Mazda 2 Hybrid (2024) review – we tried a facelift

There are two 2s at Mazda: the 2 house with the SkyActiv-G gasoline engine, which has been around for ten years now (and which may be retired at the end of this year), and this 2 Hybrid, a clone of the Toyota Yaris. . To make this connection less obvious, the Mazda 2 hybrid got a facelift that gave it a bow and a re-engineered acuity by the European brand’s design studio, led by our colleague Jo Stenuit.

Body work and interior Mazda 2 combination

The most noticeable change concerns the front end, whose grille is now more in line with that of other Mazdas. The connection to the Yaris, however, remains clear, while the interior is still copied from the Toyota.

The whole thing looks solid, benefits from a solid build and accommodates a large central touchscreen (up to 10.5 inches in the top version). There is no change in the back: the space is small and the small glass surfaces give a feeling of closure.

Engine and road characteristics Mazda 2 combination

On the road, the Mazda 2 Hybrid still combines a nimble character in the city with a mature chassis for more urban driving. Unlike Toyota, Mazda does not have the right to a new 130 hp variant of the 1.5 Hybrid, and works with 116 hp. In itself, this is enough, because the special design of this power train encourages you – in practice – to go slowly: the accelerator pedal depressed with great enthusiasm will leave you the painful cry of the engine forced to play with the tops of the rev counter.

It is by keeping a light foot that this self-charging hybrid train comes into its own, giving it the possibility to propel itself thanks to its electric motor, smoothly and efficiently. In addition, consumption is amazing, ranging from around 4 l/100 km in the city to a liter more on the highway.

Prices in Belgium Mazda 2 combination

On the other hand, this Mazda 2 Hybrid is not yet presenting itself as the deal of the century, with base prices ranging from €27,790 to €35,690. To make matters worse, there are no options, but all equipment is distributed among the levels. Therefore, navigation, a large central 10.5-inch screen or a panoramic roof are offered only in the top version Homura Plus, which costs more than € 35,000!

In comparison, the Toyota Yaris is slightly cheaper and benefits from a more comprehensive warranty (10 years or 200,000 km compared to 6 years or 150,000 km for the Mazda).

Decision Mazda 2 combination

The 2 Hybrid’s more lifted face may entice some customers to switch to the Mazda, while others argue that with the Toyota you get a generous warranty and more options, including a 130 hp variant and a muscular GR Sport version that the Mazda lacks.