Honda City VS Mazda 2
Honda City
Likes
- Roomy enough to fit four adults
- Huge boot
- Handsome looks
Dislikes
- Underdone engine
- Average CVT performance
- Multimedia system is a disaster
Mazda 2
Likes
- Still dynamically fun
- Manual remains
- Ergonomically sensible
Dislikes
- Interior is dating
- Engine noise under load
- Pricing not quite 'first-car'
Summary
Honda City
Honda built its four-wheeled automotive empire on the back of small cars, flying in the face of 1970s convention that bigger was better. As the ubiquitous Civic grew larger and larger, a niche for a smaller car appeared, and that niche was subsequently filled by the City in sedan guise, and the Jazz hatch that sits alongside it.
The buying public, however, is simply not as interested as it once was in small hatches and sedans, and Honda, along with other importers, is feeling the pinch when it comes to slumping sales for its smaller models.
But are we all missing out on something here? After all, the Thai-built City is priced from a rock-bottom $15,990 in base manual form – which is not a lot of money for a Honda.
We’re trying the range-topping, $21,590 VTi-L to see what we may have been missing.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 1.5L |
| Fuel Type | Regular Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 5.7L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Mazda 2
The entry-point into one of Australia's most popular brands has been around for almost 10 years in its current generation, but the Mazda2 has had a refresh.
Possibly for the last time in its current lifespan, the small hatchback gets a facelift to remain appealing, Mazda hopes, to first-car-buyers.
Mazda's up against not only direct rivals, like the Suzuki Swift and Toyota Yaris, but also the shifting market.
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Mazda has sold just over 3500 Mazda2s so far this year, but almost 11,000 CX-3 small SUVs, the latter based on our friend here's platform.
It's a name with a little over two decades behind it, but can it be a first-car-favourite in an increasingly difficult small car market?
| Safety rating | — |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 1.5L |
| Fuel Type | Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 5.4L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
Honda City6.8/10
Small sedan sales are on the wane, and as a result, the cars that remain in the market often aren’t the best in a brand’s lineup.
This is the case with the Honda City. While it’s got plenty of space for passengers and it’s economical, the performance of the drivetrain in terms of composure leaves a lot to be desired.
The underdone steering, too, makes the car uncomfortable for passengers more often than not, while the buggy, hard-to-use multimedia system is unforgivable in an almost-$22,000 car.
Put it this way… the larger, newer, more refined base model Honda Civic is tantalisingly close in price to the top-spec City, and we know which side of the dealership we’d be walking towards.
Are small sedans off your shopping list, or does the Honda City still hold appeal?
Mazda 27.9/10
While Mazda's insistence that the Mazda2 is a 'first-car' could be very limited by the incomes of most teenagers or early-20s city-dwellers, the starting price being close enough to $20,000 for a dynamically enjoyable and convenient small car isn't to be scoffed at.
The new styling of the Mazda2 is well executed, and as an alternative to small SUVs (which continue to become more popular) it's a sensible option, especially considering its efficiency and ease of use.
The lower specifications in the range are probably the best in terms of value, as even the features on the higher grades aren't groundbreaking, and the Pure SP definitely exudes the most style cred.
Design
Honda City8/10
The City does a good job of disguising the fact that it’s a micro-sized sedan; at first glance, the revised front bar and grille that’s meant to mimic the one on the new Civic does such a good job that some people will need to look at the bootlid badge to find out it’s not a Civic.
A high waistline and a solid yet stylish sweep over the roof keep the City from looking overly twee, and even though the 16-inch wheels look a bit narrow, the overall impression is one of a larger car.
The interior, too, is spacious and airy, while the controls and steering wheel give the City an upmarket feel. There’s a little too much grey plastic inside, and hard plastics aren’t difficult to spot, but the City presents well, on the whole.
Mazda 2
Aside from the Pure SP, the Mazda2's styling changes are subtle. Mazda's design team aimed to move the model's looks slightly away from the previous ‘premium' chrome-adorned look to a sportier and more ‘aggressive' style.
A redesigned front bumper and mesh grille, with the rear's nip and tuck being more subtle, don't need to do much to keep the hatchback looking fresh. Despite being almost a decade old, the Mazda2 looks, to some extent, like it could be a new generation.
The Pure SP in particular is a highlight, with the blocked grille evoking some ‘electrification' vibes, while the coloured-accent treatment at the front and rear of most variants is a welcome addition for something different.
The range of differing wheels is also a plus point for the Mazda2 range, with each model having its own distinct characteristics.
Inside, the Pure SP also gets a stand-out panel across the dash in a lighter colour like mint, while others get different seat trims and colour accents in places like the vent surrounds.
New colours for the range are 'Aero Grey Metallic' and 'Air Stream Blue Metallic'.
Practicality
Honda City7/10
Up front, the City is a great fit even for taller drivers, and its height-adjustable seat also means that the, err, less vertically inclined pilot can find a comfortable position behind the tilt-and-reach adjustable wheel.
A regular gear shifter and manual handbrake means the two cupholders are squashed under the centre console, but there are bottle holders in all four doors, as well as two more cupholders in the rear centre armrest in the VTi-L.
The VTi-L also gains two extra 12-volt accessory power points in the rear to complement the USB and a third 12V point up front, while the keyless entry system is not something you’d usually find on a car at this price point.
Sadly, the City’s multimedia system lets the side down - big time. Try as we might, we couldn’t connect a phone to our tester, no matter what we did, and it’s just utterly unintuitive to use in most situations.
It’s a bit of a rude shock, actually; most manufacturers have media systems sorted, but there’s simply not a even a half-decent one in any Honda that’s currently on sale. And there's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, though you can find those mirroring systems in the larger Civic.
Rear seating has adequate headroom – just – for taller teens, and there isn’t a lot of compromise required from front seaters to comfortably accommodate four people. Five? That’s getting crowded, but it can be done.
Two ISOFIX baby seat fixtures are present, along with three top-tether mounts. Boot space measures 536 litres - which is actually 12 litres bigger than that of the new Camry - while both rear seats fold flat(ish) to increase load capacity further.
A good point; the seats can be unlatched via boot-mounted buttons. A bad point; you still have to reach in and push the seats down by hand. A space saver spare nestles under the boot floor, as well.
Mazda 2
The Mazda2's interior is mostly unchanged through the facelift, with the car's overall dimensions unchanged and not affecting space for its occupants.
Up front, the two seats are comfortable for adults and arm, shoulder, and head room is ample.
Storage space for drinks, phones, or small bags and wallets is sufficient, though not quite road-trip-worthy.
In the rear seats, adults will find enough space to be comfortable for short trips but might get a little restless after a while.
Headroom when sitting upright is tight for anyone around 182cm (six-feet) tall, and a lack of armrest and little storage save for the doors means loose items will be joining occupants on the seat or sitting on the floor.
The Mazda2 has a claimed 250 litres of luggage space in the boot, which is fine for a small hatchback, but short of rivals like the Toyota Yaris' 270L.
Price and features
Honda City6/10
The top shelf VTi-L is the best of a two-model lineup, and costs $21,590 plus on-road costs. It comes with an 88kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a continuously variable transmission driving the front wheels, as well as LED daytime lamps, a part-leather interior, push-button start and smart key, climate control air conditioning, 16-inch alloys and a 7.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system with sat nav and Bluetooth phone and audio streaming.
It also has a leather-bound steering wheel and gear shifter, and map pockets on both seat backs.
It does miss out on a lot of other stuff, though, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, automatic lights (remember when a car last beeped at you to turn off the lights? Me neither...) and automatic wipers, and it also misses out on driver aids like auto emergency braking (AEB).
It starts to look a bit dear when you look at similarly priced cars - even from the next size sector up - that do offer inclusions like AEB and automatic headlights, though the small sedan is a bit of a rarity in the Aussie market now.
Its only like-for-like rivals in the space are the Mazda2 sedan and the Hyundai Accent sedan. Other potential competitors like the Ford Fiesta sedan and, more recently, the Toyota Yaris sedan have been deleted from local line-ups after years of declining sales, while the subsequent rise of the compact SUV will continue to have an impact on the so-called 'light car' market.
Mazda 2
Mazda has managed to keep pricing for its entry model relatively low for the segment. In fact, the base Pure in manual form starts from $22,410, before on-roads, and the auto is only $2000 more.
That means at a time when the Toyota Yaris is starting to look more expensive than its historic ‘cheap and cheerful' image allows, Mazda is pushing the Mazda2 to be slightly more premium while keeping its price competitive.
Standard features for the range, which start in the Pure variant, include a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, plus auto headlights and windscreen wipers.
The Pure SP, which starts at $25,210, gains a different styling kit that adds a body-coloured front panel to the grille, plus a carbon-look roof in vinyl. It also gains the ‘shark-fin' roof aerial.
The Evolve, which starts from $25,910, gains LED DRLs, with the mesh grille replacing the SP's block colour panel.
Its upholstery gets red stitching, plus it's also got a couple more tech additions with Mazda's active head-up driver display, traffic sign recognition and satellite navigation.
Finally, there's the top-spec GT, from $27,610, which gains unique aero-inspired 16-inch alloy wheels, and a set of black leather-upholstered seats with synthetic suede and red trim.
A sedan is available in Pure or GT specification at the same prices and with the same features as the hatch, though you can't get a Pure sedan in manual - that's available in the hatch only.
Under the bonnet
Honda City5/10
The i-VTEC four-cylinder 1.5-litre single cam engine is naturally aspirated, and it makes its 88kW at a high 6600rpm, while its modest 145Nm of torque peaks at 4600rpm.
It means the CVT gearbox needs to work pretty hard to get the best from the engine, which has been superseded by a twin-cam version in other markets.
Mazda 2
Mazda's ‘SkyActiv-G' 1.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine is the unit used for six-speed manual and automatic models, but outputs vary slightly.
Manual cars produce 82kW and 144Nm, while autos deliver a slightly lower 81kW and 142Nm, both driving the front wheels only.
It's pretty much the same engine you used to find in an entry-grade MX-5, just with less power.
Efficiency
Honda City8/10
The underdone performance does offer a benefit at the petrol pump, with the City returning a claimed 5.9 litres per 100km on the combined fuel economy cycle.
A 320km test loop netted us a dash-indicated figure of 6.3 litres per 100km, which is impressively close.
The 40-litre fuel tank is happy to accept standard unleaded petrol, too.
Mazda 2
Improved fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions come thanks to the automatic's slight drop in power and torque.
Mazda claims a 5.0L/100 km rating for the automatic Mazda2, which is down by 0.3L/100km over the previous version, but the manual's unchanged engine tune burns through the petrol at 5.4L/100km.
Filling the 44-litre tank with at least 91RON or even E10 is fine, and with its auto variant's efficiency rating means the Mazda2 technically has a theoretical range of 880km.
Comparatively the Mazda2 scores well here, the more expensive Toyota Yaris comes with a 4.8L/100km consumption claim with its CVT auto. A Suzuki Swift, with a smaller 1.2-litre engine, also has a 4.8L/100km rating.
Driving
Honda City4/10
Weighing just 1100kg, you’d expect the 1.5-litre powered City to have a bit of get up and go… but unfortunately it’s already gotten up and left by the time you drive off.
The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine is a carryover unit from the previous generation, and it feels like it, too. It’s also teamed with a CVT gearbox that isn’t a patch on more up-to-date trannies from the likes of Subaru and Toyota.
On any sort of incline, the CVT ups the revs of the engine to a point between bloody annoying and mildly painful, too. The VTi can be ordered with a manual gearbox, which has to be better than the CVT in this example.
The underdamped suspension tune is adequate for light duties around town, but the electric steering feel very odd underhand, especially at the very beginning of a turn.
There’s a big initial motion at the front wheels when you start to turn which then quickly tapers off, meaning that you have to be ultra precise with your steering to prevent the City from lurching into the corner and falling over its soft suspension.
On light throttle, with no hills and few corners, though, the City is just fine…
Mazda 2
Our drive loop for the Mazda2's launch included a mix of urban, highway, and rural driving, with varying road quality and conditions.
Fortunately for the little hatchback, it handled everything well or at least at a passing mark, with only a couple of small shortcomings that are common in the segment.
The Mazda2 is a joy to drive in most circumstances, with a lively but confidence-inspiring chassis and controls that give a connected feel to the road.
At low speeds, the Mazda2's relatively low power isn't noticeable, with the gearbox getting things moving at a reasonable pace and the engine is responsive enough with the traditional gearbox helping it along.
It's worth noting that for ultimate control over the drivetrain, Mazda still offers a six-speed manual transmission in the entry-grade Pure, and it's a gem.
Smooth, sporty shifts and well thought out gear ratios mean the manual is easy to handle even in traffic, and the clutch has a forgiving bite point. The 'i-Stop' stop/start system works with the three-pedal car, too, as does cruise control.
In terms of handling and comfort, the Mazda2 is a little shaken by large bumps, though some of the rough surfaces on our test loop were particularly brutal.
Similarly, when pushed hard to conquer steep hills the 1.5-litre engine becomes a little harsh.
On twisty sections the Mazda2 (especially in manual form) provides ample fun while remaining predictable in its steering and chassis feedback, rather than feeling loose.
Safety
Honda City8/10
As mentioned, the City misses out on AEB and other driver aids, but does offer emergency brake assist and emergency flashing brake lights, as well as hill-start assist.
Full-length curtain airbags are offered along with dual front and front side 'bags, and there's a reversing camera. The City holds a maximum five-star ANCAP rating, which it has had since it was tested back in 2014.
Mazda 2
The updated Mazda2 is equipped with the brand's suite of 'i-Activsense' safety tech, which includes 'Smart City Brake Support' for operating forward and reverse, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Evolve and GT model grades are fitted with traffic sign recognition.
The GT model grade comes fitted with front parking sensors and a set of surround-view parking cameras.
The Mazda2 also features six SRS airbags to cover the driver and front passenger, side airbags, and curtain airbags front and rear. It also has ISOFIX anchor points and top tethers for child seats in the rear.
Mazda isn't going to put the Mazda2 up for a new crash test rating by ANCAP, with the brand telling us the new safety additions bring the car's safety up to date, though its original rating from 2015 was a maximum five stars.
Ownership
Honda City8/10
Honda sells the City with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, while a no-catch seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty is occasionally offered with its cars, along with premium roadside assistance for the life of the longer warranty.
Both warranties are also transferable to the next owner, should you sell your car before the warranty expires.
A fixed-price servicing regime is in place for the City, too, starting at $259 and peaking at $297. But Honda asks for the City to be serviced every six months or 10,000km, which does add to the cost of running the car.
Mazda 2
Mazda offers a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty across the range, under which the Mazda2 will be covered. That's on par for the market, although some rivals, like the MG3, come with a seven-year term.
Scheduled servicing costs for the first seven workshop visits range from $334 to $587, and are undertaken every 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first).