Mazda 2 Hybrid Review (2024)

Introduction

Some manufacturers seem to have an aversion to the number '1'.

South Korean brand, Kia, is one example (no pun intended) as, for a long time in the United Kingdom, the marque numbered its trim levels but skipped ‘1’, with ‘2’ being the entry-level model.

A similar thing has occurred with Japanese heavyweight Mazda.

The Hiroshima-based manufacturer has a history of simply giving its cars numbers, yet the Mazda 2 is the smallest model it makes.

Whatever happened to the Mazda 1?

In all honesty, Mazda would struggle to make anything more compact than the Mazda 2, given that it's a supermini designed for family friendliness and simplicity. But that hasn't stopped the Northeast Asian automaker from trying. Sort of.

In reality, Mazda hasn’t had to try very hard to come up with something smaller – in fact, the ‘2 Hybrid’ is not a car it has really had to design at all.

That is because if it looks familiar, it’s actually a Toyota Yaris with a slightly different front end.

Unusually – and possibly because of this apparent aversion to the number ‘1’ – the Yaris has had two facelifts without an all-new model being launched.

Now, as part of its own efforts, Mazda is ushering in a revised front-end design on the Hybrid and has put it on the market.

However, oddly, this means Mazda offers two cars called the ‘2’, which look markedly different.

Maybe they should have used the ‘Mazda 1’ name after all?

At a Glance

The Mazda 2 Hybrid features modernised looks over the standard Mazda 2.

The front features a large, open-mouthed grill and a hump in the bonnet, two good-sized air intakes at either side, aggressive headlights and a black front splitter.

Around the sides, creases in the lower part of the doors and above the rear wheel arch give additional character and definition.

And, at the rear, the taillights poke out from the bodywork at the corners, forming part of the overall shape, while wide hips flare out from the taillights downwards.

A dark grey cladded rear at the bottom completes the look.

Overall, it’s a nice, welcome departure from the far safer and somewhat old hat looks of the petrol Mazda 2, although it remains on the market today.

After examining the Hybrid's appearance, you'll see the undeniable similarity if you search for a picture of the Toyota Yaris.

Key Features

If you’ve looked at the petrol Mazda 2, you'll want to double-check the trim levels on the Hybrid as they're not quite the same.

The trim levels are all new, but confusingly, in the Mazda 2 Hybrid, the Exclusive-Line is the second grade up, and the Homura is the third. But the petrol version has them the other way round.

Equipment levels are reasonably similar between the two cars. But there are plenty of differences if you look closely, so it's essential to check if you're considering the petrol version.

Unfortunately, one of the most significant differences between the Hybrid and non-hybrid versions is the price, which, if bought outright, makes the entry-level Mazda 2 Hybrid around 12% more expensive than the top-of-the-range Mazda 2 petrol. Luckily, as you’re here, you’ll be leasing the car – so this may not be a deal breaker for you!

Nevertheless, the Hybrid has a decent standard level of equipment; some of it is new or upgraded compared with the outgoing Mazda 2 Hybrid.

The entry-level Hybrid is Centre-Line, which comes with 15-inch alloys, a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a DAB radio, black fabric seat trim, electric windows, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, a reversing camera and automatic high beam.

The Exclusive-Line grade upgrades to 16-inch alloys and adds electrically adjustable power-folding heated door mirrors, smart keyless entry and a start/stop button.

Next up is the Homura trim, featuring even larger 17-inch alloys, sports-style front seats with black fabric and synthetic leather upholstery. It also boasts dual-zone climate control, ambient interior lighting, LED front fog lights, LED headlights, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a wireless phone charger.

The top-of-the-tree Homura Plus retains the 17-inch wheels but upgrades the infotainment touchscreen to a larger 10.5-inch screen. It also adds SatNav, a head-up display, and a 12.3-inch digital driver display to replace the analogue dials, as well as a panoramic roof with a retractable blind.

The Mazda 2 Hybrid has only one engine: a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol mill and a small electric motor.

Mazda calls the engine the VVT-I, and it produces a modest but not unreasonable 116PS.

Performance & Drive

With only one powerplant to pick from, we’re hoping it’s a good one.

In terms of pace, it's perfectly adequate for a supermini, with 0-62mph dealt with in 9.7 seconds.

That may not sound amazing, and the small electric motor it's connected to doesn't add much performance other than providing some early initiative when you push down on the accelerator pedal. Still, the engine does an excellent job for what it is.

Because there isn't much to the car's size, the acceleration feels reasonably brisk and quicker than its headline figures suggest.

When overtaking on dual-carriageways and motorways, it responds fairly well when you floor it, causing the car to burst into life.

For a small car, and with realistic expectations, we were reasonably impressed.

The CVT (‘continuously variable transmission’) takes a bit of getting used to. But, it’s simply one gear that automatically adjusts itself depending on the engine’s requirements at any given time.

All CVTs tend to shriek at higher revs, and the Mazda 2 is no exception. However, a CVT offers as much convenience as a regular automatic in that you don't need to keep pressing a clutch pedal or shifting a gear lever.

Apart from a bit of a screech at higher revs, it provides a reasonably hushed driving experience – especially when the engine isn’t in use.

Although self-charging hybrids like the Mazda 2 Hybrid aren't designed for long distances without the engine, you can motor on electric power alone for short trips.

In terms of handling and ride comfort, Mazda tends to sacrifice the latter for the former, although Mazdas generally aren’t uncomfortable, just a little firmer than some rivals.

This characteristic is less noticeable in the Mazda 2, especially if you opt for the entry-level Centre-Line or the Exclusive-Line, which get 15-inch and 16-inch alloys, respectively.

Our test car, however, is the next trim up – Homura – which comes with 17-inch wheels and feels firmer than the others.

Even with these alloys, though, the ride feels decent enough, and it does a reasonable job of smoothing out bumps in the road.

To drive around bends, we wouldn't call the Mazda 2 Hybrid 'fun' as such. But it can have a playful personality when you push it harder around corners. That said, the body roll isn’t as well controlled as it is in some of its foes.

The tyres hold the road well, but the steering isn't necessarily designed for tackling bends, and the Mazda 2 Hybrid's short wheelbase doesn't appear to add much agility.

Running Costs & Emissions

You need to look at a plug-in hybrid to get insanely good fuel economy figures.

Most self-charging hybrids don't significantly increase the miles-per-gallon figure, but we're happy to report that the Mazda 2 Hybrid appears to buck the trend.

Opt for the top two trims, which includes our Homura test car, and you’ll return a claimed 67.3mpg, emitting just 98g/km of CO2.

But things get even better if you choose the bottom two grades. Fuel consumption jumps to 70.6mpg, while CO2 emissions plunge to 87g/km.

That said, the petrol-powered Mazda 2 is an impressively economical car, returning 52 to 60mpg, depending on which engine you choose.

Despite the Hybrid’s notable figures, they aren’t enough to make it worthwhile as a company car.

In practice, you need to drive an all-electric or, at the very least, a plug-in hybrid car to take advantage of the best savings on Benefit In Kind tax.

Mazda has a reasonably good reputation for reliability. However, the news might be even better because, given that it's actually a Toyota, the latter manufacturer is one of the most dependable in the world. We hope it’s reflected in the Mazda 2 Hybrid, too.

Interior & Technology

Superminis tend to have pretty basic interiors, and while the Mazda 2 Hybrid is short on luxuries, it looks nice.

However, compared with the posh-looking Mazda MX-30, there is no contest – the MX-30 is in a different league.

The Mazda 2 Hybrid has no shortage of hard plastics inside and appears to be built to a price, although at least the seats look nice with a diamond pattern on the upholstery.

Unlike the petrol-only version, the Hybrid gets a plush, soft-to-the-touch dashboard and some cloth liner on the doors, and while it doesn't transform the cabin, it certainly helps.

Everything you need is there, including a nice-to-hold steering wheel (exclusive to the Hybrid) with plenty of functional buttons.

You also get a stocky gear lever and, thankfully, physical dials and buttons to control the air conditioning. That is a plus, given the number of manufacturers who want to bury the climate control functions within a layer of menus in the infotainment system.

Even better, although the Mazda 2 interior is rather forgettable, there is room for a 9.0-inch touchscreen – and an even bigger 10.5-inch touchscreen with SatNav in the Homura Plus version, the trim above what we’re testing.

The screen is quick and responsive, and the menus are easy to navigate. However, it feels like a system that merely meets, rather than exceeds, the Mazda 2 Hybrid’s status as an affordable supermini.

The good news is that while many manufacturers are launching screens that are over three inches bigger, in the small interior of the Mazda 2 Hybrid, even our 9.0-inch system looks gigantic.

There is not a massive amount of silver or chrome décor, apart from the door handles and the area surrounding the gear lever. This is disappointing, as adding some more in one or two areas would have brightened things up considerably.

Overall, the cabin is reasonable and does all you need, but nothing more than that.

Boot Space & Practicality

The Mazda 2 Hybrid's adjustable lumbar support, which is included as standard in our Homura test car, helps you find a comfortable driving position.

There is a whole bunch of adjustment in the driver's seat and a decent amount of the same in the steering wheel.

In the front, it isn’t cramped, though taller drivers will likely find it a struggle on a long journey, but most should find it manageable.

Nevertheless, superminis aren't exactly renowned for space, and if you're in the back, you'll also struggle if you're over six feet tall.

Yes, there are three rear seats, but squeezing a trio of adults in there is barely possible, especially as the roof slopes down slightly, eating into the headroom.

Visibility out of the front is good, thanks to the thinned-out window pillars, and it’s not too bad at the back either, especially as you’re aided by a rear-view camera on all trims.

Front and rear parking sensors are factory fitted on all models, too, except the entry-level Centre-Line.

The boot space isn't exceptionally generous, measuring just 286 litres. However, if you fold down the rear seats, the cargo capacity balloons to 935 litres.

While those figures match the near-identical Toyota Yaris, it’s well behind nearly all its competitors.

As for storage, the door bins are on the small side, but you get various spaces elsewhere, including a tray in front of the gear lever where you can store some sweets, keys or a phone.

The dashboard is effectively two-tiered, with a shelf on it. This creates room for another tray beneath the infotainment screen and a shallower one above the glovebox.

Overall, the Mazda 2 is found wanting for space and, even taking into account it’s a supermini, most of its rivals can do a little better.

Safety

Euro NCAP tested the Mazda 2 Hybrid, and its scores matched those of the Toyota Yaris.

There are no surprises there, but at least it proves that Euro NCAP's testing isn't subjective.

The Mazda 2 Hybrid earned a five-star rating, scoring 86% for adults, 81% for children and 85% for safety assists.

In case you’re interested in the standard Mazda 2, it scored 86% for adults, 78% for children, and 64% for safety assists. But it only earned a four-star rating - and that was when the testing criteria weren't as stringent, back in 2015.

Thankfully, the Mazda 2 Hybrid gets a respectable amount of safety equipment.

All models get hill-start assist, a tyre pressure monitoring system, road sign assist and dynamic stability control.

However, you'll need to upgrade to the Exclusive-Line or above for blind spot monitoring and Mazda’s pre-crash safety system.

Options

There is no shortage of optional extras to tempt you into parting with more cash.

Various sets of alloys allow you to upgrade or downgrade the size of your wheels, while illuminated door sills, tow bars, roof racks, and roof boxes are among the items available.

Boot organisers, an ashtray kit and even wires for phone charging cables can be bought, along with floor mats. Child car seats are also available.

Lunar white is the default colour, but a brighter white pearl, red, silver, dark grey, bright blue and black are also obtainable – although they are all rather expensive.

Rival Cars

The most obvious alternative leasing choice is the Toyota Yaris, which is basically the same car with a slightly different front end.

As for natural alternatives, the Honda Jazz, Renault Clio, Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo provide the most formidable competition.

The Polo, in particular, is more fun to drive yet offers a more absorbing ride.

Verdict & Next Steps

All things considered, the Mazda 2 is comfortable and good-looking – and now boasts even greater fuel economy in this Hybrid model.

It is also straightforward to drive and live with.

However, it’s costly for what it is: the entry-level Mazda 2 Hybrid is more than 12% more expensive than the top-of-the-range Mazda 2 petrol – if you were to buy it rather than lease it. Thank goodness you found Select Car Leasing then, right?

It is also a tad pricier than the twin it's based on – the Toyota Yaris. But that’s not necessarily a worry – because if you want a Mazda, you want one. Simple as that.

So, if you want to lease a Mazda 2 Hybrid, we recommend sticking with the generously equipped entry-level Centre-Line.

Why? Well, to put that into context, for the price of the even higher up the range Homura trim, you could lease an all-electric MG 4 EV and enjoy generous equipment levels and slightly better practicality. Still, an MG is no Mazda now, is it?

Decisions, decisions!

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Mazda 2 Hybrid.

**Correct as of 10/05/2024. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments, or £2,388.96 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.