By most measures, 410,000 is a lot of cars. Even when they're as small as the old Mazda2, park 'em end-to-end and they'll stretch for 1,000 miles. Mazda sold this many 2s from 2003 to 2007 but for a company that usually takes a big slice of the small car pie, the UK didn't account for too many of those sales. The latest Mazda2 is changing that already, with sales figures that have outstripped Mazda's most optimistic estimates.

The reason why is clear if you've driven the car. For a start it marks a sea change in the way small cars are being designed. There are any number of overweight superminis that not only incorporate many redundant features but also commit the unforgivable sin of not utilising their available space effectively. The Mazda2 is a full 100kg lighter than its predecessor which is a reverse to this 'more is better' philosophy and will hopefully spark a trend towards leaner, fitter superminis.

The 101bhp 1.5-litre petrol unit we look at here is, for the time being at least, the most powerful unit offered with the Mazda2 but there exists a glint in the eye of senior Mazda product planners when speculative questions of a sporty Mazda2 MPS model are raised. This four-cylinder unit features variable valve timing on the exhaust system and a variable induction system to broaden and strengthen torque delivery across the board. It'll get to 60mph in 10.4s and on to a top speed of 117mph so it's not dull-witted. As with most vehicles this size, Mazda's engineers have optimised ride and handling for the demands of urban roads and while the steering feels a little synthetic, it's accurate and makes parking easy.

If you've got your finger on the pulse of automotive corporate affairs, you'll realise that despite its latter day successes, Mazda hasn't gone it alone with the Mazda2 range. The car shares its underpinnings with the next generation Fiesta, so in that respect, little has changed from its predecessor. What is novel is that this time round, Mazda got a run at the market first - it's similar in many respects to Volkswagen letting the Skoda Fabia off the leash with the all-new Polo chassis before the Polo hit the streets. 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.

"the Mazda brand is now in ruder health than at any point I can remember"

The car that Mazda whipped the dust sheets off at the Geneva Motor Show in 2007 was undoubtedly a very tidy piece of styling. With a sharply rising waistline that suggested a three-door bodyshell, it was clear that the company had managed to give the car a lithe profile while keeping the practicality of five doors. Top marks on that score, although a three-door model is due.

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 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. Silver on black detailing on the fascia gives a rather more grown-up look and feel than many key rivals. Many of the design themes of the Mazda2 follow on from the SASSOU concept car that was first seen at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Mazda2 range encompasses two different power outputs for the 1.3-litre version but this 1.5-litre model is only offered in one trim level, Sport, and is priced at £11,799. The key external features of the Sport trim level are 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/45 R16 tyres, a sports styling kit that includes a revised front bumper, subtle side skirts and a small rear spoiler and front fog lights. Inside the car, there's a whole host of additional functions that include cruise control, stability and traction control, climate controlled air conditioning, automatic lights and rain sensing wipers, a trip computer, electric rear windows and a speed alarm. The Sport also gets two additional speakers over the TS2 model to total six and black cloth trim for the seats. The options list isn't very long, with the only thing that may tempt customers being metallic or mica paint finishes.

This gear is on top of features such as ABS with Brake Assist and EBD, driver and front passenger airbags, remote central locking with deadlocks, electric front windows, driver seat height adjust, CD radio with AUX jack and two speakers, multi-function glovebox with magazine rack, Thatcham Category 1 alarm, an immobiliser and electric door mirrors.

Insurance group 5E probably isn't going to send too many prospective purchasers looking for something a little less racy and the Mazda2 1.5 Sport backs this up with a very strong fuel economy figure of 47.9mpg on the combined cycle. Compared to a rival like the Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 16v Sporting, the Mazda is a little more economical and a little quicker albeit slightly more expensive to insure.

The Mazda2 will claim a decisive advantage over cars such as the Renault Clio and the Fiat Grande Punto when the time comes to sell, Mazda's excellent reliability record helping to prop up residual values very nicely. Lower service costs also help to reduce that crucial pence per mile figure further to the Mazda's advantage.

Mazda's biggest problem with selling the 2 appeared to be convincing customers who would normally autopilot their way to their local Ford, Vauxhall, Renault, Peugeot or Fiat dealer to change the habit of a lifetime and take the bold move of venturing into a Mazda showroom. So far the sheer strength of the basic product seems to be changing buyer behaviour with the Mazda2 pushing the company to their best ever UK sales figures. The 1.5-litre Sport model is probably the most convincing car in the Mazda2 line up, coming as it does with a full suite of safety equipment that includes stability control as well as a punchy engine that doesn't create too many financial demands.

The styling is neat, the cabin is well finished and the Mazda brand is now in ruder health than at any point I can remember. The only real caveat is that while Mazda makes great play of the weight saving, there are some supermini buyers who just want sheer physical size and for them a Clio or a 207 might well be a better bet. For those looking for efficiency, the Mazda2 Sport presses all the right buttons.

TOP 1 2 DEALS

The results below show the top 2 deals on buyacar

	Mazda 2 1.5 Sport 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £199	Saving £410	Price £11,484

typical 10.88% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000