Citroen C5 Tourer test drive since 2008

Citroen C5 VS Skoda Superb. Big originals

Citroen C5. Price: from 30300. On sale: since 2008
Skoda Superb. Price: from 39500. On sale: since 2008
Non -standard solutions, bold design, innovative technologies, an extensive list of options and quite competitive price. All this can be attributed to both Citroen C5 and Skoda Superb. Which of them is more original, we will try to find out in the process of comparison

Test pillets
Andrey Myazin, 46 years old, editor -in -chief of the magazine, driving experience 26 years, personal car - Mazda CX -7
Igor Kuznetsov, 47 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience for 20 years, personal car - Nissan Qashqai
Citroen C5
Unlike the previous generation models, the hydraulic suspension of the new C5 has become optional. However, the latter in no way detract from the merits of this car. As before, the machine has an extraordinary appearance, a spacious and comfortable salon. Of the pluses, you can also note a large selection of engines.
 
Skoda Superb
Little someone will be surprised by the rich equipment, high quality of finishing materials, the presence of a powerful engine and all -wheel drive today. The main feature of this car is an unusually spacious rear row and a unique Twindoor system that allows Skoda Superb to turn into a respectable sedan and a practical hatchback.
Until a certain point, both cars were not particularly popular with wealthy citizens. But suddenly he struck, worldwide and merciless. More and more people again began to consider bank tickets not just with multi -colored pieces of paper, but by the real equivalent of their capabilities. It was then that those who could well replace Eshki, five, sixes and others like them came out of the shadow. Their main trump card is a complete compliance of class belonging for fewer banknotes with an extensive package of options. However, no matter how rich the set of options is and no matter how low the price is, everything is and will and will be respectable when choosing a car of this class. In the end, they are always met everywhere by clothes. And neither the Frenchman nor the Czech have problems with the clothes. Each of them is elegant and at the same time solid, and the national flavor brought into costumes makes them memorable.
Respective to machines, undoubtedly add their dimensions. And although initially Superb seems much longer, in reality it surpasses C5 in this parameter only by some six centimeters, and four is completely inferior to four. In short, the Czech has a wheelbase. However, the latter in some striking way did not cause a decrease in the legs of passengers of the second row, but on the contrary, this space allowed to significantly increase, thereby pushing the Frenchman in this indicator to the background. In general, if we talk about the passenger compartment, that the first, that the second demonstrates a clear desire to go beyond the class of both in terms of space and in the quality of finishing materials.
So, Citroen in the top trim levels did not stint on the decoration of the skin of not only seats and upholstery of the doors, but also the instrument panels. The interior design of the C5, of course, is more interesting and original than that of Superb, only one steering wheel with a non -rotating hub is worth it (you involuntarily begin to think about whether it was drunk too much for appetite yesterday). But most likely, over time, the top over the designer frills will take an ergonomic calculation, and Skoda is more acceptable in this indicator. The German roots of the latter are well traced both in a more stringent design and in a more pedantic approach to ergonomics. The latter was brightly manifested in the design of the fifth door, which can turn Superb both into an elegant sedan and a practical hatchback. The French were also fingering, though it did not go further than the concave rear window. But unlike Superb, the new C5 can boast of its hydraulic suspension, which allows not only to change its rigidity, thereby adjusting it to the driving style, but also set the clearance of the car, depending on road conditions. However, in comparison with the previous model, the range of this adjustment was significantly narrowed: as a maximum, how much it is possible to raise a car above the ground level, is a mark of 170 mm. In addition, from this model year, such a suspension has become an option. As an option and a function that helps park the car. The essence of the latter boils down to the fact that the sensor fixes the presence of a sufficient free space for parking, and the light index indicates how difficult the driver has to make. However, Skoda in this regard was again ahead of the opponent. The parking system in parking here not only finds a place, but also controls the front wheels. The driver can only brake in time. However, this system is how fascinating, so useless, because the gap that it needs for functioning is so large that in reality it is simply impossible to find it on the clogged city streets. So, there is no help from this (expensive, by the way). In this connection, the Citroen system is not so active and allows you to choose the level of parking complexity depending on the level of training of the driver. With an equally useful option in the C5, we also calculated the system that holds the car from rolling back at the beginning of movement on the rise. It is especially relevant for machines with mechanical gearboxes.
 
In our case, that Citroen, that Skoda were aggregated by a six -speed automatic gearbox. Both the French and on the Czech stood V-shaped sixes. But they differed in volume and power. Citroen had 3.0 liters and 215 horsepower, and Skoda 3.5 liters and 260 liters. With. In addition, unlike Citroen, Skoda had all -wheel drive. The latter, of course, was not slow to affect temperament. The dynamics and handling that Superb showed us, if they did not shock, then in any case left an indelible impression. Skoda is perfectly controlled both with a calm and measured ride, and with a fairly dynamic one.
Citroen is also not bad. A hydraulic suspension in a comfort position works miracles, turning our directions into perfect autobahns. Smooth swaying creates an atmosphere of serenity and comfort. A serious noise insulation plays an important role in this. In the car, it is quiet even at a speed close to the maximum. The car is good in sport mode, however, the gone gas praised and the insufficiently informative steering wheel lubricate the impressions, and therefore the hand involuntarily reaches for the button in order to turn off this function and again indulge in calmly and measured driving.
Citroen C5
Driving
The hydraulic suspension endows the car with enviable smoothness, but the insufficient sensitivity of the steering is a clear miscalculation for a car of this class.
Salon
Spacious and convenient, made at a high technical and design level.
Comfort
In the car, both passengers and the driver are equally convenient.
Safety
At a fairly high level.
Price
It is somewhat overstated, which is due to rich basic configuration.

Skoda Superb
Driving
The smoothness of the course grows in proportion to the speed of speed. And to keep the car under full control allows all -wheel drive and sharp steering.
Salon
Spacious and richly equipped. However, in the most favorable position in this car are passengers of the second row.
Comfort
Excellent soundproofing, high smoothness and a bunch of various trifles can brighten up even the longest trip.
Safety
At the level of competitors.
Price
Acceptable.

Our verdict
That Skoda Superb, that Citroen C5 is really originals. However, each of them is original in its own way. Superb with a seemingly quite calm appearance is able to hook with an extraordinary expanse on the second row of seats and the non -traditional solution of access to the trunk. C5, on the contrary, does not hide his desire to appeal the first time, while leaving for dessert many more original solutions both in the interior design and from a technical point of view. But in terms of the set of qualities, Superb looked more for us.

Author: Andrey Myazin
Photo: Igor Kuznetsov
 

 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [June 2009]