Mitsubishi Pajero Sport test drive since 2008 SUV
We go to snow procedures
Dear, prestigious, comfortable and very popular both of these cars are truly universal all-around. New King?
For a long time, one of the leaders of the class of universal all -around in Russia remained invincible (in the fields of marathon raids) and the legendary (leading origin since 1982) Pajero. But Lend-Croizer-20-Prado debuted a year ago, literally overnight arranged a palace coup. And the 2003 season with a score of 1535 against 1508 ended in favor of Toyota. What is this: a whim of buyers or in the middle class appeared a new king?
So far, Prado comes to us in one single and very ambitious configuration: a 4-liter gasoline engine V6, an automatic box and an almost complete set of equipment in the standard. Well, how Paul McCartney used to say: let it be! We picked up Pajero appropriate, that is, the most, the most: motor 3.5 l, automatic transmission invex II, and, of course, the skin is a lot of skin.
Our constant readers probably noticed that we decided to refuse bonuses of arrangements with scores for image and appearance. The criteria for evaluation are painfully subjective. After all, there are no comrades in taste and color. And therefore, who will take the liberty to claim that this particular car is beautiful by all five points, and that, on the contrary, was serf and orderly for a solid three? Well, to rant about the image of Pajero and Prado large, expensive, powerful even uncomfortable. Both are good. Therefore, without warm -up, we immediately go to business.
Charm and sober calculation
With the end of the production of Galant, Pajero turned into the European flagship of Mitsubishi both in essence and formally. And this hat sits on Senka just right. The main trump card of Pajero is a verified balance between the off -road style, which is understandable to the child with ergonomics and an excellent selection of finishing materials.
The Pajero salon (left) cannot be reproached for asceticism or the absence of luxury. For an all -terrain vehicle, it looks, and most importantly, it is simply gorgeous
In terms of manufacturing, spaciousness and generosity of the equipment of Prado at a height. The only thing that is lacking in the interior of this land cooler of all-terrain charisma
With a completely different approach to the design of the interior, Pajero and Prado do not take away the sensation of quality. Ten years ago, no one dreamed that the inner world of an all -terrain vehicle could be so attractive
Round wells of the dashboard with a mandatory and very visual indicator of the transmission operating modes. On the spot is an everlasting handle of the handout. The image of the pioneers is automatically transferred to everyone who got behind the wheel.
Pajero dashboard (left) a real storehouse of information, but the optestone readings of Prado are easier to read
At the same time, it is easier to note the few disadvantages of ergonomics than choke in the stream of pluses. What I did not like in the Mitsubishi salon was a colored LCD display on the dashboard. Beautiful, there is no dispute, and an electronic compass is a pontious thing. That's just in a sunny day to go along Azimut will not work out the screen mercilessly gleams. Another claim hypertrophied head restraints of the second row of seats that eat the rear review. For which gargantua and pantagruel are they intended?
Prado against the background of Pajero looks different. No, not poorer here, too, all conceivable heating, servo drives and other chainers. It's just that in Toyota it’s somehow not so jeepyte, or something. In the cabin, the feeling does not leave that he got into the grown up Camry or Ansis. All the same optitron on the dashboard, the same wide central console, which easily contained both climatic and music center, still gray skin on seats. But there is no all-terrain-romantic bonnet, no matter how much look. The reducing gear lever and the electronic compass and they look like Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden on the beach in Guadeloupe.
But it is strongly impossible to complain about convenience and quality of execution. It is understandable, after all, this is the horse of Toyota engineers attention to the details. The color display, for example, is visible here even in sunny weather. So, probably, it will be fair if Prado and Pajero will receive equally for the inner world.
For large and small
At the third -generation Pajero, Japanese engineers for the first time abandoned a separate spar frame, preferring a more progressive structure to a carrier body with a built -in frame. You can argue about the pros and cons of such an approach to your health! The convenience of landing cannot be denied. After all, the floor was below, which means that it is now more convenient to get inside Pajero. Here you do not climb up, like Babuin for bananas, but simply open the door and that's it.
In terms of spaciousness, this is what. In terms of space on the second sofa, cars are equal in both Prado and Pajor will freely accommodate three adults, even with the front chairs posed to the stop. With the third number of seats that both cars are equipped, the situation is slightly more confusing.
The Japanese claim that the Prado salon is 8-seater. But even if the third sofa Lend-Croizer-120 is slightly longer than only 7-year-old children will sit down here in Pajero. Speaking of a cleanliness, the seats formula should look like this: 5+3 in Prado and 5+2 for Pajero. Where the first number is the number of places for adults, and the second for children. So honest.
There is no place
Large all -terrain vehicles are like small trucks. It is only worth folding the back row of seats, and at your disposal a huge cargo platform. Which Prado still has a little less. Mitsubishi will offer you 1190 liters with a folded third row of seats and 2720 liters with a second row sofa thrown to the backs of the front seats. In addition, it is worth paying attention to how witty a children's sofa develops. A pair of simple manipulations, and the gallery is completely hidden under the flat floor without interfering.
But in Toyota the rear sofa leans back on the sides. The peculiar ears, perhaps, do not interfere with visibility, but create problems in the transportation of large -sized objects. In addition, in the duel of Prado numbers is also inferior to 1415 and 2208 liters.
The fifth door in Pajero and Prado opens from the side of the roadway. So, each loading will be a small adventure
Uneven battle
This is only in the abstruse paradoxes of the ancient Greeks of the Turtle overthrow the hare. In life, everything is much more prosaic. And we, believe me, least of all I would like to name a 3.5-liter Pajero with a quiet start. Of course not. The capacity of the 202-horsepower six of Mitsubishi is quite enough. Business in the city, not a stature on the highway, while not economical in volume. If only there were no prado in the world, or rather, his 250-horsepower 4-liter engine!
And so well what to talk about, if the average brother in power in the Lend-Croizers family jumped even to the older sister of a hundred, which, by the way, was equipped with an 8-cylinder 4.7-liter engine!
Where on Pajero, to accelerate, you will dwell the accelerator pedal deeper on the floor or, moreover, turn to the manual mode of the machine, in prado, on the contrary, hurry to transfer the leg to the brake and without it too quickly. By and large, 249 hp For Lend-Croizer-120, excess capacity, adjacent to unnecessary aggression.
In the dispute of the brakes of Prado, also a little ahead. First of all, thanks to more convenient dosing, effort in standard modes. Say thanks to the brake drive with a variable characteristic. But the dynamics of the slowdown of Pajero seemed to be some kind of cotton, not convincing one hundred percent. In any case, at the wheel of all -districts, it is worth remembering the following. After a series of energetic reverse accelerations, the brakes literally lose tenacious before our eyes. An extra reminder to hot heads that the heavy all -terrain vehicle is not a racing car.
What is more important? Even better, you understand this capital truth in corners. When a massive and high body begins to roll, and the tires are panicky whistling, cats are immediately scrapped in the soul, and frames from the road patrol are flickering in front of my eyes. You will have to come to terms with the fact that at ease of large all -terrain vehicles only on a high -speed straight line, which both keep confidently, not a spray from side to side, but on a ground country. The independent suspension of Pajero through the efforts of those who know the very people who know the rally of Mitsubishi engineers brilliantly copes with the races on the comb, fundamentally suppressing the wave swing and not letting the steering to the steering wheel. However, Prado does not lag behind, thanks to the advanced system of control of the rigidity of shock absorbers (TEMS).
In addition, the transmission, which on both cars allows you to ride with all the leading wheels all year round (which we strongly and recommend you) significantly increases stability, and therefore confidence on the winter track. In Prado, the role of a self -blocking inter -ease differential is played by a multi -disc clutch of Thurns, in Pajero Wyskoft, and both systems work quite efficiently, postponing the appearance of early gray gray on the temples.
But in virabs your only hope and salvation is electronics. Fortunately, the target stability systems both in Prado and Pajero are distinguished by a high level of intelligence. Selective branding of the wheels and traction restriction is performed skillfully, helping not to lose the car where you overdo it at speed.
Who will stop them? Modern all -around, including those that are ready to meet adventures not only in commercials, but also in reality, by the will of the designers become more and more simple to understand. The driver or, if you want, the user now needs less and less specific knowledge for sorties to where there were no roads and have never been.
Such a long introduction to you understand why and why Prado and Pajero, who visited the test, are equipped with the so -called electronic transmissions. Their essence is that hard mechanical blocking is only one interdosseous differential. But the functions of inter -celes are assigned to electronic assistants. How does all this farm work?
With the diagonal posting of the exercise, on which all -terrible mediocrities immediately fall out of both the Japanese behave surprisingly the same. Equally worthy. With the right front and left rear wheels, 510 seconds are helplessly rotated by unnecessary wheels, only then the electronics, understanding what the focus, begins to squeeze the slinging wheels with a standard brake system and transfer the moment to the necessary wheels. That is, the effect of inter -normal locks is achieved, but only after an annoying pause. But during this time, the car could burst so deeply that only one mechanical assistant tractor could help her to help her. Hard mechanical locking would be more effective here. But electronics will help you in other situations. For example, when descending or lifting to steep slides.
The patented systems Hac Hill-Start Assist Control and DAC Download Control in Prado and MEBAC Mitsubishi Engine Brake Assist Control in Pajoro are called differently, but work the same. When the lowering car is turned on, you can safely stop the rise and get out of it, not worrying that the two -ton colossus will slide down. The descent from the hill can also be entrusted to electronics.
The visual advantage of pneumatic suspension prado pay attention to how lower the rear bumper Pajero is located
So, snow procedures did not seem to identify the winner. Well, how are you with geometry? On control weighing, sorry, measurement, athletes demonstrated equal results. Conducted by a serious gap under vital units, such as a gas tank and a crankcase. The protection of the motor compartment looks solid. As for specific numbers, the lower point of Pajero is located 205 mm from the ground, the result of prado is 215 mm. However, Toyota was equipped with a non -standard high -profile rubber, which provided a minimum advantage. In any case, both do not reach the officially declared 225 mm. It is understandable, over time, and the cars that were on the test passed more than one thousand springs of all -terrain vehicles. This is not good and not bad given.
Another thing is that the air suspension is certainly plus Toyota. The back of the body, rising by 30 mm, will protect the bumper from the contacts with the soil during the assault on geometric traps. What, will we write down the advantage of Prado with a difference of half a point? Take your time.
After all, Pajero, unlike Prado, can be obtained with a fully mechanical transmission. It may not have cunning assistants for descent/lifting to the hill, but on a serious off -road mechanic with a combination of double blocking the rear differential of a hard and self -locking will take you much further. So for freedom of choice of assessment will have to be equated again.
So it would always!
For the comfort of the suspension, Prado wants to select only excellent degrees: super, extra, mega. Whatever of the four options for the stiffness of shock absorbers you choose, the back will say thanks to you. In any case, it will be softer than in Pajero.
Mitsubishi takes a lesser extent about his riders, and this despite the chair with adjustable rigidity. Not annoying, but quite tangible shocks to the body are transmitted from thermal ships on bridges and from sewer hatches, not to mention tram tracks. The usual thing, do you say? But after all, Prado swims like a pava on the same fuckers. Song! In a word, parity on the sound insulation front in both of them on the solid four fades into the background.
Thank you, America!
Surprisingly, the fact of Euroncap nourishes a strange hostility towards Japanese universal high -techs of the middle class. How else to explain that neither Pajero nor Prado beat his forehead against the wall under the sensitive supervision of European sharks of passive safety. Therefore, for expert estimates we had to turn to American experts. And those Senks E Lot, Mates! Not let down. The Road Security Insurance Institute (IIHS) gives Mitsubishi a general rating is permissible (Acceptable), that is,, in our opinion, something between the three and the four.
As for Prado, this model is not sold in the USA. Nevertheless, we can indirectly judge the security of this car. The fact is that the exact copy of the European Prado proposed in the States of Lexus-GX470, except with a more powerful engine. And it was the GX470 according to the results of the IIHS crash tests that turned out to be the best medium-sized all-terrain vehicle.
On the other hand, Lexus achieved this result thanks to the lateral airbags, which in the Russian configuration of Prado are not in principle.
While the basic equipment of our Pajero implies the obligatory four Air Bag. In a word, you see, again, a draw.
When there is no choice Recall for those who forgot Prado supplied to Russia in a single configuration. The list of standard equipment will take half a page of typewritten text a temptation to which we will not give in. Such a Lend-Croosezer is worth after a recent increase in prices $ 58,400. It is a pity that Toyota, encouraged by a frisky launch of Prado, is in no hurry with the withdrawal of other configurations to our market. It's about a short -drawn, and most importantly, diesel version. The Japanese insist that the Russian diesel fuel is just as murderous for the Common Rail engines as a glass of nicotine for a horse.
Mitsubishi sellers are ready to offer customers what they cannot give in Toyota the freedom of choice. 3rd or 5-door Pajero, with skin or velor, with gasoline or diesel intelligence, with electronic or mechanical all-wheel drive transmission, with an automatic or with a pen, choose nothing and what you need. Accordingly, the price range is much wider from about $ 41,500 per diesel short-counter to $ 57,000 for a gasoline 5-door with complete minced meat.
And one more pleasant news for Mitsubishi fans. Since this year, the factory warranty on all -terrain vehicles of this brand has been increased from two to three years. By the way, Toyota provides exactly the same conditions.
Arsenal of all -terrain vehicles Prado right at hand, and an indicator of the body height before my eyes
The tools are carefully laid in boxing in the fifth door, but the ears of the third row of seats lonely talk on the sides
The proximity of the rigid blocking of the center differential and heating the seats seems strange
Pens in the Pajero salon, more than enough will be holding on the bumps
How do you think this is a net on the glass? Heating? In any case, the radio antenna!
On a stylish beard, there was a place for a LCD display, a radio, and climatic, and a cd changer
For headrests of the third row of seats (below), a regular place is provided
We decided:
No, a surge of interest in the new Toyota is by no means an accident. A new boss appeared in the class of universal all -around. Of course, the main lure of Prado (average rating 4.1) is a delightful engine. On the contrary, the only serious drawback of limited choice.
And here Toyota is not a sin to learn from Mitsubishi, who is trying to please a variety of customers. And yet Pajero (average rating 3.9) is only the second. Nevertheless, one of the best offers in the classroom is still noticeable in comparison with Prado, the all-terrestrial. The only thing Mitsubishi lacks is a more powerful engine. In spaciousness, patency and safety, Pajero is at least not inferior, and in some cases surpasses Toyota. Well, if you are a fan of diesel engines, then your choice is completely predetermined by a 3.2-liter 165-horsepower DI-D engine from Mitsubishi, perhaps the best in the class.
Mikhail Medvedev, photo of Maxim Goncharov
Source: Magazine "Limousine" [04-04]
