2022 Mazda2 Hybrid Is A Rebadged Toyota Yaris For Europe

Mazda has officially unveiled the Mazda2 Hybrid for the European market as a rebadged Toyota Yaris. The self-charging hybrid supermini will be available from spring 2022, sold alongside the existing 2002 Mazda2 which was recently launched.

We already knew that Mazda was preparing its own version of the Toyota Yaris Hybrid from last year’s reports as well as a camouflaged prototype that was spotted a few months ago. As we expected, the end result looks identical to the Yaris, minus the badges. Speaking of that, while the Mazda emblem is different from the oval-shaped Toyota, the designers did a great job in integrating it without changing any of the body panels. The same applies to the interior as the only difference with the Yaris is the Mazda badge on the steering wheel and the Mazda2 lettering on the floor mats.

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The model is based on the TNGA-B architecture measuring 3,940 mm (155.1 inches) long with a 2,550 mm (100.4 inches) wheelbase.

Toyota’s latest self-charging hybrid powertrain produces a combined 114 HP (85 kW / 116 PS) and 169 Nm (125 lb-ft) of torque. The system consists of a naturally aspirated 1,490 cc three-cylinder engine producing 91 hp (68 kW / 92 PS), an electric motor producing 79 hp (59 kW / 80 PS) that is linked to the front wheels, plus a second electric motor for starting the engine and charging the lithium-ion battery pack. The latter is charging through energy regeneration during deceleration and from the petrol engine allowing the supermini to start and run in EV mode for prolonged periods of time.

The Mazda2 Hybrid can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 9.7 seconds, but what is impressive is the combined WLTP fuel economy ranging between 3.8-4.0 lt/100km (74.3-70.6 mpg UK / 61.9-58.8 mpg US). The CO2 emissions are 87-93 g/km depending on whether the car is fitted with 15″ or 16″ wheels.

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The Mazda2 Hybrid is offered in three trim levels namedd Pure, Agile, and Select. This is the first time Mazda is offering a full hybrid model in its European range which includes plenty of mild hybrids and the fully electric MX-30. The rebadged model will help Mazda to reduce the average emissions of its fleet in Europe and comply with the strict regulations. The company says it is aiming to reduce corporate average well-to-wheel CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Before you go harsh on Mazda, we should remind you that Toyota was offering a rebadged Mazda2 as the North-American Toyota Yaris between 2016 and 2020, so now the Japanese automakers can call it even. Another automaker using the same strategy is Suzuki, which is currently offering the Swace and the Across, which are rebadged versions of the Toyota Corolla Sport Tourer and the RAV4 respectively, in Europe.