The 2011 Mazda2 may very well be the cutest car I've driven to date. Despite its more than adorable look, the Mazda2 and I took a few days to get to know each other. Upon my first drive, I have to admit that I wasn't a fan of the all-new subcompact.
It was because the five-speed manual transmission and I didn't get along. On more than one occasion, I accidentally shifted into 5th gear, rather than 3rd, from 2nd. That wasn't my only complaint. Shifting felt jerky; the hollow sound the door made when it closed didn't instill a sense of confidence, and the loud road, wind and engine noise pouring into the cabin was exhausting to my senses.
With its 100-horsepower 1.5-liter engine and manual transmission, I can't really say that there's any zoom-zoom with the Mazda2. The other thing that is kind of puny with this car is its EPA-estimated fuel economy of 29/35 mpg city/highway. I expected more mileage out of such a small, lightweight car.
After the initial annoyances I reminded myself that with a starting price of $14,180 for the base Sport trim level and $15,635 for the Touring trim level, this car is one of the cheapest I've driven to date and reset my expectation level. My test car, a top-of-the-line Mazda2 Touring, cost $16,000; it packed in a few extra features that were surprising for this price point.
EXTERIOR
That Mazda2 is small, but it still manages to pack in a huge style punch. The rounded hatch, coupled with a rear spoiler and cat-eyelike headlights are totally likable. I'm not really sure I'd take a full-grown adult seriously in this car, however. It's just too cute. It seems much more appropriate, both in style and price point, for a teen driver or a young adult just out of college.
One thing that does impress me about the Mazda2 is how it manages to squeeze in four full-size car doors – plus a fifth if you count the hatch – into such a little design. This car is vaguely reminiscent in size to my own Volvo C30, and every time I approach the Mazda2 I'm still a tad bit surprised there are rear doors. That makes it doable in a pinch for families with school-age kids, who have short legs.
The small size, low step-in height and placement of the car doors makes this cutie easy for little ones to open the door, climb in and close the door independently.
The Mazda2 has a 100-hp, 1.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine that takes regular gas. A five-speed manual transmission is standard. With the optional four-speed automatic, it gets 27/33 mpg.
SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Fair
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Some
INTERIOR
The inside is where some of those surprising features I mentioned earlier make themselves known. First off is the sporty red piping that lines the black seating upholstery. It comes standard in the Touring version I tested. It's just a little extra touch that, for its price, seems like a real bonus stylewise. The front seats adjusted manually, and the driver's seat also adjusts up and down.
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