The ever-popular Mazda2 has received a substantially revised new look with fresh exterior styling and new cabin trim treatment. Across the four newly named trim grades: Centre-Line, Homura, Exclusive-Line and Homura Aka – the 2023 Mazda2 features a new grille, a sleeker bumper design, decorative dash panels and two exterior colours that make their Mazda debut on the supermini: Aero Grey and Air Stream Blue.
For the 2023 Mazda2, Mazda’s designers have focused on new design features that give the different models a more distinctive appearance to allow customers the opportunity to reflect their individuality with a wider choice of colour combinations across the four model grades. The Mazda2’s personality has been redefined with Centre-Line and Exclusive-Line focusing on a fun and casual nature, while the Homura and Homura Aka have been designed to give the Mazda2 a sportier look and character.
Across all models the 2023 Mazda2’s new grille sees the signature Mazda wing surround pass beneath rather than below the number plate, leaving space to accentuate the new sportier lower bumper trim and shape. Additionally, to give a sharper look, the signature wing grille surround cuts into the leading edge of the headlight rather than passing underneath, while asymmetrically placed colour accent tabs feature on the front grille and rear bumper across all models.
The Centre-Line and Exclusive-Line have a front-end design that features a large coloured panel across the lower section of the grille, which combined with the new front bumper design and more prominent lower grille section with a gloss black signature wing surround, gives the 2023 Mazda2 an unmistakable new look. With the aim of giving customers more colour combination choices, on Soul Red Crystal, Snowflake White, Platinum Quartz, Polymetal Grey and the new Air Stream Blue the grille panel is body coloured, while on Machine Grey, Deep Crystal Blue, Ceramic Metallic and the new Aero Grey colour, the grille panel is in Jet Black to give a smart contrasting look. Jet Black cars also have a Jet Black grille panel.
All Centre-Line and Exclusive-Line cars feature a small yellow accent tab in the grille, something that’s repeated at the back where the revised rear bumper features a now full width black lower moulding with the yellow accent tab. Centre-Line cars feature 15-inch silver alloy wheels as standard, while Exclusive-Line steps up to 16-inch bright alloy wheels.
Inside, the Centre-Line and Exclusive-Line cars there’s a similar colour combination style with a new decorative dash panel that is mint coloured on Air Stream Blue and Ceramic Metallic cars for example. On Soul Red Crystal, Snowflake White, Platinum Quartz and Polymetal Grey cars the dash panel is pure white, while the remaining exterior colours get a mirror black finish.
The Homura and Homura Aka 2023 Mazda2 take a different approach and have been designed to be a more sporty interpretation of the Mazda2. Taking advantage of the Mazda2’s well-proportioned Kodo design and the new sleeker bumper design, the Homura has a black honeycomb grille with a red accent tab, matched to gloss black door mirrors, 16-inch black alloy wheels and a black shark fin roof antenna. At the back, the red accent sits on the lower right hand side of the black bumper trim strip.
At the top of the range, the Homura Aka has the same black honeycomb grille with red accent and black mirrors, but features 16-inch black and silver metallic machined alloy wheels and a gloss black roof to further enhance the sporty colour contrasting look. Black cloth seats with red accents combine with a black gloss dash panel with contrasting red air vent surrounds in the Homura cabin. The Homura Aka features black half leather seats with red accents, a soft touch black dash panel with red stitching and a heated leather steering wheel with red stitching.
As has always been the case with the Mazda2, the 2023 Mazda2 sees excellent standard specifications across the entire range. All models feature navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, cruise control, integrated Bluetooth and climate control. The 2023 Mazda2 range starts with the 75ps Centre-Line, while the Centre-Line model is also offered with the 90ps output. Homura is offered with the 90ps version, while the Exclusive-Line is also offered with the 90ps output but comes with a choice of automatic and manual transmission. The range-topping Homura Aka is offered with a choice of 90 or 115ps outputs, with the 90ps offered with both automatic and manual gearbox. With the exception of the 75ps Centre-Line, all manual versions of the Mazda2 feature Mazda’s M Hybrid mild-hybrid system and now wear the e-Skyactiv G badge.
Updates introduced to the 1.5-litre petrol engine in 2022 delivered considerable efficiency improvements and these are carried over to the 2023 Mazda2 unchanged. The compression ratio increased from 13.1 to 15.1 with the exhaust upgraded from a 4-1 to a 4-2-1 manifold. As a result CO2 emissions have dropped by 11-14g/km depending on output and transmission. As an example the 90ps Homura manual emits 107g/km compared to 120g/km of the equivalent pre-2022 model 90ps Sport.
Already a supermini well-regarded for its handling, the 2023 Mazda2’s dynamic set up has been left alone. All models in the range feature Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) – the evolved version of Mazda’s GVC system, which now uses the brakes to apply direct yaw movement control in addition to the previous system’s engine control.
Commenting on the 2023 Mazda2, Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director Mazda UK said: “the Mazda2 may be the smallest car we produce, but it has at its heart the same values of style, driver involvement and quality that mark out all our vehicles. The 2023 Mazda2 offers our customers extra individuality with more distinct model grades, increased colour choice and refreshed styling.
Adding, “and with the 2023 Mazda2 being sold alongside the Mazda2 Hybrid we are giving customers in the supermini segment the choice of two distinct models, depending on their needs”.
Priced from £17,750 the 2023 Mazda2 range goes on sale from late spring. Thanks to being sold alongside the Mazda2 Hybrid, Mazda has a pair of distinctive and premium contenders in the supermini segment, meaning Mazda offers the biggest choice in this sector of the small hatchback market.
