2024 Mazda 2 Review

Primed as an affordable, user-friendly, fuel-efficient and zippy little hatchback and sedan package, the Mazda 2 is perfect for young couples, new drivers and those looking for a charming little companion to tackle the urban grind.

With small sedans and hatchbacks being blown out of the water by their compact SUV counterparts, let’s take a closer look at the Mazda 2 to see how well it stacks up for buyers here in Australia.

Mazda 2 Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

The 2024 Mazda 2 range is priced from $22,870 for the entry-level Mazda 2 G15 Pure Manual Hatchback, with prices rising to $24,870 for the Mazda 2 G15 Pure Automatic Hatchback and Sedan. 

Stepping up to the Mazda 2 G15 Pure SP Automatic Hatchback brings the price to $25,670 while the Mazda 2 G15 Evolve Hatchback is priced at $26,370.

The range-topping Mazda 2 G15 GT Hatchback and Sedan are priced at $28,070.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

Using OnlineAuto’s car purchasing service, take advantage of the expertise of one of our car specialists to assist you in finding the best value model for you.

Mazda 2 (G15 PURE SP) Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Mazda 2 Have?

Mazda’s entry-level Mazda2 G15 Pure comes riding on 15-inch alloys and receives automatic LED headlights, cloth upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel & gear lever, keyless start, cruise control, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors and an adjustable steering wheel.

Stepping up to the Mazda2 G15 Pure SP range adds black 16-inch alloys, a shark fin antenna, chrome exhaust pipes, black side mirrors and a faux carbon fibre roof.

Upgrading to the Mazda2 G15 Evolve adds a set of LED daytime running lamps, a black mesh grille, climate control, head-up display, red contrast stitching, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and 16-inch alloys.

Finally, the range-topping Mazda2 G15 GT receives keyless entry, a surround-view monitor with front parking sensors, leather and suede upholstery with red contrast stitching and adaptive cruise control.

Connectivity & Infotainment Features

Mazda packages all members of the MY24 Mazda2 range with its 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is admittedly showing some signs of age, though remains bright, responsive and user-friendly to control via a rotary dial on the centre console.

The base infotainment display is paired with a six-speaker sound system and offers DAB+ digital radio, while stepping up to the G15 Evolve adds satellite navigation.

Does the Mazda2 have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Mazda’s technology updates for the Mazda2 range has seen the company add wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity to the mix, though Android users will be disappointed to find out that accessing Android Auto on the move still requires a physical USB connection.

Is the Mazda2 Comfortable to Drive?

For decades now, the Mazda2 has been a go-to option for buyers looking for a fun little city car - in its latest form, we’re pleased to report it’s better than ever.

Under the bonnet, you’ll find a tiny little 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that powers the front wheels via your choice of a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

While there’s not a heap of power at your disposal, the Mazda2’s featherweight stature means it offers buyers some perky acceleration off the line and for brief bursts up to highway speeds.

Where the Mazda2 really shines, though, isn’t the pickup - rather it’s how it manages to carry speed through the corners and zips around town in a particularly confident and charming way.

The steering is light while parking and making a low speed turn while offering healthy feedback as you pick up the pace, making it extremely easy to drive while offering confidence-inspiring handling that you might not expect at this end of the market.

Around town, the Mazda 2’s compact turning circle makes it a breeze to drive in the urban jungle, while the firm suspension package keeps things flat and stable while still ironing out minor bumps on the road.

Leaving smooth city streets in favour of the open road and the Mazda 2 feels remarkably confident for such a small package, asserting itself as one of the leading options for new and experienced drivers alike.

The Mazda 2 offers a fabulous mix of urban-friendly manners that make it incredibly simple to pilot around town while remaining confident on a mix of highway and county driving, representing one of the leading all-rounders in the segment.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

As you might imagine, such a small package powered by a pint-sized engine means good things for fuel efficiency, and once again, the Mazda 2 doesn’t drop the ball.

On a combined cycle, the Mazda2 with an automatic transmission is rated at 5.0L/100km, while the Mazda2 with a manual gearbox is slightly thirstier, returning combined cycle figures of 5.4L/100km.

How Much Fuel Does the Mazda 2 use Around Town?

• Mazda2 Automatic City Consumption: 5.7L/100km

• Mazda 2 Manual City Consumption: 6.7L/100km

How Much Fuel Does the Mazda 2 use on the Highway?

• Mazda2 Automatic Highway Consumption: 4.6L/100km

• Mazda 2 Manual Highway Consumption: 4.7L/100km

Is it Practical and Spacious?

While space and practicality are ultimately confined by the Mazda2’s pint-sized footprint, Mazda has done a great job at extracting every milimetre of space inside the cabin.

Tall drivers won’t have much of a problem getting comfortable in the driver’s seat thanks to manual adjustment in the driving position, with decent forward and side visibility on offer.

The cabin layout itself isn’t the most contemporary on the market, though it remains familiar to the rest of the Mazda lineup and particularly ergonomic when it comes to making quick inputs on the move.

A leather steering wheel in the base model is a nice premium touch that receives both tilt and telescopic reach adjustment to help you find your preferred driving position.

Storage options aren’t the strongest selling point of the Mazda 2, though you’ll find a spot for your smartphone at the base of the dash, a pair of cupholders and a small storage tray hiding beneath your elbow.

Move to the rear and things are certainly more cramped than the front of the cabin, with limited head and legroom on offer for any tall adults, though acreage is slightly better in the case of the sedan thanks to the slightly longer footprint.

The Mazda2’s second row features a pair of ISOFIX anchors and three top tether mounts to help accommodate a range of forward and rear-facing child seats. 

How Big is the Mazda 2 Boot?

For buyers tossing up whether the Mazda 2 in hatchback and sedan form is more practical, the the sedan is slightly longer, which translates to a bit of extra legroom in the rear of the cabin - and a significantly larger boot.

In the Mazda2 hatchback, you’ll find 250L of boot space while the Mazda2 sedan has nearly double the boot space, totaling 440L.

• Mazda 2 Hatchback Boot Space: 250L

• Mazda 2 Sedan Boot Space: 440L 

Is it Safe?

As standard, the Mazda 2 range is packaged with a decent list of must-have active safety gear that makes it competitive in 2024.

The base model picks up both forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking as well as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assistance and a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors.

Stepping up to the G15 Evolve adds traffic sign recognition while the range-topping G15 GT receives adaptive cruise control and a surround-view monitor with front parking sensors.

Does the Mazda 2 Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Mazda 2’s previous five-star ANCAP safety rating has, unfortunately, expired after its original testing took place back in 2015.

In 2024, the Mazda 2 remains unrated by ANCAP with no indication as to whether or not it will be re-tested under ANCAP’s new protocols.

What Warranty Does the Mazda 2 Come With?

Mazda offers the Mazda2 hatchback and sedan with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty.

There’s also seven-years’ worth of capped-price servicing on offer, though this is capped at 105,000-kilometres.

Service intervals for the Mazda2 range stand at 12-months or 15,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Mazda2 Worth it?

While it’s not quite the bargain it used to be, the Mazda 2 remains one of the most charming and confident small cars on the market - true to its heritage.

The Mazda 2 is happy to zip around town with ease while offering a stable and surprisingly sporty nature when pushed, asserting itself at the top of the segment and arguably the benchmark for its small car rivals to meet.

If you’re looking for a user-friendly small car that drives well and sips fuel responsibly, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price. 

Five Mazda2 Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Seven-year/105,000-kilometre capped-price servicing available

3. 5.0 - 5.4L/100km fuel economy figures (automatic v manual)

4. 250L boot space in hatchback expands to 440L in sedan

5. Expired five-star ANCAP safety rating