Mazda2 hatchback (2007-2015) - Interior & comfort
The interior of the Mazda2 is a little old-fashioned looking, but it’s well built and most models come with plenty of kit
While the Mazda2 still looks sharp on the outside, it's starting to show its age inside. It's relatively easy to get comfortable behind the wheel and the major controls are thoughtfully placed, but the styling is a little dated and there are very few soft-touch plastics.
Mazda2 dashboard
Clean lines and attractive curved shapes mark out the Mazda2 dashboard as something different, and the interior in general is well designed and finished to a pretty high standard throughout. However, the cracks in this fairly old design are starting to show – the blocky graphics used on the LCD screens look particularly old-hat. The use of hard plastics on the dashboard and door tops is further evidence of the car's advancing years. On the plus side, the Mazda is robustly built and feels like it'll take years of abuse before bits of trim start to break or fall off.
Mazda2 equipment
Equipment is reasonable for a supermini – there's no bare-bones entry-level car without air-conditioning, for example – but there are some important omissions nonetheless. The cheapest SE Air Con version gives you air-conditioning, electric front windows and mirrors plus a USB port, but metallic paint is an optional extra and the rear seats only fold down as a single unit.
Upgrade to Tamura and you add rear seats that split as well as fold, plus alloy wheels. One thing that's missing on both the SE and Tamura is electronic stability control – a major safety feature these days, and only available here on the 1.5-litre automatic car. And if you prefer a sunroof to air-conditioning, you're out of luck – this option is not offered on any Mazda2. The standard stereo is perfectly adequate and built-in sat nav is included on the Tamura Nav Auto, Sport Venture and all the Colour special editions.
Mazda2 options
Like many cars built in Japan or Korea, the Mazda2 has a very short list of optional features. In fact, take a look at the price lists and you'll find the only possible addition is metallic paint. However, that’s not to say it's impossible to personalise your Mazda2, because Mazda's UK dealers have a wide range of accessories that can be added to your car before you take delivery. Take a look and you'll find everything from sporty body styling to boot liners and fitted floor mats.
