Mazda 2 Hybrid: Toyota Yaris reloaded

Mazda is expanding the model range of the 2 series, which still includes the Mazda2 Skyactiv G with a four-cylinder gasoline engine and receives an update for the 2022 model year, making it even more efficient. This is supplemented by an even more economical full hybrid, supplied by Toyota. Here, a 1.5-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine producing 68 kW/93 PS is combined with an electric motor producing 59 kW/80 PS. This results in a system output of 85 kW/116 PS, allowing the Mazda2 Hybrid to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds. According to Mazda, the top speed is 175 km/h. Fuel consumption in the combined WLTP cycle is only 3.8 to 4.0 liters per 100 kilometers, corresponding to CO₂ emissions of 87 to 93 g/km – in reality, you can achieve a figure with a four in front of the decimal point.

When setting off, the Mazda2 Hybrid also automatically starts in the near-silent EV mode, emitting no local CO₂, nitrogen oxides (NOx), or other pollutants. In normal driving operation, the gasoline and electric motors work together for an optimal balance between power delivery and fuel efficiency. The kinetic energy generated during braking is recovered and stored in the high-performance battery. A generator driven by the engine keeps the battery's charge level constant, making external charging neither necessary nor possible.

Despite its compact dimensions, the new Mazda2 Hybrid offers more generous space than the slightly more compact Mazda2 Skyactiv G: with a wheelbase of 2.56 meters, there is ample space in the rear, and 286 liters of trunk volume remain in the back. It offers five stars in the Euro NCAP rating. Mazda offers three equipment lines: Pure, Agile, and Select.

What does this mean?

British and American car manufacturers had rather bad experiences with badge engineering. But now, after many Japanese manufacturers approached e-mobility rather hesitantly, Toyota has to step in everywhere: with the RAV4 and Corolla at Suzuki, the bZ4X at Subaru (although Subaru was involved in its development from the beginning), and now the Toyota Yaris as a rebranded Mazda 2 Hybrid. Unfortunately, the appearance doesn't fit into Mazda's elegant lineup at all.

According to Mazda, it is the latest result of a long-standing collaboration between Mazda Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation. It is supplied as an OEM model by Toyota Motor Europe, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota. However, the Mazda2 Hybrid plays a crucial role for the Hiroshima brand in achieving the company's sustainability goals: As part of the long-term technology vision "Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030," Mazda aims to reduce its average CO₂ emissions by 50 percent by 2030. Among other things, the company aims for climate neutrality by 2050 through accelerated electrification of its product lineup.

It's a bit unfortunate that they have to rely on Toyota for this – hopefully just temporarily – as Mazda actually pursues a completely different design and propulsion philosophy than Toyota. The rising image of the elegant models is rather counteracted by the new 2 Hybrid.A purely electric Mazda 2 successor would have been the more forward-looking model here.