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Mazda 2 Sport Black review

Special edition Mazda 2 Sport Black is fun to drive and has plenty of equipment

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

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The Mazda 2 Sport Black special edition costs exactly the same as a top-spec Sport Nav model, plus you get plenty of sporty trim extensions thrown in. The sacrifice is that you have to make do with manual air-con, while the Sport Nav gets climate control, but if you like the look of the Black – and many younger drivers will – then this special edition actually represents pretty decent value for money.

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The Mazda 2 won us over earlier this year with its free-revving, naturally-aspirated petrol engine, so much so that we gave it a commendation in the 2015 Auto Express New Car Awards.

Now, Mazda has launched a Sport Black special edition, which comes complete with gloss black detailing and a raft of extra kit.

Oddly, you can’t actually order your Sport Black in black, only red or white – the name simply refers to the gloss black front and rear spoilers and unique side skirts. In addition, the Sport Black features 16-inch Gunmetal alloys and a chrome exhaust pipe.

It’s also crammed with kit, and, with the exception of climate control, comes with all of the equipment from a top-spec Sport Nav model. That means a seven-inch colour display featuring sat-nav, Bluetooth and DAB, as well as parking sensors as standard.

However, the ‘KODO’ graphics that run from the front wing to the tail-lights on the special edition will set you back another £185, while the decals at the bottom of the doors cost an additional £149. The black mirrors are extra, too, adding £59.

The Sport Black is only available with the 89bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine, but don’t let that put you off. The Mazda2 is great fun to drive, feeling nippy around town yet refined on faster A-roads.

As with all versions of the Mazda2, the ride is a little firm – especially on these 16-inch wheels – but the reward is a sporty feel that isn’t a million miles from the acclaimed MX-5 roadster.

It’s got a sweet, short-throw five-speed manual gearbox, too, along with direct steering. Only the Ford Fiesta is better on a back road, but few other rivals can match the Mazda’s playful nature.

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Deputy editor

Richard has been part of the team for over a decade. During this time he has covered a huge amount of news and reviews for Auto Express, as well as being the face of Carbuyer and DrivingElectric on Youtube. In his current role as deputy editor, he is now responsible for keeping our content flowing and managing our team of talented writers.

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