Verdict
B
Supermini · Japan · 2002-Present
Mazda2
Mazda2 — spec data and generation history.
Years
2002-Present
Generations
3
Segment
Supermini
Mazda's supermini - DY (2002-2007) was a Mazda-styled Ford Fiesta Mk5 underneath, DE (2007-2014) on the Ford B3 platform was the proper standalone car (Car of the Year 2008). DJ (2014-Present) on Skyactiv platform with 1.5 Skyactiv-G petrol. The DJ has been on sale a decade in 2024 with mid-life facelifts (DJ5 mild-hybrid 2020). UK gets petrol only - 1.5 Skyactiv-G with 75/90/115 bhp variants. Mazda also rebadged the Toyota Yaris as the Mazda 2 Hybrid from 2022 in Europe (twin-badged but identical to a Yaris)- a curious arrangement. The DJ is the standalone Mazda 2; the Hybrid is a Yaris in different clothing.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
DY 2002-2007 → DE 2007-2014
BHP +10 bhp
MPG +8 mpg
0-60 mph -1.0 s
DE 2007-2014 → DJ 2014-Present
BHP +15 bhp
MPG +10 mpg
Cabin tech Step-change
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
2002-2007
DY
→
1.4 - 80 bhp, 0-62 in 13.0s.
Verdict
C
BHP
80
0–60
13.0 s
Top
105 mph
MPG
33 mpg
Used
$600-$2,500
- + Tall MPV-ish supermini stance
- + Ford Fiesta Mk5 underneath
- − Slow
- − Cabin grey
2007-2014
DE
→
1.5 - 102 bhp, 0-62 in 9.9s.
Verdict
B
BHP
102
0–60
9.9 s
Top
116 mph
MPG
42 mpg
Used
$1,900-$6,400
- + Car of the Year 2008
- + Lighter than rivals (965 kg)
- − Cabin plastics still cheap
- − 1.6 diesel rare
2014-Present
DJ
→
1.5 Skyactiv-G - 115 bhp, 0-62 in 8.7s.
Verdict
B
BHP
115
0–60
8.7 s
Top
124 mph
MPG
47 mpg
Used
$6,400-$23,000
- + Skyactiv-G 1.5 the high-comp NA petrol that works
- + 2020 facelift added 24V mild-hybrid
- − Boot smaller than VW Polo / Fiesta
- − On sale a decade with no full overhaul
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
2002-2007 - DY
- Coil packs
- Catalytic converter wear
- Rust on rear arches (Ford-shared)
2007-2014 - DE
- Suspension top mounts
- Clutch master cylinder
- 1.6 diesel injectors (rare)
2014-Present - DJ
- Skyactiv 1.5 timing chain stretch (early)
- Auto stop-start battery weak
- Infotainment lag pre-2020 facelift
Rivals
Ford Fiesta · Volkswagen Polo · Toyota Yaris · Renault Clio