Category: Superminis 
Price Range: £9,295 to £13,845
Spaciousness, practicality, good engines, low running costs.
Patchy interior finish, not as dynamic a drive as Mazda would like you to believe.
Practical car and worthwhile all-rounder, but brings nothing new to the supermini party; and certainly not the essence of zoom.
A doddle. The driving position is upright and, because you sit quite high, visibility is not a problem. The steering wheel adjusts for rake and is light at town speeds, with standard power assistance, while the brakes and clutch have a progressive feel. The gearbox is precise too, but isn't creamily smooth or even that pleasant to use.
The 2's short overhangs front and rear and fairly boxy side panels mean parking is easy, while the mirrors have adequate visibility and the over-the-shoulder view is largely unrestricted for motorway entry. The minor controls, including the stereo, are clearly laid out and easy to use.
Thankfully, the 2's dynamics have had some slight revisions over the Fusion on which it's based. However, they don't go all that far. Engineers tell us - and we quite believe them - that the steering hasn't been changed at all, while damper-rates and suspension bushes are slightly firmer for a bit of extra fun behind the wheel. Certainly, if you're in the willing 1.6 or 1.25, you can have some fun, but it doesn't go down the road like a Mini or 207, or even the old 121. The steering offers little feedback, although it is smooth and positive. Not bad, but it's not a keen driver's car in the vein of the 6, which we hoped it would be.
No real complaints here. The range starts with a 1.25 Zetec-E petrol unit (badged MZI for Mazda), an engine we've always liked. It provides adequate rather than startling performance, with 75bhp (5bhp less than the 1.2-litre Micra), and it's very willing, galloping around the rev-range like, er, an unbridled horse. It may make some noise while it's doing it, but it's not unpleasant.
The 1.4-litre petrol, with 80bhp, is not so convincing. You don't need the extra 5bhp it offers, or the extra torque (pulling power), and it's just not as smooth. Save your money and have the 1.25.
Then there's the 1.6, only available in Sport trim (constituting bigger alloys and a rear-spoiler), which is quite willing and provides 100bhp of useful poke.
One of the best engines, however, is Ford's TDCi common-rail diesel engine (developed in conjunction with Peugeot and badged MZ CD by Mazda). With 68bhp, it's smooth and quiet, except for a slight rattle at idle and when being worked. If you can afford it, it's the best motor.
