Mazda 2 review
The Mazda 2 is a stylish, fun-to-drive, and beautifully built supermini that brings a touch of sports car flair to the small car class.
Author: Charlie Harvey
22nd Dec 2025 – 8 mins read
The Mazda 2 has always been a bit different from the supermini crowd. While early versions were all about practicality, the latest model, launched in 2014, has a different mission. It’s a small car that’s been designed with the DNA of Mazda’s legendary MX-5 sports car, prioritising a fun driving experience and stylish looks above all else. This focus makes the Mazda 2 a really interesting choice. It’s one of the best-looking cars in its class, with a sleek design and a sporty, high-quality interior that feels a cut above many rivals. It’s also brilliant to drive, with lively engines and sharp handling that will put a smile on your face. It might not be the most practical supermini, with a small boot and tight back seats, but if you’re looking for a small car with a big personality and a premium feel, the Mazda 2 is a fantastic and rewarding option.
Pros
- Excellent handling that makes it great fun to drive
- Lively and efficient petrol engines
- A stylish and sporty high-quality cabin
Cons
- The back seats are quite cramped for adults
- It has one of the smallest boots in its class
- It can be more expensive than some rivals
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The Mazda 2 really plays its trump card when you step inside. The cabin draws clear inspiration from the MX-5 sports car, with a driver-focused layout, purposeful round air vents, and a sporty three-spoke steering wheel. It immediately makes you feel like you’re in something a bit special.
The quality is excellent, feeling much more premium than you’d expect from a small car. Higher-spec models get lovely touches like stitched leather trim across the dashboard. While it might not have the biggest or flashiest touchscreen, the infotainment system is easy to use, and the overall feel is one of quality and sporty sophistication. It’s a cabin that’s designed to be enjoyed.
Comfort
If you’re sitting in the front, the Mazda 2 is a very comfortable car. The seats are well-padded and supportive, and there’s plenty of adjustment for the driver’s seat and steering wheel, making it easy to find your perfect driving position. It’s a refined and comfortable companion for long journeys.
However, the car’s focus on style and a sporty driving experience means there have been some compromises. The biggest is rear passenger space. Access is fine, but legroom and headroom are quite tight for adults. The swooping roofline looks great, but it means taller passengers in the back might feel a bit hemmed in. It’s best to think of it as a car for singles, couples, or those with small children.
Quality
Mazda has a brilliant reputation for building high-quality, reliable cars, and the 2 is no exception. The interior feels solid and well put together, with materials that feel a step above what you’d find in many mainstream rivals. It gives the impression of being a car that’s built to last.
There have been no major reliability issues reported with this generation of the Mazda 2. It’s a car that feels robust and dependable, which, combined with its premium feel, makes it a very appealing ownership proposition.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
As we’ve mentioned, practicality isn’t the Mazda 2’s strongest point. While front passengers are well catered for with decent space and useful storage cubbies, those in the back will find it quite cramped. It’s fine for kids or for adults on short trips, but if you regularly carry passengers in the back, you’ll find rivals like the Hyundai i20 or Suzuki Swift are much more accommodating.
Boot space
Things don’t get much better when you open the boot. With just 280 litres of space, it’s one of the smallest in the supermini class. It’s only slightly bigger than the boot in some tiny city cars. It’s big enough for a weekly shop or a couple of weekend bags, but a pushchair or bulky luggage will be a struggle.
The rear seats do fold down to increase the load space to 950 litres, but they don’t go completely flat, which can make it tricky to load larger items. If practicality is a top priority, the Mazda 2 probably isn’t the car for you.
Driving
Driving experience
This is where the Mazda 2 truly excels. It’s a car that’s been designed to be fun to drive, and it delivers in spades. The handling is sharp and agile, making it feel nimble and exciting on a twisty road. The steering is accurate and gives you plenty of confidence to enjoy the car’s brilliant chassis.
It’s one of the most entertaining cars to drive in the supermini class, rivalling even the Ford Fiesta for driver appeal. It proves that you don’t need a powerful sports car to have fun behind the wheel. The Mazda 2 is a car that will make even a mundane trip to the shops feel like an event.
Performance
The engine lineup in the Mazda 2 is simple and effective. All models use a 1.5-litre petrol engine, which is available in three different power outputs. The entry-level version has 75bhp and is perfectly adequate for town driving.
The most popular version is the 90bhp model, which offers a great blend of lively performance and excellent fuel economy. For those who want a bit more excitement, there’s a 115bhp version that feels genuinely quick and makes the most of the car’s brilliant handling. It’s a range of engines that are all willing, efficient, and perfectly suited to the car’s sporty character.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
The Mazda 2 promises not to be too painful on your wallet. All the engines are very efficient, with most versions capable of achieving around 55mpg in official tests. Insurance groups are low, and road tax is affordable.
It’s not the absolute cheapest supermini to run, but it’s very competitive. The running costs are unlikely to be a deciding factor in your buying decision, allowing you to focus on the car’s many other great qualities.
Value for money
On paper, the Mazda 2 can look a little expensive, with a higher starting price than many of its rivals. However, it’s important to remember that even the entry-level models are very well-equipped. You get a lot of standard kit for your money, which offsets the higher initial price.
Mazda has a great reputation, and the 2 holds its value well for a supermini. This is good news, as it means you’ll get more of your money back when you come to sell it. It’s a car that feels like a quality product and represents good long-term value.
Reliability & Warranty
Mazda is a brand that consistently performs well in reliability and owner satisfaction surveys. The Mazda 2 is a very dependable car with no major common faults reported. It’s important to check that any recalls have been carried out on a used example, but overall, it’s a car you can buy with a great deal of confidence. From new, all Mazdas come with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty.
Safety
Safety features
The Mazda 2 is a very safe car. It was awarded a four-star rating when it was crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP, which is a good score for a small car.
All models come with a good level of standard safety equipment, including multiple airbags, electronic stability control, and tyre pressure monitoring. Higher-spec models add more advanced features like lane departure warning and smart city brake support, which is a form of automatic emergency braking.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The Mazda 2 is available in a range of well-equipped trim levels.
SE-L: Even the entry-level model is generously equipped. It comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, a seven-inch touchscreen, DAB radio, Bluetooth, and cruise control.
Sport Nav: This popular trim adds features like built-in satellite navigation, rear parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers, and keyless entry.
GT Sport Nav: The top-of-the-range model adds a touch of luxury. It comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera, leather seats, heated front seats, and a colour head-up display.
Engines
The engine lineup is simple, with all models using versions of the same great engine.
1.5 SKYACTIV-G Petrol: This 1.5-litre petrol engine is available with three power outputs: 75bhp, 90bhp, or 115bhp. All versions are lively, fun, and very economical. The 90bhp version is the sweet spot in the range, and it’s also available with a smooth automatic gearbox.