Vehicle: 2009 Mazda2 1.5 Freeway with 4-speed automatic
Price as tested: CDN$20000 (Estimated)

Performance: Given Mazda2′s status as an entry-level subcompact, it doesn’t come as a surprise it comes with a little mill. In Mazda2′s case, its a delightful one. This 1.5 liter DOHC 4-cylinder 16-valve engine is a willing unit, as it have 103 horses and 108 lb/ft of torque at driver’s disposal. While its numbers aren’t exactly Porsche-like, it has more than enough to take on the best from Honda and Toyota. The level of refinement and NVH are remarkable for a car of its class. Combined with the advanced S-VT variable valve timing and aluminum engine block, its level of advacements are more than up to the class standard. You can either choose a slick 5-speed manual gearbox or the 4-speed automatic in our tester. While this autobox has tall enough gear ratio for a comfortable ride on highway speed, its 2nd gear just feels a bit gearing too high for low-speed acceleration. Thankfully, the 1st gear is low enough to give Mazda2 a responsive acceleration. The throttle response is quick and linear. Its driven-by-wire throttle doesn’t have any throttle lag is an added bonus.

Handling: Given Mazda2 is based on the worthy European Ford Fiesta chassis, it doesn’t come as a surprise its a truly great one. Its strong, solid and stiff without any signs of cracks and rattles. The level of chassis rigidty is world-class. In a word, simply impressive in this class of subcompact. Mazda2′s road manners are equally astounishing, as we all expect from Mazda these days. The suspension provides a right level of suppleness for comfort and firmness for all-out handling capabilities. The cornering prowess is excellent as Mazda2′s understeer is minimal and body rolls are almost non-existence. That’s truly amazing as Mazda2′s status-of-life as an affordable commute car instead of a hot hatch. What it does exhibit is hot hatch like road manners with level of civilization of a daily driven economical small car. The ride comfort is excellent as it absorbs all the roughness and patholes like many more expensive luxury cars. What really seperate Mazda2 from others is the road feel through its electric power steering. While I have never been a great fun of electric power steering due to its vague and light feedback. Mazda continues to impressive with their electric power steering tuning that provides strong feedback with wonderful precision. This kind of handling dynamics is nothing less than amazing in this class of vehicle. You can pretty much imagine how great Mazdaspeed2 will be underpin on this very little car.

Brakes: Although Mazda2 uses front discs, rear drums with standard ABS. Both the pedal feel and modulation are equally impressive. The ABS only steps in when necessary, while brake pedal doesn’t show any kind of fades after complete hard stops.

Interior: Slip behind the wheel of Mazda2, you got what you expect from a small car. That means everything is logically layout with large knobs for climate control, power windows/locks/mirrors and design that is as trendy as its exterior styling. The leather wrapped steering provides decent grip, while those sports bucket seats hug you in the right places.

There are plenty of head and legrooms for the rear passengers.

In terms of cargo space, Mazda2 continues to impress with low cut liftover and side sills for easy loading. Its also got split fold-down rear seats for extra practicality. When the hatch closed, Mazda2 scores well with visibility as it got a proper rear washer/wiper.

Conclusion: When the Mazda2 does come available across the shore, it will have the same effect to its segment as with what Mazda3 and Mazda6 do to their respective segments. It will have a-class-of-its-own especially when it comes to dynamic abilities and sporty character that set it apart from its rivals.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2009 Mazda2
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 4.5/5