- Powertrain and performance
- Standard equipment
- Price and value proposition
- The competition
- Kia Rio
- Honda Fit
- Facts and figures:
The battle of the B-segment hatchbacks appears to heat up with each passing month as manufacturers vie for the top spot in the sales charts. Which would we choose between the Mazda2, the Kia Rio and the Honda Fit, though?
While known predominantly for its SUVs these days, Mazda is still adept at producing well-made hatchbacks, and the Mazda2 is the brand’s most attainable. The compact Mazda faces still competition from the likes of the Kia Rio and the Honda Fit so we will be comparing the Nissan with these key rivals to determine which is best.
Mazda2
Powertrain and performance
Powering the Mazda2 is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 85kW and 148Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic gearbox that sends power to the front wheels, allowing for a 0-100km/h time of 10.4 seconds and a claimed fuel consumption figure of 6.0 L/100km.
Standard equipment
The Mazda2, in Active guise, gets 15-inch alloy wheels, 6 airbags, outer rear ISOFIX child seat anchor points, airconditioning, a multifunction steering wheel, a colour screen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, multiple USB ports, front and rear electric windows, keyless start, front and rear electric windows, cruise control, traction and stability control, cloth-covered seats and cruise control.
Safety
The Mazda2 was crash tested by the Euro NCAP in 2015, achieving a 5-Star rating which has since expired.
Practicality
The Magnite boasts a 336-litre boot and an impressive 205mm of ground clearance, making it more practical than a similarly-sized hatchback.
Price and value proposition
The Mazda sits between the Honda and Kia in terms of price, and looking it as an overall package, it presents relatively good value.
The competition
Kia Rio
The Rio features a 1.4-litre naturally aspirated engine that produces 73kW and 135Nm and is also paired with a 6-speed automatic gearbox that sends power to the front wheels, allowing for a 12.9 second 0-100km/h time and a claimed fuel consumption figure of 6.2 L/100km.
The Kia is similarly specified to the Mazda, but only gets 2 airbags and no cruise control, however, its 2017 Euro NCAP safety rating was 5-Stars and is still considered valid. The Rio is again similar to the Mazda in terms of dimensions but offers a bigger boot at 325-litres. From a value perspective, the Kia is the cheapest product here, but only by a small margin, making it solid value for money.
Honda Fit
The Fit features a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 89kW and 145Nm of torque and is paired with a CVT that sends power to the front wheels. The Honda will sprint from 0-100km/h in around 10.0 seconds and will sip fuel at a claimed rate of 5.5 L/100km.
In the specification department, the Honda is nearly identical to the Mazda but loses out on keyless start. The Honda was crash-tested by Euro NCAP, where it achieved a 5-Star rating in 2020. Looking at the Fit from a value perspective, it is the most expensive, but not by much, making it relatively good from a value-for-money perspective.
Facts and figures:
* Manufacturer’s claimed figures.
Pricing was all-inclusive at the time of writing but may change without prior notice.
Verdict
Having looked at the figures, it is incredible to see how similar these products are in terms of specification and pricing, making them all solid options, however, there can only be one winner, and that is the Kia Rio which is marginally cheaper than its rivals and offers a similar aftersales package to the more expensive Honda.
Sean NurseWith a lifelong passion for cars, bikes, and motorsport, Sean knew that attaining a degree in journalism would allow him to pursue his passion, which was to be a motoring journalist. After graduating in 2012, Sean was awarded a bursary from the SAGMJ which allowed him to work for a variety of motoring publications. This was a dream come true for Sean, and after a year of gaining vital industry experience, he was hired as a motoring journalist at a local newspaper and worked his way up to editor. In 2020, Sean joined the AutoTrader team and counts himself lucky to wake up and genuinely love what he does for a living.View News & Reviews
Keyword: Mazda2 vs Kia Rio vs Honda Fit: Here's our winner