• Interior shared with the (now dead) CX-3
• Interesting, upmarket, user-friendly design
• Infotainment is simple, but quite dated

How is the quality and layout?

Mazda has long positioned the interior quality of its cars above that of its mainstream European rivals – and we’re happy to report that the 2 is no different. It feels so much more premium than the Vauxhall Corsa or the recently deceased Ford Fiesta, sporting plush dashboard materials and solid switchgear.

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The Mazda 2 is also from an age where manufacturers weren’t even considering moving their climate controls onto their infotainment systems, which is simply joyous. Plus, Mazda had the common sense to make the temperature and fan dials huge, which means you can operate them in winter while wearing gloves, unlike the fiddly pinheads you get on the Corsa.

Infotainment and tech

If you prefer knobs and buttons to touchscreens, this is the supermini for you. The infotainment system atop the dash isn’t a touchscreen – it’s controlled with a dial on the centre console. However, the screen is set quite far towards the windscreen and it only measures 8.0 inches across, which makes it harder to read than, say, the 10.0-inch screen fitted to the top Renault Clio.

It is incredibly simple to use though, with a pleasingly straightforward menu design. Importantly, all models come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – and it’s here where you’ll wish there was a touchscreen as neither are quick to operate with the knob.

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Base-model Centre-Line cars are reasonably well equipped, featuring creature comforts such as automatic LED headlights, cruise control and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. Mazda threw all it had at the flagship Homura Aka variant, though, which features a colour head-up display, adaptive LED headlights and 360-degree parking camera. The latter piece of tech is particularly useful but because the infotainment screen is so low res, it often fails to show a clear picture in bright light.

Comfort

• Great driving position
• Comfortable over long distances
• Good refinement

The Mazda 2’s front seats are surprisingly adjustable, which is a rarity in the supermini market. The driving position also allows you to stretch out, which means you’re less likely to cramp up on a long motorway drive.

Mazda shrunk the design philosophy it developed for its larger cars, paying particular attention to where occupants’ feet rest and where the seats are mounted to ensure vibrations at those points are kept to a minimum. Tyre roar and wind noise rushing over the door mirrors is kept to a minimum, too, which further eases the strain on a longer jaunt.

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If that wasn’t enough, Mazda ensured the 2’s cabin wouldn’t squeak and rattle as you drive along. Build quality is excellent for this size of car, although it should be considering the cheapest Mazda 2 is almost £1,000 more expensive than the entry-level Clio.