Mazda2

Well done Mazda! The 2 shows that the company is a real force to be reckoned with – it is great to look at, plus offers a quality cabin and a driving experience that strikes the right balance between fun and comfort. Sitting in the mid-range, this 85bhp 1.3-litre model is clearly the best, combining low running costs with a competitive price. Ford’s forthcoming new Fiesta – which shares the same underpinnings – has a tough task on its hands...

SO, Mazda is set to become a major family car player with the new 6. And judging by the top-spec 2 we drove in Issue 981, the company could well achieve similar success in the supermini sector. But how does the lesser 1.3-litre model shape up?

It comes in either 85bhp or 75bhp guises, and it’s the former we have driven here. While it is 17bhp down on its more powerful 1.5-litre brother, a quick glance at the figures shows it’s still an impressive performer.

The 0-60mph sprint takes a peppy 12.9 seconds and the top speed is 107mph. More importantly, though, economy is a superb 52mpg and, at £9,999, the 1.3 TS2 costs £1,800 less than the 1.5 Sport.

It doesn’t skimp on kit, either, with air-con, 15-inch alloys, side and curtain airbags plus an MP3-compatible CD player fitted as standard. The cabin is a huge leap forward, too, thanks to a slick dash design that takes inspiration from the RX-8 coupé.

It’s from the exterior design that the real style statement comes, though. It is leagues ahead of the old 2, with a rakish shape that features neat, angular headlamps, a rising waistline and boomerang-shaped tail-lights. The looks are matched by the driving experience, with responsive performance and a snappy five-speed box.

The ride is firm but the damping is very good, so the 2 feels comfortable and taut on most surfaces. Body control is excellent and, combined with quick steering, the hatch is plenty of fun in corners. It’s quite refined, too, with the four-cylinder engine only beginning to sound thrashy at high revs.

So what are the downsides? The steering could do with more weight and feel, and the wheel itself adjusts for rake but not reach. The boot is also small at 250 litres – although this is improved by an underfloor storage area – and some of the dash plastics could be better. But that’s it really. The 2 is a superb supermini, and this mid-range model is the pick of the line-up.

Rival Renault Clio 1.2 TCE
The Clio provides plenty of space and, in the shape of its new 1.2-litre turbo, blends pace and economy. It is also solidly built with high-grade materials. But the Renault can’t match the 2 for styling – the little Mazda looks much sharper.