The Mazda Demio is a subcompact small car manufactured by the Japanese automotive company Mazda. The Demio was introduced in 1996 and is currently in its third generation. From the 2002 (second generation) Mazda sold the Demio as Mazda2 in international markets while retaining the Demio name in the local Japanese market. In 2019, the Demio nameplate was retired, and replaced by Mazda2 in all markets.
In 2019 a facelifted version of the Demio was released. Some of the changes on this model include new interior trim, the introduction of adaptive headlights, re-tuned suspension for better ride quality, G-Vectoring Control Plus became standard, and engine improvements. But the most notable change is the absence of the Demio name with the Mazda2 moniker taking its place.
Under the hood, the 2019 Mazda2 came fitted with the previously used 1.5-liter Skyactiv-G F-P5 4-cylinder engine with some tuning that boosted its deceleration energy recovery. But also with this release, Mazda introduced a 1.5-liter Skyactiv-Hybrid F-P5 4-cylinder mild hybrid system with a 24V lithium-ion battery.
In this review, we will briefly take a look at the 2019 Mazda2 (Demio) by specifically looking at its pros and cons to find out what it has in store. Please follow through.
5 Pros
Reliable and Safe
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The 2019 Mazda2 is a reliable and safe car, packed with several passive and active safety features. It was awarded a four out of five stars crash-test score by the Euro NCAP. Standard safety features include six airbags, Hill Hold Assist, a Lane-keep Assist System, a Lane Departure Warning System, and an Emergency Stop Signalling System. Autonomous Emergency Braking is an option.
The top-spec GT Sport Tech trim adds a 360-degree view monitor, Driver Attention Alert, front parking sensors, and Blind Spot Monitoring with a Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
User-Friendly Infotainment System
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The 2019 Mazda2 comes fitted with a high-definition 7.0-inch touchscreen display with a command wheel controller and a clear and intuitive menu system that’s easy to use. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity, and sat-nav are standard on all trims.
Good-looking Inside and Out
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The Mazda2 is a sporty subcompact car with plenty of appeal for anyone looking for an efficient and fun handling car. The dials and switches on the dashboard and center console all feel modern and easy to use; gauges and dials are easy to read with good visibility.
The exterior of the 2019 Mazda2 is sharp, compact, and appealing. The face features a large trapezoidal grille with Mazda’s chrome-finished ‘wing design’ flanked by Mazda’s peculiar eagle-eye headlights, with LED running lights available on higher-spec models adding to its looks.
The Sport Black model adds side skirt trims, a roof-mounted antenna, spoiler, ‘brilliant black’ detailing to the mirror caps, rear privacy glass, a gloss black grille, and 16-inch black alloy wheels.
Well-equipped
The 2019 Mazda2 is available in four trim levels: SE-L, Sport, GT Sport, and GT Sport Tech.
Standard features on the base SE-L model include heated power-folding mirrors, power rear windows, cruise control, Bluetooth, rain-sensing wipers, parking sensors, a speed limiter, 60:40 split-fold rear seats, LED headlights, 15-inch alloy wheels, and a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB radio, and sat-nav. The Sport trim adds LED daytime running lights, keyless entry, wireless CarPlay, and bigger wheels. The GT Sport adds leather seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a reversing camera, and a head-up display. The premium GT Sport Tech adds front and rear parking sensors, adaptive headlights, a 360-degree camera, and extra driver assists.
Sharp Handling
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Mazda has a reputation for producing some of the best-handling cars, and the 2019 Mazda2 is no exception. Its naturally aspirated 1.5-liter engine with 88hp and 109 lb-ft is quiet, smooth, and powerful, its chassis is lively, the steering is accurate with good feedback, and the soft, well-damped well-judged suspension system enables the car to resist corner rolls. The presence of the G-Vectoring Control feature which controls the engine’s torque while cornering to improve turn-in and handling is a bonus that improves the car’s agility.
Due to its size and agility, the 2 remains an easy car to throw around tighter urban streets.
5 Cons
Lack Of Interior Space
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The 2019 Mazda2 is a five-door five-seat car. Being a five-door car makes access to the rear seats easy, but although it’s a five-seat car, there’s not enough space for five adults to sit fairly comfortably as space is limited, especially at the rear.
There is enough headroom even for the claustrophobic. The 2019 Mazda2’s width grew by several inches which helped that extra needed elbow room.
Small Boot
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The boot lid is light and opens wide enough which has simplified the opening and closing while creating ample loading and offloading space. But the boot is deeper than it used to be which creates a large load lip making it cumbersome to lift on and off heavy items.
Although the 2019 Mazda2’s boot is bigger than the last generation, it still falls short of the competition. It has a 280-liter boot with seats in place and can expand to 950 liters with seats folded.
Engines can Sound Coarse
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The 2019 Mazda2 comes with one petrol engine option with three power outputs. It’s smooth and speedy enough, but rev it hard, coarse sound erupts, with a penetrative booming noise making its way into the cabin. The SE-L model comes fitted with the 75 hp petrol engine which is not so quick (takes 11.3 sec from 0-100 kph), while the 90 hp engine takes 9.8 seconds to cover the same distance. The top-spec GT Sport Tech is fitted with a 114 hp version of the engine, which takes 9.1 seconds from 0-100 kph.
The naturally aspirated 1.5-liter is a big engine for a car this size, but unlike most rivals that come with turbocharged engines, the 2 sometimes fails to get up to speed on the highway, and you end up wishing it had a turbocharger. This engine is paired with either a manual or automatic transmission. The automatic transmission makes the car less efficient and considerably slower too compared to the manual.
Expensive
The Mazda2 is sold at a higher price compared to its rivals. This is the case in different markets. But like many Mazda’s, the Mazda2 tries to signify its worth.
The Interior starting to show its age
The materials used for finishing the interior lack quality, and this is quite a downside. There is plenty of hard plastic finishing throughout the cabin and plenty of scratchy surfaces.
The interior does look cheap when you inspect the plastic materials that have been used in their entirety.
Verdict
The Mazda2 has plenty to offer. It features a stylish design, an imposing chassis, and plenty of kits. The car is more fun to drive compared to its rivals, even though it does not have a turbocharger. Overall, the car needs some refinement, especially the interior which is of poor quality, compared to its more modern rivals.
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Written by: Samuel H. Mponezya
