Mazda2 – cute, cocky and classy

It's the all-new Mazda2 and it's going to cause all sorts of ructions in the B-segment car market in this country, just as it has done overseas.

It was launched to wide acclaim at the Geneva Motor Show in March and since then Mazda has already sold more than 15 000 of them just in Japan alone.

In an almost unprecedented rise to fame it has already been awarded the prestigious Car of the Year title in Denmark and is one of the finalists in the running for the European Car of the Year Award.

So don't be surprised if it repeats this performance in South Africa.

The seriously sassy Maza2 was introduced to the local Media during a launch in Cape Town during the second week in October and after driving both the 1.3-litre and the 1.5-litre models my colleagues and I agreed that this is one of the cutest cars to show its face on local car showroom floors in a long time.

Not only is it a very trendy car with zippy good looks, but it oozes quality workmanship and along with very impressive ride qualities, it beats most of the opposition hands down on price and specifications.

Even the lowest spec entry level Mazda2 has electric mirrors with power fold, electric front windows, headlamp leveling, a radio/CD player with MP3 compatibility with four speakers, airbags, remote central locking, keyless entry, electric power assisted steering and ABS with EBD – and to crown it all, included in the price is a three-year/100 000 km warranty AND a four-year/60 000 km service plan.

And if this is not enough to get Yaris, Polo, Corsa, Clio and Peugeot's knickers in a twist, the Mazda2 also sips a mere 5.4-litres of petrol per 100 kilometres.

At less than R117 000, nothing else really compares.

And the going gets even better as you move up through the options to the top-of-the-range 1.5 Mazda2 Individual which has all the above, plus 16-inch alloys wrapped in 195/45R16 rubber, front and rear fog lamps, a sport appearance package, automatic aircon, a driver information system, rain sensor wipers, audio controls on the steering wheel, a six-speaker sound system, driver-, passenger-, front-, rear- and side airbags, and a gutsy DOHC 16V engine that pushes out 76 kW and 136 Nm.

The 1.5-litre will trot happily to more than 180 km/h, even with four adults and a load of luggage, as we found out when we traversed a couple of mountain passes and gave it free rein on a quiet stretch of Boland road.

Of all the new smaller cars I have driven in the past year, the Mazda2 impressed me the most. And I wasn't alone.

Our test drive Mazda's were lined up in front of the off-the-wall Daddy Long Legs hotel in Long Street and it didn't take long for the oohs and aahs to begin. Crowds soon gathered around the cars and a number of motorists even double-parked in this busy street to get out for a closer look.

It's easy to babble forth enthusiastically about this new arrival, but can you blame me if you consider DNA such as:

* Its eye-catching city slicker looks and cute contoured lines. Although Mazda projects a 70% female-30% male buyers' market, there is nothing “girlish” about it. It oozes a cheeky cockiness that will appeal to anybody who sees a car as a reflection of their own personality;

* An interior that is sporty, neat and comfortable and projects more class than the plasticky look and feel of other B-segment contenders. Even the doors shut with a nice solid clunk and the boot is surprisingly generous for a car of this size.

* A spunky engine that is whisper quiet and a cabin that is virtually free of road or wind noises.

* Excellent ride quality. The M2 handles very well and the suspension is a pleasant balance between sporty and comfortable. Steering is light without being vague, the brakes are tops and the little Mazda is not fazed in the least by the twisties, even if you pour on the coals and really hurl it about.

* A superb five-speed manual gearbox, with short, accurate throws. And smooth, so very smooth. In fact, quite a few more expensive cars don't have transmissions as pleasant as this.

My personal feeling is that the pretty species will opt for one of the three 1.3-litre choices, while the boys will probably dig a little deeper for the slightly bigger 1.5-litre because of all its bragworthy bells and whistles.

The bottom line is both the 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre Mazda2's box way, way above their fighting weight. When it comes to value for money this new arrival from Japan has more than enough muscle to kick sand in the face of anything in its class. And it's going to do just that, believe me.