Test drive by Renault Scenic 1999 - 2003 Minivan

All photos Renault Scenic 1999 - 2003

Family quartet

The European and world boom of demand for mini-wen continues. This is not to say that he overwhelmed Russia, but here these functional cars are increasingly finding their customers. Moreover, the choice became wider - the one once the class shared several subclasses, from micro -sized Van. The middle of this row is occupied by compact mini -wen - five -door five -seater with two rows of seats built on platforms of models of middle or small middle classes. It was they who visited our test: Mitsubishi Space Star (ZR, 1999, No. 11), Mazda-Primashi, Renault Megan stage and Citroen Xara Picasso.

About the subject of the conversation
Imagine that you have a well -paid job, which you should wander by car for all week, and a large restless family, striving to see the world during weekends and vacation. Compact mini-wen are called upon to satisfy conflicting requirements: they combine maneuverability, efficiency and price of a passenger machine with almost bus spaciousness of the cabin.
What, can you imagine? That's it, the European boom will not reach us in any way. We would be their concerns! Let’s at least dream - we don’t dig a century in the four - and put ourselves in the place of those for whom such a choice is relevant.

Visorins
Despite the belonging to one class, our rival colleagues have many individual characteristics.

Mitsubishi Space Star compact, unassuming externally, stands on relatively small fourteen -inch wheels and from afar may well go beyond the usual five -door hatchback. We also note that it is supplied to Russia so far only with the weakest 1.3-liter engine (1.8 GDI is expected by the end of the summer), but in the northern version and, according to the instructions, with road clearance increased to 165 mm. In the last indicator, cunning is hidden, since it corresponds to an empty machine. On completely loaded, as required by the technique, only 120 mm was intended under the muffler. By the way, the rear suspension here, like that of carisms, is quite sophisticated - multi -link. Space Star is manned more modest than rivals, but also most affordable in price - $ 17,990. The cheapest modification without air conditioner will cost another thousand cheaper.

You can’t call Mazda-Primashi a modest person-a bright appearance, a memorable facial expression, huge rear lights, wide low-profile tires, a powerful 1.8-liter motor, a very rich equipment, however, without an audio system. This pleasure also costs a lot - $ 22,000. $ 800 is cheaper - an option without heating seats and washer washer, but with a radio. Officially, Primasi is not delivered to Russia, and a car that passed the beaten -by -the -way road of gray dealers - through Finland visited the test. Once awarded the rear stabilizer, visible under the bottom, as they say, with the naked eye. Its bizarre bends are located only 95 mm from the asphalt.
Renault Scenic is similar to a toy bus - rounded, with large glasses, smooth lines of the body and wide -open eyes -phararies. Massive wheels on alloy disks are an ambulance on broken asphalt, it seems, does not threaten.

If the rest of the machines are open from the bottom of dirt and stones, here is strong protection from a steel sheet. The cleanliness of the compartment is relevant here, as it is nowhere - to get an oil probe, you need to run your hand into the bowels on the shoulder. To surprise, the real road clearance turned out to be 130 mm - even more declared! The list of configuration The stage is almost as impressive as Primashi, but it costs (with a 1.6 l engine) is much less - $ 18,900. A two -liter machine is much more expensive - exactly $ 10 for each extra cube.
Citroen Ksara Picasso externally differs from the rest. It is deliberately symmetrical, almost an egg-shaped body with soft lines of the sidewalls and widely arranged with large 15-inch wheels does not resemble a minibus at all. When viewed from below, an unprotected motor compartment and an intermediate muffler located exactly in the middle of the car, from which to asphalt is only 120 mm, is bulging, is less than an inch less than under the engine of the engine. The exact price of the car at the time of the test was not known, however, according to the Sitroen representation, it would not exceed $ 20,000; At the same time, cars will be equipped with a climatic installation and ABS brakes.
However, they buy mini -wen not for appearance: they value the main advantage - a spacious salon with many transformation options.

Informal transformality

Sitting in the spaces of an old, it is possible to determine its belonging to mini-wenes at first glance only by high ceiling. Everything else, like a regular car: is not a tight, but fairly dense passing, the usual size and configuration, the front panel, split (60:40) The rear sofa with a pair of head restraints, high thresholds, a protruding central tunnel, trotted stamping under the feet. And the openings of the rear doors are more and more likely than that of another station wagon. It is no coincidence, it is clear that in the proprietary press releases the Space Star is not called a mini-wen anywhere. However, the features of the latter are present: many messages, boxes, pockets and even a basket under the front armchair, the back of the rear seat is adjustable along the angle of inclination. Three passengers on it are freely in height and length, but in the stump on the shoulders - not crowded, but you won’t turn it off either. You can lay bulky things by moving the seat forward by 150 mm (choosing a gap in front of the knees). This position is convenient for children. In this case, the trunk volume will increase by 80 liters. Note that the actually measured volume was 288 liters, although 370 are included in the factory characteristics.

But Mazda -Primasi with the trunk of all O'Kei - 360 liters with the declared 370 liters. We play in the cubes of the extra hour, perhaps, the remaining 10 liters would also have shoved. The possibilities of transformation are also richer here - due to the fact that the second row is made up of three separate chairs that can be adjusted, folded or removed at all, and in a matter of seconds, in a completely arbitrary order. Let's say fold the middle back and use it as a wide central armrest. Or leave only the side chairs, but to rearrange them a little closer to the middle, increasing the level of comfort from economical to business class. However, in the usual configuration, Mazda is quite comfortable. It is a little more spacious than Mitsubishi, it can boast of the wide openings of the rear doors, almost flat in the back of the cabin with a floor, an abundance of multi -caliber boxes that do not interfere with the viewing with soft frame headrests and several chandeliers in the cabin. The only drawback is flat, without side rollers of the seat with excessive waist support.

Renault scatter for the capacity and transformability of the salon is close to leadership. It is tangibly wider, especially from the back, planting in it is higher and vertical, which, with large longitudinal sizes, creates a feeling of space, which enhances the low glazing line. Under the even floor and rear seats, in addition to the shelves-karmanas, spacious boxes are hidden. The seats are soft, with good lateral fixation, the rear head restraints fall on the back of the back and do not interfere with the review. In order not to repeat itself, we will only say that in terms of transformation of the passage of the scenes is not inferior, and in some things even surpasses the Mazda. For example, in the version of the business class, the rear seats can be moved away to fall apart by stretching your legs and placing a bottle of something refreshing in front of you on a folding table. The trunk is also good here - 368 liters, although it does not reach the declared volume of 410 liters. Its main feature is an almost correct rectangular shape without protruding wheeled arches. This is the merit of a compact torsion pendant so beloved by the French. In addition, here the hard shelf (Mazda and Mitsubishi has soft horizontal curtains) can be installed at two levels from the floor, which is very convenient.
Citroen Ksara Picasso, as a cleaner, wins the internal volume competitions. It sounds trite, but it seems that inside it is more than outside. In the cabin, five of the most impressive complexion will easily be placed, while comfort for everyone is achieved without compromises. Planting the driver and the front passenger closer to the passenger than the bus. However, the possibilities of transformation are not as great as that of Renault. From the rear seats, only the middle one moves back and forth, the rest can only fold - completely or only the backs (the latter is adjusted to the angle of inclination). But in terms of the number and volume of the mess-karmanov, Citroen is in no way inferior to Renault (there is even a folding bag in the trunk). Under the rigid shelf of the trunk, we measured 388 liters, although it is stated as many as 550. The full-size reserve is located in French. For those who are not parole - under the floor outside, as in Moskvich -2141.

Sat down - went ...

The driver’s driver's seat dedicated only two adjustments, but moderately hard and comfortable. You sit in it somehow immediately, without many trial attempts. A simple combination of devices (speedometer and two signs) successfully complements a large liquid crystal display in the center. As if apologizing for the lack of a tachometer, he supplies the driver with various additional information.
A 1.3 liter motor is not designed to give the machine a fighting character. But he is quite capable of ensuring stable movement in space. If you look at this angle, everything will fall into place. A reliable touch from the place, even confident responses to the actions of the accelerator, an understandable steering wheel, accurate reactions, small rolls - everything is very soundly. However, the situation is changing, you just have to cross a certain border. If there are still no claims to the car, then vertical buildup, scouring, early skidding of the internal drive wheel appear in the turns. Most likely, this is a consequence of the suspension adaptation to Russian conditions. This assumption is confirmed by a small course of the end of the front racks, often knocking on limiters. Russian Carisma also thunders. The Mitsubishi suspension repeats in detail the profile of the road, at high speed there is a buildup of the body. Only minor irregularities and, conversely, deep bumps of the car passes as it should. In general, against the backdrop of competitors, Mitsubishi looks, as they say, is unpretentious.

You sit behind the wheel of Mazda-Primasi for a long time: too conjure, the back does not allow you to immediately find the desired point of the support. The range of longitudinal movements for most is sufficient, but heroes can be in constrained conditions. I liked the abundance of free space on the sides and above the head, comfortable pedals and the trunk adjustable in height. Only the gearbox lever is slightly low, and the devices are overloaded with a picket fence of small crooks. A solid front panel was not enough for the game of designer imagination.
On the road from Primashi they expected a lot: after all, she has one of the most powerful engines in our quartet. But at first it seems too flat, and only when the tachometer arrow exceeds 4000 rpm, the Mazda, as if springy, shoots forward. Such a temperamental, resourceful motor on a family car today is a rather rare thing. To match the engine characteristics. As if having been educated at the school of riders, the car surprises with very sharp and quick feedback on the actions of the steering wheel. Such acuity in everyday life sometimes tires. The creators, apparently understanding this, loaded the steering wheel with a mighty stabilizing effort - because the car is better felt so. It turned out just a sports projectile on which you can break it out. But does a family barn need such a character?

The same ideology is laid down in the suspension of Mazda. Hard, short -term, she regularly collects the whole trifle, diligently passing the shocks to the body and the steering wheel. At the same time, the car is perfectly passed by gentle waves without a hint of vertical buildup.
As if feasting the Japanese, Renault Statzik comfortably takes his embossed seats in the arms of his relief: in soft pillows you are drowning deeper ... Apparently, having felt this, they added one more to three standard adjustments - the background in the lumbar region. The range of movements of the seats allows you to conveniently get a very tall person.
You can’t call the engine sluggish - he also loves momentum, but, unlike the Mazda engine, sports notes are not expressed so brightly and begin to appear after 3000-3500 rpm. The only weak place is touching. On the bottoms you feel the lack of a cool moment, which makes you carefully act as pedals of the accelerator and adhesion.

In the management of Renault - the exact opposite of Mazde. Rides of the car are soft, smooth, and it itself is quite crucial. But what is surprising: it is worth going a little sharply, and the car, as if crossing the barrier of uncertainty, suddenly becomes very executive in relation to the driver's teams. And he slightly reduced the pace - and again relaxing calm reactions make it possible to control it for an arbitrarily long time, tirelessly.
Comfortable and suspension stage. She almost does not notice minor irregularities and reacts very gently to larger, wave -like, whose passage is accompanied only by smooth swaying. However, at high speed and when it gets into deep pits, the suspension does not always work effectively - intense buildup occurs.
... Do you like Picasso's paintings (just do not try to portray an art critic)? The front panel of Citroen is equally contradictory: curious, of course, but you need to get used to the dashboard located in the center of the dashboard. However, Xara Picasso is not a pioneer in this - you will find a similar combination in Reno -Espas and Renault Twingo. It is only comforted that the readings are perfectly read with any illumination, and by pressing the button you can completely erase all the others except the speedometer. It is more difficult to find fault with other governing bodies. The gear shift lever located on the front panel is convenient and has pleasant clarity, and the steering wheel adjustable in the angle of inclination, no matter how move it, will not be able to block the devices. Soft seats with a short pillow and embossed back are similar to the Renovsky, although the location of the adjustment handles is not so logical.

From the whole four, Citroen gives rise to a minimum of emotions in the one who is driving: a simple touch from a place, confident acceleration in any gear. But the sensation of the mercy with the car does not arise - it is clearly distances from the driver. Despite the apparent thoughtfulness, Picasso only lost to Mazda in digital terms - the impartial measuring complex Corsis awarded him first place for the brakes and the second for the dynamics of overclocking. The same is the case with the controllability of Citroen. Although the high grip qualities of tires and small body rolls allow you to pass at high speed, for some reason I don’t want to do this. The enviable lightness and sensitivity of the steering is poorly combined with its low accuracy, so the driver is too tense on an uneven and winding road. It is best to quickly go on this car on a straight and even road, especially since it is noticeably quieter than competitors.
As for the suspension, the Scottish-French hybrid (McEferson in front and transverse torsions from behind) is clearly designed for European highways: with small irregularities it copes without problems, but on large chips and potholes misses sharp blows to the body. The possibilities to resist the wave on the asphalt are also very limited.

Mitsubishi Space Star was first shown in the fall of 1998. A front-wheel drive five-seater mini-ven on a 50 mm Carisma platform, together with which it is produced at the Verkar factory in Holland. It is equipped with gasoline motors of 1.3 liters or 1.8 GDI and a mechanical five -speed gearbox. Perhaps the appearance of a modification with a unavailable variator.
+ The smallest price, compactness, passenger sensations of the driver, long -term guarantee, comfortable seats.
- mediocre dynamics, a small road clearance, a small stroke of the end of the front suspension, the limited possibilities of transformation of the cabin, not very spacious interior and trunk.

At the 1999 Geneva salon, he made his fifth -seater mini -van Mazda -Primasi on a 60 mm plate of model 323. The drive is front, power units - a 1.8 liter gasoline engine (100 or 114 hp) or a 2.0 liter turbodiesel. aggregated with a five -speed mechanical or four -speed automatic (only 1.8 l) gearboxes.
+ Bright appearance, good dynamics, excellent controllability characteristics, good transformation opportunities, huge doorways, rich equipment.
- A steering wheel, low-powerful stabilizer, not too comfortable landing, the highest price, unofficial supply too sharp for a mini-wen, unofficial delivery.

In the fall of 1996, Renault launched a five -seater scenes on the Megana platform - the first European mini -van compact class. In 1999, the model was restored, and in Moscow at the Russian car dealership, the premiere of the all -wheel drive version of the RX4 took place (received a special prize at the wheel). The front -wheel drive car is equipped with 1.4 gasoline engines; 1.6; 2.0 liters or a 1.9-liter diesel engine in atmospheric or turbocharged options, as well as a five-speed mechanical or four-speed automatic (except for the lowest modifications) gearboxes.
+ A spacious salon with wide transformation capabilities, a convenient luggage shape, a profitable price/quality ratio, protection of a motor compartment, good smoothness.
- noticeable rolls in corners, lack of torque when touched from a place, difficult driver's sensations.

Citroen Xara Picasso as a prototype was shown in the fall of 1998 in Paris. Built on an extended 220 mm platform of the front -wheel drive xara. In Russia, sales began in 2000. Of the three options with gasoline engines of 1.6 and 1.8 liters and a two -liter turbodiesel with a Ustmon Rail injection system (all with mechanical gearboxes), only the first will not be presented for us.
+ Spacious interior, good dynamic qualities, a painful motor, low noise.
- low steering accuracy, uncomfortable external location of the rear wheel, disputed design solutions.

If psychologically you are not yet ready to cross the wheel of a mini -wen, look at Mitsubishi Space Star - his differences from a passenger station wagon are minimal. Mazdu-Primasi will most likely choose an energetic person, not devoid of ambitions, including driverships, but who, due to necessity, needs a roomy car. Renault Megan Scenik and Citroen Xara Picasso are expresses for family travels very similar in nature, but in the first, functionality prevailed, in the second - originality.