The updated Mazda 2 city car range has launched, bringing with it more safety equipment, claimed dynamic improvements and a new range-topping GT variant to battle the Euros. The mid-life upgrade to one of Australia’s top-selling light cars arrives as sales in this part of the market continue to struggle, despite fuel prices and ever-increasing urbanisation.

Mazda’s smallest car is now available in four grades, with the flagship GT joining the existing Genki, Maxx and Neo, and remains available in four body styles, with 74 per cent of sales expected to go to the hatch.


Key features added across the range include autonomous emergency braking (called Smart City Brake Support) that works below 30 km/h. The only rival with standard AEB is the Skoda Fabia, while the Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo offer it as an option.

The revised Mazda also picks up Mazda’s G-Vectoring system that adjusts torque delivery to the front wheels, transferring weight and enhancing turn-in, and tweaked dampers, bushing to soften the ride. Extra insulation also brings claimed improvements to engine/tyre noise suppression.


Further updates include new wheel colours, Deep Crimson Mica exterior paint, a sleeker steering wheel design, and an updated colour flip-up heads-up display that’s said to be more legible. Unfortunately, the Neo still doesn’t get a standard reversing camera.

Paint colours include Soul Red (an extra AUD 300), or free Snowflake White, Deep Crimson, Meteor Grey, Dynamic Blue, Aluminium Metallic, Eternal Blue and Jet Black. The Mazda 2 comes with a three-year unlimited kilometre warranty, with roadside assist available for AUD 68.10 per year.

2017 Mazda 2 pricing (add AUD 2000 for drive-away price)
  •          Neo hatch manual — AUD 14,990
  •          Neo hatch auto — AUD 16,990
  •          Maxx hatch manual — AUD 17,690
  •          Maxx hatch auto — AUD 19,690
  •          Genki hatch manual — AUD 20,690
  •          Genki hatch auto — AUD 23,680
  •          GT hatch manual — AUD 21,680
  •          GT hatch auto — AUD 23,680
  •          Neo sedan manual — AUD 14,990
  •          Neo sedan auto — AUD 16,990
  •          Maxx sedan manual — AUD 17,690
  •          Maxx sedan auto — AUD 19,690
  •          GT sedan manual — AUD 21,680
  •          GT sedan auto — AUD 23,680