Test Drive Renault Sandero Stepway since 2010 Hatchback

Renault Sandero vs Kia Rio. Oil in fire

Renault Sandero. Price: 486000 rub. On sale: since 2010
Kia Rio. Price: 485900 rub. On sale: since 2008

The difference in price between the new Renault Sandero and Kia Rio in the maximum configuration and mechanical gearboxes is only a hundred rubles, but in addition to the meager difference in price there are also a huge difference in time. What preferred to the buyer of the Sandero market newcomer or the time-tested RIO?

Test pilots
Oleg Kalaushin, 41 years old, car journalist, driving experience 22 years old, personal car - Renault Logan

Igor Kuznetsov, 48 years old, car journalist, driving experience 31 years, Personal car - Nissan Qashqai

The dispute is that better, Sandero or Rio, in fact, topical. Type in any of the search engines of Rio or Sandero, and before you drew more than a dozen pages, on which the supporters of the first or second model will prove the superiority of your car over the other. Moreover, it will be both relevant forums and forums, completely distant from the automotive theme. In particular, on one of the sites we had the opportunity to see the dispute on this topic among cactus. In general, even botany argue. We decided not to argue, but really see which of the cars is really better. Twenty minutes call dealers, and the next day, two hatchbacks in the maximum configuration were standing at the meeting site. Both with mechanical gearboxes, both with the most powerful motor and both with puddles on the asphalt in the engine area. Unbearable July heat, covered this year even the northern regions of our immense homeland, did not allow us for a minute to turn off air conditioners in the machines. Result: Condensate from Condeyev was raised along the asphalt by the river from under both machines. However, the first differences appeared here.

Let's start with the fact that the air conditioning is installed in Sandero, and in RIO climate control, and let it not be two-zone, but when electronics monitors the optimal temperature in the cabin, it is still pleasant. Yes, and the very work of the air conditioner on Rio practically does not affect the overall noise of the engine, both in the cabin and from the street. It is worth pressing the appropriate button on the central console in Sandero, like swimming in the puddle not dry after yesterday's shower. The sound of the radiator fan in such modes is quite strong. In the cabin, wherever nothing went, but outside the car is noise, like a rocket progress in front of the start. It is necessary to turn off the same air conditioning how the grace is conducive to the world. In general, whether the French were reinforced, whether something did not calculate something to the end, but the fact remains a fact: the air conditioner is seriously affected by the overall noise background from the engine of Sandero, and this is not very good.

But in the calculations of the useful volume of the luggage compartment, they succeeded. No matter how cool, and 320 liters of the luggage compartment Sandero will always be more than 270 liters of the Rio trunk volume. However, the volume of volume, and the convenience of using the trunk itself is also an important point. Let's start with the fact that in Sandero, the loading height is much higher than at Rio. The moment is second: consolidate the cargo in the trunk of RIO labor will not be, in the floor there are appropriate loops, and Sandero does not have them. And thirdly, despite the fact that the trunk in Rio is less, the opening itself is more in width here more. Why the designers Sandero artificially joined him at the expense of unjustified protruding guide shelves of the luggage compartment, for us it remained a mystery. However, the shortcomings and trunk of Rio are not deprived. It is only worth folding the backs of the second row, as you understand that a more flattering platform turns out still in Sandero. Yes, and one third, which can not be folded in favor of the third passenger, yet more than the Frenchman, which, however, is understandable, because it is wider.

However, with a completely militant front armchairs sit more convenient in Rio. In the backs of the front seats Korean there are special notches. And unlike exactly the same recesses from Sandero, they have a plastic base. That is, massage with the knees of the rear passengers neither the driver nor the front passenger in Rio is not threatened. In Sandero, a long-leg and his neighbor will have to be patient. Any movement of the sitting behind you feel literally liver. But what grace in both cars in front! Places is enough even for the most dollance. In any case, when heighting in 185 cm, the leg front passenger can be pulled out completely. Does not feel deprived and driver. That in Sandero, that in Rio it can be convenient to get driving behind the wheel. Both vehicles have the same seats and steering wheel adjustments, and therefore, in connection with this indicator, they are practically identical. The little things consist only in ergonomics. And although the Korean is that the Frenchman has almost the same, there is still different differences. So, the Koreson button at the Korean is located in the center of the steering wheel, and the Frenchman in the end of the left steering wheel switcher. Or take the adjustment of the Sandero mirrors. It is located between the seats of the front armchairs, and Rio has on the driver's door. Trifles, of course, but they require habits.

What exactly will have to get used to, so it is to the weightless pedals of the clutch, which is on the first that on the second car. Initially, it seems that at the other end of the cable there is nothing at all. Is it correct? Perhaps someone gives it to this, but we have such an excessive ease seemed inappropriate.

Sensuality, which is called, disappears, and work with a clutch pedal accounts for literally intuitively. Slightly thought, or either rangy, or pulled from the place with the burden. In general, strains. The same can be said about the steering amplifier, but, however, only in Rio. Korean is electric, in connection with which it is too easy in parking mode and is prohibitively heavy in the mode of the route. Moreover, at high speeds from zero, it literally has to turn. Round and moved, and this means an excess movement in the opposite direction to adjust the trajectory. Sandero In this case, it is more predicting in this case, however, when parking is that at high speed, the effort on the steering wheel is the same in moderation is heavy. And what about the dynamics? Unfortunately, our Rio market comes with a single engine. This is a 1.4-liter row 16-valve 97-strong power unit. Sandero is more democratic, and three engines are offered to the buyer's choice. But for those money that we voiced at the beginning of the article, Renault can boast a motor with a large volume and greater power. Here we are already talking about 1.6 l volume and 102 liters. from.

Renaault Sandero.
In Europe, this hatchback appeared two years ago. Moreover, what is interesting, there it costs less than the Renault Logan ratilator, we have the same way. Apparently, thus the company's marketers are trying to give a car somewhat different status. Unlike Logan, in their opinion, Sandero has more closely to young people than those who are for.

Driving
The maximum torque is shifted to the area of \u200b\u200bhigh revolutions, in connection with which the motor has to spur all the time.

Salon
Quite spacious. The trunk is spacious.

Comfort
The efficiency of the air conditioner in hot weather can not please.

Security
In the database only one airbag. The second pillow and ABS option even in the maximum configuration.

Price
Interesting, but it could well be even more competitive.


Kia Rio.
This car is not new in our market, in connection with which there is a well-established demand. Nevertheless, the manufacturer is that and the case modifies its bestseller, in order not to lose customers. The last change is restyling, which pulled Rio to a common corporate style and thereby dispersed the interest in the model.

Driving
The dynamics of the car is quite acceptable. Do not cause negativity and brakes, but the steering requires addiction.

Salon
It is spacious in moderate, quite convenient. Materials that seek soft to the touch are tough plastic.

Comfort
Climate control and audio system may well brighten even the longest journey.

Security
Two airbags and ABS are quite comparable to the car price.

Price
Quite adequate to the car.



Our verdict
So what's the result? Who has won? Unambiguously on this question we would have given an answer. For example, we could not answer for ourselves to the question, which from cars in reality is dynamic. Those two seconds of the difference that are declared by manufacturers, in acceleration to hundreds, we have not rushed into a hundred. And for other indicators, cars are very similar. And Sandero, and Rio have both their advantages and cons. And the disputes, so they are disputes so that truth is born in them. We just tried to arrange priorities and thus poured the olives into the fire.


Author: Oleg Kalaushin
Photo: Igor Kuznetsov
 

A source: Magazine 5 Wheel [September 2010]