Mazda Mazda 2 test drive since 2007 hatchback

ugly duck

At the beginning of the new millennium, Mazda decided to throw off the old skin. A dynamic new six appeared, an elegant and energetic treshka and, apparently, these bright debuts instilled in people hope for the extraordinary of a new compact from Mazda

And so it happened, but only in 2007, when the new Mazda 2 debuted, one of the few compact machines that cannot be reproached for clumsiness (this is really rare). As for the first kopeckoy, it turned out to be an ordinary car, neat, small, without bright features. How did it happen, because the Japanese company reloaded the model range? The thing is that the model appeared in 2002, before a new corporate identity was adopted, and it got the name Demio. Yes, the car replaced the famous, including with us, Demio, to comply with certain continuity, the general proportions were inherited from the old box. And not only proportions, under the skin both cars are very similar to each other. By the way, as today, Mazda 2 divided the general platform with the Ford Fiesta model, which is also not too noticeable outside, but in many consumer qualities (and therefore Mazda 2, which will be discussed) almost ahead of the entire segment.

In fact, they talk about the appearance of the deuce, it is made with taste and even certain claims to thoroughbred. If it were not for an alien person who deliberately licked with Mazda 3 (already existing in the project at the time of Mazda 2 to European car dealerships), then a rather malicious baby would be in a typical JDM-style, which is characterized by a certain smoothness, straightforwardness and severity, coupled with almost elusive anger. It is only a pity that there is no body choice (unlike the same Fiesta, proposed in the form of a hatchback in three varieties, including rustic fusion). But the buyers of used cars, as you know, are more concerned about not the number of doors, but how successfully the body resists corrosion in harsh Russian conditions. We hasten to please: the deuce has no problems for this part. The machine is relatively fresh, made of good metal, in general, for the time being, rust can not be afraid.

Characteristics
Hatchback body type
The number of doors 5
Sum of places 5
Length 3925 mm
Width 1680 mm
Height 1545 mm
Wheel base 2490 mm
Road clearance 160 mm
Suspension type:
Front independent, with racks like MacPherson
Rear semi -dependent, spring
Type of drive front
Brakes:
Front disk ventilated
The rear drum
Gas tank volume 45 liters
Passive safety rating*, protection:
adults ****
Children ***
pedestrians **
Acceleration to 100 km/h ** 10.5 s
Max. speed ** 181 km/h
Fuel consumption (average) ** 6.8 liters

* According to the EURONCAP method.
** Data for a car with a 1.6 liter engine.

In the photographs, the interior looks beautiful: pretty appliances, stylish torpedo (albeit not as elegant as the same six) with an abundance of metal decoration, a sufficient number of niches and shelves for trifles competently, conveniently, stylishly, adultly! However, the quality of the materials disappointed: the plastic is quite hard (although it was necessary to see surfaces and worse). It is difficult to find fault with the quality of the assembly: everything is fitted extremely accurately loved by the Japanese. There are almost no complaints about ergonomics: it is very convenient to use equipment. There are no complaints to the volume of the salon, at least the placement of the front will not cause inconvenience even a very large passenger (and the back is quite tolerable).

On the go, the car is primarily convenient: the controls are informative, they work clearly and without unnecessary efforts, in general, as in a computer simulator, with the only difference being that you do not feel detached from the process. The chassis is designed very competently, the machine is quite understandable, allows you to frolic (within the rational, of course: the wheels are thin). The smoothness of the course is not excellent, but no one will complain. As for the dynamics of acceleration, there are no miracles: the old demio was quiet, and the new one is also leisurely (which is now 100 hp?). Note that Fiesta in this generation had a 150-horsepower version of ST, which, in addition to a good dynamics for compact, was very interesting handling (for amateur sprint and in general for fun driving what the doctor prescribed).

For Mazda 2, they never offered many engines, but there are still more of them than some other kids, at least the same Demio. Among them:
Basic engine with a volume of 1242 cubic meters. cm (gasoline, four cylinders, 75 hp);
power unit with a volume of 1388 cubic meters. cm (gasoline, four cylinders, 80 hp);
engine with a volume of 1596 cubic meters. cm (gasoline, four cylinders, 100 hp);
Motor with a volume of 1398 cubic meters. cm (turbodiesel, four cylinders, 68 hp).

It should be noted that Demio of those years of motors was slightly more powerful, for example, a 1.3-liter engine with a capacity of 91 hp, as well as a 1.5-liter, developing 113 hp. In any case, there are practically no troubles with gasoline power units: specialists will not remember chronic sores, service should not be carried out too often (once every 10 thousand km, oil with all filters, but every 80 thousand km belt timing), and and Consumable materials are inexpensive. There are no problems with engine supports.

However, it makes sense to refrain from buying a car with a diesel engine: the engine is borrowed from Fiesta (initially French diesel, production of Peugeot), under the hood of Mazda 2 it is practically not found (in Russia there are units in Russia), and it is not easy to find spare parts for it (even in Moscow it is hard What can we say about the regions).
The gearbox in Mazda 2 is only a 5-speed mechanical (in America the model would definitely not go). There are no pronounced problem areas: neither the filling, nor the clutch, nor drive shafts and shreus can be called weak, although grenades and clutch sometimes have to be changed. By the way, in the ranks of Demio there is a certain variety: not only are there 4-speed machines, but all-wheel drive models sometimes brought us from Japan.

There is really nothing to tell about the suspension: in light machines, it rarely causes trouble (with proper operation, of course: no baby will tolerate strong overload). No, periodically something in it has to be changed, but there are no obvious weaknesses. Like the steering, and the brakes, which are quite reliable. Even the hub bearings and those are durable (they are much more massive in the deuce than in Demio with the DW factory index, and therefore they serve much longer).

Obviously, Mazda 2 (together with her sister Ford Fiesta) is the right choice, especially for a person who loves all the best, but does not really boast of this. A convenient, spacious and high -quality salon, pleasant running qualities, a good level of comfort, a boring, but harmonious appearance to an intelligent motorist, looking for a simple and inexpensive means of transportation around the city, is not needed more. In addition, Mazda 2 is very reliable, which is facilitated by light weight (small mass means small loads on the main nodes and assemblies), and good heredity. They could once do

The advantages and disadvantages of the model
Advantages
High reliability, worthy handling, very convenient management

Flaws
Boring design, weak motors, the car is quite rare

Approximate price order in Moscow, rub.:
300 thousand (a 2004 car in a motor with a 1.25 l engine);
330 thousand (car 2005 in a diesel engine);
370 thousand (a 2006 car in a motor with a 1.4 l engine);
415 thousand (a 2007 car in a motor with a 1.4 l engine);
440 thousand (a 2007 car in a motor with a 1.6 liter engine and a left -hand drive).
The author thanks Moscow Mazda-Club for help in preparing the material.

Source: Magazine Cars and prices February 09, 2011