Mazda, with a clear understanding of its Canadian market,
Says who? This gen Mazda6 has sold worse in Canada than the two previous generations... Sure success with Mazda3, Mazda CX-5. But not with the Mazda2, Mazda5, or CX-9. The sales are low on the MX-5 due to it being around so long, when the new one comes out, sales will pickup...
Extensively refreshed? No manual e-brake, heated rear seats, and a new touchscreen. I hope the performance has improved. That is the weakest link in my car. It looks and sounds fine, but does a lot of stupid stuff. Never plays the song where you last left it, come on!
Doesn't look like the outside has changed, and the interior materials still look the same. Glad there is nothing there I really want. As both rear seats have child seats on them, so they wouldn't notice the heated seats. And I like the manual e-brake.
They know their market and they're doing what they can to boost sales. I'm not an OEM concerned with sales. I'm a consumer and a driver. I'm a huge fan of Mazda's products. Right from the ground up. They drive well, look amazing and are very well priced. I can actually FEEL something when I drive them, unlike many other modern cars that sell far better than Mazda's do currently. Canadian market is the cold market. I'm talking about how cold it is up here and how much those rear heated seats are a welcome addition.
The reasons you mentioned for not caring too much about the update - "As both rear seats have child seats on them, so they wouldn't notice the heated seats. And I like the manual e-brake" - are very personal to you. There are many people that would appreciate the heated rear seats and the new colour options. I'm a little bummed about losing the e-brake handle but again, I know I'm in the minority.
I also realize I'm not the kind of buyer that OEMs target. I care about performance of the vehicle first and foremost; I'm not talking speed or power; I'm talking how the car feels when I fire it up and hit the road. How connected I am, the feedback I'm getting, how I feel in the seats, the gauge layout, all that stuff. I like a good set of speakers and a clear audio. I like having my phone connected as soon as I get in and I like having three pedals.
There are some people out there like me but most people shopping for new cars in this segment are not like that. They're concerned with value, fuel economy and that kind of thing.
But I totally understand where you're coming from.
