New Mazda2 For the World, U.S. Next?

Mazda released the first image of its new sub-compact called the Mazda2. The car will be fully revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March and will go on sale worldwide this year. There are rumors it will come the U.S. to battle it out against the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and the new crop of sub-compacts we’ve seen recently.

The Mazda2 is intriguing because it is the first real application of Mazda’s new design style shown in concepts like the Ryuga and Nagare. We think this would be a huge success in the U.S. What do you think?

Source: Mazda

Comments

I wholeheartedly welcome any new fuel-efficient sub-compacts, especially if they are hatchbacks. I like the looks of this car from the rear door forward, but what I don't like is the sloping rear hatch. Too much cargo space is lost, and it looks too much like the mid to late 90's Honda Civic hatch that apparently didn't sell well causing Honda to discontinue Civic hatchback's. It didn't sell well probably because it was ugly, and I think the sloping hatch on the Mazda 2 is ugly also.

I really like the look of this car, I've been considering changing my mustang for something more efficient and modern. The only thing that seems a bit impractical is the front bumper, too low, it's going to require careful parking to avoid catching it on those concrete blocks in parking spaces or curbs.

JK
With this sized car you probably won't need to pull all the way up ;)

If past efforts are any indication (Mazda3), this will be a sharp-handling little rig. Hopefully Mazda will give it the performance chops to take on the Fit Si (should it ever come to the U.S. market). Could a MazdaSpeed2 be far off?

awesome, i like it alot. too bad the parent company thinks hatchbacks are passe'.

Hatchbacks passe?!! They are currently doing their big comeback, and I love it!

looks like another death trap

Anonymous,
Saying "another death trap" infers there are others out there. Let's grow up and post some actually insightful comments ok?

This machine really looks interesting!
Does anyone think that Mazda could really be different in this class by offering stability control, and setting it apart from the rest of the "B" pack?

Cheers...

Peace!

Reminds me of a Focus hatchback, but so much better looking. How much does this car weigh because if they do make a mazdaspeed version with a turbocharged engine making at least 200 hp, this little thing would scoot.

Death trap? Look at the IIHS test results for the Civic (rating of Good with and without side airbags) and the Fit (rating of Good).

This Mazda2 looks great. The Versa and the coupe version Yaris are the only other two cars in this class that I find attractive.

Bring it on, and please keep the price reasonable. Mazda use to sell affordable fun cars until they forgot the "affordable" part.

God, I hope they DO bring this hear. That thing's a beauty.

Seeing this car and thinking back to the comments made on Autoline Detroit recently by Mazda USA's CEO, it's clear that Mazda has re-discovered it's soul in Zoom Zoom. (Coincidently, this tag line is one of the most recognized in the world. And those who recognize it KNOW who it belongs to. Cool) This car is awesome. I have always been a small car fan. All I can say is; Bring it on! Mazda. And please, please bring it to the US to show all comers what a small car can really be. I look forward to more news and pictures on this car. I currently have a Mazda5 and I love it. One of the best vehicles I have ever owned. Imagine what the next Mazda 3, or 6 will be like. Wow!

This version looks better than the Mazda2 offered in the UK.http://www.mazda.co.uk/Owning/Accessories/Mazda2/

I think the UK version looks similar to the new Scion xD coming here to the US.
http://www.leblogauto.com/2007/02/scion-xd.html

The next Mazda 6 is going to be a boat, they are strecthing it several inches. I guess the idea of another 9/Millenia was too much for them so they need to go bigger.

As for the 3, the Mazdaspeed version is likely my next car. Just the right size, and a hatch to boot!

This car is very appealing, but bringing it to the US is always tough. Mostly, this is related to price. European small cars have high quality and tend to have high content, both of which elevate their prices. American consumers tend to value size rather than quality (although this may be changing) - why get a 16K small hatch, when I can get a Taurus?

The Astra will face this problem - especially when competing with cheapo cars like the Chevy Cobalt.

That being said, Honda brougth the Fit so why not bring the Mazda2. Its more likely to do well than the 5.

As for the next 6. They will most likely try an Altima 2 i.e. stetch it for big Americans to increase market share. Thats a shame since it leaves people like me without a car. I want a small, stylish and well-equipped sporty sedan - a cheap BMW 3-series. The Mazda6 is the only game in town. The Jetta could have been another had it not been for that Corolla-like styling.

This vehicle looks great. I hope it make its way to US to take out all of its compititor. Mazda top people ( decission makers )Please don't let this vehicle have a blue oval badging on it. Mazda needs it bad. Mazda has proven recently that they are great vehicle manufacturer, people start liking it. Mazda needs all the customers so it can to grow globaly. But this is a segment where Mazda needs to stay in compitition with other Japanies auto manufactures. By sharing it with blue oval badge it will loose its pride just like what happen with tribute. US market it crucial for all manufactures and more important for US. Mazda sales associate don't any objection that this just a Ford Fiesta with Mazda bading on it. Please let Mazda 2 come to US and only with Mazda badging

i,for one,would buy this car immediately,esp.if it comes here as a mazda product,NOT ford. ford has crapped in its own room as far as i'm concerned,plus mazda really should offer something besides sports cars,midsize cars,and minivans/suv's to get back to what they do best-fun to drive small cars...i have owned several mazdas,a 323 wagon,2 proteges,and a miata. i would love to my hands on this car.........

i,for one,would buy this car immediately,esp.if it comes here as a mazda product,NOT ford. ford has crapped in its own room as far as i'm concerned,plus mazda really should offer something besides sports cars,midsize cars,and minivans/suv's to get back to what they do best-fun to drive small cars...i have owned several mazdas,a 323 wagon,2 proteges,and a miata. i would love to my hands on this car.........

As owner of B6 Festiva I would like a hatchback, a full drumset and lights, plus two people fit into this car, the absolutely amazing carrying capacity of these cars is needed and appreciated.

Love it love it love it! Hope they bring it to the US market under the Mazda logo and not as a Ford.

Jason,

Side airbag systems are standard on all 2006-08 Honda Civics, and earlier models for which they were optional or unavailable, were not tested by the Institute. The IIHS will not award a "Good" side-impact rating without them, as "head protection" is a significant part of the scoring.

I fell in love with my Mazda 323 back in 1992 and followed it up with the sedan five years later. Mazda's never left me out in the cold! Never any maintenance issues or fuel guzzling issues. More room than I could ever expect and lots of get up and go along with a low price and lots of features.

I know the Mazda2 will rank next to it and I need to buy a car in the next few months. Will I be able to get the Mazda2 or will I be forced to buy the Versa or Yaris. Maybe I can wait a few more months and just ride a bike. I miss my 323.

This car was voted world car of the year 2008.It must ge good.And considering the good record of mazdas fun to drive and reliability

They started selling this car in Australia back in Sept 2007, picked myself up one in Oct 07 And i would say its the best small car ever made, and 45mpg lol Ford Does NOT want to release this car in the US at the moment as it wants the US to buy its extremely Ugly restyled Ford Fiesta The thing looks like a whale mixed with a Nokia phone omg shocking... The sad thing is this Mazda went on sale in Japan in 2006 and in Europe early 2007, If ford Fiesta does poorly they may end up releasing the Mazda 2 to the US early 2010... Oh and the car costs less then the Fit/Jazz, Yaris and Swift :) World car of the year also. lol The management at ford should have there heads checked ... nope no brains inside at all!