Mazda Perfects the Fun-to-Footprint Ratio Tuesday

Mazda Perfects the Fun-to-Footprint Ratio Bigger used to mean better, but in the modern era, that old chestnut no longer applies. Mobile phones aren’t the size of a brick, we can fit 2,000 songs in our pocket and this review was written on a computer that fits neatly on an airplane’s tray table. Sometimes smaller is better, and here’s a vehicle that proves it. While the 2011 Mazda2 might not be out to redefine the subcompact segment, it does offer something largely lacking from the rest of the pack: fun. But are Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom driving dynamics enough to overlook its shortcomings in power, packaging and amenities? Find out after the jump. Like all of Mazda’s recent designs, the 2 looks like a dog more inclined to lick your face than bite it. With that maniacal smile for a bumper, the front end projects more silliness than aggression, which can and will annoy both brand loyalists and some subcompact shoppers. On the flip side, it might just attract new customers who appreciate a car that doesn’t take itself too seriously. And compared to other Mazdas festooned with the massive black-toothed grin, the cartoonish 2 actually pulls it off thanks to its small size. What doesn’t work on the Mazda2 are the pair of oversized headlamps melted into the front end. Their design is fine, but their powers of illumination leave a lot to be desired. We used the fog lights in conjunction with the main beams just to throw a little more light on nighttime situations. The Mazda2 may be a small, inexpensive ride, but that doesn’t mean it deserves a set of dim eyes.

Posted by admin on Wednesday, January 5th, 2011. Filed under Auto Insurance. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry