2024 Mazda2 G15 GT Review

It’s no secret that many Australians love a little luxury here and there. We’re hard workers and while everybody’s definition of luxury is different, premium product sales locally prove that we generally love a leather interior and some flashy exterior bits to show off how well we’re doing to the neighbours. As such, the addition of luxury models in the new car industry is nothing new; even on smaller cars, well-loaded models are common because while some buyers want leather trim, they don’t necessarily want a larger car to go with it. Is the 2024 Mazda2 G15 GT the perfect luxury light car? Let’s find out.

We recently tested the updated Mazda2 range in different forms, including at its local launch earlier this year and came off impressed with how Mazda has mostly kept its light car – which turns 10 this year in this generation – feeling fun and fresh. There are more modern and newer rivals to consider, but the Mazda2 still holds great appeal for us. Does the updated GT hold the same appeal?

How much does the 2024 Mazda2 G15 GT cost to buy?

The 2024 Mazda2 range is priced from $22,870 plus on-road costs for the entry-level Pure manual, while the top-spec GT tested here asks $28,070 +ORC (or around $32,000 drive away, depending on location).

Mazda2 G15 GT standard equipment:

• 16-inch alloy wheels with a space saver spare
• Dusk-sensing automatic LED headlights with LED daytime running lights
• Rain-sensing automatic wipers
• Keyless entry with push button start
• Auto-folding mirrors
• Single-zone automatic climate control air-conditioning
• Leather and suede upholstery
• Height-adjustable driver’s seat
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel/gearknob/handbrake
• 7.0-inch touchscreen
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• AM/FM/DAB+ digita radio
• Bluetooth calling and audio streaming
• Satellite navigation
• Six-speaker sound system
• 2x USB-A ports
• 1x 12V socket
• Auto-dimming rear mirror
• Head-up display

Mazda2 G15 GT safety equipment:

• Six airbags
• Auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning with lane keeping assistance
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
• Low-speed rear automatic emergency braking
• Traffic sign recognition
• Auto high beam
• Front and rear parking sensors
• 360-degree camera
• Tyre pressure monitoring

Mazda2 G15 GT colour range:

• Snowflake White Pearl
• Aluminium Metallic
• Jet Black Mica
• Platinum Quartz Mica
• Aero Grey Metallic
• Air Stream Blue Metallic (on our test car)
• Machine Grey Metallic (+$595)
• Polymetal Grey Metallic (+$595)
• Soul Red Crystal Metallic (+$595)

Rivals for the 2024 Mazda2 G15 GT are becoming rarer, though there are still some around like the Suzuki Swift, Toyota Yaris and Skoda Fabia. But we consider the Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Life (priced from $29,490 plus on-road costs or currently on special for $31,990 drive away) to be the Mazda2 GT’s biggest rival. While the Polo is an entry-level model versus top-spec for the Mazda, the Polo is a lot newer and has more modern features.

Over the Mazda, the Polo adds a centre airbag, cyclist detection for the AEB system, lumbar adjustment for the front seats, a front centre arm rest, 4x USB-C charging ports (including two for the rear passengers) and a digital driver’s display. Against the Polo though, the Mazda features adaptive cruise control (which is part of a $1,700 package on the Polo), climate control, a head-up display, keyless entry and push button start, satellite navigation, leather and suede upholstery and larger wheels.

How fuel efficient is the 2024 Mazda2 G15 GT?

Under the bonnet of the 2024 Mazda2 G15 GT is the same ‘G15’ 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine as the pre-facelifted model, though it’s been retuned for the facelifted model with slightly less performance but better fuel economy. It produces 81kW of power (at 6,000rpm) and 142Nm of torque (at 3,500rpm) and is mated to a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The Polo 85TSI pumps out more power and torque (85kW and 175Nm) than the Mazda2 from its smaller – but turbocharged – three-cylinder engine, while it has one more gear at seven.

The engine in the Mazda2 is not new, having been in existence since this Mazda2’s release in 2014, but it’s still a sweet little unit that’s been refined over the years. It’s now quieter than before, and while it’s no powerhouse, it’s more than adequate for its intended use. Mazda doesn’t quote a 0-100km/h time, but it feels like it’ll hit the mark in around 10 seconds – around the same as the Polo 85TSI – which is more than quick enough for this segment of car. The newly-tuned engine for the automatic has its peak torque hitting 500rpm lower than before which makes it more driveable and more efficient, according to Mazda.

The six-speed torque converter automatic is effortless and engaging to operate. The automatic is generally pretty good and thankfully, it’s a torque converter unit – unlike the Polo and its dual-clutch transmission, which is less predictive at lower speeds. The Mazda’s shifts are smooth and intuitive, and it does a lot with the engine’s modest outputs. Activating sport mode gives sharper throttle response and makes the transmission hold gears longer for sportier driving stints.

The claimed fuel consumption for the 2024 Mazda2 G15 GT is just 5.0L/100km with CO2 emissions rated at 117g/km – the Polo is rated at 5.4L/100km and 123g/km. Our week with the Mazda2 GT – which included a mix of mostly urban driving but some motorway travelling – saw consumption of 6.0L/100km, which we thought was pretty good. The 2 can run on 91RON regular unleaded fuel – unlike the Polo, which needs premium unleaded fuel – and has a 44-litre fuel tank.

How does the 2024 Mazda2 G15 GT drive?

Mazda is a brand known for its engaging and fun to drive cars and this is no exception for the cheapest car it sells as the 2024 Mazda2 G15 GT drives quite well. The chassis could be mistaken for being one from a sportier car as it drives very well and encourages you to get the most out of the 1.5-litre engine. The steering is well weighted, precise and direct, which makes it fun to drive through the twisties – certainly more fun than the Polo 85TSI Life, though the Volkswagen is more comfortable. The ride can be a little firm, but this aids in the fun on offer and it’s definitely still comfortable.

Mazda has improved the road noise insulation a lot since the 2 was released, and the updated model is generally quiet at speed. Being a Mazda, you can also expect the active safety kit on the 2 to work flawlessly and without interruption to the driving, and it does quite well – even the lane keeping assistance is nicely subtle. We also love that most active safety items are standard across the range – even the base Pure has quite a lot of active safety kit.

How practical is the 2024 Mazda2 G15 GT?

The cabin of the 2024 Mazda2 has not changed much when compared with the pre-facelifted model – and indeed when this generation was first released in 2014 – but it remains a good quality, comfortable and well featured place to spend time. We think that while it is starting to feel a bit dated on the inside, it’s still an enjoyable and characterful cabin to spend time in. Mazda has done a reasonable job of keeping the interior feel up to date over the years, though the Polo’s cabin feels more modern with its digital driver’s display and larger touchscreen.

Material quality in the 2024 Mazda2 is reasonable for the segment, especially in this top-spec GT. There are non of the soft touch plastics that a Polo offers, though the new trim pieces like the stitched suede on the lower dashboard fascia have livened it up a bit and the usual good quality Mazda switchgear – like the lovely leather steering wheel – features prominently. We love the leather and suede upholstery too, which feels great in hand. But still, a Mazda3 this isn’t.

Storage inside the 2’s cabin is not as good as other Mazdas, but there are some good points like big cup holders, reasonable door bins, a tray underneath the centre console with two USB-A ports and a 12V socket and some other small storage trays. Annoyingly, there’s no covered storage and no centre armrest though – one is available as a dealer-fit accessory, but we think it should be standard equipment. This is an area where the Polo is much better than the Mazda2 as it features larger door pockets, larger cupholders, a central armrest, a deep tray underneath the dashboard and a larger glovebox.

What dates the 2’s cabin most, however, is the 7.0-inch touchscreen that sits in the middle of the dashboard, it has been used since this models inception. While it’s slick to operate with the wheel controller in the centre console, the screen quality isn’t great and the screen itself is small. Thankfully, it has (wired) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, as well as FM/AM/digital radio. A larger 8.0-inch screen features in some overseas markets, and we’d like to see it offered in Australia – or, better yet, Mazda’s newer Mazda Connect system that’s was recently added to the Mazda2 in Japan.

The rear seat of the 2024 Mazda2 can fit two taller adults, with reasonable headroom, though legroom is pretty tight – a Polo is certainly more practical in the rear. In terms of features, there’s one map pocket and a little storage tray for a bottle at the rear of the centre console, but that’s it – no second map pocket, cup holders, bottle holders or charging ports.

Open the light boot lid of the 2024 Mazda2 and it reveals 250-litres of storage space with the seats up, and over 800L with the seats folded – less than the Polo’s 351L/1,125L figures, but not bad. Under the boot floor is a space saver spare wheel, but that’s it for features – no dual-level boot floor, hooks or nets, unlike the Polo and its dual level floor and hooks for hanging bags off.

How much does the 2024 Mazda2 G15 GT cost to run?

All 2024 Mazda2s sold in Australia come with the brand’s five-year/unlimited km warranty that also features five years of roadside assistance. Thankfully, Mazda has lengthened the 2’s service intervals from short once-yearly/10,000km to a longer yearly/15,000km interval. The cost to service the 2024 Mazda2 Pure SP over the span of five years or 75,000km is $2,116 ($423 per service).

Volkswagen also covers its products with a five-year/unlimited km warranty in Australia, with 12 months of roadside assistance that’s extended by a further 12 months with each dealer service. Five years/75,000km of servicing the Polo 85TSI costs a huge $3,423 ($684 per service), though buyers can save some money by choosing a service pack for the same duration for $2,850 ($570 per service).

Should I buy a 2024 Mazda2 G15 GT?

Overall, it’s difficult not to see the appeal of the 2024 Mazda2 G15 GT, especially if you’re searching for luxuries like leather upholstery for a low price. The GT model adds this plus more to the Mazda2 range, and makes it feel a little luxurious. While you could choose something like a larger Kia Cerato or its Polo arch rival for the price, the Mazda2 GT still offers a lot to like, such as a comfortable and ergonomic interior, keen driving dynamics, a good aftersales package and an efficient engine.

Counting against the Mazda2 GT is that it’s not the newest or most practical product on the market, and rivals like the aforementioned Polo are more spacious and feel more modern on the inside with more up to date features. But still, the facelifted Mazda2 is a pretty good offering and while we think the lower-end models represent better value for money, the GT still holds plenty of appeal for us.

Discover more: our launch review of the 2024 Mazda2 range