Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Mazda2 GX

[Autos_Editor]

The authentic and charming Mazda2 has a reason to be quietly confident.

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[Solstice2006]

Like this car for it's simple approach.  Unlike the Ford Fiesta, which shares the same platform, it adds a little more HP, a bigger price tag, too many trim levels, and a jerky DSG. 

I would only buy this car if I found it priced well used, and in manual transmission.  The best value is the GX with the convenience pkg.  Problem is you can find a Mazda3 GX same year, same mileage, with more room, more HP, similar fuel economy.

Which is why you don't see many Mazda2 on the road... When they make the next generation in Mexico, hopefully it will be priced better, and have that 1.3L skyactiv, and a Mazdaspeed 2 with the 2.0L skyactiv...

[Arthur Dent]

I own a 2012 GX. The 2 is nothing special on paper but somehow it feels more than the sum of its parts. It has an eager and playful character missing from many cars. It does have a fair bit of body roll had handles well on the bump stops. The engine is only 100hp but feels like it has more and is quite willing.

[cruzzer]

Good review, but after reading it I thought the little 2 deserved a better score. Sounds like a fun 'around town' car with the manual. But the Mazda3 is a lot more car for not a lot more money and the new 3 is in another world compared to the 2.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Good review, but after reading it I thought the little 2 deserved a better score. Sounds like a fun 'around town' car with the manual. But the Mazda3 is a lot more car for not a lot more money and the new 3 is in another world compared to the 2.

For the price of a well equipped 3, you can get a 6, and so on.

People buy the size they want, and some just want a car this size.

[dragonfly]

I don't get your overall rating..It seems to me it warranted a 2.5..which is as low as I've ever seen..The car is a penalty box...Jack

[jamesautos]

I think this car needs a 6spd manual or auto to make it more fuel efficient And competitive in their segment... They can shorten the 1st 4 gears and make 5th and 6th hwy cruise gears with low ratios...

[redman]

Like this car for it's simple approach.  Unlike the Ford Fiesta, which shares the same platform, it adds a little more HP, a bigger price tag, too many trim levels, and a jerky DSG. 

I would only buy this car if I found it priced well used, and in manual transmission.  The best value is the GX with the convenience pkg.  Problem is you can find a Mazda3 GX same year, same mileage, with more room, more HP, similar fuel economy.

Which is why you don't see many Mazda2 on the road... When they make the next generation in Mexico, hopefully it will be priced better, and have that 1.3L skyactiv, and a Mazdaspeed 2 with the 2.0L skyactiv...

The new gen Mazda 2 with have a shared platform with Toyota (maybe new yaris HB) and feature skiactiv

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/10/facelifted-mazda2-with-skyactiv-1-3l-revealed-in-japan/
http://blog.caranddriver.com/mazda-2-with-new-1-3-liter-skyactiv-g-engine-gets-claimed-50-percent-mileage-boost/
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/09/mazda-to-build-small-toyota-in-mexico-for-us-consumption/
http://www.autonews.com/article/20121109/OEM01/121109869/mazda-to-produce-car-for-toyota-at-mexico-plant#axzz2hFaPjHrF

Mazda Press release includes the Mazda 2 & 3 : http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2012/201211/121109a.pdf

[Solstice2006]

I don't get your overall rating..It seems to me it warranted a 2.5..which is as low as I've ever seen..The car is a penalty box...Jack

How is this a penalty box? Have you ever driven it? In manual form, it's a lot more fun that some of it's competition, like the Yaris, or Versa, or the Aveo.  Although we got this car in 2011, this generation is from 2007.  So the competition has had a chance to improve their subcompacts like the Rio, the Accent, the Sonic.  The Versa Note has been updated, but doesn't appear to much of an improvement from the previous generation...

[Black Hatch]

From the article.

I was in the Mazda2 for a 2.5-hour drive in ugly 401 traffic and not once felt uncomfortable. The seats do enough to keep your body supported without putting pressure on your back, and the light clutch meant my legs didn’t tire in stop-go traffic.

And it still only got a 2.5 for comfort?
Doesn't make sense to me.

Good review, but after reading it I thought the little 2 deserved a better score. Sounds like a fun 'around town' car with the manual. But the Mazda3 is a lot more car for not a lot more money and the new 3 is in another world compared to the 2.

For the price of a well equipped 3, you can get a 6, and so on.
People buy the size they want, and some just want a car this size.

Base price for Mazda2 14,450
Base price for Mazda3 15,995, $1500 difference
Base price for Mazda6 24,495,  $8500 difference

The Mazda3 base price is not much more than a Mazda2 base price but the Mazda6 base price (albeit with much better equipment) is much more than a base Mazda3.
Might not make sense to get a base Mazda6 compared to a base Mazda3 for such a large price difference.

I don't get your overall rating..It seems to me it warranted a 2.5..which is as low as I've ever seen..The car is a penalty box...Jack

How is this a penalty box? Have you ever driven it? In manual form, it's a lot more fun that some of it's competition, like the Yaris, or Versa, or the Aveo.  Although we got this car in 2011, this generation is from 2007.  So the competition has had a chance to improve their subcompacts like the Rio, the Accent, the Sonic.  The Versa Note has been updated, but doesn't appear to much of an improvement from the previous generation...

Agree. Definitely not a penalty box.
Its almost like a cheaper FWD Mazda Miata on how agile it handles.
I had one-time consider to replace the RX-8 with it and Mike had also considered to replace a WRX with it.
http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,81720.0.html?

[rrocket]

I think it's a penalty box...but was a bit amusing to drive.  But I think all the cars in this teeny-sized class are penalty boxes.

[JacobBlack]

I don't get your overall rating..It seems to me it warranted a 2.5..which is as low as I've ever seen..The car is a penalty box...Jack

Do you mean it warranted a 2.5 in your experience with it, or based on the content of my review?
I think in the review I'm pretty appreciative of it, that's why I gave it a 3.5.
The reason the 3.5 is higher than any of the other scores in the table, is as someone said here, the car is greater than the sum of its parts. It's an adorable little fella.

And it still only got a 2.5 for comfort?
Doesn't make sense to me.

Yeah, I always rank down for small cars because size=luxury in my mind. But I think my rating there was probably lower than it needed to be. Good point!

[Black Hatch]

And it still only got a 2.5 for comfort?
Doesn't make sense to me.

Yeah, I always rank down for small cars because size=luxury in my mind. But I think my rating there was probably lower than it needed to be. Good point!

I thought these ratings were supposed to be based to comparisons to vehicles of the same class.

[wing]

And it still only got a 2.5 for comfort?
Doesn't make sense to me.

Yeah, I always rank down for small cars because size=luxury in my mind. But I think my rating there was probably lower than it needed to be. Good point!

I thought these ratings were supposed to be based to comparisons to vehicles of the same class.

Should be.

[Solstice2006]

I agree it should be within its class as well, but it's not like the rating system was ever explained.  I just read the article, and take what I want from it.  Don't really see the point of the rating system, never use rating system for a movie either...

[Sir Osis of Liver]

For the price of a well equipped 3, you can get a 6, and so on.
People buy the size they want, and some just want a car this size.

Base price for Mazda2 14,450
Base price for Mazda3 15,995, $1500 difference
Base price for Mazda6 24,495,  $8500 difference

The Mazda3 base price is not much more than a Mazda2 base price but the Mazda6 base price (albeit with much better equipment) is much more than a base Mazda3.
Might not make sense to get a base Mazda6 compared to a base Mazda3 for such a large price difference.

That's why I said well equipped. There is typically a fair bit of price overlap moving from class to class. It depends on the individual and their preferences.

[JacobBlack]

Yeah, I always rank down for small cars because size=luxury in my mind. But I think my rating there was probably lower than it needed to be. Good point!

I thought these ratings were supposed to be based to comparisons to vehicles of the same class.

You're right, that score is inconsistent with how we usually score things. I blame - um, the moon? I was distracted by a UFO? Or something?
Nope, I got nothing.
I'll adjust the score up.

[rrocket]

^^Were you drinking??  Hung over, perhaps?  Using the Auto.ca expense account??   

[dirtyjeffer]

Don't really see the point of the rating system, never use rating system for a movie either...

i usually do, but for the opposite...movies that are often poorly reviewed, i usually don't mind them...movies that are well review, IMO, often suck.

[Black Hatch]

For the price of a well equipped 3, you can get a 6, and so on.
People buy the size they want, and some just want a car this size.

Base price for Mazda2 14,450
Base price for Mazda3 15,995, $1500 difference
Base price for Mazda6 24,495,  $8500 difference

The Mazda3 base price is not much more than a Mazda2 base price but the Mazda6 base price (albeit with much better equipment) is much more than a base Mazda3.
Might not make sense to get a base Mazda6 compared to a base Mazda3 for such a large price difference.

That's why I said well equipped. There is typically a fair bit of price overlap moving from class to class. It depends on the individual and their preferences.

The idea was that moving up from a base Mazda2 to base Mazda3, you get the same stuff and larger interior for only a faction more.
Going up from a base Mazda3 to Mazda6 cost a whole deal more and would be a good debate in the base Mazda6 or loaded Mazda3 category.
In regards to price it doesn't make sense to get a Mazda2 if you can get a Mazda3 for just a little more. Need more price differentiation.