The one pre-requisite was for a car with a reasonably wide hatch opening at bumper level, as my partner has to carry a folding therapy table at times. The first generation Mazda 2 we had was brilliant for this - very square tailgate, very low sill height and flat floor with the seats folded.

The Fiesta and current Mazda 2, although very good drivers cars, had issues for us with the hatch opening - with the Mazda we would have had to lift the table almost to parcel shelf height to slot the table into the boot (with similar problems getting the table out). I also don't rate the warranty on Fords.

The Suzuki Splash would have been better for us than the Swift, due to the flat floor when the rear seats are folded, but both suffer from relatively poor boot space with the rear seats upright - both around 178 litres (our Mazda had 268 litres).

We looked at the Yaris (our main car is a 59 Auris), but felt it was too expensive - list price £12,700 for the 1.0 litre TR (which is the lowest trim level with air con), and there are limited discounts available.. Could have got another new Auris for £1,000 less.

The cheapest Honda Jazz with air con was over £13,000.

Did look briefly at the Skoda Fabia 1.4 MPI SE and the Ibiza, but again the warranty is the weak point with VAG. Discounted the Polo/Fabia/Ibiza after our next door neighbour had to have a new engine in his 59 reg Polo 1.2 - needed a new cylinder head after 15,000 miles (under warranty), which the dealer said is a common problem with the 3 cylinder engines. In the end he had a complete new engine after the dealer stripped one of the threads in the block whilst replacing the cylinder head.

Have driven the Corsa as hire cars - never liked these. Not struck on Peugeot 207 or Citroen C3.

The Nissan Note - poor safety kit on the Visia, no seat height adjust, manual mirrors, and seats don't fold flat. Nissan Micra Visia - no split rear seat, and dubious interior build quality.

Test drove the Hyundai i20 and the Kia Rio. Was aware of the mild i20 facelift due 7th May. The 1.25 Rio we drove had an obstructive gearchange and poor rear visibility. With the i20, you wouldn't have known it was the same engine/gearbox as the Rio - light positive gearchange.

Both of us preferred the i20. Bigger boot than our Mazda (295 litres) with a flat'ish floor, and good rear visibility. Good equipment levels - six airbags, electric/heated/folding mirrors, air con, bluetooth, iPod and aux/usb connection, etc.

So we went for the i20 Comfort 5 door - £10,700 otr including extras (rear parking sensors, body mouldings, mats, mudflaps, etc).

Up North I see a lot more Mazda's compared to down south - including mazda 2's

Mazda's are not 'cool' though because they are not 'prestigious'. It's the same with most brands

Firstly, just to clear up the airbag issue. The TS2 has front, side and curtain airbags as standard.

I am on my second Mazda 2 and one of the main reasons for choosing them is their relative rarity compared to the obvious competition. The other was the looks. Yes, the ride can be a bit harsh, better on the facelift. However, I do a lot of miles in mine and don't find it a major problem and for me it is a comfortable car to drive. I quite like a stiff ride anyway so its a personal thing I suppose. I have a 1.3 Takuya which is pretty well equipped and averages around 50mpg in mixed driving. You have to do a bit more gear twiddling than on a bigger engined car but if you want more performance, you buy something else.

The dealers have been extremely good and I have absolutely no complaints there. Its not a product of our German friends which maybe a drawback for some but is a bonus for me. If you want something a bit more chic and individualistic than the usual offerings, have a look at the 2. As Which magazine said, the 2 is a well kept secret.

coincidentally we've just picked up our 60plate Mazda 2 sport today and already think it's brilliant, we previously owned a Suzuki Swift Sport & main car is a MK5 Golf GTI.

Having driven pretty much most of the competitors...Clio,Polo, Fiesta, Corsa, Ibiza, 207...what I'd say is that the Mazda is what I'd call a "drivers car". It does have slightly firmer suspension than the rest, although nothing compared to the Swift sport, but for us at least the benefits of this are more than worthwhile...handling, driver involvement and ultimately the "fun factor" far surpasses the competitors which to us just feel a little numb in comparison.

It is very much about what you like from your car - the Mazda is one of the very few available now which still has the "fun factor".

Simon