Familiar Mazda makes efficiency a priority

Compact hybrid sticks to its winning formula - for now, writes Tom Sharpe

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Recent unveilings at the Tokyo Motor Show indicate that Mazda is about to embark on a bold reimagining of its compact Mazda 2 and Mazda 3 models.

For now, though, the brand's most compact model is about as familiar as a car in its class can feel, the current Mazda 2 Hybrid taking the form of a subtly redesigned Toyota Yaris.

Created as part of a partnership between the two brands, this model was sold alongside the existing Mazda 2 until recently, when that car was discontinued.

So, until Mazda reinvents its compact hatchback, the Toyota-derived version is holding the fort.

Featuring the same 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor as the Yaris, the 2 Hybrid delivers 114bhp and 120Nm of torque, making it good for a 9.7-second dash to 62mph.

Achieving such performance can be slightly noisy, however.