Test drive Mazda Mazda 2 (Demio) 2002 hatchback

Mazda Demio car review

General
The Mazda Demio car went through the first full replacement of the model in its history and appeared before us reborn. The first generation of this car originates, if anyone remembers, in 1996. Its design consisted of a compact hatchback platform on which a rather high (1550 mm) body was placed. This made it possible to get a large useful volume, and to make the car itself very practical. Judge for yourself: being in essence with his compact hatchback, he had the capacity of two micro -litter cars, and the simplified external design and interior of the salon made it incredibly popular among those who were used to looking at the car as a simple vehicle. The new Demio model tried to preserve the title of simple vehicle. But at the same time, both in terms of external and interior decoration, and in terms of her running qualities, in a word, in all respects she took a decisive step towards improving the quality.
In this sense, it is very significant that from now on the Demio model will, on the initiative of Mazda itself, be called 3 from 1 (three in one). For those who intend to further use it, as a simple means of movement, a Casual modification is provided. For those who use the machine to raise the mood - please, the COZY option is suitable. Finally, for especially active (in the sense of driving manner), a version of Sport is provided. The meaning of this division is that for the first time Demio appears as the unifying beginning of three different directions. Now the driver will not depend on the car. Now the driver himself selects a Demio car for himself - probably this can decipher the meaning of this innovation. Moreover, on the basis of the COZY modification, its type Super Cozy is provided, which will be released by leather chairs and other elements luxurious life. The developers themselves admit that they allegedly created such a machine that they themselves wanted to sit down. Here's how? A somewhat strange must be an adult man inside such a COZY Salon, in a pink or yellow chair! But maybe this should be understood as the fact that such a small, but such a high -class car will be interesting even to an adult? In truth, I don't know.
 
Exterior and interior
The dimensions of the body in the new model are as follows: length - 3925 mm, width - 1680 mm, height - 1530 mm. Compared to the old model, the machine added 125 mm lengths, 10 mm width and 30 mm of height. It turns out that the new Demio is longer than the Toyota Vitz car as as much as 30 cm. And even comparisons with the Honda Fit car, it does not withstand, since the Honda, although 10 cm, is still shorter. Why was the new Demio model made so bulky? Most likely, in order to make it different from others. The increase, it would seem, is small. But it will surely notice it drivers who are not too confident in themselves and for whom the more compact, the better. But on the other hand, look at how Actively sold on the market Toyota IST. But she has a more minimum turning radius (5.3 meters and 4.9 meters, respectively). So, in my opinion, one should not abandon the new demio only because she supposedly had slightly enlarged dimensions. After all, it is still quite compact, the driver has a good review, so the dimensions of the car are well determined. True, it would be better if the height of the car was still suitable for the size of a standard tier parking lot.
The car’s interior is spacious. In the area of \u200b\u200bthe rear seats there is quite space, but I liked the fact that there is a lot of free space between the chairs of the driver and the front passenger. When the volume of the cabin is estimated, the eyes usually move in the direction along the axial line of the machine, that is, back and forth. And when you sit behind the wheel, a spatial assessment goes from left to right and vice versa. Of course, the feeling of the spaciousness of the cabin during the control of this machine is by the standards of domestic micro -lines at a very decent level, which is to a large extent contributes to the comfortable seats that, incidentally, have the same internal structure as the chairs in the ATENZA salon. And how qualitatively the dashboard looks, and the door panel, and control handles! You can, of course, look at them as at means of transportation. But, having evaluated the quality of manufacture of these funds, which so lacked this car earlier, can it be possible that between the new and old Demio models the same difference as between heaven and earth? And what do you say about the bright white vehicle of the roof opened by the electric drive, which is offered by the manufacturer as an option for the modifications of Cozy and Super Cozy? Yes, at first glance, the forms lost their former angularity and became rounded. But the capacity of the luggage compartment is still preserved at the same level. The capacity of two micro -lines that has become a winged expression can rightfully be extended to a new demio.
 
Performance
Honda Fit, Toyota Vitz, Toyota Ist, Nissan March - in its practicality, these domestic compact machines that have appeared in their own practicality are good: both at the price, layout, and design. But you just have to proceed to the assessment of their running qualities, it turns out that they are still in the stage of their revision. Toyota Ist, of course, behaves well on the go. But Fit, Vitz or March, being designed for a European consumer, have very different from Japanese suspension adjustment and turning geometry. And it is impossible otherwise - Europe, as they say, will not understand. But the developers of the new Demio took another position: to walk the car will be so that it is suitable for Europe!. And indeed, it was only worth it to move out, I immediately felt this very high quality of the course. The steering mechanism worked smoothly, softness in the suspension, at a high speed there is no hint of deviation from rectilinear movements, in the back of no vibration - in a word, whatever you look at, this mood is felt in everything. The running qualities that are suitable for Europe are really so. The new development engine is true, whether it is 1.3-liter or 1.5-liter. And besides, he works very quietly. For those who love active ride, I would advise the motor with a working volume of 1.5 liters, although its 1.3-liter fellow fully satisfied me. I mean the fact that a 1.3-liter engine in combination with a manual gearbox has a surprisingly explosive nature, which is quite suitable for driving around the city. And if a cool turn comes somewhere, it feels like you are about to take off!
In all its characteristics, the new Demio car is undoubtedly standing a step above its predecessor. For those who need it as a means of transportation, this is all, it may seem superfluous. But there is no doubt that better decoration and increased running qualities, combining with each other, make this model unusually attractive. Especially high, I would evaluate the running potential of the machine. Domestic manufacturers of compact machines forced to observe hard price restrictions on their products often put running qualities in the background. The new Demio model sets everyone with clear guidelines in this direction.
In this regard, the previous model was not very afraid of competition. And Demio in modern form generally ahead of them into a whole head. Moreover, I am sure that in such a form it will have to go to the court in Europe.
 
 

Source: CarView.co.jp