2024 Mazda 2 Pure SP Review

While in 2024, the Mazda 2 range isn’t quite the bargain it used to be, zoom out and it remains extremely well-priced and better-equipped than ever before, providing those looking for an affordable city car some serious food for thought.

To find out just how competitive the Mazda 2 remains in 2024, we got behind the wheel of the Pure SP 2 variant, which is one step above the base model.

What exactly do you get for the extra money in the Mazda 2 Pure SP, and how does it stack up both against its rivals and as a value proposition in the light car segment? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

Mazda 2 Competition

How Much Does the Mazda2 Pure SP Cost?

The Mazda 2 Pure SP you’re looking at here is priced at before on-road costs are applied.

Prices for the rest of the range can be found below.

• Mazda 2 G15 Pure Manual - $22,870

• Mazda 2 G15 Pure Automatic Hatch - $24,870

• Mazda 2 G15 Pure Automatic Sedan - $24,870

• Mazda 2 G15 Pure SP Automatic Hatch $25,670 (tested)

• Mazda 2 G15 Evolve Automatic Hatch $26,370

• Mazda 2 G15 GT Automatic Hatch $28,070

• Mazda 2 G15 GT Automatic Sedan - $28,070

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

Using OnlineAuto’s car purchasing service, one of our car specialists can help you save and find the best value model for you.

Mazda 2 G15 Pure SP Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Mazda 2 Pure SP Have?

Over the entry-level G15 Pure, the Mazda 2 Pure SP picks up a handful of special design touches that help distinguish it from the base model.

The list of upgrades is headlined by a set of black 16-inch alloy wheels, joined by a shark fin antenna, a black, faux carbon fibre roof finish, black power-folding side mirrors and a chrome exhaust pipe.

This is in addition to the features you receive in the base model, which includes automatic LED headlights, cloth upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, cruise control, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors, push-button start, air conditioning, power-folding mirrors and a hefty list of safety equipment.

Mazda 2 Pure SP Connectivity & Infotainment Features

The Mazda 2 Pure SP picks up the same 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system fitted to all members of the Mazda 2 range.

If we’re honest, it’s a pretty basic display that doesn’t feature much in the way of resolution and is one of the few sore points that really gives away the age of the Mazda 2 platform.

That said, at this end of the market, you can’t expect a super HD display and the 7.0-inch unit is actually quite responsive to use, both via the touchscreen while you’re stationary or via Mazda’s rotary dial in the centre console on the move.

Mazda’s interface is easy to navigate, with a straightforward approach to the menu layout and physical shortcuts around the rotary dial to help navigate through your entertainment, navigation, applications and vehicle settings.

The Mazda 2’s infotainment system offers DAB+ digital radio and is paired with a six-speaker sound system that sounds pretty good for the money.

Does the Mazda 2 Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

One of Mazda’s updates for the 2024 Mazda 2 range was the addition of wireless smartphone mirroring, but it’s only available to iPhone users.

The Mazda 2’s infotainment system now features wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, though Android owners will be relegated to connecting their phone via a USB cord, with just wired Android Auto on offer.

It’s a little disappointing that Android owners have been left out in the rain, especially considering how well wireless connectivity works with an iPhone, though at the very least, a wired Android Auto does ensure a stable connection.

Is the Mazda2 Comfortable to Drive?

The Mazda 2 is a great little performer, especially around town, proving itself a perfect first car or user-friendly companion around the urban jungle.

Under the bonnet, power comes supplied by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that throws 81kW of power and 142Nm of torque to the front wheels.

The Mazda2 range is offered with a choice of six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions, though this Pure SP is only available with the latter, which is slightly thirstier on fuel than its manual siblings.

Off the line, the Mazda 2 certainly isn’t a racer, though thanks to its lightweight platform, it feels keen to pick up speed.

Mazda’s engine is a cracker for a small car package like this, with its eager nature proving more than happy to rev its head off in order to get you up to city or highway speeds.

The six-speed automatic transmission can be a little sluggish to snap down a gear and pick up the pace, though overall it’s a great combination that is particularly well-suited to city cruising.

Around town, the Mazda2 is fabulous.

The steering is weighted perfectly, remaining easy to spin the wheel while you’re making a tight turn or squeezing into a vacant car park, while offering a decent amount of feedback as you pick up speed.

Combine that light steering with a pint-sized platform that offers a 9.8-meter turning circle and the Mazda 2 gives you almost unrivalled confidence around town and a supremely user-friendly nature that takes a bit of the stress out of city driving.

Throw it into some curves and you’ll be pleased with just how well the little Mazda 2 handles.

As per usual with Mazda, the company has given it a spritely character that can confidently tackle tight bends and doesn’t punish you with understeer in the process.

The Mazda 2 turns on a dime, with fast, responsive steering that welcomes a challenge from more experienced drivers while giving new drivers some added confidence in the corners.

Specific to the Pure SP, the handling package is even sharper thanks to the larger wheels that can accommodate more rubber, though this does come at a slight compromise to the ride quality.

In terms of the ride, the suspension package definitely prefers smooth city streets, though it’s fairly versatile for the light car segment and doesn’t shy away from a drive on a country road.

The overall suspension setup is firm, which as we’ve mentioned is great for handling, but can prove a bit stiff on rougher, bumpy roads, though the Mazda 2 remains so light on its feet that there isn’t too much weight to crash around.

On the highway, the little Mazda 2 proves itself as one of the most confident and refined, with little in the way of road noise entering the cabin, while the engine doesn’t rev nearly as hard as some key rivals when cruising at 110km/h.

Overall, the Mazda 2 Pure SP doesn’t offer much in the way of material improvements over the base model, though overall, it remains one of the leading packages in the light car segment for both experienced and first-time drivers alike.

Is the Mazda2 Pure SP Fuel Efficient?

You bet it is - after all, fuel economy is king in the small car segment.

According to Mazda, the Mazda 2 Pure SP Automatic is rated at 5.0L per 100km on a combined cycle, while the six-speed manual is slightly thirstier at 5.4L per 100km.

We pushed the Mazda 2 Pure SP hard in an attempt to put Mazda’s official fuel economy claims to the test and were impressed with the end result.

• Mazda 2 Pure SP Automatic Claimed Economy: 5.0L/100km

• Mazda 2 Pure SP Automatic Tested Economy: 5.8L/100km

While we didn’t match Mazda’s figures with a heavy right foot, we were still able to get 5.8L per 100km after revving the little engine to pieces.

With a more responsible driving style, we’re confident you could match Mazda’s official claims which position it amongst the most fuel-efficient, non-hybrid vehicles currently on the market.

How Much Fuel Does the Mazda 2 Use Around Town?

• Mazda2 Manual City Fuel Consumption: 6.7L per 100km

• Mazda2 Automatic City Fuel Consumption: 5.7L per 100km 

How Much Fuel Does the Mazda 2 Use on the Highway?

• Mazda2 Manual Highway Fuel Consumption: 4.6L per 100km

• Mazda2 Manual Automatic Fuel Consumption: 4.7L per 100km 

Is the Mazda2 Pure SP Practical and Spacious?

While it doesn’t have a huge footprint, the Mazda 2 has a lot going for it when it comes to practicality, with the Pure SP picking up some colourful touches that freshen up the interior.

Kicking things off with space, even the tallest of drivers won’t have an issue up front, with the Mazda 2 offering acres of headroom.

The tall roofline also means that the windows are large, adding to the amount of light entering the cabin and aiding visibility which is particularly nice while parking.

The cabin design itself has not transformed much over time, though the layout is simple and easy on the eyes, so why change something when you’re already onto a winner in the light car segment.

Moving to comfort, our bums were pleased with the soft, welcoming seats that offered some side bolstering to hold you in place while allowing you to sink in a little bit to stay comfortable on longer trips.

Cloth upholstery is also buoyed by a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever which add a touch of class to the Mazda 2’s cabin.

There’s also a body-coloured strip of plastic that weaves its way across the dashboard from the passenger’s air vent, joined by two vertical strips that meet the centre console.

In our review vehicle with the Airstream Blue paint finish, these bright blue splashes of colour helped to give the predominantly black cabin some more character that matches what’s going on outside.

In terms of storage options, the Mazda 2 ticks some important boxes, but isn’t a segment leader.

There’s a large storage tray sitting behind the gear lever, a pair of cupholders and another split tray sitting below your elbow while in the driver’s seat, as well as door bins and a glovebox.

On the topic of elbows, the Mazda 2 doesn’t have an armrest on the inside of your seat which isn’t much of an issue on short hops around town, but left us wanting a place to hang an arm on long hauls up the highway.

Move to the rear and things get a little bit cramped, but not unreasonably so.

Any adults sitting behind a tall driver will have their knees brushing against the seat, while headroom is also more limited than the front row, but not uncomfortably so.

With a little sacrifice of the front row legroom, you can get a pair of adults in the rear of the Mazda 2 without much of an issue, though three-abreast seating for more than a whip to the shops would be pushing it.

There’s also a noticeable absence of air vents, USB charging ports or a folding armrest in the middle seat, making it a fairly no-frills experience in the second row.

Thankfully for the parents out there, the Mazda 2 does come packed with two pairs of ISOFIX anchors and three top tether mounts, while the process of installation is relatively simple thanks to wide-aperture doors. 

How Big is the Mazda 2’s Boot?

One thing to keep in mind is that the Mazda 2 Pure SP we’re reviewing here is offered solely as a hatchback.

While it looks better of the pair, in our opinion, the hatch-only offering does come with some practical sacrifices over the Mazda 2 sedan, namely the amount of boot space on offer.

The Mazda 2 Pure SP hatch has a boot measuring in at a very compact 250L, which is down from 440L in the sedan.

• Mazda 2 Hatchback Boot: 250L

• Mazda 2 Sedan Boot: 440L

This means that if you’re reliant on some cargo space in the boot, the Mazda 2 sedan remains by far your best option, with the hatch limited when it comes to boot space.

There’s also the matter of the 60:40 split rear seats folding down with a significant rise over the boot floor, which means you’ll have to slide longer items across the boot floor, lift them over the rear seats and once again.

Is the Mazda2 Pure SP Safe?

The Mazda 2 range comes pretty well equipped in terms of active safety equipment, though some key features are reserved for more premium members of the family.

As standard, the entire Mazda 2 range comes fitted with forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and rear cross-traffic alerts which make a huge difference to the daily driving experience in the urban jungle.

Base models also receive cruise control and a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors.

Unfortunately, though, features like a surround-view monitor, front parking sensors and adaptive cruise control are reserved for the range-topping GT variant.

All up, and at this end of the price spectrum, the Mazda 2 Pure SP’s safety equipment list doesn’t disappoint.

Does the Mazda 2 Pure SP Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Mazda 2 has seen its previous five-star ANCAP safety rating expire, with the current range unrated by ANCAP.

For reference, the Mazda 2’s now-expired ANCAP safety rating was awarded after it scored 36.35 out of a potential 37 when it was tested back in 2015.

What Warranty Does the Mazda 2 Come With?

Mazda offers the Mazda 2 range with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty.

Buyers also pick up five capped-price services which total $2,116 over the course of five services.

Service intervals for the Mazda 2 range stand at 12 months or 15,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Mazda 2 Pure SP Worth it?

The Mazda 2 takes the cake as one of the leading all-rounders in the small car segment, while the Pure SP throws some design tweaks in that give it some extra character, though the hatch-only variant does offer less practicality than the more capacious sedan.

While it’s showing some signs of age, it’s a difficult package to fault when you consider everything from the price, fuel economy and on-road manners that make it a great city car or first car for new drivers.

Is it worth the upgrade? Well, that’s entirely up to you, considering that styling is a subjective manner, and the entirety of upgrades the Pure SP receives are design changes that make it a funkier little package overall.

As a result, if you’re simply looking for all the virtues of the Mazda 2 platform at the best price, we’d recommend sticking to the entry-level Mazda 2 Pure and pocket the $2,000.

That said, those looking for a sportier and more charismatic-looking hatch won’t be disappointed by what’s on offer in the Pure SP, considering there are significant design changes over the base model.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can take the stress out of the buying process and help find the best possible price. 

Five Mazda 2 Pure SP Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Five capped-price services; intervals at 12-months/15,000km

3. Pure SP is hatch-only; boot space drops from 440 - 250L

4. 5.0L per 100km fuel economy figures (5.4L/100km in Mazda2 manual)

5. Expired five-star ANCAP safety rating