Test Drive Chevrolet Lacetti Sedan since 2004 Sedan

In the dispute with authoriters

Oh and the hard fight will have to be new Kia Rio! The model, in fact, is at the junction of classes B and C, while the basic Rio is significantly more expensive than Hyunde-accent or Chevrolet-Aveo from the C-class. What are such ambitions based on?
We decided to find out by taking Rio in an adult company: Chevrolet Latzetti and Ford Focus. In the database, these cars are even cheaper Rio. Test Ford and Chevrolet in a marked richer and expensive configuration than Kia. But the main advantages and disadvantages of cars are generic. Options are not covered.
Round first knockout
For the first time, Rio was able to see on the Naias-2005 auto show in Detroit. Koreans so hurried to her key for exporting the American market, that they were not afraid to set a semi-finished product: the interior of the car was Petrel with stickers pre-production sample. Since then, a little less than a year has passed, and Rio is already in Moscow.
I get the keys and find a golden sedan in a slim row. Rio likes me more and more. Restrained appearance does not conquer at first glance, but it is difficult to find fault with the proportions: an elegant roof arc, a developed hood and moderately fattened feed cute machine! I take over a comfortable, pleasant-massive handle and open the door. What is it? All the same, familiar with the model of the previous generation cheap not only to the touch, but also on the species of plastic! Looking around, I was convinced: on the materials they saved a lot of challenge. The steering wheel of a convenient section, but it is unpleasant to keep it; If the top of the panel at least somehow resembles modern soft plastics, then the lower part is frankly kopeck; Of the same frivolous plastic and doors' upholstery. Cheap plastic is pretty spoils the impression of the well-tailored interior recognizable, but without inherent to many classmates of toyness.
The console deployed to the driver sets up quickly to touch. I have a hurry to get driving: again not that! It is not clear to whom completely flat backs are designed without a hint of lateral support and a short pillow. It does not occur to adjustments at the height and length of questions, the stock is quite decent.
In the back seat is closed. Nothing can be done, the wheelbase is small, and the trunk is considerable. The driver of medium growth is relatively comfortable only by the passenger with increasing lowers, preferably subtitle physique. Otherwise, contact with the knees with the back and head with the ceiling is inevitable. What are you getting up! Forgot how much car costs? This is me myself. And I will try to transfer to Ford.
No, the focus is quite another thing. Plastic looks substantially more expensive, the gripboard is nice to hold in his hands, the tough seat bucket securely fixes the body, and the adjustment range is simply great! Setting the goal to rise as above as possible, shook a lever for a few seconds and arrived heads into the ceiling! Steadcuting until it stops back, with a height of 180 cm barely reached the socks of shoes before pedals. Even if the car behaves such uncle Stepa, a dear man will be completely in the back. True, a little lack of comfort: there is too dark and strict salon.
In contrast with a reference focus, Latzetti seems plush. And it's not just in soft velor seats, but also in the muted tones of fabrics and plastic, in particular the light bottom panel. Landing from behind a little worse than in focus, but more convenient than in Rio. Well, in the first round Kia gets a knockout from Ford and Nokdown from Chevrolet
Round the second revenge
Wheels quietly rustle for not too smooth asphalt. The car readily eats small joints and potholes. On the speedometer 90, the foot only slightly strokes the gas pedal, the engine is almost silent. What car am I car? I would never have believed this Kia Rio! He seemed to be swollen from knockout. Acoustic comfort is not just significantly better than that of the former Rio. Perhaps, among the machines of close cost, it is generally few equal! Only a distant knock of small pebbles slightly spoils the idyllic picture. When driving irregularities, you feel them on a shaking, absolutely not hearing, as the suspension works, and only the tire slaps reach serious seams. Very nice impression!
The second pleasant surprise presented the motor: not knowing what under the hood, I would add 200 cubes! Of course, if the car is loaded to the eyebrow and send miracles from the 1,4-liter engine. In other cases, 97 forces and 125 N.M. The torque is enough for the eyes. Smooth thrust is already happy with 1500 rpm, and if you set a goal and not to screw the gas pedal to the floor, you can safely save on gasoline.
But more often Rio provokes to put together and, fortunately, does not disappoint. Gas pedal, with a conventional cable, and not an electronic link with choke, with a sharp pressing frustrally throws the arrow of the tachometer to the red zone. It would be possible to accelerate even faster if it were not for the gearbox drive. The moment when the transfer is included, you definitely determine the intuitively, rather than on fixing the long lever, which seems to be sinking in some cotton and hanging off. With the rear transmission even worse: Include it from the first attempt in a few days of communication with the car failed never.
Ford In this regard, the opposite is complete. A short lever with a sports cloister enters the desired slot and is clearly fixed. It is a pity, with noise here is worse, especially on uneven asphalt. Gul tire overlaps all other sounds starting from 50 km / h. Yes, what's on the go! Even sitting in the car with a muffled engine and slightly with a lever of the box, you hear how the inclusions of Gulco are given to the body. Let the motor and dramatically click on the gas in response a distinct sigh of the opening throttle. In Chevrolet quieter than in Ford, but he does not reach Rio to the reference in this regard. And the noise level of Latzetti for some reason high on usually a more quiet back seat.
Round Third: Winning experience
The traction capabilities of Ford motors and Chevrolet volume of 1.6 liters do not cause complaints. Here they are the same 200 cubes that allow you to confidently ride even with a decent load. Chevrolet turned out to be the slowest in acceleration to 100 km / h, but conquered a machine gun. It is a four-stage, but add, it seems there is nothing: in the Kyqdown mode, the box allows you to unscrew the engine almost to the limiter and only then goes to the next step. Rods when moving up and down are barely noticeable, the response to the gas pedal is fast, and the engine braking is efficient.
In the sense of manageability of Latzetti is not ideal. There is a noticeable smearing of reactions to the steering; In the high, internally speed of Chevrolet, stubbornly seeks to float the turn. When attempting to return it to the trajectory breaks into a skid. And on irregularities, with lateral loads, Latzetti begins to break something in the front suspension.
On his background, Ford itself collens: a sharp and clear steering wheel, accurate reactions. Focus willingly screwed into turn and does not frighten with sharp disruptions or leaning towards driving.
What is small? Dynamic, youth, assertive and sports read advertising. I agree with it only in part. By the nature of Kia, the Americas is most reministed. An empty steering wheel initially even caused the question: is not an electric amplifier? No hydraulics. Steering not only suffers from a nubitating feedback: the ram has to turn to a too big angle if you need to shift, for example, for the leakage of irregularities. It tires the greater the higher the speed.
If you go in turn at the limit of the possibilities, Rio will frankly dry out the front. Like Latzetti, a drum is suddenly wakes up, making frightening knocks.
After the ring
Calculating the scores, the experts were not surprised: the winner of the Ford Focus. He will like it to those who love an active ride and is ready to forgive the noise and sometimes overcome for the sake of accuracy of reactions on the turns.
Chevrolet Latzetti conquered a convenient machine and cozy salon. In the asset Kia Rio, excellent sound insulation establishing a new standard for this class and a very alive, for nothing that the 1.4-liter engine. But Rio does not reach such rivals. And not only because the test vehicle was with the least powerful engine and in poor configuration. However, he is not so much behind them.
Looking at one of the American sites of Kia, I learned: the base car with a 1.6-liter motor costs $ 10,570. In Russia, the car falls into a different price category, because competing will have to compete with high school students, although in the basic configuration. Maybe it's easier to win in your weight category?
Kia Rio.
The global premiere took place in January 2005 in Detroit. Located with 5-door hatchback and sedan bodies. Engines: gasoline 1.4 and 1.6 l (97112 hp), diesel 1.5 L110 hp). Gearboxes: 5-speed mechanical, 4-speed automatic (except for diesel). Hardware: LX, EX. Price: $ 13 89018 590. (
Chevrolet Lacetti.
The European Premiere took place in 2003 under the brand of DEU. After buying a Daewoo concern General Motors for exports produced under the brand name Chevrolet. Body: sedan, 5-door hatchback, wagon. Engines: gasoline 1.41.8 l (95122 hp). Transmission: 5-speed mechanical, 4-speed automatic. Feedback: SE, SX, CDX. Price: $ 13,50018 050.
Ford Focus II.
The debut took place in the fall of 2004, since May 2005 is produced in Vsevolozhsk. Body: sedan, 3- and 5-door hatchback, wagon. Engines: gasoline 1.42.0 l (80145 hp), turbodiesel 1.8 l (115 hp). Gearboxes: 5-speed mechanical two species, 4-speed automatic (only with a motor of 1.6 liters, 100 hp). Required: Ambiente, Comfort, Trend, Ghia. Price: $ 11 72017 110.
SUMMARY
Kia Rio is a big step forward compared to the predecessor. Will conquer those who prefer comfort, but not ready to buy a more solid and voracious car. Total rating of 7.6
+ Excellent sound insulation, high smoothness and efficiency, modern appearance, comfortable brakes.
- High price, close back seat, cheap finish materials.
SUMMARY
Chevrolet Lacetti Cozy, home car with friendly character and a major interior. Total rating of 7.7
+ Excellent machine, spacious interior, good visibility, comfortable seats.
- mediocre sound insulation and geometric permeability, the average smoothness of the stroke.
SUMMARY
Ford Focus All balanced: driving properties and appearance, price and quality. Total estimate of 8.0
+ Good finish materials, traction motor, excellent handling, spacious trunk, spacious interior.
- Unimportant sound insulation, not very effective and convenient in brake management, mediocre visibility through the salon mirror.
Mikhail Gzzovsky: We intentionally forced Rio to compete with representatives of the C-class popular in Russia: because by the price he approached them closely, becoming much more expensive than the model of the first generation and many classmates. Maybe the price will become more interesting if Rio start assembled in Russia?
 

 
 

 
 
 

 








Mikhail Gzovsky
 

A source: Journal "Behind the wheel"