Self test. Don’t confuse Mazda 2 and…Mazda 2

Imagine you’re sitting at a restaurant table, the menu in front of you. In the meat department, one detail questions you. On the first line Roquefort rib, on the second… Roquefort rib. The waiter arrives, you question him and he answers you kindly, we have two ribs in Roquefort, the old one and the new one, it’s your turn. Leaving the factory after sampling one or the other, you push open the door of a Mazda dealership in search of an economy car. The most serious in the world, the seller offers you, to his left, the Mazda 2, to his right the Mazda 2. The old and the new, it’s still up to you to choose.

Of course, one carries the label “hybrid,” but since the other is now micro-hybridized, the proposition lacks clarity. No hidden cameras in all this, just a solution adopted by the Hiroshima-based manufacturer that recovers a rebadged Yaris to expand its offer. Two very different cars and still competing in the same showcase.

Just like the original

Like Suzuki, fully satisfied with having integrated the “Swace” and “Across” hybrids (precisely the Corolla break and the RAV4) into its catalogue, Mazda can therefore, thanks to a simple agreement with its famous compatriot, have a model that they cost a fortune to develop.

No aesthetic changes (apart from the coats of arms of course) compared to the original, and the same internal environment. Thus we find the efficient charm of the Yaris in the cockpit of the Mazda. Suddenly no miracle, the rear space remains the same and can not “really” accommodate three “real” passengers or, better not take them too far without risking a strong petition along the way!

There is also the quality of the finishes, as well as the many practical and well thought-out storage solutions. The dashboard doesn’t stand out fancy but it doesn’t have any flaws, the driver won’t complain about them. Could still regret the multimedia system away from the references of the moment.

Agile, nervous and… sober

One of the Mazda 2 Hybrid’s main strengths is its handling. Agile and nervous in the city (not easy to “grill” when going green), it surprises on the road. Thanks to a formidable chassis and good damping, it’s also fun on the track

so particular to our campaigns.

The so unpleasant sensation of “slipping” of the box has been practically canceled and it is enough to find the right amount of acceleration to never wake up (too much) this defect. Serene braking, satisfying steering, the city car passes the road test with flying colors and the electric car offers a real breath of fresh air to the small three-cylinder. Two downsides though. First, visibility to the rear is clearly hampered by the thick pillars and architecture of this part of the car. Rolling noise then, too present on the highway.

Even without really worrying about it, there is very low consumption in all circumstances, spectacular in urban use. Too bad that for long journeys the range is weighed down by the size of the tank.