2013 Mazda2 Touring MT (948)

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2013 Mazda2 Touring MT. Small, cheap? Smaller for Mazda is the MX-5 Miata. This Mazda 2 has a rear seat, and it fits 5 average size people comfortably. They make good use of the space and it even has decent cargo area. Amazing how much they can get into a small outside dimension car. Cheap – yes and the fuel economy is very good at up to 35 mpg.

If you impress your friends with this car, they are really wise and grounded and you have chosen your friends wisely.

It is a low weight vehicle and only has 100 horsepower but you will be surprised how well it uses that power. I never considered it a negative for me on my commute and I felt safe and stable all the time.

General Information:

Parts from the US / Canada 0%, Japan 95%. It is assembled in Hiroshima, Japan, Classification is Compact. Cars from Mazda: Mazda 2,3,5,6, MazdaSpeed3, CX5, 7,9, Mx5 Miata, RX-8 & Tribute.

Handling & Performance:

It is a delight to zip around town in, and on the open road highway it performs well and you will go a lot of miles as inexpensively as it gets these days. The 5-speed manual transmission is easy to shift and is the reason it performs so well on 100 horsepower. An automatic transmission is available for those who don’t like manual transmissions. I didn’t test the auto trans but saw no real drawback with the manual.

Styling:

“Pea Popper” is the first impression for me at first sight. But there are smaller cars like the Mercedes Benz Smart Car that will only seat 2. The design of small compact cars is amazing how they can give the feeling it is larger than the obvious small outside shell. Simply a no-nonsense car to get you from point A to B. It won’t win any beauty contest with me but it won’t pick your pocket either. It is as low maintenance as they get. The pretty ones will not only pick your pocket they will break your heart.

Fit and Finish:

Very good in class.

Cost:

All around – great value with prices starting at about $15,000. The field of competition is very close in price.

Conveniences and comfort:

A lot of standard convenience features as well as those that enhance safe driving with such things as Stability and Traction control. I think every car these days should be equipped with Hands Free Bluetooth but for the money I could buy a portable device.

Consumer Recommendation:

Small cars concern some but that is over-played. I have driven ‘em all and recommend you test drive this car that seats 5 relatively comfortably. I wouldn’t hesitate taking it on a long trip but then I’ve taken a vacation for the week in a Corvette with wife and two small kids. In comparison this is an SUV.

Recognized Competition:

Mazda 2 $16,000, Chevrolet Aveo $12,000, Chevrolet Sonic $14,000, Ford Fiesta $16,000, Honda Fit $15,000, Hyundai Accent $15,000, Hyundai Veloster $17,000, Kia Rio $14,000, Mitsubishi i $29,000, Nissan Versa $15,000, Scion iQ $15,000, Scion xD $15,000, Smart fortwo $12,000, Toyota Prius c $19,000, Toyota Yaris $14,000.

Good News:

Spacious interior in a compact, that gets up to 35 mpg, fun to drive.

Bad News:

Light small car that some will be uncomfortable from a perceived safety point of view.

Standard Equipment:

1.5 liter 100 horsepower 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, front wheel drive, stability and traction control systems, front side and side curtain airbags, 16” alloy wheels, rear window defogger and wiper, rear roof spoiler, 5-passenger seating, tilt leather steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, cloth seats, air conditioning, 12 volt outlet, power ABS front disc and rear drum braking system with Electronic Brake Distribution, anti-theft engine immobilizer, tire pressure monitor, power steering, power mirrors, 60/40 split fold down rear seat, auxiliary audio jack and USB, audio with 6 speakers, trip computer and LATCH system.

Gas Stats:

$3.67 / Gal avg. November 20, 2012

www.fueleconomy.gov

For more information.

29 City and 35 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $16,210.