Category Archives: City cars

City cars, Electric/hybrid, Mazda, Motoring

2025 Mazda2 a stylish supermini with hybrid power

Leave a comment

Mazda2 Homura hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

I have mentioned having a soft spot for the Mazda2 before, following a Spanish adventure with the little car. It performed so well it saved me the embarrassment of having to be rescued after getting lost in the hills near Barcelona. Back in the early 2000s, a fellow journalist and I got hilariously lost, ending up on a dirt track.

The locals repairing the road made it plain they were amused by our predicament. After some comical detours, the Mazda2 handled the rough terrain like a champ and we finally got back on track with the help of a local police officer. Who knew it was a mountain goat in disguise?

A gap in the market

It was, and still is, a good-looking, well-built small car with tax-efficient engines – in this case, the latest hybrid combination. It’s not necessarily the cheapest, but it comes with an impressive array of standard equipment and Mazda’s rock-solid reputation for reliability. With the departure of Ford’s evergreen Fiesta, there’s all to play for in the B segment.

To emphasise the point, Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director of Mazda UK, said: “With the latest Mazda2 Hybrid we are ensuring customers in the supermini segment still have the choice of a Mazda in a sector that has seen several key models disappear in recent months.”

It’s not the cheapest supermini; the entry-level model starts at £24,580, with the range-topper at just short of £30k. However, Mazda does attract buyer loyalty and offers bulletproof reliability for peace of mind.

There are four models: the entry-level Centre-Line, Exclusive-Line, Homura, and the range-topping Homura Plus driven here. It is one of the better-looking superminis, and recent upgrades to its sculpted styling include changes to the grille, bumper, and rear tailgate. A sporty touch on this model are the black 17-inch alloy wheels and panoramic roof.

Hybrid economy

Economy is excellent, with official figures showing up to 72mpg, which I didn’t manage, achieving a still-respectable 65mpg with a fair chunk of motorway driving. The combined power output delivers 116ps through the three-cylinder engine and electric motor via a CVT automatic transmission, reaching 0-62 mph in 9.7 seconds.

Despite being a full hybrid, it can run for a decent amount of time in electric mode. Its silent, emission-free running means it can escape some congestion charges. During deceleration and under braking, kinetic energy is recovered as electrical energy for storage in the high-performance battery. The battery power level is constantly managed via an engine-driven generator, removing any need to recharge the system from an external source.

Well-equipped interior

The interior looks pretty upmarket for a small car. It features black cloth seats with red accents combined with a black gloss dash panel and contrasting red air vent surrounds. There are also black half-leather seats with red accents, a soft-touch black dash panel with red stitching, and a heated leather steering wheel with red stitching.

Central to the experience is the upgraded 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a seven-inch display for real-time information. This latest colour touch-screen display features the Mazda Connect system, which supports uprated Android Auto and now wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, as well as navigation and infotainment.

Space and comfort

Four occupants can be seated in comfort, with a fifth being a tighter fit in the middle. Headroom and legroom are reasonable and exactly what you would expect in this class. The boot space is respectable, offering 286 litres with the rear seats in place. If you fold the rear seats flat, the space expands to a generous 930 litres, making it ideal for transporting larger loads.

Packed with equipment

Maybe not the cheapest, but the models are packed with equipment. Exclusive-Line models and upwards feature auto-folding mirrors, Blind-Spot Monitoring, and front and rear parking sensors. At the top of the range, the Homura and Homura Plus grades feature a new digital instrument binnacle and black roof lining.

There’s a decent level of equipment throughout the range. This model featured an impressive array of features, including integrated navigation, panoramic glass roof, LED lights, electric windows, power steering, a head-up display, smart keyless entry, privacy glass, reversing sensors, and rain and dusk sensors.

Conclusion

Not a mountain goat, but their managing director is right, it’s a stylish, economical, reliable car that has plenty to play for in the B segment.

Factfile

  • Mazda2 Homura Plus Hybrid
  • Price: £29,720
  • Mechanical: 115PS, 1,490cc, three cyl petrol engine and electric motor driving front wheels via e-CVT transmission
  • Max speed: 109mph
  • 0-62mph: 9.7 seconds
  • Combined mpg: 67.3
  • Insurance group: 15E
  • CO2 emissions: 98g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles
City cars, Manufacturer, MG

New MG a brilliant performer

Leave a comment

MG3 Hybrid+

By Bill McCarthy

The first time I drove an MG3, it was a bit underwhelming, despite the rock bottom price. Now Chinese owned, the name MG has a proud heritage as a sporty and desirable vehicle.
The firm now produces value for money cars, which are practical and well equipped and with some industry leading offers.
The new hybrid model is an altogether different proposition from the original and, says the company, represents a landmark in MG’s powertrain development, as the first pure hybrid model to be launched. There are two models, and both are packed with kit you would expect on more expensive rivals. 
It delivers an advanced hybrid system that  includes a separate generator, allowing for multiple hybrid modes. 
Starting at  £18,495 OTR, it is available in SE or Trophy specifications and both come with the seven-year/80,000 mile warranty.
Prices are still low and you get plenty from this impressive supermini. It also looks good, with a full frame grille, sporting the larger, iconic MG badge and other neat style touches in the rear such as high-mounted tail lamps.
To be fair, it blew me away, a supermini almost defying the description, with a large interior and excellent boot space.


It delivers a unique hybrid system that  includes a separate generator, allowing for multiple hybrid modes which include:

  • EV – Running on electric-only power for as long as charge allows
  • Series – Engine runs through to the generator, which powers the electric motor for drive
  • Series and Charge – Series driving, plus topping-up the battery when under low-load
  • Drive and Charge – Engine drives the wheels, while also charging the battery through the generator
  • Parallel – Both engine and electric motor power the wheels

The hybrid 1.5 internal combustion engine and 100kW electric motor deliver an excellent drive and can pretty astonishing economy figures of nearly 70mpg reported by colleagues. I managed ‘only’ 63mpg, nearer the official figure and this was with predominantly motorway driving. Impressive or what? It is bigger than before with good interior space and an excellent stowage area.
It now features  a twin-screen cockpit with a seven-inch digital instrument screen and a 10.25-inch central infotainment system which also controls navigation and connectivity via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Other high end equipment includes air conditioning, six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth connection, four USB ports, and rear parking sensors and camera, while this range topper  add leather-style upholstery, keyless entry, heated front seats and steering wheel, and 360-degree camera. The spacious cabin offers excellent headroom, while legroom is reasonably good as well.
You will not find high quality soft touch finish, but the plastic finish is hard wearing and easy to keep clean, particularly with young children in the car. Boot space, like most hatchbacks, space can be increased by folding the rear seats. 
Despite the huge economy, it still delivers a sporty performance with good handling which came into play on twisty Devon roads.
 There are three driving modes: Eco, Standard and Sport, with the latter powering the car to 60mph in just eight seconds. The chassis and suspension has also been specifically tuned for UK roads according to MG.
However, hit a pothole or uneven surface where the car is unsettled by imperfections and can be uncomfortable until you are on a better surface.

A bigger, better, high quality little car, but still  a real snip of a price.
The new car is packed with safety kit including rear view camera and MG Pilot technology, which includes a full set of airbags, lane dpearture warning, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and traffic jam assist.

A brilliant little performer that wears the MG badge proudly.

  • Factfile
  • MG3 3 Hybrid+ Trophy
  • Price: £20,495
  • Mechanical: 143PS, 1,498cc, 4cyl petrol engine and 100kW electric motor combined, driving front wheels wheels via auto gearbox
  • Max speed: 128mph
  • 0-60mph: 8 seconds
  • Combined mpg: 64
  • Insurance group: 24
  • CO2 emissions: 100g/km (provisional)
  • Warranty: 7yrs/80,000 miles