Test drive Opel Astra sedan since 2007 sedan

And hard to believe ...

The Korean hatchback of the golf class throws a glove to a titled German. What is this suicide or subtle calculation?
 



Sid, who debuted at the beginning of the year, in every sense a new Korean. It was designed specifically for Europe by the design was engaged in the Frankfurt Studio Kia, headed by the former stylist of Volkswagen and Audi Peter Shreyer. They produce a car in Europe at a specially built factory in Slovak Zhine. Finally, they will sell exclusively in Europe. And most importantly, representing SID, the Koreans promised that it would become the first car from the country of morning freshness, the consumer qualities of which will not fade against the backdrop of modern Japanese and European competitors. A strong statement, isn't it? And he believes in him with difficulty. To check, in rivals, such an upstart needs to be selected and the car is appropriate so that it does not shame the honor of the old woman in Europe. We have chosen a popular Opel-Astra from Lisbon to Yekaterinburg.
 

Choose and were not mistaken. After all, even outwardly they are twins, perhaps not twins. If you put the SID and Astra side on the side, the dumbfound takes more similarities than the differences! From the swelling of the wheeled arches and patterns of the front optics to the flowing roof and the reverse tilt of the rear rack of the body, Kia literally tries to imitate opel in everything, while without copying it.
 

However, the collective appearance of Sid in his interior and exterior will find the features of half a dozen of modern European and Japanese models in any case, if not trendy, then at least fresh. Praise for the Korean model is quite significant. It is also great that Astra, despite the substantial age (after all, it has been hit for 4 years), still looks. And not only outside.


Already another matter
At one time, we admired the interior of Astra, unsubstantially considering him evenly golf. A pleasant plastic plastic, well -read and in some places a pretty instrument panel, good visibility, an abundance of pockets and a very voluminous glove box. It is only if it is difficult to make a claim to the quality of decoration and multifunctionality of the Opel salon, then ergonomics are not on top. Home Claim Climate Management Block. A confusing algorithm of work, small and also located at the bottom of the buttons, turn the simplest operations into a risky event. To change the direction of air flows, you will have to overcome two levels of electronic menu! Try to do this at a speed of at least 60 km/h in a dense Moscow stream

 
  
Astra did not stretch the spectacular and high-quality interior excellently only because of punctures in terms of ergonomics

There are no comments to the Astra chair, except that the leatherette on the sidewalls, laid out the versions of Cosmo, is rustic
 
    
There are many pockets and other places for a variety of small things in the Opel salon
 
Highlighting in anti -linen visors and lamps for reading in front and back are included in the basic equipment of Engo and Cosmo versions
 
   
The Astra chair is simply necessary to supplement the angle of inclination of the pillow for 3250 rubles. Not cheap, but very useful

The climate block is inconveniently located, and in the algorithm for its work it is not easy to understand

Astra's pocket is not too deep and rather narrow


But imagine in everything related to the interior, the Korean upstart is at least not inferior. It sounds almost unbelievable for everyone who is familiar with the gray, boring, booming salons of Korean cars. But why find fault with? Sid has a soft, pleasant to the touch plastic torpedo and doors upholstery, adjustable in two directions the steering wheel and simply huge rear-view mirrors. In addition, in KIA we found such pleasant signs of a truly modern car as support for USB and Ai-Poda. Really useful little things, which for some reason are forgotten not only in Opel, but also in Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota. And Koreans remember well done! The main thing is no questions about Sida about ergonomics. The climate menu will also master the child, he will deal with music. A very tiny glove box and, perhaps, too poisonous orange backlighting the dashboard is difficult to attribute to serious disadvantages. Well, how can I not exclaim: bravo, kia!

 
   
Sid’s interior takes Korean cars to a new level. Everything is convenient and high quality here
 
Sid's too flat chair is clearly lacking side support and variety of astra's adjustments
 
   
The glove box is modest in volume, but in the execution of ex cooled

Full ceiling arsenal with visor backlighting, reading lamps and a score is available to customers expensive version ex

Redostat-regulator of brightness of the backlight, alas, is laid only a more expensive version of Sid-EX
 
  
Bold care of music lovers connector for connecting an external signal source

Convenient music control buttons on the steering wheel are not distracted from the road

By spaciousness and convenience, the door pockets of Sid are played out
 



And this is only the beginning!
Good Korean salon and spaciousness. Even against the background of astra, one of the most spacious golf class models. A supply for the head of those sitting behind both at the equally good level of 95 cm from the sofa pillow to the ceiling. But in the legs of the SID is more spacious for a good 3 cm. We also note that the sofa itself is wider, and the supply in the shoulders is more impressive, and the central tunnel is not so massive. Finally, the doorway of the KIA rear door is not as narrowed as that of a German car.
  
 

 
 
 
 
 
Opel sofa passengers will not please the massive central tunnel, and large head restraints spoil the overview
Sid (right) and the central tunnel is not so high, and the headrests are more compact
 


Astra recouped by a much more convenient front chair. If the seat of the seat is flat and tough, he clearly lacks lateral and lumbar support, then the Astra chair is a real song. With thoughtful lateral and lumbar stops, royal generosity of adjustments, including both the angle of inclination and the height of the pillow. Kia, to such a level of caring for the driver, just has not yet grown.
 

 
The dimensions are given in centimeters. * The distance from the seat pillow to the ceiling.
The space for the legs of the seated rear is indicated provided that the driver’s growth is 185 cm


Only for the surcharge
But these were flowers. And here are the berries: in the dispute of trunk, the SID is not only not inferior, he puts the astra on both shoulder blades! In fairness, we must admit: the trunk of Opel, perhaps, is among the most stupid in the classroom. All of him is not thank God, a very narrowed opening, a modest width and depth of the cargo compartment and an unbearable pillow of the sofa. For some reason, a whole folding sofa with a split back of Astra is assigned to the category of additional equipment.

 
 
Large loading height trouble of many hatchbacks. Astra and SID are no exception
 
   
The difference in the possibilities of trunk transformation is obvious. A truly convenient sofa, which develops in a ratio of 40/20/40, on the Aster (right) costs extra 5750 rubles.
 
 
The modest width of the trunk of both cars does not allow to put a road suitcase along.

but in the seat at least a wider diagonal opening
 
   
The role of the fifth wheel in both cars is a full -size stock that disappears
 


It is clear that against such a background, even the trunk of Sida, not the most, note, roomy in the classroom, looks good. It surpasses the Astra in everything both in terms of loading, and in size. I especially want to note the sofa stacked to the level of the floor with the transportation of TVs and wardrobes. Even in the basic configuration.


Take the motors!
In Russia, Astra can be bought with mechanics, and with robotic Isetronics, and with a machine gun. However, the automatic transmission is laid only a 1.8-liter motor with a capacity of 140 liters. With. This remarkable engine in characteristics is equally good both on the handle and the automatic transmission. Therefore, by the way, we chose just such an astra for comparative tests.
 

Even in the simplest drive, it is talented in every sense. By default, the machine is softly, without jerking and quite early switches up, saving fuel the most it is for leisurely and calm driving. But it is worth driving a gas pedal, the car becomes temperamental and hunting to overtaking. And if you click on the button for turning on the active mode ... This is the case when the inscription Sport is really justified. It seems that the motor has received an injection of adrenaline for gas. The machine reacts instantly and holds the transmission to the limiter zone. In fact, you are going a little faster, but Impressions seemed to ride on a racing map!
 

A 2-liter SID would become a good pair of a 1.8-liter astre, which has been hidden under the hood of 143 liters. With. But such a kia is too expensive. That is why we prefer a less powerful, but more affordable option with a 1.6 liter engine. Fortunately, he gives out solid 122 liters. With. and combined with automatic transmission. Moreover, on paper, such a machine is almost not inferior to Opel. That's just subjective impressions speak the opposite.

 
The four -band Sid automatic machine is noticeably stupid to move actively and the first to leave the traffic light, to burn on the gashter in full. Get used to the roar of the motor, but do not expect vivid impressions even in this mode acceleration is quite even. If you tie it with inter -haired chess and go calmly, then Kia will deliver more positive emotions. On the drive, he calmly reaches 160 km/h, and gives the maximum speed on the 3rd program. By the way, for risky overtaking it is also better to use this regime, since the selector you just need to swing to the right.
 

The brakes are only good. A reliable slowdown, convenient drive and competent work of ABS distinguish both contestants.
 



In pursuit of the best
Astra is actually not considered the legislator of the mod in terms of controllability. To the level of focus and golf, she did not allow her to reach a relatively simple semi -dependent suspension behind. But from among the gambling cars it is impossible to cross out Opel. You will be pleased with a very informative steering wheel and a fervent chassis. Moreover, with the custom-made active chassis of the IDS+ Astra, the Astra becomes truly angry, stiff and almost sports. But the standard option is remarkably good at the high -speed line, where there is no doubt about stability and reliability, even when the speedometer arrow falls on the mark of two hundred. And in steep turns, transverse rolls and whistles of rubber are in no hurry to ruin you the pleasure of driving.
 

But what about Kia? Can a Korean hatchback please something with an active driver? In any case, the SID does not disappoint. This car is perhaps the best among its compatriots in terms of controllability. Yes, perhaps the setting of the steering electric power steering will seem less refined to someone than in the Astra. But the car will steer better than, say, Renault-Magan, not to mention classmates-Koreans. A very competently tuned suspension will not mind if you suddenly want to go quickly. But only quickly, not recklessly quickly. It is a pity that at an incomprehensible whim of the Russian importer, ESP disappeared even from the list of custom equipment. The system of dynamic stabilization has not yet harmed anyone.

 
Silence!
In the recent past, all Korean golf class models distinguished too loud motors. Sid committed this vicious practice. At least, on his idle, his four purrs even quieter than in the Aster. Anyway, irritably noisy becomes only behind a mark of 5000 rpm with sharp overtaking and accelerations. But at a cruising pace of 120140 km/h, Sid is surprisingly quiet and calm.
 

It is a pity that against the backdrop of such a quiet shift, the tires were too noisy. The insulation of wheeled arches leaves much to be desired. And the Kia suspension is by no means a model of comfort. It is not only tough enough, but also a sonorous irregularities of the coating roughly, with unpleasant body blows. Finally, SID is very sensitive and an unpleasant itch and light vibration on the steering wheel appears to the quality of coating on an abrasive asphalt in the cabin.
 

Astra is much less picky to the quality of the road. And given the gambling nature of controllability, I only want to praise the smoothness of Opel. Let's say the motor is really noisy only when the machine gun is on duty in the sport position.


Ah fellow!
This kia has already gone down in history as the first Korean car, which has earned five stars in the Euroncap crash tests. We are happy to transfer excellent assessment to the SID presented in the Russian market. After all, even in the basic configuration there is a sextet of pillows, in fact, and made a five -star rating possible. The basic kia can boast of an advanced ABS with an emergency braking amplifier and the distribution of brake efforts. And on more expensive versions, active head restraints are installed, really saving the cervical vertebrae when hitting behind.

 
    
     
In Kia, the disconnected passenger Air Bag is already in the database, but to install a children's chair in the front of the Astra salon is prohibited


Astra, although it earned the same five stars from Euroncap, but we still did not deserve an excellent assessment. The basic package of Opel includes ABS, front and lateral eire beags, but inflatable safety curtains can only be obtained as paid additions. All the pleasure is 22,000 rubles.


Again and well
The growth of the popularity of Astra, alas, could not but affect her price. After the next rise in price, the minimum Astra 5-door hatchback in a good Essenshia (air conditioning, front electric windows, central lock, radio training) with a 90-horsepower engine costs 447,000 rubles. ($ 17 880). The optimal 115-horsepower Ango-1,6 will pull 513,000 rubles. ($ 20 520). But such a motor is combined only with mechanics or semi -automatic Isetronics, whose moody character is far from everyone. If you wanted a real machine, be kind to pay for a 1.8-liter engine. Total 140-horsepower Astra-Enge with the automatic transmission will pull 583,000 rubles. ($ 23 330), and in a more spectacular space there are already 607,000 rubles. ($ 24 280).
 

The Korean model by definition should be cheaper. So it is: the base 109-horsepower SID-1,4 without air conditioning costs 446,700 rubles. ($ 17 868). Only three hundred rubles are cheaper than astra. So so, not only for a car with an optimal, in our opinion, engine with a volume of 1.6 liters and in the EX configuration, they ask for 525,600 rubles. This, by the way, is $ 21,024 even more than Astra-1,6-Enge! And only with the automatic transmission is more profitable. The version with climate control, cast discs and other pleasant trinkets that allow you to compare this version with Opel-cosmo, costs 555,300 rubles, almost $ 2000 is cheaper than astra. However, those who want to buy Kia for $ 22 212 still look
 

I will not argue, even in Europe, Sid is more expensive than its predecessors. Only there, together with the car, buyers receive an unprecedented guarantee for seven years. In Russia, its strongly truncated 5-year version is proposed. Moreover, only the engine without hanging equipment has a guarantee for the full period, the rest of the parts were slowly received much more profitable for dealers from year to three.
 

Opelevsky for two years without limiting a run (if you agree to be served only from the dealer who sold the car, you can get an extra year of the free service) cannot be called semolina, but such ingenuous pressingness seems more honest than the supposedly generous five -year plan from Kia.
    
We decided:

Well, Astra (, average rating 4.3) is still one of the best in golf class. She is among leaders in dynamics and security, she has a convenient and high -quality interior, and the level of comfort by the standards of democratic models is simply excellent. The main thing, serious disadvantages, except for an uncomfortable climate block, a small trunk and permanently rising prices, this car does not. But, unlike the same focus, the Astra can be bought almost on the day of access to the dealer. And this is a huge plus in the era, when the queues for a year in advance are perceived almost by the norm.
 

Boyko, the starting sales of SID, by the way, are also partially owed to the presence of living cars on dealerships. But we will really be fair and really managed to create a very talented car. SID (, 4.1), perhaps the best passenger model, decorated with a Korean emblem. And not only in the golf class in the absolute standings. For the first time we meet Kia, who has nothing to apologize for the buyer at all. SID demonstrates a high level in all disciplines from the plastic of the interior decoration to passive safety. So, with its task to make a car no worse than Europeans and Japanese can, Koreans managed. That's just cheaper about him now you can’t say.
 

Of course, compared with Astra, you save from three hundred rubles to two thousand green. True, in the latter case, Opel will be noticeably more temperamental, and most importantly, truly European. Sid comes to show rooms with a sign made in Russia. How much would this kia cost if its assembly had not been organized on a car car? Isn't it more expensive than the same asters?
 


 

Mikhail Medvedev, photo of Maxim Goncharov
 
 

A source: Magazine buy a car [20/2007]