Hatchbacks are a well-represented segment in the Philippines. These compact yet practical vehicles have found a home in our country, where smaller and more efficient cars have historically been more appreciated in tight and congested urban streets.
While many hatchbacks are on the more affordable end of the spectrum, some of them tilt towards the upmarket segment, at times approaching the price point of much larger crossovers and SUVs. One of these is the Mazda2 hatchback Premium, a stylish and premium-leaning model that could be befitting of your attention. With a price of P1,195,000—is it a vehicle worth buying?
Timeless design
People know Mazda for its dedication to Japanese design and craftsmanship. The brand's vehicles often speak for themselves with fashionable exteriors and well-appointed interiors.
On the Mazda2, this attention to detail manifests in the Evolved Kodo Design philosophy. Its sleek look features bold lines and curves, oozing sophistication at every corner. The hatchback looks mature enough to hang with more expensive models, yet it has a fun side that we can't dare overlook.
Inside, the Mazda2 Premium continues the elegant theme with a minimalist cabin. The ergonomics have been fine tuned to maximize the driver's relationship with the car, with every touchpoint optimized to give a more engaging driving experience. Mazda also redesigned the cabin to reduce noise and vibration through improved sealing. Anyone would feel relaxed and ready to drive aboard the Mazda2.
Tech for the ages
Many prospective car buyers put advanced tech atop their list of must-haves. The Mazda2 Premium is suitable in that regard, as it packs a host of practical and advanced technology.
It starts with the floating Mazda Connect touchscreen infotainment system, which now comes equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay. Paired with onboard wireless charging for smartphones, the Mazda2 Premium keeps up with the best of the best.
The Mazda2 also features an Active Driving Display, showing whoever's behind the wheel a selection of rich information, including speed, mileage, and fuel economy. On top of that, the hatchback also packs Auto-leveling LED headlights and LED daytime running lamps for superior visibility, wherever and whenever.
Of course, who could forget the safety features? Not Mazda, as it equipped this model iActivsense, a suite of active safety tech that includes Smart City Brake Support, Lane Departure Warning, Blind-spot Monitoring, Driver Attention Alert, and Rear-Cross Traffic Alert. The Mazda2 Premium has everything a driver needs to feel safe and secure.
Power and efficiency
A vehicle isn't complete without the beating heart that powers it. On the Mazda 2, what's under the hood is a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC, SkyActiv-G gasoline engine. The highly efficient mill delivers around 108 hp and 141 Nm of torque in a compact package. It connects with Mazda's SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission that boasts a Sport mode feature for more exciting drives.
SkyActiv-G is particularly impressive as it's the world's first mass-production gasoline engine to achieve a 14:0:1 compression ratio, making it up to 15 percent more fuel efficient than Mazda's previous engines.
More than that, the Mazda2 Premium comes equipped with G-Vectoring Control Plus, a feature set that includes vehicle dynamics and motion control systems. It works by responding to steering input and adjusting torque to lateral, longitudinal, and vertical forces during cornering maneuvers. In essence, the feature shifts the weight around the vehicle's suspension to give the driver a pleasant driving experience in most situations.
Verdict
We've explored what makes the Mazda2 hatchback Premium an attractive option at its segment and price point. While it's not as affordable as many other models in the market today, it's got a few things the competitors don't.
The Kodo exterior design, classy interior ergonomics, efficient SkyActiv-G engine, advanced tech and safety features, and unparalleled vehicle dynamics make the Mazda2 a tantalizing choice for those who have the cash to spend.
If you're looking for a more premium-leaning hatchback that has it all, you likely won't go wrong with the Mazda2 Premium. Besides, with Mazda Philippines' free five-year service plan, you may forget about the steeper upfront cost anyway.
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