Used Mazda 2 cars for sale

Providing a stylish and fun alternative to more conventional superminis, the Mazda2 first hit the road in 2003, replacing the Demio. Following initial success, an Mk2 edition arrived in September 2007 – a five-door hatchback with plenty of appeal.

The following year a three-door variant appeared, alongside a new diesel engine option that catered to those covering longer distances on a regular basis. In addition to the regular models, two special editions – the Tamura and Venture - were released in 2009 and 2013 respectively before Mazda launched the third-generation model in 2015.

This latest edition featured new engine choices, while the car’s suspension and steering were revised in 2017. By this point, the Mazda2 had sharp, modern styling and improved handling that made it one of the most dynamic superminis to drive.

In keeping with the auto industry’s move towards greener motoring, this compact model adopted mild hybrid technology in 2019, bringing greater efficiency. Just as with the previous generation, a host of special editions came and went, before a new trim lineup was introduced in 2021. Used Mazda2 trims include the SE L, Sport, GT Sport and GT Sport Tech, while in 2022 a self-charging hybrid was released, helping to reduce emissions. It comes with its own trim structure, including Pure, Agile and Select specifications.

As a compact supermini, the Mazda2 rivals not only the ever-popular Ford Fiesta but also from the Peugeot 208 and Toyota Yaris. It has held its own, winning the Car of the Year title at the 2015 Car Dealer Power Awards. To date, it remains an effortlessly stylish car, complete with a well-built cabin and a no-fuss feel.

Practicality and style of the car

The Mazda2 is made for urban environments, which accounts for its compact dimensions. With a turning circle of just 10.2m, it beats the Vauxhall Corsa (10.7m) and Renault Clio (10.5m) for manoeuvrability and is designed to slide in and out of tight parking spaces with ease and navigate city streets effortlessly.

Despite these modest dimensions, the Mazda2 provides ample interior space for a young family. There’s plenty of legroom for adults in the front compartment, while children can fit easily into the rear. Access is best in a five-door model, but the three-door iterations feature wide-opening doors with space for passengers to climb in and out. Meanwhile, ISOFIX anchor points enable you to transport young children securely.

With a 280-litre boot, this nippy supermini is fully capable of accommodating the weekly grocery shop, the kids’ sports gear and other everyday necessities. If you need to carry something larger, the rear seats fold to provide 960 litres of space, which is more than the Toyota Yaris. SE L trims and above have 60/40 split folding rear seats for added versatility.

Running costs

Most Mk 3 models sit in insurance groups 13–19 out of 50, with the highest spec editions straying into groups 20–22. Depending on which year your Mazda2 was made, you will pay road tax annual rates of up to £180, with some variants only incurring a £20 fee. The Mazda2 Hybrid costs £170 per year to tax.

How a used Mazda2 drives

The Mk3 Mazda2 has been around since 2015 and has, in that time, been equipped with a number of engine choices. The entry-level choice is a 1.5-litre petrol unit that produces 74bhp and is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. It would suit those who primarily drive in town, or for young drivers wanting to keep an eye on insurance premiums.

The same engine also comes with an output of 89bhp and 151Nm of torque, which provides punchier performance, taking two seconds off the 0-62mph time, bringing it down to 9.4 seconds. Thanks to mild hybrid technology, the manual option retains an impressive combined fuel economy, returning up to 63mpg. It’s also available with six-speed automatic transmission and no mild hybrid tech. The range-topping 1.5-litre option produces 113bhp and is only available as a mild hybrid with six-speed manual transmission. This can achieve 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds.

Earlier Mazda2 models are available with a 1.5-litre diesel engine, and these can still be found on the market. The unit delivers up to 83.1mpg on the combined cycle and can reach 62mph from a standstill in 10.1 seconds. The self-charging hybrid, meanwhile, arrived in 2022 and combines a 1.5-litre 92bhp petrol engine with a 23bhp electric motor to produce a total of 115bhp. With emissions of just 93g/km and a combined fuel economy of up to 60.1mpg, it’s one of the cleanest powertrains on offer.

Built to deliver a fun drive, this supermini has precise steering and minimal body roll through corners. On the open road, it cruises smoothly, maintaining composure and blocking out most wind and road noise.

Engines and official MPG

Please refer to the table below for a comprehensive list of engines and their official mpg figures.

2007 - 2015

Engine	Official NEDC MPG
1.3	54.3–56.5 mpg
1.3 Automatic	44.8 mpg
1.4	42.2 mpg
1.4 D	65.7–68.9 mpg
150%	49.6 mpg
1.5 Automatic	44.8 mpg
1.6 D	67.3 mpg

2015 - onwards

Engine	Official NEDC MPG	Official WLTP MPG
1.3	56.5 mpg	-
1.5	-	52.3 mpg
1.5 115	50.4–56.5 mpg	-
1.5 75	55.4–60.1 mpg	53.3 mpg
1.5 90	55.4–62.8 mpg	53.3 mpg
1.5 90 Automatic	52.3–58.8 mpg	47.9 mpg
1.5 D	83.1 mpg	-
1.5 MHEV	-	53.3–60.1 mpg
1.5 MHEV Automatic	-	52.3 mpg

Features you can expect in a Mazda2

When the Mk3 Mazda2 arrived, it certainly felt sportier and more purposeful than the previous generation. The front end became more sculpted and featured a bolder grille, while its contours were more defined. The most recent versions are more striking still, boasting a cleaner design and contrasting colour accents.

Interior

Inside, this compact hatchback is well built, providing an upmarket cabin that feels more luxurious than rivals like the Ford Fiesta and Mk 4 Renault Clio. It can easily seat two adults and two children, while a third can be accommodated on short trips. You’ll find useful storage spaces in the front too, with a good-size glovebox and large door pockets providing room for water bottles and other items.

Technology

The dash layout is refreshingly simple, with a 7.0-inch touchscreen providing access to infotainment and navigation, and easy-to-operate dials for the air conditioning. Meanwhile, a multi-function steering wheel enables you to switch tracks and control other functions safely. DAB radio comes as standard in later editions of the Mk3 model, as do Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – although only the former is supported wirelessly on Sport trims and up. You’ll also get cruise control and rear parking sensors as standard.

Opt for the top-spec GT Sport Tech trim and you can benefit from numerous other features, such as a blind spot monitoring system, which features a rear cross-traffic alert function. This warns you of cars crossing behind you as you’re reversing.

Safety

A 2015 test saw the Mazda2 achieve a four-star rating from the experts at Euro NCAP, with scores of 86% and 78% for adult and child occupants respectively. These top the scores of the Vauxhall Corsa in its 2014 test. Safety and driver assistance features have been enhanced since Euro NCAP’s inspection, with recent editions of the Mazda2 now including lane departure warning, lane keep assist and automatic emergency braking as standard. This latter feature helps you to avoid low-speed collisions by detecting objects in your path and applying the brakes if you fail to react in time.

Trims available on the Mazda2

The Mk3 Mazda2 was originally launched with SE as its entry-level trim, but this has since been dropped. As such, there are four trims to choose from, as well as three separate grades for the Mazda2 Hybrid. The most common trims are:

Mazda2 SE L

As the new entry-level trim, SE L includes 15-inch silver alloy wheels, LED headlights, a leather steering wheel and brown cloth seats with black inserts. Technology includes a 7.0-inch display controlled with a rotary dial, which offers access to DAB radio, navigation and smartphone integration. Rear parking sensors and cruise control are also standard on this trim.

Mazda2 Sport

The Sport trim boasts sharper styling, incorporating 16-inch alloy wheels, a gloss black radiator grille, chrome trim and privacy glass into its look. It also benefits from automatic headlights and wipers, climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and smart keyless entry.

Mazda2 GT Sport

The GT Sport provides yet more premium touches, including heated front seats, blue-grey leather trim, a heated steering wheel and a reversing camera. It also features a colour head-up display, which projects key driving data onto the windscreen so you can view it without taking your eyes off the road.

Mazda2 GT Sport Tech

At the top of the range is the GT Sport Tech, which comes with a host of additional tech features. Front parking sensors are added, as well as a 360-degree camera, while adaptive LED headlights provide better illumination at night. Safety additions include blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, smart city brake support, and driver attention alert, which advises you to take a break if signs of fatigue are detected.

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