2022 Mazda2 1.5L Hatchback Premium
As automakers produce smaller, more affordable cars, don’t you notice a disturbing trend? Average design, cheaper materials, and poor craftsmanship result in substandard products, or at the least, quality that is not the same.
Mazda is having none of that. In the last couple of decades, as droves of competitors went that route, they bravely drove the other way. Take the 2022 Mazda2 1.5L Hatchback Premium, for example. This five-door subcompact does not appear ostentatious in any way. But look closely and see all the subtle cues of the brand’s dedication to quality.
The body color is a dead giveaway. Mazda calls it Platinum Quartz, and while it is not as intense as Soul Crystal Red, it is a unique hue and will stand out in a crowded parking lot. Its surface is almost devoid of complicated lines — there are just a couple on the side to highlight both the front and rear fenders. The chrome grille looks much better on wider noses like the 3 or even the CX models, but that is not to say it does not look good. It comes with LED headlamps with auto-leveling function and LED daytime running lamps.
I like the whole inconspicuous package. Only the 16-inch black alloy wheels really pop out. Its slim rear spoiler and a shark’s fin antenna spice it up a bit, but overall, I believe its look is for low-key individuals who don’t want vehicles with loud designs.
It may be the least pricey Mazda, but it still comes with a smart key. I wish I didn’t have to push the button on the handle though (just reaching for it unlocks the doors), but that’s probably me being finicky. The cockpit is petite but bears the brand’s layout and styling.
The leather multi-function steering wheel feels big for the vehicle’s size, and the spokes deserve a newer design. But I like that it has paddle shifters and thick, solid stalks behind it. There are a few padded places and leather pieces on the slim and minimalistic dashboard, but it feels odd that three of the four vents are circular while one in the middle is slim. The instrument panel only has one analog dial, the tachometer, with two digital displays on either side — one is the fuel gauge and trip computer, and the other shows the drive mode and the odometer. The speedometer is on the heads-up display that pops right above it. There is a tablet-like seven-inch screen in the middle that is not touch-capable. Mazda made this change sometime in 2018 to decrease driver distraction and increase the safety level. The Command controller along the center tunnel let me access the infotainment system. In this day and age of touch systems, I had to unlearn the habit, but it wasn’t hard.
Both front seats are manually adjustable, but they all use an attractive bluish leather upholstery with white piping. The fit is cozy due to the size of the vehicle — small car, snug seats. The back seat looks like it’s only good for two, but it comes with three headrests. The person in the middle will definitely not be the happiest of the bunch.
The cabin does not feel cramped because Mazda trimmed down the excess fat. Hence, there is no center console, no rear vents, and only minimal storage spaces. There are two USB ports in front, and I like that it has wireless Apple CarPlay and the old-fashioned rotary controls for the automatic aircon system. It even comes with three seatbelt minders for the rear passengers.
It uses a SkyActiv-G, four-cylinder 1.5-liter engine. 110-PS and 141-Nm of torque go to the front wheels via a SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission. Despite the small body and light curb weight (1.037 kg.), it feels weighted at take-off in Normal driving mode and will require slight pressure on the throttle for a bit more ooomph. It is in the higher gears that throttle response delay is more palpable. Sport mode changes that but raises the RPM, which means slightly higher gas intake. Average fuel consumption over seven days is 13.1 kilometers per liter.
The ride is slightly stiff because the rear torsion beam axle doesn’t take badly-formed humps very well, but when the trunk is laden, the comfort level goes up significantly. The G-Vectoring Control Plus works as advertised and kept the body stable around corners, even when I came in with some speed and at an angle.
Despite being this small, it packs a chockful of safety features from Mazda’s i-ActivSense. That includes Smart City Brake Support, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Attention Alert, Blind-Spot Monitoring, and Rear-Cross Traffic Alert.
The 2022 Mazda2 1.5L Hatchback Premium commands a price of P1.195 million because it isn’t your everyday, average subcompact. Its creature comforts, safety features, and superb fit and finish belie its bare body. If you feel you work hard enough to deserve a top-quality hatchback, this is the one for you.