Mazda2 - Endurance runner with long-term qualities
Buying a used small car at a low price? This is difficult with the Mazda2. Owners are usually aware of the qualities of their vehicle. The Mazda2 does well in the main inspections - which has an impact on prices.
The current Mazda 2 (model DJ) is the long runner. The small car has been available in Germany since the beginning of 2015, and two facelifts have kept the Japanese model quite fresh. The question remains as to how the third generation of the small car will fare at the TÜV.
Quality
If you want to buy a used Mazda2, you don't have to worry too much about its reliability. Across all years, its defect rates in the main TÜV inspections are below the average for all vehicles tested. Is this due to the comparatively low mileage? Or do Mazda owners look after their vehicles carefully? Or is the Mazda2 a solid performer per se? Prospective used car buyers may be indifferent to the reasons. They should pay attention to the often misaligned dipped headlights and the axle springs.
Body and interior
Despite its age, the 4.06 meter long five-door does not look old, its design language is still convincing. The interior doesn't look outdated either. The choice of materials and feel are better than in many other small cars. However, the operating and infotainment system shows its age.
There is a good amount of space in the front, but taller passengers will quickly find their heads touching the roof lining in the rear. The trunk capacity varies between 280 and 950 liters, but a high loading sill makes loading and unloading difficult.
Engines
At the market launch, Mazda offered the "2 Series" with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, which was available in three versions (55 kW/75 hp, 66 kW/90 hp and 85 kW/115 hp) and is still available. The 115 PS engine, which was removed from the portfolio at the end of 2019, was reinstated at the end of 2021. Since then, the naturally aspirated engine has been working with 22.5-volt mild hybrid support, as has the 90 PS version in the meantime.
Most first-time buyers opted for the mid-range version, which, with an average fuel consumption of 5 liters, is on a par with the other naturally aspirated models. As an alternative to the manual five-speed gearbox, Mazda also offers a six-speed automatic. A 1.5-liter diesel with 77 kW/105 hp was removed from the range in mid-2018. It makes do with 3.4 liters according to the standard.
Equipment and safety
There is a choice of Prime Line, Center Line, Exclusive Line and Sports Line equipment lines, the structure of which has changed over the years. What has remained the same, however, is that air conditioning is not included as standard in the base model. First-time buyers could still customize their vehicle with all kinds of amenities such as automatic air conditioning, head-up display, navigation system, matrix lights, 16-inch alloys or heating for the front seats and steering wheel.
You can also upgrade the range of assistants and order helpers such as fatigue detection, 360-degree camera, high beam, lane departure warning and lane change assistants or a city emergency braking system with pedestrian detection. The Mazda2 achieved four out of five stars in the 2015 EuroNCAP test.
Conclusion and market
Small cars are in demand as used cars. If, like the Mazda2, they do well in the main inspections, this has an impact on prices. Good for the seller, less exciting for the buyer.
According to an analysis by mobile.de, around 1800 used Mazda2s (type DJ) are currently offered for sale on this platform. Prices start at around 6500 euros for older vehicles with high mileage; for well-equipped vehicles with low mileage in this age group, you have to invest around 10,000 euros.
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Source: www.ntv.de
