Since 2002 and the disappearance of 121 families Mazda2 provides here the entry level of the Japanese manufacturer. Chic and refined“2” is a a small city car that plays like a premium. With an elegant and refined design and neat presentation, giving pride of place to the “Kodo” philosophy, dear Nippon. But in France, this royal category of city cars is extremely competitive, the 208, Sandero and Clio has been leading the dance for several years. Among the Japanese, the Micra and especially the Yaris create more noise than the Mazda 2. Even in terms of the premium class that Mazda dreams of, the Audi A1 and Mini are more famous than the little Japanese. Therefore, it is difficult for the brand to exist in this ocean of rivals! Mazda France recorded 7,040 registrations in 2022which is 0.45% of the market.

One name, two models

Now you understand why we hear little about Mazda 2. Sales of the Japanese the CX-30 crossover and the compact Mazda 3 dominate. In any case, the third and current generation has continued its journey since its launch in 2015. In 2021, Mazda presented another model in its range: Mazda 2 hybrid. If the name was familiar, then the model has radically changed. In fact, it is neither more nor less than a Toyota Yaris with Mazda logo.

An opportunity for the manufacturer to offer an inexpensive hybrid city car. Without spending thousands of cents on research and development. Since this date exists 2 Mazda 2 models: “real” and hybrid based on Toyota. If the latter appeared relatively recently, then the original Mazda 2 began to show the weight of years. So Mazda just introduced a small facelift in Japan to (still) counter!

A (very) small update for 2023

For light, it’s very easy! Aesthetic changes concern only the grille, which now changes very slightly depending on the selected treatment. This is how the Elegance version or even Homura now has it body color inserts. To give it a bit more appeal than the current mesh grille. In the sporty version, it is completely decorated in black for a more serious look. Apart a few chrome strips added here and there, that’s about all there is to say in terms of style. or, Mazda added two colors to the assortment : Aero gray and Airstream blue, as well as two-tone rims.

Nothing else changes, from the equipment to the available engines. Introduced for the first time in Japan, this “modernized” version should appear in France and Europe. Without changing prices in advance (currently from €19,700) given the scarcity of developments. Unless Mazda ditches its thermal city car offering here, leaving only room for a Toyota-based hybrid?