Thank you to our local car rental partners, Enterprise of Leigh (nr Manchester), for allowing us to photograph and review another addition to their fleet – the Mazda CX-5.
NB/ Car rental is not a facility that we offer at CarLease UK, i.e. daily and weekly hiring of cars and vans. We always introduce our personal and business customers to Enterprise, as they offer a cost-effective and pragmatic solution.
What customers do need to note is that car hire and contract hire (leasing) are two very separate products and should not be considered as being similar. The former is for those customers who need a short-term solution, for example if you need a larger car or a van for the weekend. It can also assist those customers with slightly longer-term requirements, 1-3 months’ say for example where a new employee is on a probationary period or a specific project requires a particular vehicle. Car hire does allow for all maintenance and insurance to be include within the arrangement and this is not, in most cases, a credit-based product. For customers with bad credit, a car hire situation may be something to consider in the interim.
Contract is a longer-term product, typically for 2 years or more. In addition, there is no ability to include insurance (you can include service, maintenance and tyres – funder-maintained agreement) and this is a credit-based product.
Whether you are a personal or business customer, there will be an underwriting process; if you or your company does have poor credit, think carefully before applying for a new car.
What is most pertinent about this car is the fact that we have yet another example of a credible SUV. A sport utility vehicle (or suburban utility vehicle) was designed to offer the carrying capacity and load space of an estate (or Tourer/Sportswagon) and offer the facility to tow. Historically, they were seen as a select part of the market; particularly as they were unattractive and expensive vehicles to run and maintain. However, customer buying habits have changed dramatically as families need a vehicle which is spacious, attractive, well-spec’d (navigation, parking sensors, parking camera, active cruise control, heated seats etc) and which are not too expensive to buy/lease and run. As a result almost every manufacturer has invested considerable sums of money into making their SUV the number one in the market.
Quite frankly, the market is now so saturated with great options from budget to luxury, it is very difficult to make the wrong decision. We find that decisions are very much down to a) cost; and b) the subjectivity of the customer.
Some cars have a specific feature or look, which just sways the customer to make that decision. What is definitely clear is that traditional estates and MPVs are very much under fire and manufacturers are now struggling to ensure these sell at the previous rate.
In terms of the car shown here, the Mazda CX-5 DIESEL ESTATE 2.2d Sport Nav 5dr Manual
· Metallic – Sonic silver
· Leather upholstery – Black
· 19″ Gunmetal alloy wheels
As standard the car includes privacy glass, rain sensing wipers, emergency stop signal system, smart city brake system,. Bluetooth, cruise control, front/rear parking sensors, hill hold assist, reversing camera, 7” touchscreen with commander, navigation, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, premium Bose audio system, body coloured bumpers, dual exhaust system, adaptive front lighting system, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, electric lumbar support, 19” alloys, Thatcham cat 1 alarm, smart keyless entry and leather upholstery. Apart from a premium colour upholstery or a safety pack, there are no further factory options you can add to the vehicle. As the sport is very much the top of the line, this is as good as it gets!
On the technical-side, company car and business users can note the P11d at £29,00.00 and CO2 at 132g/km. The 2191CC 6speed manual engine delivers 56.5 combined MPG, 150ps and 0-62 times of 9.4 seconds.
So would the Mazda CX-5 be your selected leasing option? Or would you consider another of the great options – Ford Edge, Renault Koleos, Hyundai Santa Fe, VW Tiguan or an Audi Q5?
Let us know your thoughts on which SUV you would drive home!!
Find the best leasing deals for either personal or business use on the amazing Mazda CX-5 by TAPPING HERE – available now @CarLease UK…