2011 Mazda 2 review

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The latest Mazda2 was introduced to the Middle East in mid-2010, although the car has been on sale in Europe since 2007.

It’s available in both five-door hatchback and four-door sedan form, offering entry-level motoring with a bit more style and pizzazz than some of its rivals.

The car is based on the same platform as the Ford Fiesta and boasts more than 50 awards from around the world, including the title of World Car of the Year 2008.With prices starting at just 47,000 AED, it’s cheaper than both the equivalent model Fiesta and many people’s first-choice value car, the Toyota Yaris.

All models are powered by a 101bhp, 1.5-litre engine attached to a four-speed automatic. Both sedan and hatchback come in two trim versions (in the UAE). The S model comes with a CD player with the all-important auxiliary input socket for MP3 players, folding rear seats, fabric upholstery and air conditioning. Both sedan and hatchback ride on 14-inch steel wheels. The V models upgrade the wheels to 15-inch alloys and add fog lamps and a rear spoiler.

While the hatchback is aimed towards younger customers, the sedan model is targeted at families and boasts a 450-litre boot that Mazda says is the best in its class. Safety-wise, all models come with ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution, which aids stability during emergency braking. The 2 has disc brakes at the front but older drum brakes at the rear. Two airbags for driver and passenger are standard in all models. The Mazda2 has a maximum five-star safety rating from the Euro NCAP crash-testing programme.

Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder

Max power (bhp/rpm): 101/6,000

Max torque (Nm/rpm): 135/,4000

Transmission: Four-speed automatic

Driven wheels: Front wheel drive

Kerb weight: 1,030kg (hatchback), 1,051 (sedan)

Price (AED): 47,000-49,000 (hatchback), 49,000-52,000 (sedan)

SOURCE: http://automiddleeast.com/2011-mazda2/