2020 Mazda 2 Hatchback 1.5L Soul Red Crystal Review

The B-segment hatchback market in Malaysia has always been a competitive arena for family and young consumers, demanding a balance of practicality and appeal. The 2020 Mazda 2 Hatchback 1.5L Soul Red Crystal version we tested stands out in its class with its unique Soul Red Crystal paint and standard active safety features. Our goal is simple: to see if it can balance driving pleasure and practicality in daily use, and if it is worth the price point.

The most striking aspect of the exterior is the Soul Red Crystal paint, which shows a pronounced layering effect under sunlight, offering a more premium feel than regular red shades. The overall design follows Mazda's signature KODO design language, with a shield-shaped front grille featuring chrome trim, naturally connecting with halogen headlights (with LED daytime running lights) on both sides, providing high recognizability. The body side has sleek lines, with a waistline extending from the front fender to the taillights, making the car look longer. The 16-inch tires are paired with five-spoke wheels, creating a balanced proportion. The rear design is compact, with LED taillights featuring clear internal structures that enhance recognizability when lit. A black plastic trim below the rear bumper adds a touch of sportiness.

Sitting inside, the interior adopts a simple design, with the center console tilted toward the driver for convenient operation. In terms of material, soft-touch materials are used on the door panels and the top of the dashboard, which prevents it from feeling cheap. The 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display is positioned high to reduce the need to take your eyes off the road while driving, and supports basic multimedia functions with smooth smartphone connectivity. In terms of features, the head-up display (HUD) is a highlight, showing speed and navigation information without needing to look down at the instrument cluster. Push-start and keyless entry are standard, adding convenience for daily use. The front seats are manually adjustable but offer good support, staying comfortable over long durations. The rear space is decent; a passenger of 175cm would have about a fist of legroom with just enough headroom, not too cramped. The rear seats can fold down in a 60:40 split, increasing the boot space from 220L to a larger capacity, making it easy to fit a stroller or luggage. Storage space is also sufficient, with door pockets accommodating two bottles, and reasonable capacity in the center armrest box and glove compartment. There’s also a 220V power outlet at the front, which is convenient for charging electronic devices.

Under the hood is a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine offering 116PS of power, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The power response is prompt during takeoff, with light throttle touches initiating movement, making it agile for city driving. Acceleration is smooth, and the gear shifts are logical and clear. Deep throttle application results in quick downshifts, making overtaking swift and effortless. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 10 seconds, which is not outstanding in its class but adequate for daily use. There are Normal and Sport driving modes available; in Sport mode, the throttle response becomes more sensitive, ideal for occasional spirited driving.

In terms of handling, the steering feels precise with minimal play, and you can clearly feel road feedback during cornering. The suspension features MacPherson struts at the front and is tuned for a sporty ride, yet it absorbs most shocks over speed bumps or uneven roads, maintaining a good balance of comfort. Noise control within city speeds is good, with engine noise being almost inaudible below 60km/h. On the highway, wind and road noise become more noticeable but remain within acceptable levels. As for fuel consumption, we tested the car with a mix of city and highway driving, achieving an actual average fuel consumption of about 5.8L/100km, closely matching the official figure of 5.3L/100km. The fuel economy performance is commendable.

The active safety configuration is a bonus for this car, featuring standard equipment such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, vehicle stability control, and front and rear parking sensors and cameras, making parking and daily driving safer. However, there are only two airbags, which is fewer than some competitors, which is a bit unfortunate.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2020 Mazda 2 Hatchback 1.5L Soul Red Crystal are very clear: the iconic Soul Red paint has high visual appeal, it offers agile handling and driving fun, practical standard active safety features, and fuel efficiency. Compared with competitors in the same class, such as the Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris, its handling and safety features stand out, but its rear space and number of airbags are slightly lacking.

This car is suitable for two types of people: first, young individuals who value driving experience and appearance—a car that can meet daily commuting needs as well as weekend trips; second, families with a budget of around 100,000 RMB, as its practicality and fuel economy can handle daily family needs. If you are looking for a fun-to-drive, safe, and stylish hatchback, the Mazda 2 is worth considering.