Name: Mazda 2 (2014 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Mazda2
Rating: 62.0

Summary

The Mazda 2 (styled by the company as the Mazda2) is a small, supermini-class five-door hatchback. The current model is the third generation to carry the ‘2’ name, following on from previous small Mazdas known as 121 or Demio.

The current-generation was launched in late 2014, and received a major update in late 2019. There have been various limited-edition specifications over the years, and the 1.5-litre diesel model has been dropped along the way.

The car was given a facelift in 2023, which renamed the trims on offer, introduced some minor cosmetic changes and a higher standard specification. The lead-in ‘Centre-Line’ and ‘Exclusive-Line’ trims now come with a body-coloured grille insert, while the top-spec ‘Homura’ and ‘Homura Aka’ grades sport a black honeycomb grille.

The Mazda 2 has received positive reviews from the UK motoring media over the last five years, although more recent reviews do rate it lower than older reviews as newer rivals have arrived on the scene.

The 2 has been praised for its comfort and fuel economy, particularly the latest SkyActiv petrol engines. However, it has been criticised for being cramped – especially in the back seats – and for feeling rather dated compared to newer rivals.

There is now a completely different model called the Mazda 2 Hybrid in the Mazda family – this is completely unrelated to the existing Mazda 2, and is nothing but a rebadged Toyota Yaris to help Mazda meet its EU and UK emissions requirements. The current model will continue to be sold alongside the Toyota version, which will inevitably be confusing for customers.

As of January 2025, the Mazda 2 currently holds a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 62%. It scores top marks for its low running costs and CO₂ emissions, but its reliability record and media review scores are only average, and its safety rating has expired due to the car’s age.

Mazda 2 highlights

Frugal engines
Stylish exterior looks
Well-equipped as standard
User-friendly infotainment

Mazda 2 lowlights

Not all that fun to drive
Small boot
Cramped rear seats
Rivals offer more interior quality

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door hatch
Engines: petrol
Price: From £17,205 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2014
Last updated: Summer 2023
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

“Is the Mazda 2 better than Ford’s Fiesta? The answer is no, but it’s very much a contender that supermini rivals, including Ford, need to take notice of.”
Read review

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Good looks, practicality and engaging driving characteristics mean the latest Mazda 2 is a serious contender in the supermini class.”
Author: Antony Ingram
Read review

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 6 / 10
“The latest updates can’t help the Mazda 2 keep pace with the latest arrivals in the supermini market.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.2 / 10
“The Mazda 2 is one of the best superminis available. It looks great, is more fun to drive than many rivals, and its frugal engines and high level of standard kit make it an appealing ownership prospect.”
Read review

Business Car+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre diesel manual SE-L
Score: 8 / 10
“A great little package worth considering.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual GT Sport
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mazda 2 is defined by what it doesn’t have, rather than what it does have. Less weight, less cost and no forced induction make it an unusually engaging supermini to drive. It may not be the obvious choice, if you want a nippy, analogue-feel, good-value supermini, this could well be it.”
Read review

Car Keys+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual 90hp
Score: 8 / 10
“While the Mazda 2 might still be showing its age next to brand new competitors, the tweaks to this supermini have made a big difference. It might not be the best all-rounder, but there’s plenty still to like, and you certainly won’t be disappointed with it next to much newer alternatives.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.8 / 10
“The Mazda 2 is a supermini with neat styling, tidy handling and low running costs.”
Author: Ben Custard, Andy Goodwin
Read review

Daily Mirror+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Sport Nav
“The Mazda 2 looks stylish and grown-up from the outside and particularly good nose on and from the back. And it’s good inside, too.” (Richard Hammond)
Read review

Fleetworld+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual SE-L Nav
“While it’s an evolution not a revolution last time, the Mazda2 builds on its predecessor’s best qualities with improved quality and a more grown up driving experience. It’s an incredibly attractive alternative to the biggest-selling superminis.”
Read review

Motors+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“If you’re travelling alone or with just the one passenger, then the Mazda 2 is a refined and comfortable companion with plenty of adjustment for the driver’s seat and steering wheel and well padded, supportive seats.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“Likeable Mazda 2 is a strong alternative to usual suspects.”
Read review

The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual
Score: 10 / 10
“A supermini that’s super, if not particularly mini.”
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Sport Nav
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s feeling a little long in the tooth now, but the Mazda 2 offers a sense of lightness, dexterity and control that can’t be matched by some of its newer rivals. Trouble is, you have to live with a cramped interior, a whining gearbox and a noisy engine that isn’t all that helpful where you really need it. At least it’s cheap to buy and run.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Handsome, good to drive and easy to use, like all Mazdas. But the engines are lacklustre and the cabin too dour.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: April 2015
Date expired: January 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 86%
Child protection: 78%
Vulnerable road users: 84%
Safety assist: 64%

Notes on safety rating

The Mazda 2 was awarded a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP back when this model was launched in 2015. However, this rating expired in January 2022 as it no longer met the requirements for a five-star car. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

However, if you are comparing a used Mazda 2 to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: 1.5-litre petrol manual

Overall score: 3.5 stars
Date tested: September 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 5.9 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 6.9 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 5.6 / 10

The rating above only applies to the 1.5-litre petrol manual variant of the Mazda 2. It does not apply to any other engine/gearbox combination.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 20
Average repair cost: £659.49
Last updated: May 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Mazda 2 has a better-than average reliability score, according to warranty claim data provided by our partner MotorEasy.

While MotorEasy warranty holders haven’t submitted many Mazda 2 claims, most problems seem to be fairly inexpensive to repair. the overall numbers are skewed by a few very expensive gerarbox repairs, with an average repair fee of more than £2,800.

If you’re looking at a used Mazda 2, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of the potential problem areas shown above.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	58 mpg	B	48 – 60 mpg	A – C

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	112 g/km	A	107 – 133 g/km	A – A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	17	A	13 – 20	A – A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£131	A
Year 2	£386	A
Year 3	£608	A
Year 4	£821	A
Year 5	£1,153	A
Overall	£3,099	A

The Mazda 2 is a very affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The 2 scores almost has a straight-A scorecard, with fuel economy scoring a (still very good) B rating. It’s undoubtedly one of the cheapest new cars to own currently on sale.