The 2 Sport is Mazda’s competitor in the small warm hatch market, going head to head with the likes of Fords Fiesta Zetec and Peugeot’s 207 Sport. Designed to suit someone who wants a small car with a bit of pep, without being boring, the 2 fills that niche perfectly and it is available at our local Mazda dealer, Essex Mazda in the Lakeside Retail Park.

The Mazda 2 range is available in three and five door body shapes and a range of trim levels, prices starting at Ł8999. The five door Sport, which is being tested here, is at the top of the range costing Ł12,040 and comes powered by a 1.5 Litre petrol engine giving it a healthy 103bhp and the ability to sprint between 0 and 60mph in just 10.4 seconds.

Under the skin this car is related very closely the new Fiesta. Where it differs to the Ford though is in weight, the base model weighing in at under a 1000kg. Reducing the weight of a car is the quickest way of increasing its efficiency without having to resort to the use of expensive technology. The 2 certainly shows this with its CO2 emission figures, the Sport only producing 135 g/km and being able to return 49.6mpg on a combined run, both results exceptional for a car of its type.

From the outside Mazda have designed the car to follow the family look, with the front in particular using design cues from the RX8 sports car. The Sport model continues this theme by using a sharply designed set of 16” alloy wheels shod with low profile tyres and a set of side skirts and rear spoiler.

Stepping in to the car, you are greeted by a set of firm but comfortable cloth covered seats, which offer plenty of lateral support. The facia design is clean and simple, as is the instrument binnacle which houses a clear to read white backed speedo and rev counter. The chunky leather covered steering wheel is also a pleasant item to hold with the controls for the radio and cruise facilities mounted on the spokes. Other useful features include an excellent radio / CD player with an auxiliary in jack socket ideal for plugging in MP3 players, automatic lights and a trip computer. Looking around the rest of the car, the interior plastic panels have a pleasantly designed grain on them.

As this is a small car, the rear passenger space is somewhat limited, as you would expect. Certainly if you wanted to do long journeys the car could realistically only take three reasonably sized people, but for around town or short trips it will sit four acceptably. The boot is a very good size and shape, being deep and benefiting from a large opening.

On the road the little Mazda also impresses. Falling to hand is the stubby gear lever which has a precise pleasing action adding to the sporting nature of this car. All the major controls are light and easy to use, making it a joy to manoeuvre around town and in car parks. Due to the cars light weight, free revving engine and sporting suspension set up you realise that this is a very nimble car being fun to hustle along, giving you the confidence to point and squirt at gaps in the traffic.

Get the car on to the open road and you can start to feel the lack of physical weight. Undoubtedly this helps the sprightly performance but it also helps the suspension, the car keen to change direction and feeling fleet footed. Adhesion levels from the tyres are excellent, never feeling like they are going to run out of grip even in damp conditions. However when the 2 does let go, the stability control soon brings the car back in to line. If you turn the traction control off, things are different and enthusiastic drivers will be able to indulge in some fun. Body roll is also kept to a minimum however ride can feel quite firm.

With its low 5E insurance group, this car is ideal for anyone who wants a bit of Zoom, Zoom, in their life. It is a great all rounder that will suit younger drivers who want something sporty but not too expensive to run and older drivers that have got fed up with being a bit too mature, but still need the practicality.

Thanks to Essex Mazda for the loan of the car. For more information, please phone them on 0844 4998 644