2010 Mazda2: Rugged country in small car that thinks big
KATHY RENWALD FOR THE TORONTO STAR
Although it’s been on sale in Europe since 2007, the compact Mazda2 won’t be sold here till next year.
WINNIPEG–We drove our Mazda2 into Red Green World somewhere near Fort Frances: The land of pickup trucks, plaid shirts and tall tales about fishing. Next to the Dodge Rams and Ford F-150s kicking up dust on gravel secondary roads, it looked like a fruit fly and attracted about as much attention.
The subcompact Mazda2 was travelling in a small caravan across the country. Although the current version of the 2 has been on sale in Europe and elsewhere since 2007, Canadians won't be able to buy it until 2010. But as a sneak preview, Mazda invited auto writers to drive the 6,100 kilometres from Halifax to Vancouver, divided into 11 legs.
I joined the caravan for the Thunder Bay to Winnipeg route. Others on the trip were already nostalgic about the sights seen and experienced – oysters in the Maritimes, the flair of Quebec City – and were looking forward to the majesty of B.C. mountains. But a plate of pickerel in Kenora is nothing to be sniffed at.
Thunder Bay was swaddled in fog when we saddled up for what would be a 10-hour drive to Winnipeg. Against the neutral curtain of grey mist, the poppy red Mazda2 glowed like a sparkler.
Our car, a four-speed automatic, was a European spec version outfitted for the Russian market. There was no stash of vodka, but there was a fur hat in the back seat. Interrogation revealed it was coonskin and belonged to my 10-hour pen pal, writer Ezra Dyer from the United States. Dyer was writing a story for a Mazda magazine, and his entourage included an art director and daredevil photographer.
A chalk line around Dyer might measure six feet, but he fit in the little Mazda2 just fine, and my personal space bubble was under no threat of being breached.
Mazda is rightly proud that its car is bucking the trend in autos and humans, and not getting bigger and fatter with each passing year. The Mazda2 coming to Canada won World Car of the Year in 2008. It's almost 100 kg lighter than the 2002 version.
The fog followed us past the coniferous landscape of Northern Ontario. At Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, we placed the Mazda2 on the edge of the 39-metre waterfall, where the frothy backdrop highlighted the car's streamlined design.
With wheels pushed out to the four corners, short overhangs front and back, and distinct angled body lines like the Nike swoosh, the Mazda2 has an animated presence.
Mushing toward Fort Frances, we had to pass many intriguing roads that might have tested the Mazda2's handling manners.
Who wouldn't want to drive down Beavertail Landing, and Pair O Dice Road and skip rocks over the abundant lakes? We couldn't peel off to check out the White Moose Golf Course or pause at the Mine Shaft Tavern.
Instead we stuck to Hwy. 11 with a fast photo stop at Northern Wilderness Outfitters where we watched a big DeHavilland Otter loaded with anglers take off with slow moving grace.
Back on the highway and chomping our way to Kenora, there was loads of time to note the big achievements of a small car.
The Mazda2 is quiet, free of vibration, rattles and buzzes, visibility is unobstructed, and generously sized windows add to the spacious feel of the interior. Though our car had a higher trim level than base, it was pretty businesslike, but well put together.
You can tell that Mazda is trying to respond to the push-pull forces of the subcompact segment. They've made a small car that feels big. They've designed a car that looks sporty, but can carry four people and groceries, a car that's fun to drive, but fuel-efficient. According to Mazda specs, the 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engine uses 5.9 L/100 km (48 m.p.g.) in combined driving.
Getting frugal fuel consumption means we have to make peace with modest power. Our Mazda2 had 102 hp to play with in the manly wilderness of Northern Ontario.
This equation came sharply into focus when passing trucks loaded with logs. Always one must ask the question, "Do I have enough time and road to pass this truck safely?" Dropping the Mazda2 from Drive to Sport helped add some urgency.
Mazda Canada is playing it cagey about which version of the Mazda2 will come to Canada. No word on price or perks.
It competes against the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Honda Fit, Chevrolet Aveo and soon-to-arrive Ford Fiesta – which is more than a kissing cousin to the Mazda2, as it shares the same platform.
I got to drive the Fiesta on a tight slalom course recently, and it handled sharply compared to the syrupy performance of the Versa and Yaris. The Fit however put up a good fight.
These subcompacts start around $13,700 and rise to $18,000 plus, so expect the Mazda2 to fall into line.
Once we put the logging trucks behind us, we relaxed, posing the Mazda2 against rock walls and the feathery profiles of fir and spruce and, finally, after hours of driving, the gathering darkness at Portage and Main in Winnipeg.
It was a good trip in a good car, with gentle scenery, woods and water everywhere, a visit to a place where you can have your lakes and your Mazda2.
Freelance writer Kathy Renwald can be reached through kathyrenwald.com
Woman's win over Honda opens door to mileage claim free-for-all
Video: Chevrolet Sonic a small car with a big car price
These four affordable, mid-size SUVs are worth a look
