Review
As we say goodbye to the Outlander, this final review looks at the role new digital tools play in the car search and purchase process.
An enquiry to Carwow, based on our test car, generated a fascinating insight into how dealers are exploiting the digital opportunity and how much information is being made conveniently available to consumers.
The first dealer response came in 24 minutes from Grays of Holbeach, 20 miles away; the second from my nearest dealer, 14 miles away in Corby, after two hours, 45 minutes.
The third response wasn’t until 10.50 the following day. Subsequently, there werze two more.
One of the slowest to respond offered the best price: £2,340 off the RRP on a cash deal and a 14.2% saving on finance. The dealer was also the furthest away – at 73 miles. It would cost me £15 in diesel to get there. The dealer offered a free tank of fuel. A compelling offer.
He had only six Carwow reviews, but all were 100% positive over four measures: friendliness, communication, knowledge and ordering process.
A closer dealer (83 miles) had 134 reviews, 99% of them four stars or above.
In addition to these offers, Carwow sent details of five nearly new and used DI-D auto and manual ‘special offers’. It also sent another three emails nudging me towards a decision between February 16 and 25.
Jeremy has been a journalist for 30 years, 20 of which have been in business-to-business automotive. He was a writer and news editor on AM-sister brand Fleet News for three years before setting up the AM website. For the last five years he has been Bauer B2B’s head of digital helping to manage the digital assets of AM, together with Fleet News, Commercial Fleet, Rail and Smart Transport.
Factsheet
Price £33,134
Engine 2.2-litre: 147PS
Transmission 6sp auto
Performance 0-62mph 11.6secs, top speed 118mph
Efficiency 48.7mpg, 153g/km CO2
RV 3yr/30k 43%
Start mileage 3,644
Current mileage 9,042
Rivals Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail, Volvo XC60, BMW X3 and Land Rover Discovery Sport
