2026 Mazda 2 review

The Mazda 2 is at a crossroads.

Not only are sales of this tiny tot down in 2025, but the light car market as a whole is on the decline.

Perhaps Mazda saw this coming, as the Japanese automaker’s local arm made the move to halve the range from four variants to two heading into this year.

And, given the current generation is now 11 years old, there’s no guarantee that it’s sticking around long-term. There’s no word yet on whether the Mazda 2 nameplate will continue into a fourth generation, either.

So, if you want a little city car with a Mazda badge on the front, now might be a good time to visit your dealer.

But there’s a problem. The axing of the base Pure and Pure SP variants has seen the Mazda 2 entry price spike to $26,990 before on-road costs – up by $4120 compared to last year.

As such, rivals such as the Suzuki Swift Hybrid and MG 3 are now both newer and cheaper, while the smaller Kia Picanto is still a proper bargain.

Does that spell the beginning of the end for the Mazda 2? Or is it still worthy of consideration in 2025? We drove a base G15 Evolve Hatch to find out.

How much does the Mazda 2 cost?

The entry price has risen to $26,990 before on-road costs for the Evolve – up by $4120 over the previous Pure.

Prices are also up right across the lineup, from $120 for the GT to $620 for the Evolve. Even in Evolve form, the Mazda 2 is now dearer than the newMG3andSuzuki Swift Hybrid.

To see how the Mazda 2 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

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What is the Mazda 2 like on the inside?

Mazda has cut the Evolve some slack by dropping it down to base-model status, but this entry variant still feels a little lacking compared to other options in the market.

While it’s reasonable to be met with cloth upholstery and plastic trim at this price point, the technology offered across the 2 range leaves plenty to be desired.

The 7.0-inch infotainment screen is slow to boot up and lacks the processing power to keep up with the demands of impatient millennials – I should know, I am one. Those same buyers will be disappointed to find out that smartphone mirroring requires a wired connection – which can be established through USB-A outlets located below the centre stack – rather than wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, as is the standard.

You’ll want to take advantage of the smartphone mirroring, as the native system offers little outside of navigation and digital radio. Touchscreen functionality also requires you to connect to your smartphone – unless you’re sitting stationary.

In all other situations, occupants are forced to operate the infotainment system using a small rotary dial and shortcut buttons on the centre console. Some appreciate the tactility, but I just find the collection of controls clunky to use on a daily basis.

There’s no shying away from the fact that the centre screen is old school, and so are the instruments. Digital driver displays are all the rage right now, but the Mazda 2 remains faithful to a centre tachometer flanked by two customisable data displays. It’s straightforward, but hardly impressive by modern stands.

Above you’ll find a small glass head-up display that modernises the cabin to some degree.

But all told, newer models like the Swift and MG3 have far more to offer on the technology front.

Neither can quite match the ergonomic excellence of the Mazda 2, though. A wide range of seat and steering wheel adjustment caters for drivers of all dimensions, and the cloth seats offer better lateral support than expected.

All key controls are within close reach too, although it’d be nice if Mazda could squeeze in a centre armrest, as there’s nowhere to plonk your elbow during longer stints behind the wheel.

Poking around the rest of the interior, all the panels feel solid and well screwed together, and the materials are adequate for the segment. High-traffic areas are treated to cloth or leatherette finishes, while red and silver accents spice things up just enough. On the other hand, the dash is trimmed in a material I’m calling ‘solar panel plastic’, which isn’t particularly premium.

As for practicality, there’s a small selection of storage solutions to choose from, including a roomy glovebox, skinny door bins, central cupholders, and a phone-sized tray under the climate controls. You can’t ask for much more from a car this size.

It’d likewise be unfair to expect a hugely spacious second row, but even by light car standards it’s pretty tight in the back of the Mazda 2.

The bench itself is comfortable enough, but legroom is extremely limited. A lack of headroom also makes this a no-go zone for passengers topping six foot in height. Best to stick the kids back there, then.

But even the most tolerant child is likely to get more than a little antsy over a long journey, as amenities are few and far between. When I say few, I really mean none, as you won’t find cupholders, air vents, USB outlets, door bins or a centre armrest.

As such, the second row is best treated as an additional storage area. That storage potential can be maximised by folding the rear bench flat to enlarge the 250-litre boot, which is small even by segment standards. With that said, the Mazda 2 sedan offers an excellent 440L of capacity.

Loading items can be a tricky task too, as there’s a pronounced initial load lip and a tall step between the boot floor and folded rear bench.

To see how the Mazda 2 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

All Mazda 2 models are powered by a ‘G15’ 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine in Australia.

To see how the Mazda 2 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How does the Mazda 2 drive?

The many drawbacks of the Mazda 2 are somewhat forgiven once you get out on the road, as this little hatch is still easy to live with and hugely fun to drive.

Small, light and familiar in its operation, the 2 instantly ticks boxes for the average city car buyer who values an uncomplicated motoring experience.

Even a full decade on from its launch, the third-generation Mazda 2 feels quick off the line and zippy at city speeds, free of the burden of unnecessary kilograms.

Power delivery is smooth and linear, and the traditional six-speed automatic transmission behaves well at low speeds, avoiding the jerky behaviour of dual-clutches and the drone of CVTs. However, the powertrain isn’t as quiet as hybrid and turbocharged rivals.

It’s not as efficient, either. We saw an average consumption of 5.9 litres per 100km over a full week of mixed driving, a figure that’s comfortably bettered by the Toyota Yaris and Suzuki Swift Hybrid. The 2 is more frugal than non-hybrid versions of the MG3, though.

So, you may be forced to visit the petrol station more often, but you’ll likely arrive with a smile on your face. That’s because the Mazda 2 isn’t just peppy in a straight line, it’s also brilliant to steer around corners.

The steering itself is light and accurate, and the 2 feels keen to change direction. You can have full confidence in the grip that it offers, too.

Ride quality also impresses — there’s a degree of firmness that supports the sporty dynamics, but the suspension isn’t so taut as to be harsh over potholes and speed bumps. Through years of development and tuning, Mazda has found the sweet spot between handling and comfort with its entry-level model.

Like most city-sized hatchbacks, the Mazda 2 is a breeze to park, and even this base Evolve comes standard with a reversing camera (albeit grainy in resolution) and parking sensors.

It’s not spooked by highway driving, either. The engine settles down nicely at triple-figure speeds, and I didn’t perceive the 2 to be much noisier than other cars in this segment.

All 2 variants now benefit from Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), which was added to the mix earlier this year as part of a comprehensive model range restructure. The system works well but cuts out when your speed dips below 25km/h, so stop/start traffic still requires driver involvement.

As such, Mazda’s tech feels a little less sophisticated than what you get in a Yaris, Swift, or MG3. With that said, it’s still a welcome upgrade.

And that’s not to say the Mazda 2 feels under-equipped from a safety perspective. Lane-keep and forward collision assist systems are included and function as intended, while 2025 models feature Smart Brake Support (SBS), an improved autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system.

To see how the Mazda 2 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

The Pure trim level was axed late last year, leaving just two model grades for 2025.

2025 Mazda 2 G15 Evolve equipment highlights:

• 16-inch black alloy wheels
• Power-folding exterior mirrors
• LED headlights
• LED daytime running lights
• Automatic headlights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• 7.0-inch infotainment screen
• Satellite navigation
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• Colour head-up display
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Leather-wrapped shifter and handbrake
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
• 6-speaker sound system
• Keyless start
• Power windows
• 1 x 12V outlet
• 2 x USB outlet
• Black mesh-style grille
• Climate control air-conditioning
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror

G15 GT adds:

• Keyless entry
• Black leather/Grand Luxe suede upholstery with red highlights

To see how the Mazda 2 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Is the Mazda 2 safe?

The updated Mazda 2 no longer has a safety rating from ANCAP. It previously wore a five-star rating based on testing conducted in 2015, but this has since expired. It’s worth noting that ANCAP continually moves the goal posts, so a five-star rating from a decade ago would not necessarily be awarded the same score today.

All models come standard with the following safety equipment:

• Autonomous emergency braking (forward, reverse)
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane-keep assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• Adaptive cruise control
• Traffic sign recognition

The G15 GT gains a surround-view camera and front parking sensors.

On top of a range restructure, the 2025 Mazda 2 has gained a pair of safety features – Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) and Smart Brake Support (SBS), the latter being a more sophisticated autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system.

To see how the Mazda 2 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How much does the Mazda 2 cost to run?

The Mazda 2 is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

That’s just average by industry standards, and Mazda 2 buyers can expect to fork out more than most for servicing.

Five years of capped-price servicing costs $2231 – nearly double what you’ll pay to service a Toyota Yaris over the same period. The Kia Picanto, MG 3 Hybrid+ and Suzuki Swift Hybrid are also cheaper to maintain, and all come with seven years of capped-price servicing.

To see how the Mazda 2 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take on the Mazda 2

Like its SUV sibling – the Mazda CX-3 – the Mazda 2 is falling down the compact car pecking order as new arrivals promise more for less or similar money.

For example, for base-spec Mazda 2 money, you can buy a top-of-the-range Suzuki Swift Hybrid GLX, a cleaner and more practical city car with additional luxuries like heated front seats and wireless phone charging.

Alternatively, you can save in excess of $5000 by opting for the equally likeable and no less capable Kia Picanto GT-Line.

We’d steer clear of the MG 3 though, especially in hybrid form, given concerns surrounding its safety. And the Toyota Yaris makes the Mazda 2 seem like a bargain, which says something.

Nevertheless, the little 2 isn’t the segment leader it once was. That’s not to say there’s no merit in buying Mazda’s most affordable model. After all, it still steers well, rides well, and mature motorists will likely appreciate the familiarity of the controls and cabin layout.

But if you’re willing to embrace change, there’s better value to be found elsewhere.

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