The Premium Package includes other items too, such as exterior colour rub strips and door handles, a polished oval stainless steel
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| My tester featured a manually adjustable four-way tilt and telescoping steering column, a $235 option that should really be standard on a $31,000 hatchback. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
exhaust tip, high-gloss trim on centre pillar and those heated front seats that should really be standard on a $31K car anyway, don't you think? Of course, with such features added the B200 now costs $33,040. Add on a few other items to the B200 that come with the top-line Mazda, such as illuminated vanity mirrors, $340, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, $375, and a manually adjustable four-way tilt and telescoping steering column, $235, and the price of the B200 climbs to $33,990. Ouch! The apples to apples price of that underpowered three-pointed star has just escalated to $8,990. But, I suppose there are some that will still find the upgrade to German sophistication worth every penny.
After all, its switchgear is much the same as that in other more expensive Mercedes-Benz models, very nice indeed. Of course, the Mazda's fit and finish and plastics quality is also very good.
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| I think where the Mercedes shines is with its centre stack, which is every bit as fine as that in a C-Class. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Speaking of plastics quality, other than the dash-top, which is quite high-grade, all are semi-soft-touch, similar to those used in Toyota's new RAV4 or Honda's Civic. I think where the Mercedes shines is with its centre stack, which isevery bit as fine as that in a C-Class, incorporating the same audioand HVAC systems as in larger, more expensive Mercedes models. Therubberized buttons on the steering wheel are also high-grade. Verynice.
All controls are backlit too, including those that work the sunroof attached to the overhead console, plus the steering wheel-mounted buttons. The light switches on that upper console were a bit wiggly, not fitting flushly either, but such is a minor point.
