Monday, December 22, 2014

A Brief Guide to the 2014 Mazda CX-9

Although the Mazda CX-9 is not the new kid on the seven seater SUV block, it is certainly holding its own in a stiff competition segment. Although the CX-9 is not the cheapest option on the market, it certainly offers a great deal of features which encourage a further look before you commit to a purchase.

Aesthetics:

The interior of the Mazda CX-9 looks and feels great. The interior finish includes cloth seats and leather touches to the gear knob and steering wheel. The CX-9 feels spacious with plenty of room for children in the third row seating, with tilt and slide seating in the second row allowing access. However, if you choose to use the rear seating area for boot space, you can increase the capacity from 267 litres to an impressive 928 litres. The seating feels comfortable with plenty of space for adults or children and it includes three anchor points for child seats in the second row. In the front, the seating feels comfortable and supported, perfectly complementing the high quality touches of chrome in the cabin design.

mazda cx-9

Outside, the lines look clean and crisp providing a pleasing aesthetic, which complements the Mazda brand line of vehicles. Consumers can choose mica or metallic paint finishes at no additional cost, which represents a saving of up to a $1000 compared to other brands.

Gadgets:
The standard model Mazda CX-9 includes a 5.6 inch touch screen which allows control of the six speaker media system and shows the view from the reversing camera. Additional extras from the luxury versions include leather trim, electronic seat adjustment, heated seats, folding heated side mirrors and Bose stereo with ten speakers. The top of the line Grand Touring model includes bi xenon headlights, automated high beam, rear park sensors, electronic tail gate, forward collision alert and auto dim rear view mirror. The model includes USB and Bluetooth connectivity to allow audio and phone streaming. This makes the system easy and convenient to use.

Performance:
The CX-9 incorporates a 3.7 litre V6 engine, which delivers 204kW power and 367Nm torque. This makes it perfectly able to cope with the challenges of highway travel or the urban commute. The engine feels gutsy and strong, yet manages a consumption of 11 litres per 100 kilometres. However, this does not make the Mazda feel like a tank, as it provides nimble handling despite its substantial weight of 1939 kilograms. The steering feels direct and sporty, which helps less confident drivers manage the substantial length of the vehicle. This in combination with the reverse sensors makes parking this 5.1 metre long beast a breeze.
The engine is paired with an automatic six speed transmission, which makes shifting quick and responsive. Although there is some degree of road noise, the ride feels firm and comfortable. New CX-9 owners can also take advantage of the Mazda unlimited kilometre scheme provided for its three year warranty.

If you are interested in the Mazda CX-9, contact us. We have an extensive showroom and our sales team would be happy to demonstrate the model or answer any questions you may have.

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Wednesday, December 10, 2014

A Brief Guide to the Mazda 3 SP25

mazda 3

The Mazda 3 has been a popular model for the Japanese car brand, but with the Ford Focus and offerings from other car manufacturers vying for the top sales slot, Mazda are pulling out all the stops with their latest upgrade. The SP25 pack is designed to address a number of refinements to improve the overall performance and passenger enjoyment of the vehicle.

On the Road:
Noise suppression was a major consideration with the Mazda 3 SP25. This is a challenging aspect as its major competitor,the Ford Focus is the quietest type of hatchback on the market. However, the SkyActiv engine offers a great deal more power with a compression ratio of 13.5:1 from the 2488cc capacity. This generates an impressive 138kW when at 5700 rpm and 250Nm at a rate of 3250rpm. This power is perfectly complemented with the six speed automatic transmission, using paddle shifters, which allows a 0-100 kilometres rate of just eight seconds. The 18 inch alloys not only look great but allow a well resolved ride, making the Mazda feel very comfortable on the road. However, this performance does not sacrifice fuel efficiency as the 8 litres per 100 kilometres consumption is only beaten by the Focus. 

Finish:
Unlike many models where cost cutting is immediately apparent, the Mazda manages a great finish. The internal plastics feel high quality and the controls feel smooth and tactile. Even smaller elements such as the glove box open smoothly with a nice action. There is a great attention to detail applied externally, with the paint finish looking excellent. The fit of the body panels is precise and even the door jambs show a glossy finish and clean welds.
mazda 3

Gadgets:
Mazda have developed a great reputation for providing a high level of technology and gadgets on their models and the Mazda 3 SP25 is no exception. The model features a seven inch centrally mounted touchscreen, which allows complete control of all of the onboard infotainment. The technology is both intelligent and intuitive, providing a great user friendly interface. For example, pairing your phone is a simple matter of pressing one button to allow voice command to direct the process onto the touchscreen. Standard gadgets include Bluetooth connectivity, Aha Pandora and Stitcher apps, climate control, automatic wipers and headlights, reversing camera and idle stop start system. There is also the upgrade safety pack which provides Rear cross traffic alerts, Smart City braking and Blind Spot monitor.

Cost:
The Mazda 3 SP25 offers great value for money. It is provided with an unlimited kilometre 36 month warranty. Mazda also offers capped price servicing for the lifetime of the vehicle, which applies annually or every 10,000 kilometres. While the new model is still too young to determine how it will retain value, according to Red Book, a three year old model retains 66 percent of the original sales price.

If you are interested in knowing more about the new Mazda 3 range, contact us. Our sales team would be delighted to answer any of your questions or arrange for a test drive.

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