2 for You

MANILA, Philippines - As 2009 drew to a close, we urged 5-seater SUV shoppers to troop to Hyundai and Mazda dealerships to check out their respective new releases, which we felt were a couple of very positive footnotes to a surprisingly good year for the Philippine automotive industry. Those who ended up in Mazda dealerships might have been caught by surprise by another vehicle, though. Like Santa slipping in a present to an unsuspecting good kid’s Christmas stocking, over December Mazda Philippines quietly stocked their showrooms and dealerships with a brand new vehicle that’s bound to catch the imagination of small car fans – the all-new Mazda2.

As opposed to the Mazda CX7’s admittedly loud coming out party (it was first unveiled at the Advertising Congress), the Mazda2’s arrival was discreet to say the least – but not completely unplanned. A month prior to the launch, Mazda Philippines whisked a handful of motoring journalists off to Chiang Mai in Thailand, where the first public test drive of the Mazda2 was held. It was indeed supposed to be a Christmas surprise for Mazda’s Philippine market – and we were in on it. Here’s what we learned from our Mazda2 experience…

Its 1.5-liter, in-line 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve, VVT engine churns out a respectable 102hp @ 6,000rpm and 137Nm @ 4,000rpm. Mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission that’s mindful of the car’s rev limits, it distributes this power fairly well, rarely missing a beat along traffic riddled streets or long highways. Considering its size (3,922 x 1,695 x 1,4835) and weight (1,465kg), it propels the car at a reasonable pace. While its chief rival in the Philippines, the Honda Jazz, still packs more punch in the power department, the new Mazda2 has its own merits. Not the least of which is the car’s fresh, new façade.

At once smart and quirky, the Mazda2 is quite the head turner with its sleek lines and funky new colors (green, red, blue, black and white – with green being the hands down favorite of all who attended the drive). Its grille reminiscent of its more high-end siblings’ own, it carries a familiar yet fresh face. Wraparound halogen headlamps, front fog lamps, side skirts, a rear spoiler and 15-inch rims then hint of a sporty character. To be fair, the car looks distinct. Yet, its looks weren’t the most impressive highlights of the car – at least in this writer’s mind. What I really found impressive was the amount of safety features found in such a small car.

Apart from the standard 3-point seatbelts up front, it also has two 3-point seatbelts for rear passengers and a two-point seatbelt for the car’s center occupant. It also has a seatbelt warning indicator for the driver. Keyless entry and an immobilizer also come standard. What I appreciate most, however, are the dual SRS airbags up front and the four-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (despite a disc-drum combination), which do not always come standard in cars of this class. And, in case of a collision, there’s the Mazda Advanced Impact Distribution and Absorption System (MAIDAS) to keep you feeling safe. These aforementioned safety features gave us the confidence to push the car in Thailand’s highways – something that proved to be pleasantly rewarding.

Another rewarding thing about the Mazda2 is its interior packaging. While the upholstery is of the standard black fabric kind, it doesn’t at all feel cheap. The driver’s tactile sense isn’t insulted, either, as the steering wheel is wrapped in tasteful leather. The car’s airconditioning system is predictably of the manual kind. But the MP3-capable in-dash CD player has an auxiliary jack and steering wheel-mounted controls – something that balances things out as far as this writer is concerned. Leg- and headroom are reasonably good if still a bit wanting were you to compare them to the class-leading Honda Jazz.

Finally, the fact that it is E10-capable and has a 3-year/100,000km warranty sits well with us. While the Mazda2 may not immediately lure all of the Philippines’ hatch fans into its fold, its combination of fresh new looks and advanced safety and entertainment features is bound to attract more than just a few of them. At P795,000, it places itself right smack in the middle of the market leader’s price range. That should be food for thought for all who are in search of a brand new hatch. The Mazda2 doesn’t present itself as a cheap alternative – it’s a head on rival to a car with an established winning formula. Welcome 2010… let the fun begin!

THE GOOD

• Fresh new looks

• Loaded with safety features

• Ample interior amenities

THE BAD

• Could use a bit more in the power department

• Still smaller leg- and headroom-wise than the class leader

THE VERDICT

• The new Mazda2 is a fresh, new entry that kicks off 2010 on a positive note. We’re predicting a substantial dent in the hatchback sales pie from Mazda Philippines because of it.