Mazda 2 review

While it is starting to show its age, there’s plenty of Mazda common sense in here. Everything’s exactly where you’d expect it to be. Infotainment screen in your eyeline; touch-sensitive when you’re stationary, but operable with a clickwheel on the move. Genius. Just be prepared to explain to any new passengers who can’t fathom why the touchscreen isn’t working that that’s the case.

There’s clear dials front and centre, but no over-abundance of frivolous information. Big, chunky (though it has to be said, not especially tactile) twisty heater controls. Sensibly placed USB ports with a handy phone-stowage tray just in front. A proper manual handbrake. An armrest with extra storage underneath.

None of this is centrefold-sexy stuff, but it’s sure as heck useful. So, plenty of common sense then. Just a pity there’s barely a flash of colour or anything to lift the ambience beyond ‘Eeyyore hangover’.

The driving position is a real strong suit: a well-shaped seat with plenty of adjustment and a huge amount of steering wheel reach/rake movement too. Even newer superminis struggle on this stumbling block, but you’ll not fail to get comfy in the 2, and all the dials and infotainment are easily reachable.

Speaking of which, the infotainment lives in a touchscreen atop the dash that, no, doesn’t fold away. For some reason that seems to really offend some people. The graphics look very dated now, and we’re a little surprised that Mazda hasn’t spent more time refreshing the layout and adding a few features. Perhaps that’s because Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring is standard now, which means you can bypass the terrible native nav. Google Maps FTW.

The 2’s diminutive size means it ain’t the roomiest supermini on the block, and anyone nearing six foot will feel hemmed in if they’re sat at the back. Much better news in the boot: 280 litres with the seats up, or 950 litres with the backrests folded down. Plenty for the weekly supermarket run.