Review of the new Mazda2 MZ-CD 1.6

Mazda's Mazda2 supermini is a great little product whose closest competitor is the car that shares its underpinnings, Ford's Fiesta. To hoist the top diesel variant onto the same level as this rival, Mazda has introduced an impressive 89bhp 1.6-litre unit, also shared with Ford. What it all means is that if you're after a combination of low running costs with sporty looks, lively handling and a practical interior, as most buyers in this sector are, this model is well worth a look.

Ford's ownership of Mazda affords the Japanese marque a number of advantages such as allowing it access to Blue Oval technologies and economies of scale but it also lets Ford call the shots. The Mazda2 has been based on Fiesta underpinnings for three generations now and certainly in the case of the last two, the Mazda has emerged first to critical acclaim. Meanwhile, Ford has waited in the wings and having tested the water, launched the Fiesta with the full Ford marketing might behind it. Against this tidal wave of promotion the Mazda2 tends to be forgotten but it remains a great choice for those willing to look beyond the mainstream. The latest car deserves to do much better than that and is particularly strong in 1.6-litre diesel form.

The Ford-sourced 1.6-litre common-rail diesel engine in the Mazda2 is a modern unit with quite a kick. Its 89bhp power output is plenty in a car of the Mazda2's light weight and there's 205Nm of torque available from 2,000rpm. This results in a nippy 11.4s 0-62mph sprint and a top speed of 107mph. The engine is marshalled through a five-speed manual gearbox which does the job but the most impressive aspect of Mazda's supermini is the way it drives. The car is actually lighter than the model it replaced at a modest 1,030kg in three-door form and this comes across in its vitality out on the road.

The chassis itself is simple but very rigid, Mazda using MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam at the back to keep costs down. There's clever electronic power steering assistance, so nipping in and out of small spaces around schools and supermarkets is a doddle. The suspension too is nicely balanced, managing to combine comfort and suppleness, yet it doesn't allow the drive to wallow overly around the bends. The power steering can feel a little woolly around the edges when you're at high speed, but this isn't too much of a problem, and you soon get used to it behind the wheel. Clearly Mazda have paid attention to the driving dynamics of this car, and with a good level of success.

"The 1.6-litre common-rail diesel engine in the Mazda2 is a modern unit with quite a kick.."

With its steeply rising waist line, elegantly sculpted flanks and subtly bulging wheel arches, the Mazda2 is a case study in how to build a perfectly proportioned supermini. Even at rest, it looks as if it's charged up and ready to roll, and that applies to the three-door and five-door models. With a drag coefficient of just 0.31, it's not just a pretty shape either. At the front, there's the traditional V-shaped Mazda grille and the headlights are very deftly smeared into the front bumper assembly. Likewise the tail lights are neatly integrated into the tailgate which, from a practical perspective, doesn't have the widest aperture as a result. Still, when budget small cars like the Proton Satria Neo now look as good as they do, the expectation for a company such as Mazda is cranked ever higher.

The three-door features a mechanism that tips the front seatback and slides the seat forward for one of the segment's widest access widths. A relatively long 2,490mm wheelbase ensures that spec in the rear isn't too claustrophobic although the rising waistline means that smaller kids may have a job seeing out. The five-door is more practical and offers greater comfort to those in the rear. The interior features a number of welcome design touches such as a glove box with integrated magazine rack. There's also a floor console between the front seats with a large rear tray affixed. In total there's 250 litres of storage space which isn't half bad for a supermini.

The Mazda2 diesel range isn't that hard to get a handle on. There are two engines offered (a 67bhp 1.4 and this 1.6-litre unit) and there are the three and five-door bodystyles. Mazda is predicting that only a modest proportion of Mazda2 sales will be diesel, far less than the 60-odd per cent slice of the pie accounted for by diesel cars in the medium range family sector. With small cars, however, the incremental premium of a diesel engine is that much harder to absorb.

The Mazda2's lightweight design gives its fuel economy a useful boost and despite its relatively large capacity, the 1.6-litre unit can manage an outstanding 67mpg. Together with CO2 emissions of 112g/km, this makes the Mazda2 a very cost effective car to run, particularly if you cover larger mileages. It's even cleaner than the entry-level 1.4-litre diesel engine. The powerplant also uses and exhaust gas recirculation system and a particulate filter to minimise other harmful gasses in its exhaust output.

The Mazda2 has always lived in the shadow of the Fiesta but that doesn't make it a bad car. On the contrary, the underpinnings borrowed from the mighty Ford together with the impressive 1.6-litre diesel engine help make this Mazda2 one of the top oil-burning superminis out there. This car's lightweight design helps the 1.6-litre diesel engine deliver strong performance and exceptional economy. Coupled with attractive styling and an expertly judged driving experience, this makes for a package that's more than good enough to keep the Fiesta honest.