If you compare with the older Mazda 2, the new one isn't based on the Ford Fiesta. It isn't all cute and cuddly anymore and is not all spare and very no-frills looking like the previous generation. What you get is basically a miniaturized Mazda 3 (or if you want to go all the way, the Mazda 6) in terms of external looks.

The exterior gets Mazda's Kodo design philosophy which means, as I mentioned, looks like the good looking Mazda 3 or 6 and eschews traditional small hatchback principles in some ways. Most superminis have a certain single box type styling but you see a clear two box style in the Mazda 2's design. I have to say that it looks unique with the A pillars set way back. Quite like how a larger sized car is styled. It works. Even if the tyres look slightly small from some angles.

The interior is where things get better. Interior space has certainly grown (as has overall size but not weight – thanks to the use of lighter but stronger high tensile steel). The rear seats in both the sedan and hatchback have a decent enough space if you compare with the previous version. The doors may open wide but getting in takes a little wriggling as the opening is small. It will not beat the Perodua Myvi in terms of rear legroom and space but you are quite comfortable with two abreast. I like how Mazda puts styling slightly ahead of ultimate space and legroom at the rear. I suppose in some ways, Mazda is telling us that this car is a small, fun, quality runabout. If you want more space, buy something else. Buy the Myvi if you want space over anything else as honestly, its the cheapest and most spacious bar the Honda Jazz. But if you want some style in your life, the Mazda 2 has it in spades.

Why so? Well, the interior quality is quite amazing for a supermini (B segment car). As stated, the old one has this no frills approach to getting things done. This new one is stylish. There is a very driver-centric dashboard that is well screwed and uses quality materials - still hard plastics but this is a supermini that isn't sold at RM150,000. Whaddya expect? There is a single large round rev-counter flanked by two curved on top rectangles. These are for temperature, fuel gauge and other readouts but the speedometer sits on top of the dashboard; a heads up display. A pretty nifty gimmick that a lot will like.

There are three round air vents, two are to the left and right of the driver and one at the end of the passenger side. The center vent for the passenger is part of the decorative chrome strip that divides the dashboard. There is also a strip or swathe or real leather with red stitching on the dashboard. Same real leather and red stitching goes to the seats too. This is so premium a touch unlike the other giant of a Japanese car company that loves molding plastic with fake stitching. In short, the cabin made me feel like I was in a small luxury supermini, much like sitting in an Audi A1 in some ways. Of course, you can break the illusion by tapping on the hard plastic parts in the car.

As for the internals, Mazda's Skyactiv touches are of course there. The 1.5liter 4 cylinder engine takes normally aspirated tuning to another level compared to what is offered in the supermini segment here in Malaysia. You get a direct injection engine where others offer variable valve timing. 114Hp and 148Nm torque. Both figures are easily a good 5hp and 5nm better than most cars in its class. The Mazda 2 also gets a 6 speed torque convertor based transmission unit which I consider as being so much more robust than any dual clutch or CVT unit out there in its class today.

I had a short drive in the hatchback the other day and it is promising. The driving position is good with good seats too. The performance of the 1.5liter is decent but you would need to rev it above 2,500rpm before things get interesting. 3,000 onwards for real progress. There is a cammy feel at this point where suddenly the engine comes alive and progress gets going. The gearbox shifts smoothly and seemlessly. Not as rapid as a dual clutch unit but it actually suits the overall feel of the car.

The overall feel of this Mazda 2 isn't sporty. It feels quite grown up. Much like the Volkswagen Polo 1.6 hatchback I drove earlier. In fact, you could say that this was the benchmark that Mazda used to make the 2. The feel and weighting of the steering (although a bit too light at parking speeds), controls and how the car turns in feels pretty similar. This makes this car an overall smooth performer. It feels planted and secure even on its very narrow 185/60/16 tyres (which I believe also contributes to a very quiet and refined interior for a supermini). Very continental if one might add. If you want more handling thrills, may I suggest a Ford Fiesta or a Suzy Swift? But I could see myself driving this down to Penang or Singapore and not feeling that fatigued. It is quite sorted in my books.

I suppose this is because of Mazda's attention to detail. You may think that SkyActiv is just some marketing term used by them but they really do iron out most of the details and fine tune the whole car more than what some other Japanese and Koreans do. It just looks stylish even with its narrow wheels (the sedan less so as it feels compromised in terms of styling – not enough length at for the boot to look proportioned . It has an interior which is very Japanese but looks and feels (decently for its class) well except for some rear legroom (which still is better than previously). It's drive train could be the smoothest in its class due to that conventional 6 speed automatic and a smooth direct injection engine that has over 110horses and ample torque for a normally aspirated 1.5liter.