Unhatched: Mazda2 sedan launches in China
Click above to view the Mazda2 sedan in hi-res
There are certain things we may never understand about Eastern cultures. Somewhere down on the list comes the notion that compact hatchbacks look better with diminutive trunks. Take for example this Mazda2 sedan, which the Japanese automaker has prepared especially for the Chinese market. The sedan was unveiled at the Guangzhou Auto Show, and joined the hatchback variant in China this month with prices equivalent to $12,400 for the base 86-hp 1.3 to $16,500 for the fully-loaded 104-hp 1.5.
Like the ironically-named Swift DZire launched by Maruti Suzuki in India, the four-door variant of the Mazda2, albeit considerably less gut-wrenching than the Suzuki, still leaves us scratching our heads. But apparently the Chinese market demands it. Take note, Ford: we don't. So please, if and when you decide to bring us the Mazda2, which has been such a huge success overseas, keep the trunk and give us the hatch. (Come to think of it, same goes for the Fiesta.)
Gallery: Mazda2 sedan
[Source: Winding Road]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
tio 7:41AM (4/08/2008)
whoa baby got back. *shiver*
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compy386 8:21AM (4/08/2008)
That was my exact reaction.
Iso 7:58AM (4/08/2008)
I had a dream last night that I was driving to Canada (no idea why, nothing against Canada though) and along the way I stopped at a Stuarts or something and for some reason I traded my Mazda 6 for the store owner's white Mazda 2 (beige interior.) It had 150ish miles on it but the thing was falling apart the more I drove it. Glove box wouldn't close on the damn thing either. For some reason I kept driving to Canada though...
Thank god I woke up. I was NOT happy.
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Eric Biran 8:22AM (4/08/2008)
My Magic 8-Ball says your dream means you have deep seeded concerns about rising CAFE standards. :)
Seriously though, in these pictures the 2 sedan looks pretty good. The real life ones looked pretty awful though, like the trunk was just added on as an afterthought--oh wait, it was!
Xcountryflyer 2:44PM (4/08/2008)
At least you didn't end up driving an ugly Focus in your dream. I hope they bring the Mazda 2 over here in all three renditions.
geo.stewart 8:16AM (4/08/2008)
I guess that like the Taurus eggs of yore, NO aftermarket stereos...
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SPG 10:27AM (4/08/2008)
The Taurus, Escort, and ZX2 could all get aftermarket stereos installed.
All you had to do was get a huge aftermarket chunk of plastic to replace a huge hunk of your dashboard.
Always funny to see.
PJ 8:31AM (4/08/2008)
Though some awkwardness is inevitable in a sedan this stubby, the 2 is just about the best-looking subcompact with a trunk in existence. Compared to the Versa sedan, it looks almost Italian.
The B segment is only going to grow as the economy grinds down; I wonder how far along Mazda NA is in getting the 2 Stateside.
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LBuzzer 8:24AM (4/08/2008)
I agree - keep the sedan away.
I still don't get this stereotype of hatchbacks meaning something negative as far as autodom. I'm seriously starting to think people are just that stupid...
As far as hatch-to-sedan transformations go, this one is not as bad as others I've seen (Impreza, SX4, even the current Mazda 3 to some extent), but why give up the looks and practicality of hatch for some outdated prejudice that hasn't applied since the early 90's?
Thanks for nothing, Gremlin and Pacer.
Please Mazda, bring the 2 to North America: Canada loves small cars, and the States are slowly coming 'round. The time is NOW!!
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shadysi 8:34AM (4/08/2008)
I really think it looks pretty good.....
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Tom Fjord 3:14PM (4/08/2008)
I agree. I'm a huge hatch/wagon fan - and am usually disappointed when we get stuck with the boring sedan variants in th U.S. However, this is looking kind of hot.
NOreasonY 8:39AM (4/08/2008)
i agree with PJ, as far as a B seg. sedan incarnate, this one def looks relatively nice, not odd and awkward like the Versa sedan and Yaris sedan (IMO). the rear bugs me though and made me think Lancer wit hthose tail lights...hmm
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Steve_S 8:41AM (4/08/2008)
Or they could just offer both. Sedan buyers would be happy and hatch buyers would be happy. You do know that hatchbacks sell worse than sedans in the U.S. right?
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Aetius 8:44AM (4/08/2008)
"There are certain things we may never understand about Eastern cultures. Somewhere down on the list comes the notion that compact hatchbacks look better with diminutive trunks"
You mean the same way North Americans got the Yaris/Versa Sedans and continue to prefer boring sedans over hatchbacks and wagons?
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Gregg 9:07AM (4/08/2008)
Exactly. The writer here suggesting that Eastern tastes in little sedans is questionable apparently has forgotten he lives in the USA...where trunks grafted onto former hatchback bodies rule. Where the Focus no longer even offers a hatchback.
A few hatches are beginning to reappear here (i.e., the latest Yaris), but the 4 door version is still usually a sedan rather than a 5 door hatchback. This is the land of trunks, and it is really silly. People will buy "hatchback" SUVs, CUVs, and minivans, but the car has gotta have a trunk. Inscrutable.
Alex 9:13AM (4/08/2008)
"Take note, Ford: we don't. So please, if and when you decide to bring us the Mazda2, which has been such a huge success overseas, keep the trunk and give us the hatch. (Come to think of it, same goes for the Fiesta.)"
CO-SIGN!
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NOreasonY 9:23AM (4/08/2008)
I def prefer a hatch to a sedan even up to a C seg car. Im on my second hatch (Versa) and i plan on a hatch being my next car as well (hopefully a bangin' 2010 euro-esque Foucs HATCH) I just think they look sportier and have great utility.
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Bubba Gump 9:29AM (4/08/2008)
You can keep the hatch Europe. I prefer the trunk.
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CL2 9:33AM (4/08/2008)
Amazing at the number of negative comments. Having owned and driven both hatchbacks and sedans, I see a definite market for both. And they both look good!
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D. See 9:39AM (4/08/2008)
Amen! Bring the hatches....PLEASE!
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