The Mazda 2 Hybrid will hit showrooms from spring 2022, and you’ll be forgiven for thinking that it looks familiar.
Selling alongside the recently-facelifted 2, the 2 Hybrid model is a ‘self-charging’ hybrid and the combined effort of Japanese rivals, Mazda and Toyota. The Mazda 2 Hybrid is essentially a rebadged Yaris.
Not only does the 2 Hybrid share its styling with the Yaris, but the Mazda 2 Hybrid capitalises on innovative developments in Toyota’s battery technology. It’s a tactic that’s also been used by Suzuki, which sells rebranded versions of the Corolla Estate and RAV4 as the Swace and Across respectively.
What’s the power and performance?
The Mazda 2 Hybrid sports a 1.5-litre petrol engine, coupled with a 0.9kWh battery. The 59kW electric motor helps deliver 116hp wih fewer emissions.
Since the Mazda 2 Hybrid is able to creep around in pure-electric mode at lower speeds, kick into electric when drivers coast and take advantage of the benefits of regenerative braking technology, this neat package will top 70mpg and perhaps push 75mpg for very careful drivers, according to Mazda. This echoes the brilliant fuel economy appreciated in the Toyota.
What this means for you
If Yaris hybrid is anything to go by, the Mazda 2 Hybrid is going to offer drivers a fun-loving, value-for-money supermini, with plenty of cost savings and practicality.
Emissions vary depending on tyre size, but sit under that all important 100g/km, meaning there’s zero pounds sterling to pay in car tax. The Mazda2 Hybrid is a self-charging hybrid, so there aren’t any cables to plug-in or faff around with.
Mazda has no plans to use this model to replace the existing Mazda 2, giving drivers the choice of two powertrains, depending on their lifestyles. In line with its ‘Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030’, the car maker will undoubtedly encourage hesitant drivers to make the step towards full electrification with this hybrid stepping stone.
