2011 Mazda2 hits dealerships this July, priced from $14,730*

Mazda announced today at the 2010 New York Auto Show that the 2011 Mazda2 hits dealerships this summer priced from $14,730 (*including the $750 destination charge). The cute little hatchback will provide some serious competition for the likes of the Honda Fit, and Ford will surely see some inner-family competition against its own Fiesta, which the Mazda2 is heavily based on.

The base Mazda2 Sport model is powered by a 100-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. (Opting for the autobox adds $800 to the bottom line). The list of standard features is what we'd expect from a vehicle in this segment, and includes things like ABS, stability control, traction control, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo and 15-inch steel wheels. Upgrading to the top-trim Touring model will cost you $16,185 including destination fees, and adds alloy wheels, upgraded seat cloth, fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, a chrome exhaust tip and a rear spoiler.

We're eager to get behind the wheel of the U.S.-spec 2, and we're crossing our fingers and toes in hopes that a Mazdaspeed2 will be in the cards, too, but we're thinking that the sprightly little hatch is already toting a not-insubstantial pricetag, especially as the significantly more grown up and altogether likable 2010 Mazda3 starts at $16,045 including delivery charges.

[Source: Mazda]