Say hello to the all-new Mazda2. It’s the Japanese manufacturer’s latest interpretation of its SKYACTIV technology and KODO – Soul of Motion design.

What that translates into is the chiselled look that it now shares with the rest of the range, slicker, more agile handling and new cleaner, more efficient engines.

Mazda are producing some of the best-looking cars in their respective classes at the moment and the Mazda2 is no exception. It very much resembles a shrunken 3 – the car, not the number – with the now familiar trapezoidal grille with, in Mazda’s words ‘a sculpted three dimensional effect as the chromed wings pass through the headlamps on a contour that continues down the side of the body’.

If you look beyond the marketing guff, literally, you’ll find a coherent, handsome and well-proportioned supermini which, compared to the model it replaces, features an increased wheelbase to free up more interior space and shorter overhangs.

The rear end is perhaps the weak link, appearing a little on the bulbous side, but the overall package should carry appeal across the age groups, with some fresh, youthful touches, bold creases and curves complemented by a real sense of quality and familiarity.

The flowing design continues inside, where high grade materials and robust build quality have helped move the 2 upmarket. There are genuine attempts to create a sense of style, such as the trio of circular air vents. The fourth has been camouflaged so that it blends in with the facia. It’s clever but, in my opinion, unnecessary.

The large, central speedometer is flanked by digital displays for the rev counter and trip computer and replicates the design flourishes of the exterior . Equipment levels are generous and, on the SE-L Nav version that I drove, included sat nav with a seven-inch touchscreen, leather steering wheel and gear knob, cruise control with speed limiter, lane departure warning and Bluetooth hands free calling and audio streaming.

The seats are soft but supportive, although the side bolsters could be a little firmer. The driving position is good thanks to the steering wheel which adjusts for reach and rake. There’s ample head and legroom for front seat passengers and, despite its supermini dimensions, those in the rear are reasonably well catered for thanks to the extra length in the wheelbase. Don’t get carried away, however, a couple of six-footers riding in tandem would be a bit of a squeeze but there is, just about, room for five adults. All-round visibility is excellent.

There are two engines available, diesel or petrol, and both displace 1.5-litres. The diesel is available with 89bhp, while the petrol version comes in 113bhp, 89bhp and 74bhp outputs.

The 89bhp petrol engine in my test car proved responsive and free-revving. It can sound a bit coarse, but is at its most rewarding when driven hard. At cruising speeds it’s quiet and refined and, combined with excellent wind and road noise suppression, makes the cabin a tranquil place to spend longer journeys.

The steering could do with a little more weight but it’s direct and communicative allowing you to confidently string a series of bends together. There’s ample grip on turn-in and the Mazda 2 will hold its line well through the corner.

There was a fair bit of unwelcome vibration through the steering wheel as speeds crept over the legal limit for Britain’s motorways, something that I do only briefly and purely for the purposes of carrying out a fair and thorough review, you understand.

The ride is on the firm side, but that’s the trade-off for the 2's slightly sporty ambitions. It means that potholes can make a bit of an impression on occupants but the 2 remains supple and comfortable enough to spend a few hours in.

The boot is deep, creating a high lip, which means lifting heavier items in and out could be a bit of a struggle. There’s room for 280 litres of your luggage with the rear seats in place or 960 litres with them folded down. However, when the rear seats are stowed away it doesn’t leave a perfectly flat floor, which is not ideal.

The new Mazda 2 is a significant upgrade from the model it replaces. It’s better looking, nimble and sporty with a stylish interior. The engine can be a little coarse when worked hard, which is a real shame because that’s when you’ll have the most fun, and the steering, though direct with plenty of feel, is a little on the light side. It’s also well equipped, great value and well built.

It’s up against some tough rivals, including the UK’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, so it’s got its work cut out. Fortunately Mazda have created a car that’s capable of taking the fight to the opposition. It might not win every round, but it’ll certainly last the distance.

Mazda2 1.5 90ps SE-L Nav

Price: £14,340

As tested: £14,990

Engine: 1.5-litre petrol

Power: 89bhp

Torque: 109lbft @4,000rpm

Acceleration (0-62mph): 9.4sec

Maximum speed: 114mph

Combined: 62.8mpg

Emissions(CO2): 105g/km

For more information about Mazda cars visit www.mazda.co.uk.