2012 Mazda Mazda2 in Englewood, CO - $6,988

Mazda introduced its own affordable, fun-sized creation – the Mazda2, a stylish, eco-friendly, fun-to-drive five-door hatchback back in 2011. The MAZDA2 is Zoom-Zoom in its most concentrated form - compact and efficient, yet packed with style and substance. The Mazda2’s taut wedge shape conveys athleticism, with its shortened body overhangs and trimmed corners further accentuating its slender physique. Swooping character lines that start from the front wheel arch energetically flow across the vehicle’s sides and deviously wrap around the C-pillar and through the trunk lid to complete a distinctive personality.

Available in Sport and Touring trims, Mazda2’s crisp, fresh exterior look features a body-color grille, power outside mirrors and door handles. A front roof-mounted radio antenna adds a little vibe. The Touring model offers 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels as standard over the Sport’s 15-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers. The Touring trim also adds fog lights, a rear roof spoiler, a chrome exhaust finisher and contrast red stitching to the steering wheel and seats for a sporty touch.

The 2014 Mazda2 is available in six fun-to-drive shades. Tried-and-true hues are True Red, Crystal White Pearl and Liquid Silver while new-for-2014 colors are Jet Black, Blue Reflex and Zeal Red Power for the small Mazda hatchback is generated by a 1.5L four-cylinder engine. Torque is communicated to the street through either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission.

The Madza2 uses highly regarded control hardware that consists of MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion-beam axle at the rear. The resulting dynamic performance yields consistently responsive handling and a smooth, stable ride that draws much from the legendary MX-5. In order to create more comfortable day-to-day driving, Mazda took various measures to achieve a quiet cabin environment. Mazda also improved the coefficient of drag values to achieve better aerodynamics, contributing not only to the Mazda2's quietness, but also to a more sporty ride and fuel efficiency.

The interior design theme for the MAZDA2 is "a space that communicates movement". The instrument panel helps to create a sense of space, style and substance. The controls are concentrated in the central area, and those that are frequently used by the driver are as close as possible to the driver. The instrument panel's left- and right-hand portions, where there are no controls, curve forward and away from occupants, creating an impression of airiness that stops the cabin from feeling cramped.

At the same time, the instrument panel's middle area has a substantial form that communicates a unique character. The climate-control vents and various controls possess distinctive circular details that contribute to a fresh, emotionally appealing look and feel. It emphasizes the sportiness of the Mazda2's cabin and conveys a sense of friendliness. A simple center-stack shape is complemented by a swath of piano black trim to express a distinctive personality and a sense of quality. Both audio controls and climate controls are laid out for easy legibility. Related control buttons are grouped according to function for intuitive ease of use.

Dimensions & specifications
Wheelbase: 98.0; overall length: 155.5; width: 66.7; height: 58.1
All vehicle measurements are in inches

Engine: 1.5L four-cylinder – 100 hp at 6,000 rpm and 98 lbs-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.
EPA Fuel Economy: 29 city/35 hwy. (manual); 28 city/343 hwy. (automatic)
Transmission: five-speed manual, four-speed automatic
Cargo capacity: 27.8 cubic feet

Safety features
Dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, dual side-curtain airbags, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, brake assist, electronic brake distribution, traction control, dynamic stability control, side-impact door beams, engine immobilizer, remote keyless entry, anti-theft system, and tire pressure monitors. Touring adds fog lights.
Optional safety features include: first aid kit, Garmin navigation system, Bluetooth hands free phone system, HomeLink garage door opener, and Roadside Assistance kit.

Warranty
Basic: 3-year/36,000 mile Bumper-to-bumper
Powertrain: 5-year/60,000 mile
Roadside Assistance: 3-year/36,000 mile 24-hour

Pricing
The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2014 Mazda2 five-door hatchback starts from $14,720 for the Sport manual upto $17,050 for the Touring automatic. Destination charges add $795.