This past week I had the opportunity to test a new 2014 Mazda2 sedan courtesy of Greeley Mazda, located at their new location at 2805 Eighth Avenue in Greeley.  The car was painted Liquid Silver metallic and featured black cloth upholstery with red piping.

The Mazda2, known as the Demio in Japan, is in its third generation iteration, having been introduced at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show.  Actually the American 2 was introduced two years later in Los Angeles , and the 2 is a car that has existed in one form or another since 1987.

M.S.R.P. of the Mazda was $17,050.00 (base) and only freight was added onto the price to bring the total to $17,845.00.  The 2 was the least expensive automobile that I have ever tested, but I cannot say it was the least attractive.  And driving it was fine, as well, with power supplied by a 1.5 liter, 16-valve four cylinder engine with 100 horsepower (@6,000 rpm) and 98 lb. ft. (@4,000 rpm) of torque.  Coupled to the front-wheel drive setup was a four-speed automatic electronically-controlled overdrive transmission.  The engine burns regular unleaded gasoline, has an 11.3 gallon tank, and rates 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.

Weight of the little Mazda was 2,359 lbs., and the five passenger hatchback was 155.5” long, 66.7” wide, and rode on a 98” wheelbase.  Wheels were 15”, eight-spoke alloys fitted with P185/55R15 Yokohama S34 mud and snow radials.  Cargo capacity behind the second row of seating was 13.3 cubic ft., and that number doubled when the back seat was folded flat.  I found the back seat to be adequate for up to three persons, and the front buckets were supportive and attractive.

Other interior appointments included cruise control, power locks/windows, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, 6-speaker CD/stereo, and a USB/12 volt outlet.  Also present, thankfully, was air conditioning capable of cooling this driver in 95 degree heat.  Visibility was fine, as was guidance, ride, and handling.  No excessive road noise was present, and acceleration was adequate, considering that the car has 100 horsepower.  Reportedly, the zero to sixty timing is a little over ten seconds.  Front suspension is of the MacPherson strut variety and in the rear is a torsion bar setup.

I think that the styling of the 2 is a strong suite.  It has rakish lines, is hiked up in the rear where the hatch is, and has a visor over the rear hatch where a wiper resides.  Front styling is along the Mazda family theme; the Mazda family having an attractive lineup to offer.

The Mazda2 appears to this review to be a good choice in the B-segment category.  It’s comfortable, drives nice, is good-looking, and won’t break the bank at purchase time.