Skoda Octavia test drive since 2008 -

We need a solid hatchback up to 30 thousand euros

Dmitry Marin. Age: 41 years. Work: Director of travel agencies. Rides: Nissan X-Trail. He wants: the second car for family trips. Budget: up to 30,000
My Nissan X-Trail suits me completely. But his wife is uncomfortable in him. She does not like SUVs, what can you do! The principle will be tormented by which I was guided by buying X-Trail, I did not work. Now you have to pay by buying a second car
Ford mondeo 2.3 pfi
It was chosen because: I always liked the previous Mondeo models, but it has not yet been driven on an updated car.
Skoda Octavia 2.0 FSI
It was chosen because: there is experience in long -term operation of the previous version. In addition, the car likes the car.
Mazda6 2.0
It was chosen because: this is one of the most beautiful and modern class cars.

Car requirements
IMAGE
Of course, I would like to look beautifully, especially considering that I buy it for my wife. Nevertheless, for me, the image in the choice of a car is still secondary. I will try to convince my wife of this.
STYLE
I adhere to European or Japanese styles in choosing a car.
Shodal qualities
The most important is accelerated dynamics and smoothness. Automatic gearbox is required.
Economy
It does not matter much.
INTERIOR
I would like to have some kind of highlight, but at the same time it is advisable to avoid the dominance of new-fangled futuristic solutions.
EQUIPMENT
I prefer that the car comes from the factory in the maximum configuration, since I absolutely do not accept the intervention in the finished design.
The level of development of the world auto industry reached such heights that the difference between a very good car and simply good is sometimes in subtle, but pleasant trifles. It is they that allow you to calmly and comfortably drive a car. After all, wherever you go, nerves and traffic jams do not add positive. Since the machine is purchased at the insistence of a wife, who does not basically get behind the wheel, comfort is no less important in the front passenger place, as well as the presence of a large number of cup holders, eyeglasses, shelves and other amenities. And, of course, a spacious trunk, going to the birth estate, the wife will always find something to score the trunk to the eyeballs. And to get a bit due to the fact that some kind of box did not fit again, I am once again useless. That is why I opted for the hatchback. The station wagons seem too bulky, and sedans are inferior in capacity.
I admit honestly, the wife is inclined in favor of Skoda Octavia, we already had such a car, and we both warmly recall it. But the previously to make the final choice, I would like to evaluate all kinds of options and compare the Czech with the nearest competitors.
Traveling around the world, I tried a huge number of rented cars. However, the mid -class hatchbacks rarely came across among them. Anyway, I noticed that in recent years, more and more automakers have been refusing to produce such bodies. The choice in this market segment is not too large, but it is. So let's go!
Ford Mondeo
STYLE
The car does not suit me in style. There are no complaints about the exterior, but the interior clearly diverges from my ideas.
Shodal qualities
The car is very stable, well controlled, but at the same time so heavy that even a 2.3 -frail engine is not enough to provide decent dynamics.
INTERIOR
Excessive mixture of styles and the bulging of shiny details is too cutting the eye.
Economy
9.3 liters per hundred. But for me it is absolutely unimportant.
Equipment in the standard
The basic equipment does not really bother me. I have a tough position: if you take the car, it should be completely equipped. If there is not enough money, it is better to take a smaller car, but in the maximum equipment.

Advantages and disadvantages
+ Perfect dashboard, expressive appearance, information content of control elements.
- Weak dynamics, a clumsy interior, an uncomfortable driver’s chair.
Specifications
Mark and model - Ford mondeo 2.3 pfi
Dimensions - 4778x1886x1500 mm
Engine - gasoline, 2261 cm3, 161 hp/6500 min -1
Transmission - automatic, 6 -speed
Dynamics - 207 km/h; 10.5 s to 100 km/h

The appearance is fully consistent with the image of the brand. But the interior, frankly, disappointed. Excessive mixing of styles is felt. Personally, it cuts my eyes. Gray plastic, metal inserts, panels under the black tree of all this is too much. In addition, a huge number of brilliant details distracting attention. And the point here is not my prejudice regarding the Americans Mondeo’s salon is more like a European. Well, at least the central console, trimmed with matte metal, is characterized by extreme functionality. Unlike shiny inserts on the steering wheel, it is absolutely not annoying. The dashboard with a colored monitor in the middle is very informative and is admired. Perhaps this is the best dashboard that I saw.
The impressions of driving are ambiguous. On the one hand, the car is very heavy, so the dynamics of acceleration can hardly be called impressive. But the handling is good. Thanks to it is convenient to park and maneuver in a small radius of the turning on Mondeo in the city. Although, despite the large mirrors, the rear review leaves much to be desired. In general, managing Ford is quite pleasant, but sitting is inconvenient. No matter how tuned the seat, and after half an hour the lower back begins to get sick.
What more i can say? The automatic blowing system and the start button with the remote central locking lock are very convenient: you just move off the car, and it closes. The quality of music is worthy, although I am not a music lover and for me this is not a key factor. The legs for the legs of the rear passengers are enough, but the ceiling is low. In addition, the flat glass underestimates the trunk size. Since the machine is bought mainly for the wife, who spends all the time in the right front seat, depresses a tiny glove compartment and the lack of amenities inherent in indigenous Americans like a dozen cup holders, eyeglasses and the like. I don’t want to get a bit from your wife on such trifles.
Mazda6
STYLE
The most stylish car of all!
Shodal qualities
Very worthy! Great dynamics and handling, excellent gearbox settings.
INTERIOR
The design of the dashboard is taken from the 50s and complemented by futuristic backlight. The contrast of classics and surrealism, in my opinion, is too harsh, and therefore is somewhat annoying.
Economy
7.7 liters per 100 km.
Equipment in the standard
It was frankly surprised that such an option as an electric drive of seats is available only in the most expensive
configuration. And it is impossible to equip the car with a native navigation system in Russia.

Advantages and disadvantages
+ A good standard audio system, modern dynamic design, excellent running qualities.
- Too bright devices, not the most capacious trunk.
Specifications
Brand and model - mazda6 2.0
Dimensions - 4755x1795x1440 mm
Engine - gasoline, 1999 cm3, 147 hp/6500 min -1
Automatic transmission, 5-speed
Dynamics 202 km/h; 11.1 s to 100 km/h

The most stylish car of all, both in terms of the exterior, and with regard to the interior. A lot of pleasant little things like a drawer for documents in the steering wheel, automatic lighting of mirrors in sunscreen screens and all kinds of cup holders. But, as in Ford, it is frankly annoying the steering insert for metal. Yes, and the surreal syno-orange composition of the dashboard is not very pleasant for me. The devices are too alapists and distract attention. Do not really like wood inserts. True, in Mazda they look more logical and harmonious than in Mondeo, and no longer cause such a sharp rejection.
From the point of view of the information content of the dashboard and the functionality of control elements on the central console, the Mazda is somewhat inferior to Ford. But the visibility in the six is \u200b\u200bmuch better than in Mondeo. Plastic in the salon is better than in Ford. In general, Mazda noticeably exceeds the other two cars as a finish. The seats are covered with amazingly soft skin. The only thing I do not really like is velor inserts on the seats, which will be easily grew up.

The lever of the automatic transmission selector is made in the American manner of a snake. For me, the traditional straightforward switching scheme is more familiar to me. But I am sure that you can quickly get used to this option. But the location of the hand brake handle to the right of the KP selector is somewhat surprising. It is clear that such a component is designed for the Japanese, that is, the right-sided location of the steering wheel, but for the Russian market, the handbrake could be rearranged to the usual place. A thrown table in the back seat is not enough. It is more like a giant cup holder. But there are more than enough passengers. Despite not the most modest dimensions, I am quite spacious in this car. As for the baggage, which we carry in large quantities to the cottage and vice versa, it can be loaded into the rear compartment in a huge amount. And special thanks for the trunk opening button. This is especially true when you are slopeing on the street, and you are afraid to get dirty. I pressed the cover button opened. There is an electric closer. You don’t need to clap a lid. He made a slight effort, and then everything will close by itself. It feels like the six is \u200b\u200bmuch easier than Mondeo. So, despite the smaller engine volume, Mazda moves briskly and smoothly. The road holds better, controls more acutely.
Skoda Octavia
STYLE
The style is designed in a single but rather old -fashioned spirit and, as a result, boring.
Shodal qualities
In terms of dynamics and smoothness, the most decent car from the entire three. Although, perhaps, the only thing is that Octavia I feel much better than two other cars.
INTERIOR
I would like plastic more expensive. Already too sharply cheap panels contrast with an expensive leather finish for 55,500 rubles.
Economy
8.3 liters per 100 km.
Equipment in the standard
In principle, without leather upholstery, the seats can be lived, but I would like to have an electric drive of seats in any configuration.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Great dynamics, roomy trunk.
- A weak standard audio system, there is little space for the rear passengers, an obsolete exterior.
Specifications
Mark and model - Skoda Octavia 2.0 FSI
Dimensions - 4572x1769x1462 mm
Engine - gasoline, 1984 cm3, 150 hp/6000 min -1
Transmission - automatic, 6 -speed
Dynamics - 210 km/h; 10.1 s to 100 km/h

From the point of view of the exterior, Skoda is the oldest car. This is a minus. The interior is also simpler than Ford, not to mention Mazda. But then there is no mixing of styles. Although its own spoon of tar in the interior of Skoda is also present: expensive leather seats contrast too sharply with cheap plastic in the cabin. The rear -view mirrors are noticeably smaller than that of Ford. Adjustments are less convenient, but visibility is much better than that of competitors.
As for the dashboard, here Ford will give Skoda a hundred points forward. The central console of Czechs is simpler and less functional, but purely visually annoying much less. In Octavia, silver inserts only add the interior a highlight. The glove compartment is the most spacious, there is where to put the bottles, there are cup holders, pleases the otzeshnik with an elevator. The seats are more convenient in a word, despite the smaller dimensions, in this car my wife will be more comfortable than in the previous two. But the back is closely closely, and there are no cup holders in the central table. This is another minus. But the trunk in Octavia is simply fabulous. Compared to competitors, the scope for creativity when loading it, of course, is much wider.
The wife initially wanted Skoda. And, comparing Octavia with Mazda6 and Ford Mondeo, I agree that her choice was correct. The Czech car suits her more than others. The woman’s heart cannot be deceived! As for me, the interior and exterior of Mazda is of course seduced, but the second time to step on the same rake and I do not want to recur of the story with the Nissan X-Trail. In addition, deep down, I understand that the appearance now, in a year, is no longer so relevant, and the classic always remains in fashion.
My choice
Ford disappears immediately. Skoda and Mazda remain. In the exterior I like six more, her interior is also more modern and alive. In terms of controllability, they are almost equal. Well, maybe half a bell in favor of OSTAVIA. And although the Japanese woman is good, after all, for the joy of my wife, I will choose a Czech. Despite the smaller dimensions, Skoda has the most solid trunk. But, most importantly, here everything is designed for a woman to live in a front passenger seat. A spacious glove compartment, a lot of cup holders, shelves are even an eyelet. All this, of course, will appeal to the woman, as well as a comfortable passenger chair. Only a rather weak standard audio system is upset. In Mazda, acoustics are an order of magnitude better.
Editor's Choice
It seems that Dmitry’s decision is largely predetermined by the preferences of his wife and the positive experience of long -term operation of Octavia. However, the choice of the editors is fundamentally different from the opinion of our hero. So, Ford is certainly heavy, but it looks much more modern than Skoda. Yes, and the 2.3 -fraudulent Mondeo engine is enough to stay about the same level with rivals in terms of dynamic characteristics. At least, the Japanese car in the dynamics of acceleration Ford is definitely not inferior. However, in the aggregate, in our opinion, it was Mazda in this test that showed itself a little better than competitors.

Author: Vladimir Makkaveev
Photo: Sergey Krestov
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [May 2008]