Fiat Sedici test drive since 2009 hatchback

Sixteen

Fiat Sedici is a new car for the Russian market that challenges the golf class and compact SUVs at once. The wheels are trying to find out what will receive and what Fiat will lose from the mini-crossover to the Russian market years after the premiere show.
There is also a double of Suzuki SX4 Fiat, which has become an absolute donor for the pioneer of Italian crossovers. One third of the total amount of cars should go under the FIAT brand, and two remaining Suzuki. Fiat marketers have long paid the attention of the leadership to the segment of all -wheel drive utilitarian equipment, but only having become friends with the Japanese, Fiat was able to release something that satisfies his new concept 4x4 4all all -wheel drive for everyone. Something like inexpensive, universal and with all-wheel drive ...
It is not surprising that two cars (Suzuki and fiat) are different, mainly with nameplate on the body and nuances in the cabin. However, the Italians did not have the need to revise the design, because the first drawings of Sedici/SX4 were created by the forces of the ITALDESIGN studio.
Conceptually, the sixteenth was supposed to compromise between an inexpensive compact car with the controllability of the city hatchback and the spacious all -wheel drive crossover. Happened? Nearly.
The price: the price of an all -wheel drive Sedici 2009 bites 714,000 rubles. This is more than asking for Hyundai Tucson (689 900 rubles); True, less than for the front -wheel drive version of the Nissan Qashqai (726,000 rubles). At the same time, Sedici is tangibly more accessible than compact crossovers like Toyota Rav4, Renault Koleos or VW Tiguan. But what can the Italian offer, in addition to the relatively low price and advertising slogans?
Not so much. The engine under its hood can be one: Fiat Sedici is supplied to the Russian market with a 1.6 liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 107 liters. With. It is equipped with a mechanical or automatic checkpoint it depends on the type of drive (with all -wheel drive only a handle, with a front machine). So, which drive, such a checkpoint.
What Sedici is better than any front-wheel drive passenger car is located between the axles of a 3-mode all-wheel drive system with a central differential. Traditional options: 2WD, AUTO and Lock (front -wheel drive, automatic selection of mode, as well as the constant distribution of torque between the axes in a ratio of 50:50).
The optimal of them is automatic, in which the rear axle is usually passive, but if necessary, it can get more than 40% of the torque. Lock mode has a speed limit of 65 km/h and seriously increases fuel consumption, therefore it is necessary only in a critical situation.
The front -wheel drive allows you to save fuel, but if you use it constantly, you ask the question: is it worth overpaying about 30,000 rubles at all for the completeness of the drive? Moreover, on a serious off -road and a blocked central differential will not always help out
From most angles, Sedici does not look handsome. The trapezoidal profile, a short flowing beak eliminates even a slight hint of dynamism, and inalienable rails and off -road plastic of the body body kit speak of Sedici utilitarianism. True, the proportions of the crossover make his image in the photo or in the booklet more attractive: his compact dimensions are difficult to guess on them.
The trunk on the roof is good, but behind the rear seats of space there is much less than you can expect: only 270 liters. True, if you drive off the passenger from the gallery, you can increase the volume of the cargo compartment by 400 liters.
The advertising booklet eloquently describes the situation inside Sedici laconic. The simplest design of the dashboard, uncomplicated (somewhere I already saw them) circle climate control, radio and 3-sectic display at the very top of the central console all this is wrapped in hard plastic, painted in black and silver colors.
The seats are not bad; Even in a person, a little higher than average will be able to sit down to conveniently. The steering wheel is regulated only in height, but this seems enough so that both arms and legs are at an acceptable distance to the governing organs.
Test Sedici has all -wheel drive; As a result, a mechanical checkpoint and a non-alternative 1.6-liter 107-horsepower engine. There is enough for the city of the engine; True, at high speeds, noise begins to annoy. The engineers compensated for the lack of energy of the motor with the incredible responsiveness of the gas pedal: in winter shoes it can not be felt at all, and not to notice the tachometer arrow only by the rapid take -off of the shooter. I suspect that many SEDICI who first have sat behind the wheel will have to learn a smooth start again
The suspension copes well with the irregularities of different levels of complexity; The accuracy and severity of the steering at a high level traditional for fiat. To the place and road clearance in 190 mm (this indicator is only in the all -wheel drive version, and the clearance is 175 mm in the monophylewus): such a height can even forgive the inattention to the curbs.
Fiatovites answered a question that everyone constantly asked, but they do not expect a direct answer. Sedici is just the result of the multiplication of the quatt to the quatt; quantities per quality.
As for the quality of the car itself, the rational universalism of Sedici, solid assembly and adaptability to the city are expensive. But not so much as they ask for a car in the current economic situation. And if a real SUV is needed, then you should not look aside Fiat. So far, at least, for example, Suzuki has SUVs in the lineup
 

Author: Alexander Korobchenko
Photo: Daniil Komov

Source: Wheel magazine [April 2009]