MAZDA has launched a new hybrid version of its popular little hatchback, the Mazda 2.
Buy you’d be forgiven for thinking that it looks rather like another hybrid hatchback on the market, the Toyota Yaris.
And that’s because the new Mazda 2 hybrid is actually a rebadged Yaris.
If you look closely you will see Mazda badges but to make it look slightly different, it’s fitted a new front bumper and grille design.
And at the back the rear bumper is revised along with a new tailgate garnish to help give the Mazda2 an independent look.
It’s not the first time Mazda has joined forces with another company to roll out a new supermini.
The Mk4 Ford Fiesta was rebadged as the Mazda 121, remember them?
And the Mk7 Fiesta and the current Mazda2 are built on the same platform but use different engines as the Mazda uses a mild-hybrid unit.
But with increasing pressure being put on manufacturers to electrify their fleets, Mazda turned to Toyota for help.
The latest generation Yaris comes with Toyota’s most efficient self-charging full-hybrid system to date so it makes business sense to use it.
Mazda still sells its own Mazda2 as a mild-hybrid, but now customers can opt for a full-hybrid option thanks to Toyota.
Power comes from a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine that works in conjunction with an electric motor and battery with a total output of 116bhp and 120Nm of torque.
It’s not overly powerful, 0-62 mph takes 9.7 seconds with a top speed of 109 mph, but the Mazda2 has a brilliant chassis.
Toyota turned the Yaris into a rally car created by Gazoo Racing, so that gives you an idea of how much fun it is.
And you don’t need supercar levels of power.
Sometimes having to extract every last bit of performance from a car to get the most from it is just as enjoyable.
The Mazda2 was riding on relatively small 16-inch tyres so it’s not as harsh over imperfections in the road.
And the suspension is nice and forgiving, absorbing the majority of the rough stuff.
And the grip is really good too — you can throw it into corners and it just sticks to the road like poop to a shovel.
But being a hybrid, and with your sensible driving head on, you can return some incredible economy figures.
Mazda quote an official 70.6mpg. I easily returned 61.8mpg which is still fantastic and the 92g/km of CO2 emissions are low too.
It’s a self-charging hybrid system too so you don’t have to worry about plugging it in and waiting for it to charge.
And inside, if you’re familiar with the Yaris layout then the only difference is the Mazda badge on the steering wheel and Mazda’s own software.
It comes well equipped with plenty of standard kit like adaptive cruise control, reversing cam, auto lights and wipers, cruise controls, air-con and a nine-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Plus there’s room for five, adults will be pushed for space in the back, but kids will be grand.
And while the 286-litre boot isn’t the biggest, drop the seats down for a more substantial 935 litres.
The Yaris Hybrid is a fantastic car and the Mazda2 is no different — because it IS the same car.
But there are lots of Yaris cars on the road, so the Mazda2 will be a rarer sight and therefore more exclusive.
Sun Newspaper Irish Motoring Editor
