Mazda is on a roll – now commanding nearly 11 percent in the market with a model range of cars, SUV’s and light commercials that have found strong favour with buyers. Mazda is now No. 2 overall in the new vehicle market behind Toyota with its Mazda 3 and Mazda CX-5 the 4 th and 9 th best seller respectively. This week, a freshened Mazda 2 range – the current model arrived in hatch form in late 2014, the sedan a year later – the Mazda 2 now the second best-selling light car behind Hyundai’s Accent. The upgrade model now features four hatchback grades, Neo, Maxx, Genki and GT, the sedan in three grades, Neo, Genki and GT.

No price rises on the 14 model range, running from $16,990 drive-away for the manual Neo hatch and sedan. The upgrade sees improved ride and handling and far better NVH or noise vibration and harshness. Also redesigned side mirrors, instrument graphics and a host of active safety elements depending on model. These include smart city brake support across all models – when driving around town this applies the brakes up to 30km/hour to avoid an accident, also works in reverse up to 8 km/hour. Higher grade models also get blind spot monitoring and rear traffic alert safety features – there’s also a new multi-function steering wheel, far better and more legible instrumentation and new rear heater ducts. Upper grade models get a slightly more powerful 1.5-litre engine with idle stop technology. A good small car now even better.

I’m David Berthon

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