2023 Mazda 2 facelift unveiled, due in Australia this year

An updated 2023 Mazda 2 city car has been revealed, ahead of first Australian showroom arrivals due this July.

The 2023 update represents the second facelift for the Mazda 2 since the current-generation model arrived in Mazda showrooms nine years ago, in 2014 – with the last update arriving in 2020 – and adds revised interior and exterior styling.

It remains to be seen if prices rise for the updated model. The current Mazda 2 range costs from $21,510 to $26,610 plus on-road costs.

Reports out of Japan over the past two years have claimed an all-new Mazda 2 – using a frugal three-cylinder engine and a new chassis – was due in overseas showrooms in 2022 or 2023.

However, the second facelift for the current model – which opens for orders in Australia in June 2023, ahead of first deliveries in July – indicates a brand-new model for Australia and Japan remains a while off, if one is in development.

The 2023 update introduces a new front fascia across the range, with a slimmer grille housing a black mesh or body-coloured insert, larger Mazda emblem, and restyled lower bumper with a larger air intake.

There is also a new rear bumper on all hatchback models and the flagship GT sedan, an "asymmetrically placed colour accent" on the front grille and rear bumper of the hatch (in yellow or red, depending on model), and two new colours, Aero Grey Metallic and Airstream Blue Metallic.

Pure and Pure SP models are available with "three coloured dash trim pieces finished in Pure White, Mirror Black or Mint" depending on the exterior colour, Mazda says, while the Pure SP version also gains a black roof panel.

The Evolve and GT model grades add a black interior with red stitching and air vent surrounds, with the GT also introducing partial leather seats, a red and black dashboard, a new alloy wheel design, and polished exhaust tips.

All models except the entry-level Pure variant also feature a shark-fin-type aerial, according to Mazda.

No other changes are listed to technology or engines for this update, meaning the Mazda 2 will continue with a 1.5-litre petrol engine across the range – and will be one of the last new Mazdas to retain the company's older 'MZD Connect' multimedia software, on a 7.0-inch screen.

The model grade structure appears to be unchanged, with Pure, Pure SP, Evolve and GT hatchbacks, plus a sedan in GT, and likely Pure guises. It is unclear if the entry-level manual transmission will continue into the updated line-up.

The 2023 Mazda 2 city car range is due in Australian showrooms in July.