2's Company

Three months with the Mazda2 and only one question: is there a more characterful B-segment hatch out there?

- Gareth Dean

BEING bombarded with myriad new B-segment models, it’s easy to forget there are worthy alternatives to the slew of models and variants from the likes of Volkswagen, Ford and the Koreans. There’s a veritable sense of theatre to the jostle between these big players of the B-segment. But, while vying for your attention is a centre-stage affair, a glimpse beyond the limelight often reveals a hero waiting calmly in the wings.

That is very much the case with Mazda’s smallest offering. Our long-termer’s Meteor Grey Mica metallic paint lent it a “stealth hatch” appearance but everything – from the taut bodywork to the 16-inch dual-tone alloys – is tempered with an air of sportiness largely absent from its rivals. Thankfully, the 2’s driving characteristics mirror those sporty lines with a supple chassis and meaty, direct steering, giving it a dynamic edge over most of its rivals.