Mazda 2 (2003 – 2007) Review
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
Mazda 2 (2003 – 2007) At A Glance
Sportier, livelier and more fun to drive than the Fiesta on which it is based, easy access to the boot.
Some rivals offer more cabin space.
Is it a Fiesta? Is it a Fusion? Confusion, it's a Mazda 2.
Instead of offering two variations of the new Valencia Ford Fiesta, Ford offers three and calls one of them a Mazda. But unlike the old Mazda 121, which was no more than a badge-engineered Dagenham Fiesta, the Mazda 2 has been completely re-engineereed.
And that's the point of it. At the back you get the lowest loading sill in the new Fiesta range. (Nearly as low as a Yaris Verso.) You get a fairly flat floor when you fold the seats, because Mazda sorted out the seat squab mechanism. You get a brighter, funkier interior. And you get a shopping car that's a lot more fun to drive than any Fiesta or Fusion.
You also gain an element of exclusivity because Mazda doesn't expect to sell many, concentrating its efforts instead on bigger, more profitable machines like the forthcoming Mazda 3 and the excellent Mazda 6.
Reviews for Mazda 2 (2003 – 2007)'s top 3 rivals
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
Mazda 2 (2003 – 2007) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.25 to 1.6
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 31–64 mpg
But the car goes well. At least, the 1.6 does. It's reasonably economical (I got 39mpg). It handles nicely, though you are aware of crosswinds. About town, turn-in is very sharp and grippy. And ride quality over the pot holes is excellent.
The engine range is all Ford/PSA, so you get Ford's Dura-something 1.25, 1.4 and 1.6 petrol 16 valvers that used to be called Zetec S. Or you can have the PSA 8 valve 1.4 common rail diesel. An alternative to the standard 5-speed box called the Auto Shift Manual is available from September 2003.
I rate it at about third in the class, jogging for position against the Polo, but behind the class-leading Honda Jazz and running-up Toyota Yaris. However, it does have some advantages over the Yaris. The Mazda 2 boot is bigger even with the Yaris rear seat slid forward. The loading sill is lower, so it's ideal for people with small dogs and anything which needs to be wheeled into the car. And it's arguably more fun to drive.
So, depending on exactly what you are looking for in a shopping car, it could be on your shopping list.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.25 | 45 mpg | 15.1 s | 150 g/km |
| 1.4 | 43 mpg | 13.9 s | 157 g/km |
| 1.4 D | 60 mpg | 15.0 s | 124 g/km |
| 1.6 | 42 mpg | 11.4 s | 159 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Mazda 2 (2003 – 2007)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
95%
Real MPG
31–64 mpg
MPGs submitted
48
Mazda 2 (2003 – 2007) interior
- Boot space is 268–1044 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3925 mm |
| Width | 1680 mm |
| Height | 1530 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2490 mm |
The steering wheel goes up and down, but not in and out. The seat squab rocks, but doesn't go up and down either. So it can take a bit of fiddling to find a seating position that doesn't give you a dead lower leg on the M25.
The dashboard is nicely laid out, with big round knobs on the integrated radio/CD player. There are plenty of places to stow things, big and small. There are a pair of cupholders right in front of the gearlever, so you can choose fifth then a can of coke. There are some bright trim colours inside the Sport version even though the upholstery is very obviously man-made (nylon knickers could cause a bit of a shock). It's a happy, sensible yet fun little car.
Mazda 2 (2003 – 2007) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3925 mm |
| Width | 1680 mm |
| Height | 1530 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2490 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1171–1207 kg |
| Boot Space | 268–1044 L |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Servicing | 12500 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £8,730–£10,650 |
| Insurance Groups | - |
| Road Tax Bands | D–G |
| Official MPG | 42.2–60.1 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 4 |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | 2 |
| Overall | - |
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.25 S 5dr | £8,730 | 44.8 mpg | 15.1 s |
| 1.4 Antares 5dr | £9,230 | 42.8 mpg | 13.9 s |
| 1.4 Antares Diesel 5dr | £9,750 | 60.1 mpg | 15.0 s |
| 1.4 Capella 5dr | £10,130 | 42.8 mpg | 13.9 s |
| 1.4 Capella 5dr Auto | £10,130 | - | - |
| 1.4 Capella Diesel 5dr | £10,650 | 60.1 mpg | 15.0 s |
| 1.4 S Automatic 5dr | £9,630 | - | - |
| 1.4 S Diesel 5dr | £9,750 | 60.1 mpg | 15.0 s |
| 1.6 Capella 5dr | £10,630 | 42.2 mpg | 11.4 s |
Model History
March 2003
Fiesta/Fusion based Mazda/Ford built at Valencia. Size is 3,925mm long by 1,680mm wide by 1,545mm high: slightly smaller but taller than the 4,020mm x 1,708mm x 1,503mm Fiesta Fusion.
Compact hatchback/estate, like the Honda Jazz and the Ford Fusion, with benefit of low rear load sill and no loading lip. Replaces Mazda’s previous Demio and is itself called Demio in Japan where it gets Mazda rather than Ford engines.
Cargo space is 330 litres with the seats up. Engines are Ford’s 75ps 1.25 litre Zetec S /Duratec 16v (0-60 14.8, top speed 101), 80ps 1.4 litre (0-60 13.6, top speed 102), 100ps 1.6 litre (0-60 11.1, top speed 112) and 68ps 1.4 litre PSA/Ford 1.4 common rail diesel (0-50 14.7, top speed 100).
Transmission options include automated manual shift for both petrol and diesel engines. Works like a Tiptroninc, but the logical way round: forward shifts down and back shifts up. Safety features include ABS, Brake Assist, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Dynamic Stability Control.
On sale in UK from late March 2003. Nice and very useful little car. Sportier, more lively and much more fun to drive than Fusion, despite sharing same floorpan and production line.
Mazda 2 1.25S £8,760 IG 2E CO2 149g/km Economy 44.8mpg
Mazda 2 1.4TS £9,995 IG 3E CO2 154g/km Economy 43.5mpg
Mazda 2 1.4TS2 £10,995 IG 4E 154g/km Economy 43.5mpg
Mazda 2 1.6 Sport £11.996 IG 6E CO2 168g/km Economy 39.8mpg
Mazda 2 1.4S diesel: £9,695 IG 3E CO2 119g/km Economy 62.8mpg
Mazda 2 1.4TS diesel: £10,495 IG 3E 119g/km Economy 62.8mpg
Mazda 2 1.4TS2 diesel: £11,495 IG 4E 119g/km Economy 62.8mpg
Entry price cut to £8,495 from March 2003.
November 2003
ASM (Auto Shift Manual) added to line up November 2003, prices from £10,000. Uses one electric motor for clutch and two others to shift the gears, all controlled by an ECU. Has fully automatic mode as well as manual over-ride so can be driven by automatic only licence holders. Has creep function in 1st or reverse, anti overheating, steep descent anti-upshift, ascent change down, accelerator lift off upshift. ASM 1.4 petrol does 102mph, 0-60 in 14.7 seconds, 43.5mpg combined, emits 154g/km CO2 (VED Group B) and is Euro IV compliant. Costs £10,000 for S or £11,300 for TS2.
ASM 1.4 diesel does 100mph, 0-60 in 16 seconds, 62.8mpg combined, emits 119g/km CO2 (VED Group AA diesel) and is Euro III compliant. Costs £10,300. Four Star NCAP crash safety rating with three stars for child protection. 3rd top marque in 2004 J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey.
March 2006
Upgraded with new front and rear lights, New ‘all-black’ rear pillar trim, Newly-designed 16-inch alloy wheels (available on Capella), Three new exterior colours, Retractable key, standard all models, New seat and door trim fabrics, Improved steering wheel audio controls, New audio/CD player, Two new interior colours, Khaki or Black, Improved 1.4-litre common-rail turbo diesel is Euro Stage 4 compliant, ASM (auto shift manual) transmission available with 1.4-litre petrol engine, ABS, electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and brake assist (EBA) standard.
What to watch out for
ASM Module and gear actuators of automated manual prone to failure after 4 - 5 years and replacement likely to cost £1,500.
22-11-2016:Report of 2006 Mazda 2 1.4 diesel losing power and displaying EAC on the dashboard. Could only be driven slowly in 1st gear. Likely to be failed injectors, which is a common problem on the 1.4HDI/TDCI in small Citroens, Peugeots and Fords.
