Dublin People - Mazda 2 definitely has more 'Zoom-Zoom'

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Mazda 2 definitely has more 'Zoom-Zoom'

Thursday, 07 August 2008

I had driven a petrol version of the Mazda 2 at the end of last year and this time I was due to test the revamped Mazda 5, the one with the sliding door. But due to a misunderstanding I got the Mazda 2 diesel instead, but I have no complaints. The Mazda 5 can wait for another day.
Last year was a great one for Mazda Ireland with sales here taking a major leap after they decided to distribute the cars directly in Ireland themselves.
Also at the end of last year their Mazda 2 finished second to the Fiat 500 in the European Car of the Year competition, but didn't make the top five when it came to vote for the Semperit Irish Car of the Year. As the Lisbon Treaty vote proved we do things different than our European colleagues.
However, Mazda has been boosted with the recent news that they were named 'Best Carmaker' in the second annual Which? Awards. The magazine has a good reputation for testing absolutely everything and they said that all Mazda cars are interesting to drive and there is something for everyone in the Mazda range.
So this light Supermini could be the car in your range. It's reasonably small but very nippy and my family loved the fact that it had four doors. When I drove the petrol model last year I commented on how quiet it was. Naturally the diesel is every so slightly noisier.
It has been said, mainly by me on these pages, that diesel is the new black. So if you happen to be driving a black model of the sporty-looking Mazda 2 diesel then you should really feel that you are up to date fashion-wise.
In the past I have often complained about the interiors of cars being predominantly black. This time the interior was mainly black again, with just the odd speck of silver on the doors and a touch of great on the seats. But I did like the exterior black and I thought it gave the car a classy look.
On the dash the instruments are well laid out and easy to use. I like the way the gear lever is incorporated into the dash rather than a stand alone item. The only complaint was that the digital clock had to share display space with my choice of radio station. So often I found myself looking at something like: '180098' or '0900TodayFM.' Radio fans will have noticed that 98 have dropped FM from their logo.
Eventually I copped on that there was a dot between the time and the name of the radio station, but it was very small one and difficult to see.
While the back seat could take three adults it's unlikely to happen with most families, but it is fair to say that there is plenty of room for children. The boot is small, but deep.
Mazda has a marketing line where they say that their cars have more 'Zoom-Zoom' and it certainly is true of their Mazda 2.
Prices start at e14,995 for the 1.3 petrol model, while the 1.4 diesel I drove costs e17,495. For that you get a few extras like 15 inch alloys, electric and heated mirrors, air con and MP player.
Also the diesel comes in at Band A, the lowest in C02 emissions, which means just e100 road tax per annum.

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