The Kodo styling certainly looks different condensed into a package as small as the Mazda2, but it’s certainly distinctive. It’s not what you’d call pretty, and some of the materials inside feel cheap, but as a package this review says it’s great.
In contrast to its fresh-looking styling, the 2 has quite an old-fashioned engine lineup. Which? says the one to go for is the 1.5-liter petrol, not that the diesel isn’t good, but the price difference doesn’t justify opting for it.
Out on the road the is deemed satisfactory, not class-leading, with a nod towards the snappy gear shift action – the reviewer says it feels like it’s lifted out of the MX-5…
Another benefit of buying this car over its competition is its efficiency. Rivals may offer smaller, turbocharged petrol engines which Mazda can’t match (yet), but the Japanese automaker fights back by saying their solution actually provides more consistent results in the real world.