2007 MAZDA 2 1.3L 5MT (75 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Mazda unveiled the 2 at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, and it was an instant success. Even though it was based on the same platform as the Ford Fiesta, its design attracted more eyes than its blue-oval badged sibling.

The Japanese carmaker made one of the best new-edge design vehicles in the small segment, blending curved lines and sharp angles, and named it Zoom-Zoom. Combined with a good reliability reputation for the carmaker, it resulted in high demand for the 2 from the European market.

Its sharp-looking headlights mounted high above the bumper were protected them from small parking bumps. The front flared fenders resembled the same idea met on its bigger brothers, the 3 and the 6. Thanks to the ascending beltline, the 2 offered a dynamic look, even though it was not a sports car or even a hot-hatch.

Inside, Mazda focused more on design and less on materials. Since it aimed at European customers, it arranged a black and silver combination for the dashboard and center stack. But make no mistake, all of these were made from plastic and not high-quality ones. Yet, it was appealing to customers. The three-dial instrument cluster featured a wider speedometer in the middle, flanked by a tachometer on the left and an LCD on the right. Even though it was not even a compact-sized vehicle, it still provided enough room for five adults inside, although the middle rear passenger had to cope with the center tunnel that crossed the car from front to back.

Its underpinnings were shared with the Ford Fiesta and featured a McPherson independent front suspension and torsion beam at the back. Thanks to its low overall weight, the 2 was a very nimble car with good fuel efficiency, especially if fitted with the 1.6-liter turbodiesel engine.