• Efficient petrol engines
• All models claim upwards of 50mpg
• You can achieve that in the real world

What are the running costs?

Cheap. Every version of the Mazda 2 (including the notoriously inefficient 90hp automatic version) achieved more than 50mpg in official WLTP tests. In our experience, it isn’t too difficult to extract those figures from the engines in the real world, either.

If you want the best results, opt for the 90hp manual model. Unlike the 75hp unit, it features mild hybrid assistance which helps to boost its official WLTP fuel economy figure up to 60.1mpg, Plus, if you didn’t know the mild hybrid tech was there, you’d remain in blissful ignorance. It’s very inobtrusive, switching between petrol and hybrid running seamlessly.

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If you want a supermini with even lower fuel consumption, you could also consider the Renault Clio Hybrid. It has a self-charging hybrid system with an official fuel economy figure of 67.3mpg. There’s also the Mazda 2 Hybrid, which is little more than a rebadged Toyota Yaris with an inferior warranty.

Servicing and warranty

Mazda recommends you service the 2 at least every 12,500 miles or 12 months – whatever comes first. To help you manage the cost of servicing, the company can sell you a service plan that covers the cost of your car’s maintenance for three years. You can pay in 36 monthly chunks of £21 or one lump sum of £699.

Mazda’s warranty is average. It covers you for three years/60,000 miles as standard, although you can pay extra to have that extended. Still, if you want a supermini with a long warranty, you should opt for the Yaris, which features Toyota’s stellar 10-year cover.

Reliability

• Solid build quality
• Mazda has a great reputation
• Just one recall in eight years

Mazda has an excellent track record for reliability. The current 2 continues the trend. Since it was launched in 2015, there’s only been one official recall relating to a potential leak from the fuel tank. Since then, it’s been smooth sailing – a point that’s reinforced by the positive feedback in our owner reviews section.

Build quality on the models we’ve tested has felt robust, with no worryingly feeble interior plastics, controls or buttons. Interior trims also seem to be able to withstand regular use too, including the abuse that comes with kids and their collective paraphernalia.

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The only issue you may find relates to the infotainment system. When we ran a Mazda long-term test car, we found its media system would freeze and switch off from time to time. Our findings correlate with a few owner reviews submitted by those who have bought a 2 as well.