Two time at Mazda

Space and style are two important considerations when it comes to small car choices. This must be balanced against economy and value for money to get the best deal in the competitive small-car sector. These are the reasons the small Mazda2 deserves some extra time. Michael Moroney reports on his recent test drive

It's coming to the end of the year, and car companies are fighting hard for your attention in the new car market. There are lots of choices around and this is coupled with pressure to get you to commit to a new car with a '04 registration plate. So it's time for a balance between rational thought and a car that appeals to the eye.

I've had one of the country's favourite small cars, the Mazda2, on test recently and it continues to appeal to me. This is not because of its huge dynamic in terms of how it drives or handles, but because it's the kind of small car in the supermini class that balances space with style. At least that's my opinion.

The Mazda2 has an interesting background, due to Mazda's growing closeness to its Ford parent. There was a period when Mazda sold the Ford Fiesta as a Mazda 121. It was a marketing ploy that failed, bringing confusion instead of benefits to both companies, and especially to car buyers.

The new Mazda2 is different. Mazda uses a well-proven Ford engine under the skin of a Mazda design, sitting on a common Ford/Mazda floor plan. And it's the Mazda design that's especially appealing to me.

The car sits well on the road, with a good upright driving position. The boot has reasonable space, every bit as much as some of the better sellers in the sector, such as the Fiat Punto, Ford Fiesta, Nissan Micra and Toyota Yaris.

On the mechanical front, there's little different between it and the Ford Fiesta. They both now share the same 1.25-litre Ford Zetec engine. This engine is a good unit, better in my book than the original 1.3-litre engine fitted by Ford.

In the Mazda2, Mazda gets marginally more power from the engine, but at the price of higher revs. The engine torque features are the same, while the Mazda is slower than the Fiesta in the 0-to-100km acceleration race.

There is little to split them when it comes to fuel economy, even though the Mazda is slightly heavier. This extra weight gives it a slight edge in terms of towing ability, but neither model could be considered as a valid towing machine.

The final real comparison comes down to price. The Mazda will cost marginally more than the Fiesta and it's pitched at the higher-priced end of the supermini market. This has deterred buyers making the Mazda2 move, and the January-to-October sales figures for this year show the car with only 0.6% of the segment, while the closely-related Ford Fiesta is number two, with an 11.7% share.

So, if you buy a Mazda2, what will it mean in terms of resale value, when the make is down at the bottom end of the market segment? That dreaded word "depreciation'' looms large. Can the Mazda hold its value and is it a reliable car?

These are the two most difficult questions to answer when you are considering buying a car based on its aesthetics and features.

In the past, it was easier to make that decision. Since the Fiesta and Mazda2 are now built in the same factory, can there be much of a difference in build quality and reliability? Mazda had a good paint quality record. Will that be different in the future, or will Ford just rise to the Mazda standard? All of these questions are difficult to answer.

What is easier is the fact that the Mazda2 looks different, has a more appealing interior and is spacious. At a price of €15,540 for the base model, it's just €245 more than a similar Fiesta. Northern Ireland buyers will pay slightly extra for the Mazda2.

If there was no price difference, or it was minimal when delivery charges are taken into account, you'd have to consider taking the Mazda route, simply because I believe that the car looks so well.