With the recent new colours selection added to the Mazda 2 hatchback family, let's revisit it for a simple test drive. Before everything start, looking at the specifications and pricing, those with safety concern will actually stay away from it and choose Honda City instead, for a simple reason that the Mazda 2 is only equipped with 2 front airbags. Again, this is a complete let down as for the RM88k OTR it is asking for, the car should be a fully equipped unit instead.
I would think drop the HUD, which is not really too useful and only serve as a something to brag-about gadget on your dash. It only show you the driving speed and the direction if you pay RM1.2k extra for the navigation map. Most will find the HUD annoying as the translucent screen need time to get use to.
During the short test drive, the car is really nimble and nice to drive, albeit the light steering and noisy engine sound, especially when you flip it to "Sport" mode to enable the 6-speeder to keep the gear till higher revs. Overall, driving this is powerful and it handles real well on the B-road, with its paddle shifter.
The best of the M2 is the Mazda Connect system, that is standard with a touch screen. And it is built in a way that while the car is in motion, the touch will be disabled and user will need to contol it using the knob below the gearshift stalk. The i-stop is good to save the owner on petrol cost, but not advisable during a hot weather traffic jam, as the aircon compresor will cease to work as well, leaving the occupants with only air blowing through.
Another good thing on the M2 is that it is available in sedan bodystyle, for those that is more family oriented. It is the only hatchback-turn-into-sedan model that does not look out of place, yet still look sync to the Mazda family of models. No such thing as a add-on boot, and the M2 does in fact looks like a mini Mazda 3 sedan.
So you want to be different by owning not a Toyota Vios or Honda City, the Mazda 2 could be a wise choice. Do note that the price is higher, the specifications in safety is lower, the size is smaller, but for a car targeted at the younger generation, the M2 styling is at the top of the list!
