2015 Mazda2 Skyactiv: Opinions?

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c3n0byt3

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Am considering a new vehicle and the Mazdas really look like value for money.
They are slightly more expensive than some competitors, but looks and interior are in my opinion the best.
I am thinking about a Mazda2 or at a real stretch Mazda3 (demo).
Mazda2 has some really good reviews regarding driving experience (relative power and gearbox).

My initial thoughts:
Good thing about the Mazda2 is that Skyactiv engine. (However I see CAR magazine specs show 12.0 compression).
Drawback is the size and slightly dinky interior (compared to the 3).

Good thing about the Mazda3 is the interior, even at lower trim.
Drawback is the older 1.6.

So I went to test drive the Mazda2.
I was disappointed in the power and response. It almost seems like they purposely scaled back 1st gear, i.e. it's almost like a diesel when taking off.
Similar to the 2.0 Kia's where they purposely restricted power on takeoff to save the gearbox.
In gear wasn't that much better either. Am I missing something?
I'm coming from a 2001 1.6 corolla. Sure it's more displacement, but the Mazda2 has more power and is lighter. The reasons I was actually considering the 2.
The only thing I can think of is that either the other cars in the segment must REALLY suck, or there was something wrong with the vehicle I test drove.
It was the salesman's daily and on starting had a lumpy idle.

I have yet to test the Mazda3 but from what others have reported and by the numbers I'm not expecting much in the power department.
I do 99% highway driving and need that bit of power modern engines seem to squeeze out.
 
Opel Corsa? 1.0T - same power, more Torque.
Disclaimer : I bought one for the wife and i've been impressed with it.
Its nice to drive and the extra torque really helps with highway driving, it can easily manage some tough hills in 6th gear.
 
Mazda 2 only has 2 airbags, even on their top spec model. For this reason alone I would stay away.
 
I've considered the i20 and possibly the Fiesta 1.4.
Haven't test driven either yet.

The i20 seems nice but I know it to be under-powered from observation on the road and reviews.
It's a heavy vehicle with a small engine.
Similar to be said about the Fiesta (I'm not interested in Ecoboost), although should be better than the i20 in terms of performance.
The interior in my opinion is terrible.

In selecting a new car I always went looking for some sort of spreadsheet with car specs.
Couldn't get anything with power, torque, weight and fuel use in one place.
Power to weight is what I was looking at and the Mazda2 seems the best in an acceptable price range (~R200k).
 
c3n0byt3 said:
I've considered the i20 and possibly the Fiesta 1.4.
Haven't test driven either yet.

The i20 seems nice but I know it to be under-powered from observation on the road and reviews.
It's a heavy vehicle with a small engine.
Similar to be said about the Fiesta (I'm not interested in Ecoboost), although should be better than the i20 in terms of performance.
The interior in my opinion is terrible.

In selecting a new car I always went looking for some sort of spreadsheet with car specs.
Couldn't get anything with power, torque, weight and fuel use in one place.
Power to weight is what I was looking at and the Mazda2 seems the best in an acceptable price range (~R200k).
Click to expand...

Could also look at the Suzuki Swift Sport in that range, also good value for money. Power To weight is also very good..
 
The i20 does have a 6 speed manual option- at least on some of the spec levels- if it's still the same gen vehicle (friend of the family has one, for what it is, I wouldn't say it feels underpowered). As nice as the Suzuki's are, they have zero boot space to speak of.
 
Get the 2L Mazda 3 Skyactiv or other maker's equivalent. That 1.6 in the lower spec Mazda 3 is last gen crap.

Stretch your budget or get something second hand but get something with decent power if your 1.6 Corrola irritates you. There's nothing more irritating than an under powered new car that you're now stuck with for a long time. Get a damm V6 or V12 if you have to but we don't need more frustrated drivers on the road
 
Last edited:
So I'll add my (little more than) 2c in here.

I bought the Skyactiv D version of the 2 in September (23rd) last year and have since done almost 13000km. Coming from a modified Mazda 3 MPS before (300whp and 470NM), I had to get something that can still comfortably pass others on highways etc. This and my 100km plus daily drive is what made me go for the diesel. 250NM in the light body works well and I have not yet had a situation where I felt I really needed more power.

Not sure why you experienced sluggishness on your test drive, was the car maybe still cold? In the diesel at least the car limits power while the motor is not up to temperature, not sure about the Petrol variant. I also test drove the Automatic petrol one and I did not feel it was sluggish in 1st and it performed well. It might be that the dealer filled 93 octane fuel which is not a good idea in a high compression motor...

Otherwise the car has really exceeded my expectations. The touchscreen satnav media system works really well and the sound quality impressed me as well as the climate control that really works well on the hot days. The only gripe I have is that there is no standard cruise control.

I do the Midrand traffic thing every day which is why I got the automatic. The box shifts quickly and doesn't hunt unnecessarily, almost DSG like without the complexity and possible unreliability. I have had a race with a Swift sport and basically sat neck and neck with him from the traffic light (depending on launch). I usually average 5.1l/100km on a tank with my heavy foot and traffic driving.

The trip to PE with some weight in the car it did 4.4l/100km down and 4.5l/100km up with plenty stop/go and traffic. I know someone with the petrol version and they also get great consumption.

In the end you should go drive the cars you are interested in and then get the one you feel best about. I do not regret my decision going with the Mazda at all.

Should you end up deciding for the Mazda I can really recommend CMH Mazda Hatfield, they have given me nothing but great service with my trade in as well as when I purchased parts for my old Mazda. You should also get some discount off the list price :)
 
Vegeta said:
Get the 2L Mazda 3 Skyactiv or other maker's equivalent. That 1.6 in the lower spec Mazda 3 is last gen crap.

Stretch your budget or get something second hand but get something with decent power if your 1.6 Corrola irritates you. There's nothing more irritating than an under powered new car that you're now stuck with for a long time. Get a damm V6 or V12 if you have to but we don't need more frustrated drivers on the road
Click to expand...

I agree, if you look at the 3 go for the 2.0 as this has the new skyactiv tech, performs much better and uses little fuel.
 
Foeffie said:
I agree, if you look at the 3 go for the 2.0 as this has the new skyactiv tech, performs much better and uses little fuel.
Click to expand...
How does the price compare against it's direct rivals?
 
Vegeta said:
Get the 2L Mazda 3 Skyactiv or other maker's equivalent. That 1.6 in the lower spec Mazda 3 is last gen crap.

Stretch your budget or get something second hand but get something with decent power if your 1.6 Corrola irritates you. There's nothing more irritating than an under powered new car that you're now stuck with for a long time. Get a damm V6 or V12 if you have to but we don't need more frustrated drivers on the road
Click to expand...
Yes I'm slowly looking towards the 2.0, but need to test drive the 1.6 still.
It's not that my corolla irritates me, in fact it's pretty good compared to the usual Polos etc.
Though that's from 2nd gear onwards and usually above 3000rpm.
It's at 250 000km now and would need to be replaced after 300 000km I think.
The repair costs (in JHB) are comparable to a new-ish car and with a new car I SHOULD be looking at less time in the workshop.

And yes I really don't want to be stuck with something that's sluggish, like some of the new cars on the market.
Weight is their biggest enemy.
 
Foeffie said:
So I'll add my (little more than) 2c in here.

I bought the Skyactiv D version of the 2 in September (23rd) last year and have since done almost 13000km. Coming from a modified Mazda 3 MPS before (300whp and 470NM), I had to get something that can still comfortably pass others on highways etc. This and my 100km plus daily drive is what made me go for the diesel. 250NM in the light body works well and I have not yet had a situation where I felt I really needed more power.

Not sure why you experienced sluggishness on your test drive, was the car maybe still cold? In the diesel at least the car limits power while the motor is not up to temperature, not sure about the Petrol variant. I also test drove the Automatic petrol one and I did not feel it was sluggish in 1st and it performed well. It might be that the dealer filled 93 octane fuel which is not a good idea in a high compression motor...

Otherwise the car has really exceeded my expectations. The touchscreen satnav media system works really well and the sound quality impressed me as well as the climate control that really works well on the hot days. The only gripe I have is that there is no standard cruise control.

I do the Midrand traffic thing every day which is why I got the automatic. The box shifts quickly and doesn't hunt unnecessarily, almost DSG like without the complexity and possible unreliability. I have had a race with a Swift sport and basically sat neck and neck with him from the traffic light (depending on launch). I usually average 5.1l/100km on a tank with my heavy foot and traffic driving.

The trip to PE with some weight in the car it did 4.4l/100km down and 4.5l/100km up with plenty stop/go and traffic. I know someone with the petrol version and they also get great consumption.

In the end you should go drive the cars you are interested in and then get the one you feel best about. I do not regret my decision going with the Mazda at all.

Should you end up deciding for the Mazda I can really recommend CMH Mazda Hatfield, they have given me nothing but great service with my trade in as well as when I purchased parts for my old Mazda. You should also get some discount off the list price :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for your first hand info. I needed this.
Though the diesel is a far cry from the 1.5 petrol. Pricewise as well! For R260k I'd rather take the 2.0 Mazda3.

I also thought about the 93 octane and that's why I want to test drive another 2 soon.

You sat neck and neck with a Swift? Ok that makes me consider the Swift Sport!

Great will check out Hatfield as well.
 
The Swift Sport is a great car, really sporty and nippy drive, but I liked the modern features and interior of the Mazda as well as the usable boot. Also the diesel was a huge selling point for me with the mileage I do, so I easily justified the price premium.
Best of all, I have found an app for my phone that enables me to watch .mkv's off the USB on the cars screen. Makes traffic much more bearable!
 
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