Mazda isn’t slow at keeping up with its rivals – for no sooner is the Mazda2 established than a facelifted version is upon us.

Generously equipped and neat in appearance, the Mazda2 (no-one ever calls it the 2!) has been freshened up to keep it competitive.

And it’s a good job, too. The B segment (the industry name for the Fiesta-Corsa segment which the Mazda2 operates in) is incredibly busy.

The Mazda2 has been very successful since it launched in 2007, thanks to a combination of keen prices and good equipment levels. There aren’t many rivals to beat it.

Tested here is the Mazda2 TS2, essentially one model up from the £9,995 entry-level model.

The entry-level Mazda2 comes with central locking, air conditioning, alarm, powered windows and mirrors plus a CD system. But the TS2 adds leather trim, alloy wheels, side and curtain airbags, extra speakers and a stability control system. Not bad for a premium of a little over £1,000.

The nine-strong line-up of three and five-door hatchbacks offers a choice of three petrol engines and one diesel, and four generous equipment levels. Responding to demand, two new models are added to the range – an automatic, with a 1.5-litre engine and four-speed transmission, and the Tamura, offering sporty looks at a high-value price.

New features appearing across the entire range give improvements to interior comfort, ride quality, handling and refinement. Outside, the upgraded Mazda2 carries forward the ‘exquisite and dynamic’ design concept while blending the brand’s ‘family face’ to harmonise the Mazda2 with the whole product line-up.

The compact hatchback Mazda2 has been a big success since it was introduced. Attractive exterior styling, an impressive chassis and a strict weight-saving programme that allowed it to reverse the industry trend, and prove lighter as well as more economical than its predecessor, have contributed to sales of more than 207,000 across Europe.

Being the recipient of the 2008 World Car of the Year award didn’t harm its credential either.

Lightness was a key element with the previous version; it weighed some 100kg less than its predecessor. That weight saving has been retained in the latest variant but the body has been stiffened, allowing Mazda’s engineers to soften the suspension slightly.

As a result, the Mazda2’s ride is impressively cosseting for a small city car. Rougher road surfaces are dealt with efficiently and the revised chassis settings prove particularly adept at absorbing the metronomic thumps of some motorway surfaces.

Crucially, stability has not been unduly affected by the suspension changes. The focus is on comfort rather than sports driving appeal, but the direct and responsive feel to the steering is backed up by an ability to change direction nimbly and strong roadholding.

As with the revisions under the skin, the exterior changes are subtle but effective. While the rear and side profile remain unchanged, the front end has been the recipient of changes to bring it in line with the updated Mazda3, Mazda5 and Mazda6 models.

It’s inside that current Mazda2 owners will notice the biggest difference, however. The revised centre console and dashboard layout now uses a piano black surround for the neat audio control layout, the instrument binnacle has been redesigned with white-on-black dials, additional silver detailing is present around air vents and ventilation controls and new soft touch materials have been introduced for areas most likely to come into contact with occupants.

The resulting interior is contemporary, comfortable and easy on the eye. The driving position is a bonus, aided by the ideal location of the gear lever and the neat and ergonomic control layout. The downside comes in the form of the extended A-pillars that, while integral to the smart design, do restrict the view into corners. Despite this, it’s an easy car to drive and live with.

For added practicality, five-door versions are available, but the three-door does an excellent job as a more affordable version of a smart city car. Naturally, access to the rear is less slick than in the five-door model and the pull-cord front seat release could be more conveniently placed than at the base but, once inside, the rear proves reasonably accommodating, as is the boot.

Despite being the second least powerful engine available in the range, the 84PS 1.3-litre petrol feels more than capable of dealing with life in and out of town.

The engine pulls well and delivers an even spread of power across the rev-band, making it undemanding to drive. It’s refined, too. A 1.5-litre petrol with 100bhp and the option of a four-speed automatic is also available, alongside a 1.6-litre diesel that boasts improvements at 94bhp and 110g/km CO2 emissions.

One of the most popular superminis across Europe, the Mazda2 should prove an even more potent competitor in the segment thanks to a series of considered changes from Mazda.

l Mazda has announced that its all-new compact crossover SUV, which is scheduled to launch in the UK in 2012, will be called the Mazda CX-5. All-new, the Mazda CX-5 is the production model derived from the Mazda MINAGI concept car, which made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year, and will also be shown at the New York International Auto Show which opens this week. The ‘CX’ in CX-5 is Mazda’s official designation for its global line-up of crossover SUV vehicles, which also includes the Mazda CX-7 and Mazda CX-9 – depending on individual markets. The CX-5 will be the compact model in the series. In production form, the Mazda CX-5 will make its debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September – before going on sale in 2012.

Mazda2 1.3 TS2 three-door:- PRICE: £11,130.

ENGINE: a 1,349cc, four-cylinder unit generating 84PS via front wheel drive.

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 106mph, 0-60mph in 13.6 seconds.

COSTS: urban (town) 44.1mpg; extra-urban (country) 65.7mpg; combined 55.4mpg.

EMISSIONS: 119g/km.

INSURANCE: Group 11.

WARRANTY: Three years, 60,000 miles.

Steve’s ratings: Performance: 2/5 Economy: 3/5 Ride/Handling: 3/5 Space/Practicality: 3/5 Equipment: 4/5 Security/Safety: 3/5 Value For Money: 4/5 OVERALL: 3/5