed automatic transmission, delivers just 27 mpg in the city, 33 highway. Some of the competitors reach 40 mpg. In a time of $4-a-gallon gasoline, that means advantage Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, Ford, Chevrolet …

For buyers who are looking for rear-seat knee room or cargo space, a Saturday morning spent visiting dealerships is bound to turn up something — probably more than one “something” — that bests the Mazda2. For example, the Hyundai Accent has 21.2 cubic feet of cargo room with all seats in place, 47.5 cubic feet with the rear seats lowered; the Mazda2 can do no better than 13.3 cubic feet with the seats up, with a maximum capacity of 27.8 cubic feet. The edge enjoyed by the Honda Fit is even more daunting.

Our Mazda2 had a sticker price of $17,480, with only two low-cost options. The base model starts at $14,180, $4,000 and change more than the bare-bones Accent. Our Mazda2’s impressively long standard-equipment list included steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, power locks and windows, remote keyless entry, and a long roster of safety features.  Crash-test and reliability data aren’t available for this new model.

In short, it’s hard not to like the Mazda2, but there’s a lot to like in the very crowded segment it’s trying to crash.

Steven Macoy ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) is a longtime car enthusiast and full-time editor who lives in Bethel, Conn.

Price: $17,480

Engine: 1.5-liter Four, 100 horsepower, 98 lb.-ft. torque

Transmission: 4-speed automatic

Drive: Front-wheel

Weight: 2,306 lb.

Suspension: Four-wheel independent, MacPherson strut front, torsion beam rear

Wheels: 15-inch alloy

Tires: P185/55R15 all-season

Seating capacity: 5

Luggage capacity: 13.3 cu. ft.

Maximum cargo capacity: 27.8 cu. ft.

Fuel capacity: 11.3 gallons

Fuel economy: 27 mpg city, 33 mpg highway

Fuel type: Regular unleaded