Review
Now that the morning frosts have set in, I am getting even more warm feelings about the Mazda6 Tourer I have been using for the past three months.
This is largely due to the heated steering wheel and heated front seats that come as standard on our model. The steering wheel, in particular, takes just seconds to warm up if I hit the on button immediately after the engine’s ignition. The seats take a few minutes, but still ensure the driver is comfortable well before the car’s heating system has had time to properly warm up the cabin, which takes a good 15 minutes in my experience.
For Mazda dealers with an SE-L Lux Nav+ on the demonstrator fleet this winter, there is a great opportunity to encourage customers who are enticed by the strong offers on the entry SE-L Nav+ trim level to ‘walk up’ into the next grade car and let them feel very cosy about their decision.
I recommend that when accompanying on test-drives in a car that’s cold, Mazda’s sales executives must make sure they tap that switch to demonstrate the benefits of this simple luxury to the prospective buyer. For £1,400 difference, or less than £25 per month on a three-year PCP, they can get the better spec model, which also comes with a reversing camera and leather trim for added value.
An award-winning journalist and editor, with two decades of experience covering the motor retail industry, and accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) plus the National Council for the Training of Journalist (NCTJ)
As editor of AM since 2016, Tim is responsible for its media content, planning and production across AM's multiple channels, including the website, digital reports, webinars, social media and the editorial content of AM's events, Automotive Management Live and the AM Awards. His focus is on interviewing senior leaders of franchised dealer groups and motor manufacturer national sales companies to examine latest developments in UK motor retail.
Factsheet
Price: from £29,195
Engine: 2.2-diesel, 150PS
Performance: 0-62mph 10.2secs, top speed 130mph
Gearbox: 6sp manual
Efficiency: 46.3 mpg
Emissions: CO2 119g/km (WLTP)