Mazda 2 (2015-2025) - Reliability and safety
Top-spec Mazda 2 models feature lots of safety kit, while Driver Power customer feedback is good
Just so you know, this is an older review of the 2015-2025 Mazda 2. If you are interested in information about the current Mazda 2 Hybrid, or news of upcoming Mazda models, please follow the links provided.
The Mazda 2 didn’t feature in our 2023 Driver Power survey, although the CX-5 SUV finished ninth in a 75-car list. Mazda has forged a strong reputation for building durable cars, and that’s backed up by the manufacturer’s solid seventh-place finish in the manufacturer poll.
The 2 was awarded a four-star Euro NCAP crash test score, with the testers marking it down for not having autonomous emergency braking as standard. Since being tested, Mazda has improved the 2’s level of safety kit, so all models now receive Lane-keep Assist and autonomous emergency braking, while Homura Aka models add Driver Attention Alert for monitoring fatigue, and blind spot monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, to warn you of pedestrians, cyclists and other traffic when reversing.
Warranty
Along with the majority of its rivals Mazda has yet to move with the class leaders on warranty cover, so you get a fairly average three-year/60,000-mile deal. By contrast, Kia offers seven years and 100,000 miles. You can extend your Mazda warranty, but at a cost.
Servicing
Service intervals for the Mazda 2 are 12,500 miles or annually, depending on which comes first. Mazda offers a three-year service plan for £699, which can be paid as a one-off sum, or over monthly instalments.
What do owners think
Here’s what owners in the 2024 Driver Power survey thought of the Mazda 2.
| What they like | What they don't like |
| “The brakes feel very reassuring and all-round visibility is really good, helped by the rear camera.” | “The performance is poor. It’s OK for short trips or around town, but not for motorway journeys.” |
| “It’s always started first time every time, even after not being used for a few weeks. It’s totally reliable.” | “The suspension is too firm and produces an unsettled ride on poor road surfaces. Smaller wheels might help.” |
| “The whole experience of driving this car is wonderful and that’s from someone who usually dislikes driving.” | “It’s not as robust as my previous Mazda 2. The paint isn’t tough; there are lots of chips after 12,000 miles.” |
| “Considering the car’s overall feel of quality and the standard equipment, it seems like good value.” | “Not quite as good as I’d hoped for. It’s needed some repairs under warranty, and the fuel economy is poor.” |
| “Considering the asking price, the Mazda’s interior is of a much higher quality than I’d expect.” | “Compared with its rivals, the Mazda costs more, yet you don’t get more kit or better trim, so it’s poor value.” |
| “The ride is comfortable and the steering offers a decent amount of feedback, so it’s an enjoyable car to drive. The only fly in the ointment is that the Mazda isn’t very stable in crosswinds.” | |
| “The front seats are excellent on long journeys, and the materials throughout the cabin have been chosen for their ease of cleaning – something that’s much more important than people think.” | |
| “There are lots of cubbyholes for a small car, and the boot is more than adequate for my needs most of the time. It’s easy to drop the back seat down on the rare occasions that I need more carrying capacity.” |
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