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August 4, 2015

First Drive: 2015 Mazda2 1.5 R Skyactiv


No matter how you look at it, the subcompact segment is a competitive one. Before, it was all about getting to Point A to Point B in the simplest, most no-frills way possible. It was entry-level motoring at its finest or at its worst. Today though, things are pretty different. Buyers are getting picky. They demand style, handling, and fuel economy—in other words, they want everything. And they’re not willing to pay a pretty penny for them too. It’s got to be affordable as well. Such is the world car manufacturers find themselves in; such is the world the Mazda2 has to fight in.

Far and large, the Mazda2 is a car that punches above its own weight; it’s the Manny Pacquiao of subcompacts. Mazda always compares their cars to predatory cats on the hunt, but being a pugilist looks more befitting in this case. The design alone is evocative of a boxer with his fists raised close to his chest. The long hood, taut lines, and highly stylized front-end is pure pent-up energy, ready to unleash a knockout blow at any time. And far as the competition’s concerned, they’re already down for the count. Between the sedan and the hatchback, the latter’s the better looking one, but both are well penned and proportioned.



And then, you just have to drill down into the details. The range-topping 1.5 R, for instance, carries a lot of stuff, most of which you won’t expect in a sub-compact: it’s got Mazda’s own version of cat’s eye LED daytime running lights with automatic bi-xenon headlamps and even two-tone 16-inch alloy wheels. And see those exterior blackened panels? They aren’t plain; they’re textured to look like carbon fiber.

Inside, the simple-to-understand and straightforward cabin encourages a “get in and drive” mentality. It’s minimalist in its design, enabling you to concentrate on driving controls like the gauges, steering wheel, and so forth—in a minute, tops, you’re able to get comfy and drive off. The interior’s free of unnecessary clutter and distractions. As you settle into the driver’s seat, a feeling of familiarity sets in: the ergonomics follow the same principles laid down by the 3 and the 6. The steering wheel, the pedals—they’re all where you expect them. This car is clearly designed to be enjoyed.



Of course, being minimalist doesn’t mean it’s lacking in features. On the contrary, it’s one fully-loaded machine with niceties such as heads-up display, steering wheel controls, automatic climate control, and of course, the Mazda Connect infotainment system. In other words, it’ll make some executive sedans look and feel dated. Still, it’s not without its flaws. First, although it’s kitted with leather and nicely metalized trim, the plastics aren’t on the same level of the 3 or 6; they’re a notch lower. Still, you have to commend them for at least coming up with consistent texturing around. Second, the doors close with a tinny sound, not exactly connoting a feeling of solidity. Finally, the space is tight, especially in the back seat. Plus there aren’t much cubby holes to speak of.

But these shortcomings are all forgiven because the Mazda2 is unequivocally the best dancer around. In fact, it can teach cars a notch above a lesson or two when it comes to just being fun. On paper, it doesn’t offer anything new: a 1.5-liter engine, a combination of MacPherson Struts at the front and a Torsion Beam Axle at the back, and so forth; but like how a champion boxer must be multifaceted, meaning he can box hard, remain agile, and have great stamina, the magic of the 2 happens when the ingredients come together.



The sporty design of the Mazda2 extends beyond the aesthetics. Underneath, the entire drivetrain works in unison, creating an experience of connectedness. Trying out the base 1.5 S sedan first, the most noticeable thing is how the throttle response has been optimized to match the engine’s character. The shifts are predictable resulting in seamless acceleration. It’s got Sport mode, but there’s little need for it unless you’re pushing really hard. If there’s one criticism, it’s how the steering feels light. Though it tightens up at speed, it’s numb in the city.

Tackling the Viaje del Sol or Journey of the Sun (so-named because taken in the proper sequence you get to follow the sun from sunrise to sunset), the 2 has a long road ahead of it: some 309 kilometers. This drive traverses three provinces: Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon. Swapping to the 1.5 R, the difference in steering feel is obvious. The numbness is gone, replaced by one with good heft. On both models though, it’s linear through corners, removing the need to do minute corrections as you go in. The car does tend to pitch, but that’s all part of the design. The tires though are the weakest point, being noisy at speed and gives up grip easily; a switch to stickier tires would be the best first upgrade. The ride sacrifices some of its plushness to make it feel more planted and secure. Indeed, dips and bumps do little to unsettle it.



Mazda pulled off a miracle job with the Mazda2. As a company, they’re hell-bent on preserving driving fun in whatever category they compete in. Still, the sub-compact segment presents a unique set of challenges, the most obvious of which is price sensitivity. Unlike the 3 and 6, Mazda can’t simply price the Mazda2 in the million-peso range and call it a day (the 2 is priced from P 795,000 to P 925,000). And on top of that, they can’t treat the 2 as an undercard fighter; it has to preserve the brand’s premium mainstream positioning. Sounds impossible? Not this time. The Mazda2 has shown the world how the feisty little fighter from Hiroshima can outpunch, outrun, and outlast the competition.




105 comments:

  1. I've been waiting for a writeup of this car since it I saw it at MIAS (I think it was MIAS this year). One question though - no FC figures? even for highway?

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    1. We did roughly 16.6 km/L but that was cruising... With the way we were driving and switching cars? No accurate FC data. You have to wait for a full review for that one.

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    2. Will definitely wait for that one. Choosing between this and the Ecosport (doesn't really compare, I know). Like you said, Honda City is still top of the heap, but... I just don't like it. Thanks, Sir!

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    3. By the way, your CAPTCHA doesn't seem to work seamlessly with Chrome. Mine's version 44.0.2403.125 m.

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    4. Dont pick the Ecosport. Their transmission's reliability sucks big time. If you don't like the honda then the mazda 2 is the next best thing. The way I see it, the honda city is more family oriented and the mazda is catered for the bachelors/single ladies.

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    5. Thanks! That's noted. I'm a family man, but I already have an SUV for everyone, so I'm looking for a daily driver that isn't so expensive to run.

      The Ecosport is among the options mainly due to ride height, whichis always a good thing on our roads, but it misses simple things that we've taken for granted, like a trip meter and individual door locks.

      The City's sticker price is hard to swallow for me, although I really haven't checked one out up close. But that's because I don't like how it looks to begin with. It doesn't make me jealous when I see one on the road.

      Which leaves the Mazda 2. Love the looks, lowest sticker price among the three (in TOTL variant), seems to have enough toys for the price point. Tight rear seat as mentioned, but I'll hardly use that anyway. In any case, I'll wait for some full reviews before doing my own test drive. It's just a shame that the 5-door doesn't have an R variant.

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    6. They just releases a Mazda2 Speed. I think it's a P50k premium. Same stuff as the R but with body kit and same white interior.

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    7. Thanks Uly! Just went over to the Mazda website... P985k! And that's not even in soul red. For the R variant, soul red is an additional P16k, and it's only that body color that has the white leather interior according to their brochure. Not a big fan of the white leather though, at least when I saw it on the Mazda3 Speed.

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    8. Damn, that makes 1.5 R in Soul Red P1,001,000!

      I remember people made a big deal about Ford charging an extra P30K over the 1.5's price for the 1.0 EcoBoost model (P898K).

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  2. This has to be the best looking car in subcompact category but in my opinion, the Honda City still has the best overall value compared to the Mazda 2...

    Also, the Mazda 2 has no rear camera and armrest even in the TOTL model?

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    1. No rear camera for top of the line only rear back up sensors.

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  3. I got the City VX instead of Mazda 2 because of three things:
    1) Space of Interior
    2) Engine Power and Smoothness
    3) Arm Rest (I cannot drive a car for more than 20 mins without an arm rest... i just can't)
    And I don't understand the fuzz with the skyactiv tech mazda is promoting with their engines... the car feels... BLAH (no word to describe it, it's not under powered nor well powered, whatever term you want to call that)

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    1. 1.) You should have gotten a van or AUV if interior space was important to you, daming mas mura diyan

      2.) Peaky, almost-redline HP and torque-less at typical usage RPMs. Rubber-band, questionable reliability CVT tranny.

      3.) Nitpick. Get a pillow or prop if you really need it.

      4.) Honda copied SkyActiv with their Earth Dreams Technology, but they only concentrated on the engine & tranny, so it's not as comprehensive as Mazda's 10-year research, which involved all aspects of the vehicle.

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  4. no armrest, short legroom at the back, small boot? and the infotainment screen seems out of place.

    i agree that CITY still give you the best value.

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    1. Infotainment was placed on top to give better visibility. Even the base models with the simpler audio system would have it there.

      But agreed that the City and the Jazz are still the best all-rounders in the segment, but nothing beats the 2 for its entertaining drive and style.

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    2. When you're driving in heavy traffic which is a normal occurrence in Metro Manila the least you care about is a car's style. Infotainment can help ease your misery but being comfortable inside the car is the most important factor.

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    3. Bro if you're looking for chicks, having a stylish car goes a long way.

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    4. Bro, I don't think "chicks" would find the Mazda 2 so much more stylish vs. the City

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    5. The City looks like a cockroach!

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    6. Present na naman itong si Tiger na ultimate korean-crap fanboy. Hoy, as if naman di mukhang insecto yang beloved accent at elantra mo. Hahahahahaha!

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    7. Mas cute naman ang ladybug kaysa sa cockroach!

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    8. I'm talking about traffic here where looks don't matter but comfort inside a car. If you want chicks to notice what you drive primarily then get a Porsche or Ferrari. That way your ugly face will be greatly compensated.

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    9. wow! no mention of accent crdi? fuel economy of a small engine but can outrun your beloved 1.8-2.0 civic.. and yes, it has better back legroom than the 2, has armrest and map lights! :-D

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    10. Reeda Corpora - awarded best post of the month!

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    11. Mazda's infotainment is placed the same with luxury German brands. If you look at the placement of the infotainment screen in BMW, Audi, or Mercedes Benz, you would see that they are placed at the same position.

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    12. Even luxury German automotive brands have HUD's, yet nobody complains about them.

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  5. Which has a better interior space? This one or the Ford Fiesta?

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    1. Ford Fiesta. I have one... I tried out the Mazda 2 earlier and it felt a lot more cramped inside compared to the Ford. You get that feeling like you're drowning in a bathtub.

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  6. do you really need a heads up display, like you're piloting a fighter jet, while driving in the city??

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    1. The point is that you don't have to turn or bow your head and shift your eyes off the road just to know how fast you are going. An HUD is a better solution for that compared to what Toyota did with the previous-gen Vios where they idiotically shifted the instrument cluster to the middle of the dashboard. The fact that they didn't continue with that design for the current model shows how wrong they were.

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. For me, you should buy Mazda 2 dahil:

    1. Exterior look and hindi siya common sa kalye.
    2. Better ride and better suspension
    3. Better fuel economy
    4. Better braking system(mazda 2 has front and rear disc brakes againts competition na drum brake lang yung likod)
    5. If you dare to be different :)

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  9. Best overall value - Honda City
    Best style- Mazda 2
    Most powerful - Ford Fiesta Ecoboost
    Most crappy and outdated - Toyota Vios, Hyundai Accent & Kia Rio

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    1. i doubt your claim. let's compare price vs features-you-get, fuel economy and also do a quarter mile challenge. the accent crdi will reign supreme!

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  10. Hi, I'm planning to buy a hatchback but I intend to sell it after 5-6 years.. Do you have an idea regarding the resale value of the brand new Mazda2? I was wondering how this Mazda2's resale value would compare against its previous 2012 model and other subcompacts like..

    I know Jazz is the best subcompact in terms of resale value, but I like the look of the Mazda2 better compared to the Jazz, not to mention the leather seats with red trims on the R variant is cooler than Jazz's fabric seats.

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  11. So Mazda2 has a tight space particularly on the back row and the cargo area right? How tight is it compared to the Fiesta?

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  12. More or less pareho lang ang leg room ng M2 at fiesta. I think the fiesta excels in overall experience because it is more insulated and has better sound system. Both are fun to drive though. The M2 however, is way more fuel efficient, has rear disc brakes and is cheaper to maintain because of its yojin3 package. Pagdating sa looks pareho lang siguro para sa akin.

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  13. Another best-in-class model from Mazda, congrats. Uly, since I haven't seen it mentioned in their brochure and website, can you confirm if this Mz2 is 100% CBU Japan like the other Mazda models? Thanks.

    The Honda City sux0rs compared to this one. If you want bigger space don't bother with the subcompact models, get an AUV in the same price range instead. Yun lang naman advantage nung Honda eh. All the rest are inferior to this Mz2. Rear drum brakes even on the TOTL City & Jazz; overstyled, almost-ricey looks; CVT rubber-band tranny, peaky, torque-less engine, cheap quality materials & Thailand 3rd-world build quality, unintuitive & quirky touchscreen operation, etc..

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    1. I don't think the Mazda 2 is CBU from Japan. My understanding is that it's built in Thailand.

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    2. @ anon aug 8, 2015 1:12 AM:

      Fail. Mazda 2 is made in Thailand. Also never get an AUV, it's a piece of crap.

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    3. Anong fail dun, tinanatanong nga kung saan ginawa dahil wala sa brochure at site ng Mazda, unlike the other models. Bong0. May sumagot na isa wala rin namn siya proof "I think" lang daw. Lolz. Paniwala ka naman agad, ikaw ang fail.

      Regardless, even if it's made in Thailand, the materials used and build qulaity is still better than that used on the City & Jazz, obvious naman once you get to see inside both vehicles. So Honda riceb0i fail pa rin, lolz.

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    4. Ni-rerecommend nga po yung AUV dun sa mga umaangal sa cabin space, may AUV po na mabibili na same price range nitong mga subcompacts.

      Parang yan yung mga umaangal bakit hindi kasya pitong tao sa Toyota 86 nila. Eh bakit ka nag-anak ng ganyang karami tapos bibilihin mo 2-door sports coupe? Gungg0ng.

      So, hindi kayo kasya sa Mazda 2? Bumili ka ng Ertiga or Avanza or yung pangit na Mobilio. Tapos ang problema mo.

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    5. Talk to me once your zoom zoom has a rear camera and an armrest. Skyactiv ka pa doon sa kabila mong comment eh di nga nakuha ng Mazda2 yung direct injection nung Mazda3 2.0L. And don't start with that rear disc brake bullcrap which doesn't really affect the braking performance in real life. Basahin mo lahat ng review sa ibang sources, kahit sila magsasabi maganda loob ng City. The interior space is generous too. CVT? No it does not feel like a rubber band.

      So don't be a blind dumbass zoom zoom fanboy and look at the strengths and weaknesses of each cars. The mazda2 is more stylish and the honda city is more spacious and practical. Then again I'm pretty sure you're just trolling.

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    6. Rear cameras and armrests can be bought aftermarket at anytime, no problem. But you can't buy high-compression ratio engines, 6-speed ATx w/ wideband torque lockup, bi-xenon HID headlamps, stylish exteriors and high-quality build materials and fit&finish aftermarket... :P

      Honda riceb0i fail once again. Lolz.

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    7. Sinagot na nga sa taas eh: you're looking at the wrong market segment if that's your priority. Get an AUV if cabin and trunk space is what's important to you and your numerous kids. Honda riceb0i fail once more. Lolz. And, oh, at 6600RPM , VTEC just kicked in yo!!!111 Bwahaha.

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    8. Gunggong na tanga. AUVs are crap nga. Besides I like the comfort and agility of subcompacts. AUVs are also bigger and more difficult to maneuver.

      So wag mo gawing reason yang AUV para sa space and comfort. Ang city maliit ang dimensions sa labas pero malaki ang space sa loob. Yun ang hanap ng mga tao.

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    9. Bong0ng riceb0i logic talaga. Para kang bumili ng Toyota 86 sabay aangal ka kung bakit hindi kasya limang tao. Lolz. Hindi mo ba naiintindihan ibig sabihin ng "Horses for Courses".

      AUV daw crap? At this price range, beggars can't be choosers. You want a spacious cabin, car-like handling, nice interiors, eto little boy, I'll spoonfeed you na: http://www.carguide.ph/2015/03/review-2015-suzuki-ertiga-14-glx-at.html

      Panis yang cargo space ng Jazz at City mo.

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    10. Tanga ka nga talaga. Underpowered yang mga yang AUV, at ang pangit ng style. Asan leather steering wheel dyan? May touchscreen ba at rear camera sila na OEM? Please wag ka magpaka bobo. You're dumbing down this website with your stupidity.

      What I'm looking for in a car is decent style, decent performance and comfort. Space too. Kaya nga ok yung city. Ever heard of the conecpt of value for money? Aanhin mo yang sporty sporty mo na handling eh sa city mo lang naman pinaiikot ang sasakyan. Troll zoom zoom fail.

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    11. Gag0ng tangang ignorante ka talaga. Wala ka nang pagasa mapliwanagan pa dahil Honda fanb0i ka. Ikaw nagsabi na gusto mo ng handling na maayos tapos sa sunod mo post ayaw mo naman. Make up your mind kid. Yung pinagmamalaki mong cabin space is only in millimeters, not even noticeable unless you check with a tape measure. Gusto mong maluwag yung cabin space eh puro subcompact lang tinitignan mo, tanga ka talagang gunggong ka.

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    12. So, to sum up, para maintindihan ng mga makikitid at magagaspang ang ugali at isipan, if you prioritize cabin & cargo space at this price segment, get the Suzuki Ertiga.

      If that's not your priority, the best overall is simply the Mazda 2.

      In short, there is no reason to get the City whatever your priorities are.

      Game, set, match. Get back to me when your beloved City wins the prestigious Japan Car of the Year award like the Mazda 2. Thanks for playing fanb0i.

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    13. ^Funny how this guy thinks he won when it's very clear that the other guy made much more sense than him.

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    14. honestly, i think the zoom zoom fanboy presented a better argument. the honda fanboy is just blah

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    15. Almost midsize space? Apparently, you've never ridden a midsize car before. I agree with zoom zoom fanboy though, if you prioritize space, get a compact sedan or a midsize car, not a subcompact.

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    16. This is by far, the most entertaining argument I've read in this website. M2 it is! LOL

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  14. I don't see anything ricey in the city. In fact I think it looks a bit sedate and formal. Your mindset is stuck in the 90's where the riced civics were all the rage, not anymore. Move on please.

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    1. Ah ganun ba, eh bakit ang unang binibili ng mga new City & Jazz owners ay Type-R emblems at DOHC VTEC stickers para bumilis yung sasakyan nila?

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    2. Ako City owner, hindi ako bumili ng Type-R emblem at DOHC VTEC sticker... ginawa ko lang pinapalitan ko yung mags ko to R17 Aluminum MD8 :)

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    3. technically speaking, those are still stock rims you idiot... mugen stock rims... eh gusto ko ng R17 eh... bakit ka ba nakikielam? besides, it looks good on my car, so why the hate? lol

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    4. Modulo is borderline ricey. Mugen? Full-blown ricey. Anything that has a "mugen" badge on it is considered ricey. From those big ass spoilers to those ugly overstyled body kits, all ricey. Your mugen rims are not exempted.

      So do us a favor and put those stock rims back. You're tarnishing the image of city owners with your ricey taste. Pfft. Putting 17" rims in 1.5L subcompact, why I oughtta..

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    5. Says you, so do us all a favor and let the man be. It's his car, not yours, and your taste is not appealing to everyone as well. different strokes for different folks.

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  15. Eh tanga ka pala. Syempre magiging ricey kahit anong sasakyan kung lalagyan ng kung anu-anong sticker na baduy at di naman lahat naglalagay ng sticker eh. Kahit itong mazda 2 kung lalagyan mo ng malakling spoiler at oversized rims eh magiging ricey din naman. But the city and jazz in stock form for is not ricey.

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  16. After seeing this car at the dealership and taking a test drive, I've become even more impressed by it. I wasn't expecting a subcompact to be that good, the intangibles would win you over, the driving feel, the crisp handling, the responsive steering & tranny. It's not something you can glean from a spec sheet or brochure. Test drive the Mazda 2 and the City/Jazz, Vios/Yaris so you can compare for yourself. Leave the magazine racing for the super trump card fanboys.

    And oh, this car won the prestigious and coveted Car of the Year Japan 2014-15, German Bild Golden Steering Wheel Award 2015 and the European RedDot Award 2015. Enough said. No hype needed, this is the real deal.

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    Replies
    1. Hello, I am planning to buy one, this is going to be my first car. Anong variant po ang tinest drive nyo? And may difference kaya sa driving dynamics ng M/T at A/T?

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  17. Uly, can you confirm if this is Made in Thailand? AFAIK Mazda doesn't have a plant there, although they do have one in Malaysia. I just noticed the website and brochures don't mention "Made In Japan" like they do with the other Mazda vehicles.

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  18. wag n kau mag away ang honda pang matanda .. sikat nung mga 90's .. parang ngaun mga matatanda hindi marunong gumamit ng smart phone kasi ang alam lng nila gamitin is 5110.

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    Replies
    1. Agree! Stone age ng kotse ang 90's.

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  19. I learned something new (ricer) today! Thanks commenters lol.

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  20. This was my algorithm when I bought my very first car back in 2012:

    0. Can a 6-footer fit in it? (All them subcompact/supermini/city cars out).

    1. Is it a taxi? (Vios out; Sentra out; Accent out).
    2. Does it use lots of gas (i.e. more than 1.3L engine)? (Fiesta out; Swift out; Lancer out; Cruze out)
    3. Is it owned by most of my barkada? (City out; Jazz out).

    Solution: Mazda 2.

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    Replies
    1. How about the often overlooked Nissan Almera?

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    2. you pretend you're some kind of logical person using some algorithm to pick a car when in fact, you're just an arrogant snob

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    3. Sir, believe me, your standards are good. However, if you didn't want a supermini, why did you get a Mazda 2? It is a supermini.

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  21. Ako lang ba napapangitan sa front fascia nitong Mazda 2? parang nakasimangot na kamukha ni Hitler haha.

    Sa Mazda 6 lang ako nagandahan sa kodo design. Yung 3, mukhang elantra... yung 2 masyadong maliit tignan. unproportioned.

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    Replies
    1. Yep. The Mazda 3 can be easily mistaken as the Elantra from the rear.

      About the Mazda 2 being too small, maybe its because its in the subcompact category?

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  22. Took the M2 V hatch for a test drive yesterday,

    The handling is quite good. The steering is intuitive. For an entry-level variant, the interiors have that premium and clean feel to it. In terms of space, my bro and I don't mind the legroom at the back (btw, we're 5'10' and 5'11", respectively) plus the boot was enough for a bachelor like me. I loved the audio and the hands-free kit. Both were crisp and clear.The controls on the head unit isn't that intuitive though. took some time to figure out how to pair my phone to the system.

    According to the dealer (and from somewhere I read on the web), M2s are fully built and assembled in Japan.

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  23. It's made in Thailand.

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    1. Says who? Link please. Auto Alliance Thailand is 50% Ford/50% Mazda, that's where they build the Ford Ranger, Everest and BT-50. Mazda has other plants in the region like what I've been saying above. They have one in Malaysia and and another in Indonesia. I'm not saying the Mz2 we have here is Made in Japan like the other Mazda vehicles (otherwise it would have been mentioned in their website and brochures), it's just that I have not seen any conclusive proof where it is actually made.

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    2. I own one and the dealer made it clear to me that it's made in Thailand.

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    3. Yup. Made in thailand. I asked the customer service and they told me m2 is made in thailand.

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  24. I have to say the Jazz looks really ricey with those ridiculously huge fake front and back grills. The back grill might have made sense if Honda put a red reflector on it. These design elements are an obvious play for the ricer sentiments of people who buy subcompacts.

    FYI, Mazda is selling the Mazda 2 sedan as the Scion iA in the US.

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  25. should i get this or wait for the 2016 focus?

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  26. The Mazda CX 3 is also coming, what do you think?

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  27. I think it would be best to consider the CX-3 as a Mazda 2 wagon with a 2 liter engine and bigger tires. Among subcompact SUVs, the CX-3 is the most car-like.

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  28. Hi guys, help pls. I'm on the fence between m2 totl and m3.i prefer the hatch for m3, if only there's an m2 totl hatch then I would get it immediately.

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  29. Hi guys, help pls. I'm on the fence between m2 totl and m3.i prefer the hatch for m3, if only there's an m2 totl hatch then I would get it immediately.

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  30. Why aren't they bringing in a M2 1.5 V hatch. Who likes to put body kits on a compact city car. Too douchey. Mazda PH bring in a totl M2 hatch priced it the same or less than the sedan and it will sell like hot cakes.

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  31. Everyone love their own car. If you need to buy a car and boast its the best. you are wrong. you can never expect a honda owner to agree with mazda owner that his or her car is better in all aspect...just ride your own car and feel good on it...you paid for it.. besides your wives can never be the same as his..wake up!

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    Replies
    1. I'm a Honda owner (Civic FD) and it's up for sale now, because I'm getting the M2 HB 1.5V. I test drove every car in the segment except for the Accent (getting replaced soon). I did like the M2 over the competition so, that's why I made the decision.
      Test drive each car and make your own choice. It's your car, you will drive it for 5-6 years(my case). Don't let other car owners get in the way.

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    2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    3. Update after 2 months 3000+km of driving the M2 h/B: the car is great for both city and highway driving. Average FC is 9.5 l/100 km. My free PMS was extended by the dealership (Mazda North EDSA) from 3 years to 5 years.

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  32. Hello everyone.

    I am choosing between the 2016 Mazda 2 sedan Skyactiv R and the 2016 Honda City VX.

    I choose the sedan variant of the mazda 2 because I like how it looks better compared to the hatchback/speed variant. I am fine with also havig black leather for the seats. White leather, or black leather, it's not really an issue for me.

    Just some info to consider about me in regards of choosing between the City and Mazda2:

    1. I am 21. Female.
    -My friends keep telling me to get the mazda 2 because I am young. The Honda City is for moms, dads, family people.
    -mazda 2 looks way nicer and cooler than the City. So I think the Mazda 2 is more age-appropriate for me.

    2. I am a medical student.
    - I'll basically use a car just for city driving. Daily usage. Rare out-of-town trips. I am a med student, i am always tired so... I need a car that is easy to handle, but delivers well.

    3. I really like the Mazda2. But City has more toys to offer.
    - City has navigation, a rear camera. Mazda doesn't have those things. Will mazda get navigation soon?
    - Is the infotainment screen of mazda good? Good quality? Can you see it easily in broad daylight? I visited a showroom, and I had a hard time viewing the infotaiment screen because it was dim (maybe the brightness settings of the infotainment screen was low?? Lol).
    -saw the Honda City's infotainement screen. Very bright. It was okay.
    - I love mazda's exterior and interior. I don't like the City's. When I see it, I don't really get jealous. Haha sorry, no offense.

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  33. Same dilemma here.. Have u decided already?

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  34. When it comes to torque and hp? Mazda 2 or honda city?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Honda City reaches peak power at 6600rpm, if you would rev the M2 to 6600 rpm, you would get near the 120hp of the City, and the M2 is lighter by 30kgs. The M2 has better torque though

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  35. Vios, Mazda 2 or Ford Ecosport? Please help me decide. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Test drive the cars before making your own decision.

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    2. Vios if you have a family
      Mazda 2 if you're single
      Ecosport if you ply through ugly roads and if your area is flood prone.
      If you have a family, the Honda City or Toyota Altis is the better choice.

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    3. My wife's car is a vios g a/t. It is roomier than my M2 h/b, but the FC is disappointing. M2 beats it in every aspect except for the roominess and the headlights.

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    4. My wife's car is a vios g a/t. It is roomier than my M2 h/b, but the FC is disappointing. M2 beats it in every aspect except for the roominess and the headlights.

      Delete
  36. Problem with the city is that itll get the next gen or face lift anytime soon, so yep u take the risk.

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  37. Ray---- what i dont like about cars nowadays are the lack of a real/true bumper. A little bump and there goes your grille and headlights. Or rear lights. Jeez. And they're expensive.

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  38. M2 or Civic help me

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  39. im very happy and satisfied with my mazda 2 RS lalo na yun sport mode when it comes to tplex, nlex and slex sarap mkipag karera parang naka turbo...

    ReplyDelete
  40. Wala na po bang manual na mazda 2?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wala na yata. Ako rin naghahanap.

      Nasa spec sheet parin ng Mazda site, pero wala na sa pricing.

      Sayang. Masaya pa naman siguro mag MT pag naka 'jinba-ittai'

      Delete

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