I’ve always had a soft spot for Mazda – Japan’s fifth-ranked car manufacturer.

I tested the company’s rotary RX-7 sports car some years ago. And apart from its gas-guzzling engine it was a very competent sports tourer.

Even better, of course, is the superb MX5, justifiably replacing the MGB as the sensible choice in sports cars.
Recently the company provided me with the compact Mazda2 and the outstanding Mazda6.

The Mazda2 is in there hustling with the Honda Jazz, Citroen’s cute C3, economical Hyundai Getz, Daewoo Kalos and Ford, which is likely to enter the arena with the British Fiesta.

The competition is tough, but the Mazda2 is likely to come out of the slug fest with an enhanced reputation.

The Mazda2 had a quality feel about it which I really like. I loved the sound system which was very easy to operate compared with the often dreadful micro controls on the Korean competition.

Interestingly women represent 60 per cent of buyers. This also means that Mazda has managed to combine a functional cockpit that is also visually appealing.

It is one of those cars where you feel immediately at home. The cabin height is more than ample and gives the car a light and airy feel.

The driving position is superb and all the controls fall readily to hand. The test car was equipped with a four- speed automatic. I would have preferred the five-speed manual but the perky 1.5-litre, variable valve timing engine punching out 84 kW. ensured performance was sprightly.

Even though it has a fairly high compression ratio the four-cylinder engine only requires normal unleaded.

And according to Mazda the engine is more economical than the Mazda2’s predecessor, the Metro.

For the auto, expect consumption of around 8 litres/100km and on the highway 5.5 lites/100km– in other words not bad!

Even with the aircon on, and four pax on board, the Mazda2 still puts up a sterling performance, albeit a little buzzy when the auto grabs a lower gear up steep inclines.

There are three models in the range – the entry Neo, mid-range Maxx – likely to be the most popular, and the top of the range Genki.

The manual Neo starts at $17,790 (aircon/ CD player and central locking standard-auto is an extra $1750); the Maxx at $20,570 (six stack CD player, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, central stereo controls and rear roof spoiler).

Top of the range Genki ($22,195) has a few more bells and whistles but, importantly, ABS brakes.

I was also very impressed with the ease with which the split rear seats could be dropped using spring-loaded latches.
I easily fitted two golf bags and buggies but I didn’t try the claimed space for two push bikes.

Much of the test was in the city and this is where the Mazda2 scores highly.

It was so easy to manoeuvre in traffic and park in spaces which would have been impossible in my Camry.

More importantly, the Mazda2 has a great sense of balance and communicates easily with the driver through the nimble steering. It really is one of the best small cars I have driven.

Test car from Mazda Australia.