Skoda Octavia I test drive - 2010 -

Komsomol member, athlete and just beauty

Skoda-Octavia, Renault-Magan and Mitsubishi Carism in fact prove that all means are good in the struggle for buyers' wallets.
Do not want to meet?
What do these three cars have in common, in addition to belonging to a golf class? That's right: each of them is among the most popular foreign cars in Russia. Octavia, heading the hit parade, has succeeded in more than others in this field. Perhaps many buyers are still sure that Czech is a classmate not golf and bore, but not less than the passato?
Renault is sold in a slightly more modest quantity. But Megan, the owner of one of the most powerful and modern engines in class up to 1600 cm. The four -cylinder unit under the K4M index, the recent joint development of Renault and Peugeot, develops 110 liters. With. And at the same time provides excellent fuel efficiency. You quickly go a little. The dream of every motorist!
There is special pride in carisms. Firstly, in Mitsubishi they insist that this car belongs rather to a more prestigious class D. A strange, in our opinion, statement, given that carismation, although more than a megan-classic is 7.5 cm, but 3.5 cm In short, Octavia. On the other hand, the elegance of Mitsubishi is not doubted. A light plastic surgery that Carism was subjected to in the summer clearly benefited her. In all, it would seem, a trifle of darkened headlights, a new color scheme of the emblem, and the Japanese woman began to look noticeably more interesting. Moreover, in his new outfit, Mitsubishi even resembles BMW! Rather, not so. Carisma looks a little reduced gallant, and that, in turn, Japanese designers created, holding the Bavarian five in the mind. Well, it is not at all shameful to be equal to the best.
 
Light tightening of the face added a compact carism of a fraction of the solidity of a business class
      
 
Octavia suspension gold middle between comfort and controllability

 
Girls with character
Alien experience is true, not a competitor, but a partner adopts Skoda. You understand this right away, being in the cabin of the Czech car. The interior of Octavia is blind in the image and likeness of golf. Everything here is subordinated to one idea to create a working environment, minimally caring about external effects. In a word, a spilled business woman, in the head of which is only a career. It is not bad in itself. It is only a pity that execution does not reach the truly Volkswagen level. For example, the front racks are not dressed in soft tissue, but in hard plastic. The quality of many plastic details pleases, but some are not very good. The handles above the doorways do not have a microlift. The dashboard with the original scales is not very convenient, and the steering wheel and a tanger of the gearbox are made of the cheapest plastic, which was only found in the warehouses of the adjacent.
But everything related to the matter is at the highest level. Octavia is the only one of our trinity boasting the steering column in height and in the corner of inclination. The most clear transmission is here. And the adhesion move is so large that even a graduate of driver’s courses will be able to sit down the first time. Alas, the inheritance from Golf Octavia received an innate lack of a German cramped in the back seat. The three -time trip option is not discussed about this silently by two head restraints. Even two adults will sit there with problems a low ceiling, a minimum space for the legs. On long trips, just trouble.
   
Enough inserts to the color of the body revive the cold-business salon of Octavia. Testament in the back noticeable minus

   
With a Frenchwoman in the crossings is more fun. She has the lowest rear tunnel, and on the sofa you can sit down and the three truth, not without crowding, but, in general, without resentment. And a lighter upholstery of seats, similar to plush, pleases the eye much more than the black-blue contrast of Skoda. But the main thing, unlike Czech, the Frenchwoman is as if more friendly and hospitable.
On Renault, it is more convenient to adjust the seat for yourself the handles are located in the optimal zone. Megan has the most capacious glove box, logical control of the head lighting, a well-readable trip to the tripa computer in Skoda, by the way, at all. Only in Renault can you blindly find the ignition lock. And to be Mademoiselle the owner of the best salon, if not for the typically French fan. Moreover, as you can guess, not the most pleasant sense.
An unimaginable number of ovals and rounded surfaces, according to Renault engineers, gives the impression of airiness and elegance. I repent, I personally can not divide this point of view. Rather, the central console resembles the chin of a loser boxer, from the most powerful hooks and jubes, diving inside. It is on this dented panel that the controls of the climate control controls are located, so to change its settings during the movement of the case is hopeless.
But the design is a matter of taste, but the cramped pedal node is serious. The low quality of the manufacture of many switches and cheap plastic is not a couple of the same Skoda. You will have to believe the word of the windows of the wipers of the wipers can even drown out the sound of the radio. The trunk is also disappointed. His volume is quite solid, and the lower edge is located quite low. But the cover does not even have inner upholstery and, closing it, you grab your hands by the bare metal! Very unsolvable.
   
A fairly spacious and bright inner world of Megana slightly spoils not as high as the rivals, the quality of materials. Design for an amateur
 
Japanese carism of nationality, albeit born in the Netherlands, like forgetfulness in very important trifles, of course, does not allow itself. And in general, the inner world of Mitsubishi causes the most positive emotions. Let the dashboard are a team of a team of a corporate lineup for three diamonds, a traditional team of a team of model. A little crushing a too strict black column of the interior? Think about it! But even the most meticulous buyer will evaluate the quality of the assembly, the convenience of management and the space of the salon. I could sit in the back seat behind myself without any problems. And it will happen to go five of it, so an additional headrest easily extends from the back of the sofa. It is nice that some details in general inexpensive carisms radiate solidity and even some nobility. I really liked the white-moon lighting of the devices stylishly and does not irritate the eye at all. And the gearbox’s knob seemed to migrate to a family hatchback with a sports compartment.
   
Mitsubishi has the most spacious and friendly interior to the user. The third headrest is easily cleaned down

     
Eh, grasp!
But as soon as we started the fiery hearts of our young ladies, the accents have shifted a little. Renault in terms of dynamics turned out to be more frozen than their goods. However, we did not expect another from the French athlete. The 16-valve motor, of course, does not indulge in the wealth of torque on the bottoms, but not to the extent that it turns the touch from the place into the problem. But, having driven the arrow of the tachometer for 3000 rpm, you will not get enough. Peppy acceleration will make you doubt that under the hood is only 1.6 liters of working volume.
The Frenchwoman’s brakes were also the most tenacious. Both in the urban mode, and when simulating extreme slowdown, Megan showed the best results. It is a pity that controllability, as they say, is neither fish nor meat. Moderately, a comfortable, well -outlet, the suspension in corners does not save the car from transverse rolls, and there is an early tendency to skidding. A large steering wheel in diameter, outwardly devoid of sports notes, and in business turns out to be slightly sluggish disconnection from the wheels a little annoying.
So we recognized the mountain queen Skoda. At the same time, Czech is clearly not a champion in a sprint. A reliable and economical 8-valve engine from Volkswagen is still not a boy to withstand competition with fresh, like a cucumber from the bed, Renault engine. Short first and second gears facilitate the ride at low speeds, in the middle range the motor spinning cheerfully and worships above. Typical city version. But the suspension was pleased, which successfully combines very good smoothness and reliable, predictable behavior in vihi. I liked the responsive steering wheel of Octavia. But the brakes were disappointed. Subjectively, the effect of slowdown is not adequate for the effort. A cotton pedal requires addiction. True, with braking at a speed of 100 km/h Czech, it still coped better than carisms, but noticeably worse than a megan.
As for Mitsubishi, the brakes seem to be her Achilles heel. The combination of anterior ventilated discs and rear drums in this case was too susceptible to overheating and the weakest of deceleration. However, in real life, the driver hardly notice the difference of one and a half meters. But a fact is a fact.
Otherwise, carismation does not cause complaints. A quiet and not disdaining high speed of the engine, adequate acceleration, good smoothness. True, the Mitsubishi suspension seemed to be too active and zealously entered the battle with the most inconspicuous fossa, with any slightest flaw of the road. This is not worried about the back or fifth point of the driver, but their ears.
 
    
What is how much?
To become the owner of any of the three cars that have been on our test is very simple. After all, they are among the most affordable golf class representatives in Russia. The basic version of the Megan-classic with a 1.6 engine will cost you $ 13,500, $ 14,239 are asked for Octavia, the carmation with the sedan sedan has not reached 15 thousand, and the hatchback is estimated at $ 15,290.
The basic equipment of these models does not mean the scarcity of equipment. Authentique the initial level of the Megan finish includes ABS, a BREAK Assistan system, two airbags, air conditioning, steering wheel, front power windows. If you pay $ 1400, then foglight headlights, lateral eire-beags, electric drive and heating of mirrors, a radio with four speakers will be added to this list.
1.6-liter octavia is offered at least in the Ambiente configuration. This includes the power steering, audio training, a pillow for the driver, fog lights, an electric package, a central castle. But you will have to pay for the air conditioner. But all the schools supplied to Russia by official dealers are mandatory equipped with the so -called package for bad roads, including the anti -gravel covering of the bottom, the protection of the crankcase, increased road clearance, shelters and rear mudguards.
It is by no means simple and carismation in the initial configuration of the classic. ABS, air conditioning, frontal airbags, radio pillows, central locking, immobilizer, steering hydraulic power steering, front electric windows, electric drive and heated grains for all these joys of life you will not have to pay extra.
Keep in mind that for the new Mitsubishi, the company provides a three -year guarantee, Skoda and Renault only for a year. But octavia can be ordered in the 4 x 4 version. True, the all -wheel drive transmission is supplied only with more powerful engines, and such a car costs much more.
   
In the octavia scale, the panels of the instruments are digitized around the perimeter, this makes it difficult to read

Pictograms of the block of control lamps in Renault visible a constantly strange solution

In Mitsubishi, the most pleasant to the eye is the placement of devices
     
A fighting draw
Why, tell me mercy, each sports competition should end with someone’s victory that inevitably means someone's defeat? Why then are draws invented?! Let's just say that in our test there are no losers, but no one deserved the Grand Prix. The shock in the sales of Octavia takes on the soul with its almost German quality and thoroughness, which fully justify the almost German price. Megan, on the contrary, seduces non -conformist character, deliberately deprived of Teutonic notes. And for the magnificent motor of the French athlete you can forgive her female weaknesses. In addition, one should not forget about the most affordable Renault price in the trio. The beauty-carism for those who want to look more solid than it is laid in a golf class, and at the same time love the scope and appreciates its own nerves. Japanese quality control even at the Dutch plant provides carism by phenomenal reliability.
And that before the winner, for this, you will have to fold together the temperament and accessibility of Renault, the chassis and solidity of Skoda, the expanse and grace of Mitsubishi. It is then that we will get a real Komsomol member, athlete and beauty in one person.
 
     
The clarity of shielding skirts at the highest level. It is a pity that the tan looks cheap

You will have to stand up to change the height of the seat pillow
 
    
A glove box with built -in cup holders looks pretty flimsy

Most governing bodies are very convenient
 
      

The display on the central console is clearly overloaded with information

Assembly quality outside suspicion
 
   
In Octavia, the role of the trunk closing handle is played by a banal fabric strap
      
   
An example of saving on matches in Megan does not have an internal trunk upholstery
      
   
The trunk of 430 liters is an excellent result, nevertheless, the last one in the Trinity in this indicator

  
Skoda-Octavia
 
Per
Good handling,
comfortable suspension,
great driver's place,
modern appearance
 
Against
Crowding in the back seat,
not the richest equipment,
cotton brakes
 
Renault-Magan
 
Per
Frosting motor,
fuel economy,
rich equipment,
enough spacious salon
affordable price
 
Against
Not the most clear
gear shift,
not the best manufacturing quality
separate details of the interior,
mobs in ergonomics
 
Mitsubishi Carism
 
Per
Modern appearance,
spacious salon,
high assembly quality,
good level of basic equipment
  
 
Against
Brake tendency to overheating,
a harsh suspension
 
Mikhail Medvedev, photo Maxim Goncharov
 

Source: Magazine "Limousine" [06/01]

Video Crash tests Skoda Octavia I 1997 - 2010

Skoda Octavia I 1997 - 2010 test drives

Skoda Octavia I Crash Test - 2010

Krassh Test: Detailed Information
25%
Driver and passengers
14%
Pedestrians

Malfunctions Skoda Octavia I 1997 - 2010

Skoda Octavia malfunctions: Detailed information
Octavia I 1997 - 2010
Engine
Transmission
Control system and suspension
Brake system
Air heating and air conditioning
Launch and charging system
Electric components and so on
Corrosion body stability