2024 Mazda2 G15 Pure SP Review

The Mazda2 has long been a great choice for those looking for a light hatchback to get around in – bet it their first car, second car or main car, the 2 is a great option that still sells quite well in Australia. It recently underwent a late-life facelift with new styling tweaks and new standard equipment in order to keep it fresh in the market ahead of a rumoured next-generation model. How does the new updated model stack up against the current competition? We tested the 2024 Mazda2 G15 Pure SP to find out.

Small cars have unfortunately slowly become more and more scarce on the new market. Current rivals to the Mazda2 Pure SP include the Suzuki Swift GL and Toyota Yaris Ascent Sport. All of these light hatches have five-door body styles and are available in petrol automatic configurations – the Swift and Mazda2 also offer manual options, but sadly only at the bottom of the range.

How much does the 2024 Mazda2 Pure SP cost?

While the 2024 Mazda2 range kicks off with the manual Pure that’s priced at $22,790 plus on road costs, the model we’re testing here is the Mazda2 Pure SP that sits one run above the base model in the Mazda2 lineup. It’s priced from $25,520 plus on road costs (or roughly $29,000 drive away) and is only available as a six-speed automatic. It is worth noting that the Mazda2 range is also available in sedan form, but its only available in base Pure and top-spec GT.

Mazda2 Pure SP standard equipment:

• Black 16-inch alloy wheels with a space-saver spare wheel
• Automatic dusk-sensing LED headlights
• Automatic rain-sensing wipers
• Remote keyless entry with push button start
• Height adjustable driver’s seat
• Cloth upholstery
• Manual air-conditioning
• Power windows with auto up/down front windows
• Electric and auto-folding exterior mirrors
• 7.0-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• FM/AM/DAB+ digital radio
• Bluetooth phone and audio streaming
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake
• Six-speaker sound system
• Cruise control with a speed limiter
• Two USB-A ports
• 12V socket
• Trip computer
• Automatic start/stop
• Carbon fibre effect roof wrap
• Black mirror caps

Safety equipment includes:

• Six airbags (2x front, side, curtain)
• Auto emergency braking (AEB)
• Lane departure warning with lane keep assist
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
• Low-speed rear automatic braking
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera

The pre-updated Mazda2’s five-star ANCAP rating expired due to age, and the company has no plans to re-test it thanks to the tougher criteria it would now face. But we think the 2’s safety kit is impressive for the money, as even the base model has features like blind-spot monitoring and lane keep assist.

Mazda2 Pure SP colour range:

• Soul Red Crystal ($595)
• Polymetal Grey ($595)
• Machine Grey ($595)
• Jet Black
• Air Stream Blue (new – on our test car)
• Aero Grey (new)
• Platinum Quartz
• Snowflake White
• Aluminium

This generation Mazda2 was released in 2014 and while it’s getting a little long in the tooth, we think Mazda has done a good job of keeping the 2 fresh in the market. While – like a lot of new cars these days – it’s more expensive than it used to be, the only equipment we would like to see added across the range are a new infotainment system, a digital speedometer and LED daytime running lights.

While the 2 Pure SP is not cheap, we recommend spending $700 more and getting the mid-spec Mazda2 Evolve. Over the Pure SP, the Evolve adds single-zone automatic climate control, a heads-up display, a digital speedometer, LED daytime running lights, satellite navigation, traffic sign recognition, a different front grille, black cloth interior with red inserts and an auto dimming rear view mirror. That’s money very well spent, in our opinion.

In our opinion, the main rivals to the 2024 Mazda2 G15 Pure SP are the $24,490 +ORC Suzuki Swift GL Auto and the $24,800 Toyota Yaris Ascent Sport petrol. The Mazda is better equipped than all of these hatches – but it is also more expensive. The Mazda gains over all of its rivals listed here rear auto emergency braking, automatic LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers. Although the Toyota gains two extra airbags (eight versus six) and speed sign recognition over the Mazda, we think it’s better value.

What engine does the 2024 Mazda2 G15 Pure SP have?

Under the bonnet of the 2024 Mazda2 Pure SP is the same ‘G15’ 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine as the pre-facelifted model, though it’s been retuned for the facelifted model with slightly less performance but better fuel economy. It produces 81kW of power (at 6,000rpm) and 142Nm of torque (at 3,500rpm). Interestingly, the manual Mazda2 Pure produces 82kW/144Nm (at 6,000rpm and 4,000rpm respectively) because it retains the pre-updated engine tune.

The engine in the Mazda2 is not new, having been in existence since this Mazda2’s release in 2014, but it’s still a sweet little unit that’s been refined over the years. It’s now quieter than before, and while it’s no powerhouse, it’s more than adequate for its intended use. Mazda doesn’t quote a 0-100km/h time, but it feels like it’ll hit the mark in under 10 seconds, which is more than quick enough for this segment of car. The newly-tuned engine for the automatic has its peak torque hitting 500rpm lower than before which makes it more driveable and more efficient, according to Mazda.

The six-speed torque converter automatic is effortless and engaging to operate. The automatic is generally pretty good and thankfully, it’s a torque converter unit – unlike a lot of rivals, which use a CVT gearbox. Its shifts are smooth and intuitive, and it does a lot with the engine’s modest outputs. Activating sport mode gives sharper throttle response and makes the transmission hold gears longer for sportier driving stints – it actually makes it feel somewhat warm hatch-like.

The claimed fuel consumption for the 2024 Mazda2 Pure SP is just 5.0L/100km with CO2 emissions rated at 117g/km. Our week with the Mazda2 Pure SP – which included a mix of mostly urban driving but some motorway travelling – saw consumption of 6.0L/100km, which we thought was pretty good. The 2 can run on 91RON regular unleaded fuel and has a 44-litre fuel tank.

How does the 2024 Mazda2 G15 Pure SP drive?

Mazda is a brand known for its engaging and fun to drive cars and this is no exception for the cheapest car it sells as the 2024 Mazda2 Pure SP drives quite well. The chassis could be mistaken for being one from a sportier car as it drives very well and encourages you to get the most out of the 1.5-litre engine. The steering is well weighted, precise and direct, which makes it fun to drive through the twisties. The ride can be a little firm, but this aids in the fun on offer and it’s definitely still comfortable.

Mazda has improved the road noise insulation a lot since it was released and the updated 2 is generally quiet at speeds. Being a Mazda, you can also expect the active safety kit on the 2 to work flawlessly and without interruption to the driving, and it does quite well – even the lane keeping assistance is nicely subtle. We also love that most active safety items are standard across the range – even the base Pure has quite a lot of active safety kit.

What is the interior of the 2024 Mazda2 G15 Pure SP like?

The cabin of the 2024 Mazda2 has not changed much when compared with the pre-facelifted model – and indeed when this generation was first released in 2014 – but it remains a good quality, comfortable and well featured place to spend time. We think that while it is starting to feel a bit dated on the inside, it’s still an enjoyable and characterful cabin to spend time in. Mazda has done a great job of keeping the interior feel up to date over the years.

Material quality in the 2024 Mazda2 is reasonable for the segment – there are no soft touch plastics that a VW Polo offers, though the new trim pieces have livened it up a bit and the usual good quality Mazda switchgear – like the lovely leather steering wheel – features prominently. Still, we would like to see more of an update inside the cabin like a new driver’s display (or even just a digital speedo) to make it feel more modern.

Storage inside the 2’s cabin is not as good as other Mazdas, but there are some good points like big cup holders, reasonable door bins, a tray underneath the centre console with two USB-A ports and a 12V socket and some other small storage trays. Annoyingly, there’s no covered storage and no centre armrest though – one is available as a dealer-fit accessory, but we think it should be standard equipment.

What dates the 2’s cabin most, however, is the 7.0-inch touchscreen that sits in the middle of the dashboard, it has been used since this models inception. While it’s slick to operate with the wheel controller in the centre console, the screen quality isn’t great and the screen itself is small. Thankfully, it has (wired) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, as well as FM/AM/digital radio. A larger 8.0-inch screen features in some overseas markets, and we’d like to see it offered in Australia – or, better yet, Mazda’s newer Mazda Connect system that’s just been launched in the Japanese market Mazda2.

The rear seat of the 2024 Mazda2 can fit two taller adults, with reasonable headroom, though legroom is pretty tight. In terms of features, there’s one map pocket and a little storage tray for a bottle at the rear of the centre console, but that’s it – no second map pocket, cup holders, bottle holders or charging ports. The Volkswagen Polo or Skoda Fabia are a lot more practical if the rear seat is used more than occasionally.

Open the light boot lid of the 2024 Mazda2 hatchback and it reveals 250-litres of storage space with the seats up, and over 800L with the seats folded. Under the boot floor is a space saver spare wheel, but that’s it for features – no dual-level boot floor, hooks, nets, etc.

What warranty covers the 2024 Mazda2 G15 Pure SP?

All 2024 Mazda2s (as well as all Mazda models) sold new in Australia come with the brand’s five-year/unlimited km warranty that also features five years of roadside assistance. Suzuki and Toyota will offer the same warranties on their products as well, though while Suzuki gives you give years of roadside assistance too, Toyota gives you none – though if you service your Yaris as per logbook requirements, you earn two extra years of drivetrain warranty (seven in total).

Thankfully Mazda has lengthened the 2’s service intervals from lacklustre once-yearly/10,000km now to a longer yearly/15,000km interval – the Swift and Yaris also share this service interval. The cost to service the 2024 Mazda2 Pure SP over the span of five years or 75,000km is $2,116, which is an average yearly service cost of $423. The Suzuki Swift will cost owners $1,955 ($391 per service) and the Yaris costs $1,225 ($245 per service) for the same period.

Should I buy a 2024 Mazda2 G15 Pure SP?

The 2024 Mazda2 G15 Pure SP proves that you don’t need to spend close to $100k to get a car that is fun to drive and puts a smile on your face. It is also a relatively practical and great option for those looking for their first car or a second car to the family. We love small cars here at DiscoverAuto and we think the Mazda2 is definitely up there with the best thanks to its fun to drive nature, good quality, long list of equipment, good service and warranty and its efficient drivetrain.

It’s not the cheapest light car to buy and run, and the back seat and boot aren’t the most practical in the segment, but we think that its long list of qualities earns it a recommended rating over its rivals. However, we’d very much be considering the Evolve over the Pure SP because it adds a lot of extra equipment for not a huge outlay, and in our opinion, it also looks nicer. But regardless of model, the 2024 Mazda2 is good buying – be it your first car, a second car or your main car, it’s still a great option in the segment.