Cars designed to slip easily into parking spaces only four metres long are an increasingly popular choice for Australians. They’re not too expensive, don’t cost a lot to run, and are… well… very sensible.
The giant of the mini-car class is Yaris. Since its late 2005 launch, the European-designed Toyota has claimed a 25 percent slice of this fiercely contested segment. Affordably priced, yet imaginatively laid out inside, the good looking Yaris outsells even the cut-price Korean imports. Mini-car customers may be a basically pragmatic bunch, but it seems they can also see the value in superior design. If it’s from the right brand, of course.
Mazda is, right now, a brand that seemingly can do no wrong. Since ’02, the Ford-controlled Japanese car maker has launched a string of excellent new models, with not a dud among them. The latest is the second-generation 2. Unlike its boxy predecessor, designed primarily to appeal to the Japanese market, the new 2 marks a shift to European style. It’s a straightforward small hatch, shorter, lower, and much prettier than the model it replaces.
While Mazda’s model line-up is smaller than Toyota’s range – the 2 comes only in 1.5-litre five-door form, while Yaris comes in three- and five-door and with two four-cylinder engines (1.3-litre in base YR, 1.5-litre in YRS and YRX) – there can be no doubt it’s a serious threat.
The 2’s exterior design incorporates Mazda’s attractive and distinctive design language. And it’s also competitively priced and very well equipped. The 2 is the first Japanese-made mini-car to offer Australians the option of electronic stability program technology across the range (only Suzuki’s Swift Sport and Mitsu’s Ralliart Colt offer ESP as standard). ESP, Mazda’s version is labelled DSC, is a proven life saver, with overseas studies showing its presence brings a sharp reduction of the likelihood of involvement in a serious crash. In base Neo and middle Maxx 2 trim, the system comes bundled with four extra airbags (two front-seat side bags and two full-length curtain bags) at the reasonable price of $1100. In top Genki specification, already equipped with six bags, adding ESP costs $700.
Two years ago, the launch of the Yaris also marked a mini-car safety milestone. It was the first in class to offer driver’s knee airbags, although as part of a $750 package of five extra bags optional in all models. But ESP simply isn’t available in any Yaris at any price…
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