2024 Mazda 2 Hybrid: Japanese brand’s other light hatch gets update

Mazda recently introduced an updated version of its 2, and now the Mazda 2 Hybrid is getting a refresh.

Despite the similar name, these are two completely different-looking vehicles: the 2 is all Mazda, while the 2 Hybrid is a lightly restyled Toyota Yaris for Europe. Confusingly, the two vehicles are sold alongside each other.

For 2024, the Mazda 2 Hybrid gets a new face with a “true to Mazda” bumper and grille design, along with a lightly restyled rear headlined by a body-colour tailgate garnish.

While much of its sheetmetal is still shared with the Yaris, the front-end styling in particular arguably aligns it more closely with Mazda’s homegrown products than before.

The updated model also gains a new Glass Blue exterior finish.

With Mazda and Toyota having entered a long-term partnership in 2015, the former has been able to get its hands on the latter’s hybrid technology. Toyota is also lending its hybrid tech for use in the CX-50 crossover in China.

The only powertrain remains a 1.5-litre three-cylinder hybrid, consisting of a 68kW/120Nm Atkinson cycle petrol engine mated with a 59kW/141Nm electric motor for a total system output of 85kW. No combined torque figure is available.

A 177.6 V lithium-ion battery is situated under the rear seats.

It uses a claimed 3.8L-4.3L/100km on the WLTP combined cycle, and boasts a 0-100km/h time of 9.7 seconds.

The lineup comprises Prime-line, Centre-line, Exclusive-line, Homura and Homura Plus trim levels, with the latter offering a 10.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 10-inch colour head-up display, and a panoramic roof.

Lesser models make do with a 9.0-inch touchscreen.

Unusually, Mazda has also been on the other end of a model-sharing agreement involving the 2 nameplate.

The current-generation Mazda 2 was rebadged for use by Toyota in the North American market, varyingly known as the Scion iA, Toyota Yaris iA and Toyota Yaris, and receiving a bold new front-end design but little in the way of other changes.

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