based on my Google research and personal experiment, the HOLD button will force to lower 1 level of the max gear position.

Example, in normal condition,
We can go up to 4th gear @ D, 3rd gear @ S & 2nd Gear @ L

if we pressed Hold, the max gear position will be
3rd gear @ D, 2nd gear @ S & 1st Gear @ L

In normal driving situation, the gear position will auto go one level down if we press the accelerator harder for acceleration, but the gear position will come back to the original position if we loosen the accelerator, if we need more power to acceleration again, we need to repeat the same action, but the gear positioning switching impact is very uncomfortable.

When we use the hold button, the gear will not back to the highest gear position even we loosen the accelerator. This will be more comfort to the driver & passenger and maintain the high power output with high RPM.

I tried on the highway, when i drive about 110km/h, i press the hold button and the car was able to reach 140km/h in a short moment.

Hold also good on hill road, i used hold + S for my Cameron highland trip, it's feel great!

Force the 3rd gear accelerate is abit stressing... But no choice if we need power with high rpm in short moment, usually I won't use hold for a long period when in high speed.


By the way, after my google for hold button again and experiment while I drive back to home just now, the hold button not only limit the highest gear position, it also block 1st gear in D & S mode, except L mode.

Means once the hold button pressed, the gear will only available in 2nd & 3rd for D, 2nd only for S.

This made our Mazda having a more smooth driving experience on the slow traffic, in normal situation, our car will use the 1st gear and switch to 2nd gear in couple of second and then the car stop for a stupid jam. And the car keep repeat changing gear from 1st > 2nd > stop > 1st > 2nd > stop>.... With hold button, it will only use 2nd gear and your gear box won't to busy switching here switching there.

Conclusion, hold is use to squeeze power in Highspeed for emergency of a short period, comfort the driving experience in slow traffic.

Sounds like so magic and this proof our Mazda2 is a smart choice again~

This post has been edited by ryusher: Apr 5 2012, 08:52 PM

Every car has their pro n cons, there are no perfect car.

If u looking for comparison, here are my personal view,



Exterior, very subjective, my point of view are M2 more sporty n energetic, vios is more mature.

Interior, both are plastic (what to expect on that price range?) size n space are abang adik for b segment car.

Engine, no idea of the different, better ask others sifu. Normal driver like us are unable to differentiate the engine, don't bother of the figure, u can't feel the different of 1 or 2 horse power.

Fuel consumption, both are light car with approximate 1000 kg with 1500 cc,
result won't too far away my average for M2 is rm 0.16-0.17 per km ( Ron 95, rm 1.90/l) city drive.

Break, both front disc back drum.

Gear, both 4 speed auto.

Unique features, vios have electronic retractable wing mirror, Mazda have steering wheel audio control.
Mazda promotion with foc DVD navigator.

Maintinence, Mazda free 3 years warranty n maintainence (yes, the maintainence bill is rm0 for lubricant oil n filter & labour charges) vios was easily to get spare part from outside workshop and more foreman know how to repair the vios.

Tyre, mazda2 15" with better handling, vios 14" with better fuel consumption.


Second hand price, no idea for mazda2(if not mistaken Malaysia was start to sell m2 on 2010), but vios is having a unbeatable 2nd hand price (this is why vios is so popular in Malaysia although others country use as taxi...) good second hand price also means high risk of theft.

Except 2nd hand price, i will say both car are more or less the same. Why not go test drive and compare which car more comfortable for you?

If resell price really a concern for you, your only option is T or H brand car in Malaysia. This why all Malaysian like those brand and popular in maaysia, because people planned to sell the car before they buy.

This post has been edited by ryusher: Apr 6 2012, 09:39 AM