Mazda 2 review - Practicality, comfort and boot space
A supermini with space to seat five adults in relative comfort, but luggage space is only average
By stretching the wheelbase by 80mm over the last Mazda 2, Mazda has managed to boost interior space in every direction and as a result the little supermini is a reasonably practical choice, especially for young families.
The ergonomics are spot-on, too; the range of adjustment for the front seats and steering wheel is superb, while the pedals are nicely positioned without any offset.
There’s nothing radical in terms of oddment storage though - just a large glove box in the front, along with door pockets shaped to hold large bottles.
Size
At 4,070mm the Mazda 2 is a little shorter than the Ford Fiesta, VW Polo and Toyota Yaris, while it measures 1,695mm across, which is a little narrower than its three rivals.
Leg room, head room & passenger space
There’s more room in the back than a Ford Fiesta, and while two six-footers will probably struggle to sit one in front of the other, you could just about fit five adults at a squeeze.
It’s only-offered as a five-door (the three-door was canned when the old model was replaced), so getting in and out of the rear seats is simple. Isofix child seat mounts are standard in the rear too.
Overall, we reckon the Mazda 2 it’s a pretty good package from an accommodation standpoint. The new Hyundai i20 just has it beaten on interior space, though.
Boot
In spite of a usefully wide tailgate the deep boot means you have to lower objects down into it, but the trade-off is much more space than in the old Mazda 2. There’s 255 litres with the rear seats in place, or 887 litres with them folded down. That’s a fair way behind the luggage space of a Volkswagen Polo, which measures 351 litres with the rear seats in place, and 1,125 litres with them folded. There’s also a step up from the boot floor when you fold the rear seats.
Towing
If you want to tow a small trailer you’ll be limited to 900kgs – but that isn’t bad for a supermini. There’s no spare wheel though, as Mazda supplies a can of repair foam instead and no option to add a spare.
