Mazda offers full-Hybrid tech - with a little help from Toyota. Jonathan Crouch drives the improved Mazda2 Hybrid.

Ten Second Review

The Mazda2 Hybrid borrows everything from a fourth generation Toyota Yaris, which means that it's a full self-charging Hybrid - Mazda's first. So, everything's borrowed here, but from one of the supermini segment's most appealing and economical little small hatches. If you get the right deal and don't care about badge semantics, it's all good, especially with this lightly revised updated model. And if you can't quite stretch to one of these but want a small Mazda, there's still the ordinary mild hybrid version to consider.

Background

Meet the full-Hybrid version of the Mazda2. Except that underneath the badges, this isn't a Mazda2 and there's also another Mazda2 on sale, the one we've been familiar with since it was first launched back in 2015. Confusing isn't it? So let's try and straighten things out. That third generation 'DJ/DL'-series Mazda2 still has a bit of life in it, the car revised with new tech mild hybrid powerplants as recently as 2020. But it can't be engineered for the more electrified tech the supermini market now wants, so Mazda has drawn on its frequent partnership with Toyota to broaden the Mazda2 range. Which is why the old mild hybrid Mazda2 e-SKYACTIV-G model these days sells alongside the car we look at here, the Mazda 2 Hybrid, a rebadged version of the current Toyota Yaris. That makes this car a full-Hybrid, which means that it's engine, unlike the e-SKYACTIV-G mild hybrid unit, can run fully electrically some of the time, which makes all the difference to the efficiency figures. You can't plug it in. But you can expect to get the most economical Mazda2 ever. The brand announced some visual changes for this car for the 2024 model year, but otherwise, the recipe is much as before.

Driving Experience

This full-Hybrid Mazda2 is a very different product from its mild hybrid showroom stablemate - and you'll feel that immediately it zips more energetically away from rest. That has much to do with the dense cells used in the 0.76kWh lithium-ion battery that powers the two electric motor generators integral to its self-charging full-Hybrid drivetrain. This works with a 1.5-litre three cylinder petrol engine mated to an e-CVT auto gearbox that responds reasonably quickly to throttle inputs. Combined power output is 114bhp, but you'll only really feel that if you switch out of this car's usual 'Eco' drive mode and into the alternative 'Power' setting. There's a further 'EV' mode in which the car can run on battery power only for up to 0.6 miles or (in theory) at up to 31mph in totally electrified form. Rest to 62mph takes 9.7s. Beyond the city limits, you'll discover reasonably sharp handling, thanks to fairly responsive steering, a low centre of gravity and a stiff modern-era TNGA platform. You can expect refinement to be superb because it is with a Yaris Hybrid, which makes longer trips more palatable, these aided by the standardisation of 'Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control', which can automatically maintain your distance to the car in front on the highway where there's an all-electric top speed of 80mph. At lower speeds (when the battery will be your primary power source), all you really hear is a bit of muted whining under acceleration from the electrical hardware, exacerbated a little by the enhancement in regenerative braking you get when clicking the e-CVT auto gear selector into its alternative 'B' setting.

Design and Build

Mazda has used the opportunity of this update to visually differentiate this model a little further from its Toyota Yaris donor design, claiming that it now has a 'fresh and independent look'. That's not quite true - it's still very obviously a re-badged Yaris - but it does at least now get its own front bumper and grille design, plus there's a unique rear tailgate garnish. This isn't the first time that a Mazda supermini has based itself on a competing product. The final version of this Mazda2 model line's predecessor, the last 121 model launched in 1996, was a rebadged Ford Fiesta, though a bit more effort was made back then to differentiate the product. Here, apart from the visual updates just mentioned, all that's been changed are the badges on the grille, the tailgate and steering wheel. That's possibly because this Mazda2 Hybrid is actually built by Toyota on a production line alongside the Yaris. Inside, as with that Toyota, you'll notice features more commonly seen in larger cars, including a large 10-inch centre-dash infotainment touchscreen. 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring is standard. There's also a further TFT information display between the two instrument binnacle gauges. The driver's seat positions you quite low and there are plenty of soft-touch materials around the cabin. The dashboard is slim and is set quite low, with a wide and high centre console. The driver's instrument binnacle has twin digital meters flanking the TFT multi-information display, and is presented with a shallow hood. The rear part of the cabin isn't especially spacious, but the 286-litre boot area is of a versatile shape.

Market and Model

As expected, pricing broadly replicates that of the Yaris, which means a span in the £24,000 to £29,000 bracket. There are four trim grades for this revised model - 'Centre-Line', 'Exclusive-Line', 'Homura' and 'Homura Plus'. Most models get features like 15-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera, an 8-inch colour touch-screen centre display and smart keyless entry. There's also the option to add the £980 Comfort Pack which brings styling additions like gloss black bumper mouldings and a gloss black front grille with lower satin chrome surround. It also sees the addition of LED headlights and front fog lights, plus inside, the Comfort Pack adds sports style front seats with black fabric with synthetic leather trim, plus dual-zone climate control. Safety is a priority with this supermini: Mazda here has benefited from the fact that Toyota created the fourth generation Yaris to be the world's safest compact car, this design featuring significant advances in both active and passive safety systems. Standard advanced driver assistance systems include full speed-range intelligent adaptive cruise control and lane trace assist. In addition to these systems, the bodyshell has been developed to provide the best possible occupant protection, in line with stricter testing standards. For example, to provide protection in the event of a side impact, this Mazda2 Hybrid is, alongside the Yaris, the only car in its segment to be fitted with a centre airbag.

Cost of Ownership

The efficiency figures here are, as you'd expect, pretty much identical to those of the competing Yaris, so expect a WLTP-certified combined fuel economy reading between 67.3mpg and 74.3mpg, with CO2 emissions of up to 87g/km, depending on spec. To give you a point of comparison, the e-SKYACTIV-G mild hybrid Mazda2 90PS model manages up to 52.3mpg in automatic form. Quite a difference. Those in a frugal frame of mind will want to try and get as close as possible to replicating the official figures by using the instrument binnacle's left hand 'Power meter' display and as often as possible staying in its blue 'Charge' and green 'ECO' zones. There's an available 'EV' button that's supposed to fix the car in electrified motion (which can apparently take place at up to 80mph). In reality though, you'll find that the batteries are hardly ever charged up enough for you to be able to use this feature. And even when you can, it'll only last for around 4 miles. The Mazda2's residual values have always held up better than a Fiesta and a lot better than a Corsa and will stack up even more competitively now that the efficiency of this model has been improved.

Summary

Badge engineering can get confusing. Toyota has previously marketed the current third generation 'DJ/DL'-series Mazda2 as a 'Yaris' in North America. Now we're seeing the Yaris sold as the 'Mazda2' in Europe, a stop gap product until Mazda's full range of plug-in hybrid and EV products arrive. If you're going to have a stop gap product, the current fourth generation Yaris is a good one to base it on. It gives you everything you need in this day and age in a small hatch - and nothing you don't. Yes, there's a premium to pay over the older mild hybrid Mazda2, but the additional efficiency of this car's full-Hybrid powertrain should cover most of that extra cost over an ownership lifetime, at the end which you will have enjoyed a more modern product. Not a real Mazda perhaps. But a very complete supermini nonetheless.

Body Glass

Rain sensing front wipers with adjustable sensitivity and speed

Rear wash wiper

Front and rear electric windows

Brakes

Dynamic stability control + Traction control

Collision mitigation braking system

Hill start assist control (HAC)

Electronic parking brake with auto-hold and auto-disengage function

Regenerative braking system

Electronic Stability Programme

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Emergency brake light signal (EBS)

Communication

Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto

E-call with GPS

Integrated bluetooth

Driver Aids

Driver attention alert system

Drive mode selector (Eco, Normal and Power)

Road sign assist - RSA

Adjustable speed limiter

Dynamic radar cruise control

Reversing camera

EV drive mode

Power assisted steering

Lane tracing assist includes Lane centering, Lane departure alert, Steering assist and Vehicle sway warning

Driver Convenience

Tailgate

Driver Information

Analogue instrument cluster with speedometer and hybrid system indicator

Multi-information display

Service indicator

Trip computer

Driving Mirrors

Gloss black electric adjustable/heated door mirrors

Engine

i-stop

Entertainment

USB type C port

DAB Digital radio

6 speaker audio system and 9" colour screen centre display

Steering wheel mounted audio/bluetooth controls

Exterior Body Features

Gloss black rear roof spoiler

Black lower window garnish

Gloss black front grille

Mazda unique tailgate garnish

Hybrid badge

Body coloured rear bumper with satin black lower mouldings

Shark fin antenna

Rear side wing doors

Body coloured front bumper

Exterior Lights

Dusk sensing headlights

LED rear combination light with halogen turn signals

LED third brake light

Automatic high beam - AHB

LED daytime running lights

Halogen headlights with manual headlight levelling

Coming home function

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Climate control air conditioning

Interior Features

Front centre armrest with console storage

Leather wrapped steering wheel with telescopic and tilt adjustment

Grey roof lining in pillar and ceiling

Leather wrapped gearshift

Driver, front passenger and two rear door storage

Cloth upholstery

Leather handbrake

12V power outlet

Glovebox

Driver, Front passenger and two rear grab handles with coathooks

Interior Lights

Luggage compartment light

Interior courtesy light

Safety

Pre-crash safety system - PCS

Airbags - driver and front passenger

Front side airbags

Front passenger airbag cut-off switch

Driver and passenger central airbags

Seatbelt reminder audible warning

Manual child lock in rear doors

2x3 point front seatbelts with pre-tensioners

3 point seatbelts on all rear seats

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Front and rear curtain airbags

Seats

Three height adjustable rear head restraints

Drivers seat manual slide recline and height adjustment

Front head restraints

Single front passenger seat

3 seat bench in 2nd row

ISOFIX child seat anchorage points attached on outer rear seats

60/40 split fold down rear seats

Security

Thatcham approved immobiliser and alarm

Deadlocking system

Remote central locking

Vanity Mirrors

Drivers/front passengers with covered vanity mirrors

Wheels - Alloy

15" Alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Emergency tyre repair kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Battery Capacity in kWh: 0.7

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 87

HC+NOx: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 98

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 87

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft: DOHC

Cylinders: 4

Number of Valves: 16

CC: 1490

Fuel Delivery: MULTI POINT FUEL INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 97.6

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 80.5

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Compression Ratio: 14:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 80.7

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 100.9

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 91.1

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 97.4

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 4.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 3.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 5.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 3.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 3.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 3.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 2.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 3.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 2.8

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 67.3

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 74.3

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 50.4

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 56.5

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 74.3

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 88.3

General

Service Interval Mileage: 10000

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 86

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 81

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 78

NCAP Safety Assist %: 85

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 116

Badge Engine CC: 1.5

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 4

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Based On ID: N

Special Order: 0

Special Edition: 0

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 14E

Coin Description: i Hybrid

Coin Series: Centre Line

Performance

Engine Torque - RPM: 3600

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - BHP: 116

Engine Power - KW: 85

Engine Power - RPM: 5500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 89

Engine Torque - NM: 120

Top Speed: 109

0 to 62 mph (secs): 9.7

Engine Torque - MKG: 12.2

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Rear: 185/65 R15

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 15" ALLOY

Wheel Style: N

Tyre Size Front: 185/65 R15

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Width: 1745

Wheelbase: 2560

Width (including mirrors): 2020

Height: 1500

Height (including roof rails): N

Length: 3940

Weight and Capacities

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 450

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 36

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 450

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 286

No. of Seats: 5

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1615

Max. Roof Load: 50

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 935

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Pearlescent paint

Special metallic paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Stormy silver

Metallic - Lead Grey

Metallic - Opera black

Metallic - Glass blue

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Northern white

Paint - Solid

Solid - Luna white

Paint - Special

Special metallic - Formal red

Trim - Cloth

Cloth - Black