When your space needs are greater than your budget allows, it may be wise to look in the Asian corner for a compact MPV that has disappeared from most people’s radar by now. Handy in the city and yet spacious enough. Reliable. High seating position. And due to the ‘unfamiliar makes unloved’ character, a favorable price/performance ratio.
With no more than €5,000 in our pocket, this week we focus on three of those models, also under the motto ‘nothing is what it seems’.
Mazda 2 1.4 Touring – 2004 – 65,656 kilometers – €4,340
That ‘nothing is what it seems’ applies to the Mazda 2. Because when we think of that car, we mainly think of a not too spacious, fun-driving hatchback from the B-segment that has populated our roads since 2007. Its identically named predecessor was however completely different: a compact MPV that, due to its angular appearance, was popular with the older part of the nation. This light blue Mazda 2 seems to have had such an owner. Despite the advanced age of the 06-PB-KN, it looks like it could pass through a ring both inside and out, partly due to the low mileage. The timing belt was replaced at 49,000 kilometers. As the successor to the Demio, the 2 didn’t really have big shoes to fill, but still manages to surprise with its fairly sporty nature. Of course, 80 hp isn’t much, but neither is the weight of just about a ton. The sturdy gear lever can be operated with relatively short throws and the steering wheel provides you with much information about the well-being of the front wheels. Nicely direct and communicative, the sportily tuned chassis further enhances the – relative – driving pleasure. However, the power source is rather noisy.
There is sufficient living space in the front, while longer legs in the back quickly become cramped. No wonder: the 2 is not even four meters long. But it is tall, so plenty of headroom, and if you fold down the rear seat, you can carry just over a cubic meter. Unfortunately, the rear seat is not slideable, something you might expect on such a four-wheeler.
With features such as electric windows all around, alloy wheels, electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, roof rails, air conditioning, and audio, this Touring is adequately equipped for a car of that age. It’s a pity that the steering wheel – which is placed in a dashboard that impresses more with its design than its material usage – is only height-adjustable.
Hyundai Matrix 1.6i StyleVersion – 2008 – 93,133 kilometers – €4,990
‘Nothing is what it seems’ also applies to the next Pininfarina design. Because with the name of this famous Italian design house, you mainly think of thoroughbred sports cars and not so much of an MPV from South Korea. The designer apparently realized this after some time as well, so that during the facelift in 2008, not only were the front and side windows tightened up, but the Pininfarina badge on the Matrix body also disappeared, because we’re talking about this Hyundai – which, by the way, has nothing to do with the sci-fi movie series. We find such a facelift model in Nijmegen. This Hyundai Matrix is somewhat more expensive than the aforementioned 2 and has been driven a bit more, but the clock still hasn’t gone all the way around. More powerfully motorized and four years younger are on the debit side of the 24-HBK-9, which has had two previous owners.
That the Matrix concept dates back to 2001 is noticeable while driving: quite a bit of wind noise and a rather raw-sounding 1.6. This detracts from the comfort, because that is the character of this mini-MPV. Bumps and potholes are neatly smoothed out and the seats sit well, although they have too short a seat cushion even for people of average height. In the back, you’ll find sufficient head and legroom for a car of this size, and the trunk capacity of 354 to a maximum of 1,284 liters is also neat, as is the 1,300 kg towing capacity on the – present – tow bar. Moreover, we do find a sliding rear seat here. Now that we’re talking about features; the model shown is the StyleVersion – at the time the top model in terms of equipment. Everything that the 2 has on board, we also find in the Matrix, plus for example climate control and rear privacy glass. The centrally placed instrument cluster is not an example of ergonomics, but the materials used are acceptable. The asking price includes a fresh MOT and maintenance including a new timing belt.
Honda Jazz 1.2i S – 2005 – 99,438 kilometers – €4,495
Finally, ‘nothing is what it seems’ also applies to the Honda Jazz, because let’s be honest: the only frivolous thing is its type name. Or it must be its appearance, because this – we can safely say – compact MPV is disguised as an ordinary hatchback. Here it’s the ‘magic seats’ that provide a lot of storage space. In fact: the Jazz is the most spacious of the three. This Honda Jazz was sold in a German-speaking country in 2005, has been driving in our country since 2016, and has had one owner here. The clock just hasn’t gone all the way around. The car is delivered including a valid MOT, service and/or warranty cost extra. Due to import, we recommend that, on the other hand, we haven’t forgotten that the Jazz received our Satisfaction Trophy for many years – the owners were and are very pleased with its reliability.
The KN-013-S is the entry-level model as the 1.2i S. Under the hood, a naturally aspirated 1.2 does duty which, compared to the 2 and the somewhat larger Matrix, delivers comparable performance but is much more economical, partly thanks to the vehicle weight of just under a ton. The power source is also smooth and quiet and forms a good pair with the somewhat high-mounted five-speed gearbox (the fuel tank is located exactly underneath it). The materials used and finish are in order, in terms of equipment the Jazz is comparable to the 2. The front seats sit well, but the headrests are insufficiently adjustable. They also sit too low on the rear seat.
The Jazz is quite stiffly sprung, without this compromising comfort. Due to this tuning and the direct steering, you as the driver are actively involved in the driving. If you appreciate something like that, then the Jazz serves you well. It can be thrown through corners with ease. In doing so, not too much noise comes from the chassis, which in turn contributes to the comfort feeling.
Which much-space-for-little-money-with-high-seating-position used car from the Far East appeals to you?
This time three compact space wagons from the Far East. The Hyundai Matrix is the largest, most richly equipped and most comfortable. The Jazz, however, is the most spacious, the most economical and is fun to steer. That last one is – surprisingly – also done by the Mazda 2, which is also blessed with the lowest mileage and is narrowly the cheapest. Which one should it be?