The Mazda 2 adds a genuinely attractive look to the increasingly competitive small-car list. The 2 debuted at the 2007 Geneva auto show, but Mazda’s plans regarding U.S. sales were still up in the air at the time. Now, seeing as the continued success of other small cars in the states, Mazda will make movements at our market.
The 2011 Mazda will forego the 1.3-liter inline-fours available in Japan and Europe in favor of a more powerful 1.5-liter four-cylinder. Power ratings are 100 hp and 98 lb-ft of torque—hardly numbers to get excited about, but competitive with the Fit’s 117 and 106, respectively. Weighing in, Mazda says, at 2300 to 2350 pounds depending on trim level, the 2 is a couple hundred pounds lighter than the Fit, so we expect Fit-like acceleration from the Mazda.
Fuel-economy ratings are about what we’d expect of the segment: 28 city/35 highway mpg with the standard five-speed manual transmission, 28/34 with the optional four-speed automatic.
While buyers in other markets can pick between three- and five-door configurations, we’ll only get the five-door hatchback. There are just two models to choose from: Sport, starting at $14,730, and Touring, starting at $16,185. For comparison purposes, the Honda Fit is priced from $15,610 for the base model and $17,120 for the Fit Sport. We’ll get to see for ourselves when it goes on sale in the U.S. in July.
