When a new car is launched, we're usually able to say it's a tad longer than its predecessor, or a tad wider.
Sometimes it has a bigger wheelbase, so it's more spacious than its predecessor. However, there are exceptions.
Take this Peugeot 208 for example. It's based on the relatively big 207, and compared to the previous 208, the space hasn't really been increased.
I'm behind myself here, but my knees are buried in the front seat and the headroom isn't really good either. If you add all of those...
together with the 265 litres of luggage space, and you'll come to the conclusion that this is only usable as a family car in emergencies.
This Mazda 2 has become smaller and smaller as well. The first Mazda 2 was like a Demio, a kind of small MPV.
Since then, it has become smaller and nowadays it's pretty much impossible to sit in the back as an adult.
The luggage space only consists of 250 litres, and it's even less than before the facelift. Nobody knows why that happened,
and it's less than in the Peugeot as well. So, no space wonders today, but they do have other qualities.
If we have to believe Mazda on their words, the qualities of the 2 have been improved greatly.
In true Mazda-fashion, they've given the 2 a very thorough facelift.
When we're looking at the exterior, it's mostly the same at first. However, if we look closer, the grilles has a completely different shape.
Also, this chrome strip now goes under the headlights instead of in them. The bumpers have been changed and it comes with...
LED-headlights as standard. An €1.100-option for the Peugeot.
On the inside, nothing has changed in the Mazda 2. And that's not a bad thing, because the interior still looks good.
It doesn't look aged at all, and that's quite the achievement. I mean, it's been around since 2014.
Mazda is very skilled in designing interiors, and it shows in their smallest model. It's tight, creative, and qualitatively speaking it's very good.
Ergonomically, there's nothing to complain. It's very accessible and easy to control.
It still doesn't have a digital instrument cluster, but it does have a creatively designed dial set. Depending on which trim level you have,
you get the rev counter or the speedometer in front of you. Also, another new feature which is trim-dependant, is the blue-gray leather...
of this Signature-version. That's the new top-of-the-range-model, even above the Luxury.
It creates a very good atmosphere, because the same leather is found on the dashboard. Qualitatively speaking, it feels really good.
The Signature comes with lots of other features as well. It has a head-up display, something we rarely see in this segment,
and it comes with a heated steering wheel. New for the Mazda 2. Just like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
But it's quite a weird story actually. You control it, like in every Mazda, with the turning knob. Not with a touchscreen or anything.
So connecting your phone is a tad different than normal, and it clearly shows Android Auto and Apple CarPlay aren't meant for that.
However, it does work. And if you don't use those systems, the turning knob works really well.
The system itself has remained the same. So it doesn't have the system from the Mazda 3 or CX-30, just the same.
But why change it, right? It still works properly.
The reduced space in the back is defendable, because you don't have to carry passengers. However, in the front, it's still apparent that it's...
a small car. It feels narrow, you're quite high up and the seats are pretty close together. Also, your knees are a bit pulled up.
That means I can't always place them comfortably, and those are all characteristics of small cars.
Additionally, it doesn't come with an arm rest, and that's especially annoying because the rest of the interior feels so grown-up.
When it comes to the drive, there are clear advantages and disadvantages. Let's start with the positives. The chassis and steering are still very good.
The chassis is able to process imperfections, but it's also sturdy enough to corner properly. The sensitive steering helps. It's very communicative...
and that's very pleasant. However, I can't say the same of the engine. It's still an atmospheric 1.5-litre, which is relatively big. However, we're used...
to that from Mazda. It's still a 4-cylinder as well, however it now has mild-hybrid technology. Anyway, the strongest version with 115...
horsepower isn't available anymore, so this 90 horsepower-version is the most powerful Mazda 2 available. Also, it now has a manual 6-speed,
as opposed to the 5-speed in its predecessor. All good so far, or so it seems.
An atmospheric engine tends to rev higher than turbocharged engines, and Mazda's 2.0-litre-engines are able to get away with that.
They have enough torque to counter that. This 1.5-litre however, doesn't quite deliver. You really have to rev to produce the power...
and if you encounter even the slightest of headwinds, you can't keep up with 135 km/h.
And I'm not even talking about tunnels or overpasses. You'll have to shift back pretty quickly and that's not nice. It doesn't feel very quick.
It just feels slow sometimes.
And it's not just a feeling, if we look at the numbers, we find the solution. This car doesn't only have less torque than the Peugeot,
148 Nm versus 205 Nm of torque, but it kicks in much later as well. 4.000 RPM versus the Peugeot's 1.750 RPM.
Changing gear however is still very smooth. Mazda just are the experts when it comes to gearboxes.
The strokes are short, there's lots of feedback, the lever actually feels connected to the gears, so it's great.
That the Mazda doesn't really pack a punch stands out even more when you get in this 208, because this picks up very nicely from lower revs.
It's the well-known 1.2-litre from PSA, used in lots of other cars. It produces 100 horsepower, which is more than the Mazda produces...
and it has more torque, but the difference feels bigger than it is on paper. It doesn't really matter which gear you're in, this just picks up and performs.
To be honest, you can clearly hear it's a 3-cylinder. The Mazda-engine runs a tad smoother. Despite that, I prefer this engine.
Again, I do have something to complain about the seating position in here. And you can pretty much see it coming, because I say this...
in pretty much every Peugeot-test, and this is not an exception. And it's because Peugeot has chosen to position the instrument cluster so high up...
on the dashboard. That's not a drawback for everybody, but some people just don't like it. That makes me ask myself if it was worth it.
You really have to get used to this. The small steering wheel is practically in your lap, it's just very different and not everybody will like it.
Despite all that, it's still easier to find a more comfortable seating position than in the Mazda. You get the feeling there's more space to work with.
And you do, especially in your footwell. Your knees are free. It just feels like there's more car, like it's bigger, and more comfortable.
When it comes to the springs, it's clearly aimed at comfort. However, it's still nimble. That's because of the precise steering, which remains very light...
at parking speeds. You're able to turn the wheel with your pinky finger, which is incredibly comfortable.
The Mazda scores a lot of points with its interior, but Peugeot also has a name to uphold when it comes to interiors.
And you'll see that in the 208 as well. It has a very good looking design which feels very consistent. Partly because of the high instrument cluster...
but if you look closely, it has multiple layers. 3D, and fully digital as well. It really looks good.
The big touchscreen looks very modern, and it's positioned very good. Incredibly accessible.
However, I can't say the same about the way it works. And it's the same for lots of other PSA-products, but it just doesn't work quickly enough.
Also, Peugeot still chooses to hide lots of much used functions like climate control in the touchscreen, so you'll spending too much time in the menu's.
When it comes to finishing and materials, the Peugeot has done things properly, but there's still a big difference between the two cars.
In the Mazda, everything feels incredibly solid. The quality-experience was a very big priority. Also, because it's a Mazda, it probably won't be just a feeling.
And that's not because of the way the materials feel, but because of the feeling the buttons give you, the reactions from the gearbox,
the noise the chassis makes when you drive over an imperfection... Quality-experience is just better in the Mazda.
A fun gimmick by Peugeot is this little compartment for your phone. It doesn't only wirelessly charge your phone, you can even...
place your phone on the hatch, you can look at the screen.
The phone-compartment is a small detail, but it's a clear indicator that the Peugeot 208 is five years younger than the Mazda 2.
On the other hand, because of the facelift, the Mazda 2 still doesn't feel outdated or anything.
It still impresses me with the beautiful interior and the, coming with this trim level, amount of standard equipment available.
But you'll have to pay. If you want the Mazda 2 Signature, you'll have to cough up €25.000.
However, for that money, Peugeot loves to sell you a decently equipped 208 as well. And for that, you get a car which is much more modern,
feels more spacious and most importantly: has a better drivetrain. Add all of those things up and you can probably see why I think...
the Peugeot is going to win the test in the magazine...