Mazda Vision X-Compact concept provides a glimpse at the next-gen Mazda 2

Mazda surprised visitors to the Japan Mobility Show with a surprise concept car called the Vision X-Compact. This supermini-sized model previews a new Mazda 2, which should arrive some time in 2026 or early 2027 with a choice of hybrid and ICE powertrains. We're still a long way off Mazda announcing prices, but the current Mazda 2 starts from around £24,000 and, through the Auto Express Buy A Car service, you can save an average of £3,500.

A petrol-powered supermini might sound a little old-fashioned by European standards, but a B-segment model is crucial for makers in many international markets, not least Mazda in the UK. This new Vision X-Compact previews what a new model might look like, with a more playful evolution of the design language seen on the larger Mazda 3. 

Up front, the nose has a revised grille, with the previous trim now forming the daytime running lights. There’s no physical mesh, and instead it has a simple body colour inside it. The headlights are openings inside the front bumper, but we expect these to be more traditional LED units in a housing for the production car. 

Where the X-Compact diverges from previous Mazda 2 models, though, is the body. This features a rounder, and more friendly look, painted in Mazda’s classic Soul Red. There’s a refreshing lack of detail on the bodywork, while the windscreen is surprisingly upright; combined with a black lower section and wheelarch surrounds, it looks more approachable than other, more aggressively styled Mazdas. 

The rear end is a total departure, with two-piece lighting that forms a small semi-circle, and a vertical stripe up towards the rear glass. The tailgate then sits proud of this in an unusual fashion, giving the rear end a unique look within the Mazda range. Once again, this will be toned down for the production car, but it is still a very interesting and distinctive feature. 

The cabin is just as dramatic, with a bold use of body colour on the doors and centre console. There’s only one digital dial behind the steering wheel for the driver, with a second, smartphone-like display mounted next to it. Curiously, the concept has a rev-counter, physical gearlever and paddle-shifters behind the steering wheel, confirming that this will be a combustion-powered model. 

The new model will use a flexible small car architecture currently being developed, underpinned by a transversely-mounted ICE engine. As is the class norm, this will power the front wheels. However, it’s still far too early to guess whether manual and automatic transmissions will be available.

The petrol engines could be Mazda’s next-generation Skyactiv-Z units, and will be available with and without hybrid assistance. Unlike the current model, which is a rebadged Toyota Yaris, the new hybrid Mazda 2 will be pure Mazda. However, while efficiency is very important, Mazda was keen to reiterate that the core of its character is offering an engaging driving experience. 

We asked Saga-San, Mazda’s managing executive officer in charge of vehicle development, design and cost innovation, whether we were looking at the next-generation Mazda 2, and he replied: “Something like that”. 

While this sounds non-committal, the ‘cross’ element of the X-Compact’s name could refer to the fact that while it will be a B-segment hatchback, it could also have a slightly higher ride height, in effect replacing both the Mazda 2 supermini and previous CX-3 in one model. Mazda has confirmed that a new small B-segment SUV for Asian markets will be introduced in the next 24 months, but this is not that car. 

Mazda won’t confirm when the newcomer will be ready for mass production, but given that the current car has been on sale since 2014 and gone through two updates, we suspect the new version won’t be far away. 

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