Mazda 2

[2000gm]

Thoughts? Looks like it won't stack up performance-wise to the Fiesta. Not a fan of the interior either.

Los Angeles auto show: 2011 Mazda 2 debuts with pint-sized zoom

[mrbirdman330]

Those are pics of the Euro Model but it's meant to be Mazda's cheap car.

[Reddog99]

Hardly any different than the Fiesta....

[2000gm]

Originally Posted by Reddog99

Hardly any different than the Fiesta....

Which is why I'm a bit surprised the N.A. version won't have the same motor as the Fiesta, being on the same platform. 1.5 liter at, if I remember correctly, about 108 HP.

[mrbirdman330]

Taken from Mazdas site direct unknown what pricing starts at.

Dimensions

Full body length: 155.5 inches
Wheelbase: 98 inches
Height: 58.1 inches
Width: 66.7 inches

Interior
Headroom Front/Rear: 39.5/37.8 Inches
Shoulder Room ": 58.2/51.2 inches
Leg room ": 42.1/34.8 inches
Total Passenger Volume: 100.4 cubic feet
Cargo: 13.3 cubic feet.

Engine: 1.5L
Transmission: 5MT/4AT
Suspension: MacPherson Strut/Torsion Beam
Tire Size: 185/55 R15

North American Spec Mazda 2:

[FiestaFan]

Definitely looks like Mazda have given the 2 a soft-touch dashboard. Hard to tell if it's just the top half or everything down to the glovebox that's slush-fit, but it should help lift the ambience quite a bit either way; I always got the impression the 2 had a cheapy interior.

[BRGT350]

I don't care for much of the Mazda 2. The body is frumpy looking and is too organic for my tastes. The fender flares up front look like an after thought based on trying to copy the 6. The smiling face lower grille is something I consider a mistake on all Mazda's. Nothing about the interior I like, and the steering wheel spokes are too thick. I used to really like everything Mazda used to make, but their current designs are lacking to clean lines of a few years ago. The Mazda 2 is no exception. The original Mazda 6, 5, and 3 were all awesome looking when production started, but the refresh has really had created some odd looking product. The Mazda 2 starts off weird.

[focusse]

The Mazda 2 is not very attractive to me at all. The Fiesta is so much more dynamic looking inside and out! I'll bet if you gave people the choice between a Fiesta and a Mazda 2the VAST majority would choose the Fiesta. I don't think there's even a comparison here. Fiesta rules by far!

[iamz]

Originally Posted by BRGT350

I don't care for much of the Mazda 2. The body is frumpy looking and is too organic for my tastes. The fender flares up front look like an after thought based on trying to copy the 6. The smiling face lower grille is something I consider a mistake on all Mazda's. Nothing about the interior I like, and the steering wheel spokes are too thick. I used to really like everything Mazda used to make, but their current designs are lacking to clean lines of a few years ago. The Mazda 2 is no exception. The original Mazda 6, 5, and 3 were all awesome looking when production started, but the refresh has really had created some odd looking product. The Mazda 2 starts off weird.

It's like you're inside my head saying everything I'm thinking. Kinda scary. Stop it. In any case, I couldn't agree more.

[blurbyu]

Originally Posted by BRGT350

I don't care for much of the Mazda 2. The body is frumpy looking and is too organic for my tastes. The fender flares up front look like an after thought based on trying to copy the 6. The smiling face lower grille is something I consider a mistake on all Mazda's. Nothing about the interior I like, and the steering wheel spokes are too thick. I used to really like everything Mazda used to make, but their current designs are lacking to clean lines of a few years ago. The Mazda 2 is no exception. The original Mazda 6, 5, and 3 were all awesome looking when production started, but the refresh has really had created some odd looking product. The Mazda 2 starts off weird.

Agreed 100%!
I used to be a Mazda fan, but the new design direction is just too out there. The refresh of the 3 and 6 have made them bloated looking.
The 2 doesn't really look bloated, but it does look like a mish-mash of last minute changes so that it could fit in with the other Mazdas.

I'll be interested to see how well this does from a sales stand point in the U.S.
It's going to need to either be priced significantly under (doubtful), or get much better fuel economy (probably slightly) than the Fiesta if it's going to compete at all. Even then, I think the smaller engine and softer suspension are going to turn quite a few people off.
Die-hard Mazda people are going to wonder where the Zoom-Zoom went.

Though... If a Mazda comes out with a Mazdaspeed version before Ford comes out with a ST/SVT version, I will certainly be checking it out with renewed interest...
I'll put up with a bit of ugly for more fun!