Test drive Ford Focus C-Max 2003-2007 Minivan

In love with his own free will

To understand what the beginner is capable of, it is only necessary to compare it with the best. That is why we chose the leader of the domestic market for non-combatants in the sparring partners of the French debutant. And both proved that the family car does not mean boring at all.
 



Modern classic and good old avant -garde
Outwardly, no one will confuse these cars. Another thing is that to evaluate the exterior is an sighted lesson. One to your liking avant-garde scenes, the other is classic nothing superfluous si-max. Therefore, we will pay tribute to both and immediately look inside.

 
The Museum of Contemporary Art and the exposition on the topic Long live conservatism here is a brief description of the Salons stage and Si-Max. I take off my hat, the stylistic connection of the interior and exterior in both is sustained masterly. Renault, whose lines personally remind me of the work of the late Picasso, is equally defiantly relaxed in the cabin. It’s immediately obvious: they created, invented, tried it. What is only a giant, in a good half of the torpedo, an information board. To call it just a dashboard, the tongue does not turn. Effective. Although, in truth, there are certain problems with readability.
 

Ford, on the contrary, is the restraint itself. Strict, not touched by an eccentric maestro with a brush of the body organically flow into the salon that does not cause dissonance with appearance with black plastic torpedo and a massive central console. Here everything is subordinated to functionality and no design for the sake of design.
 

The approach to the design is diametrically opposite, but the high class of execution is equally good. Turning the panels, the quality of materials, the clarity of the button and switches outside of criticism. And both of both have a magnificent commanding landing, for the most part, the governing bodies that do not cause questions and, of course, amazing ease of landing and landing. This little joy of rheumatics recently the first argument of the seller in favor of compactwane.
 

Which one to prefer? Both are good for mature thought. And they differ from each other only to the nuances that everyone is free to evaluate in their own way. In the stage, it is better to take forward a view of the thoroughly thought -out shape of the windows and front racks of the roof. Ford responds perfectly readable, although too conservative in appearance of the dashboard. The Frenchman conquers an incredible number of drawers, pockets, cavities for all sorts of things. The glove box and that volume resembles a plumbing bag. And Si-Max warms the soul of a Russified menu of the on-board computer. Now do not climb into the dictionary in order to understand what kind of Abracadabra is such a Fuel LEVEL LOW. Bravo, Ford! All the rest are equal to the blue oval, let cars for Russia study their native speech.

 
 
    


Until the children have grown up
In response to the question, why are 5-seater compactives are needed at all, the apologists of the same combatants confidently declare, they say, there are much more places for five in such cars than in ordinary hatches. Yes, but who are these five? Say, five adult men in Si-Max only howl like a wolf. The legs for the gallery in excess, but it will not be enough in width. It is even more offensive that citizens from 185 cm openly polish the angle of the roof and upholstery of the side racks.

 
    
Unlike competitors, you sit in Si-Max, almost like in a passenger car. But the stock of space in the back row is by no means amazing the imagination


But for family trips, when the back row is occupied by his wife and children, the Si-Max salon is quite suitable. In addition, having folded the middle chair, two laterals can be moved closer to the center of the cabin and back, and then the rear passengers will immediately turn into VIP guests.

 
    
Spacious, light, light inner world. Sheching real luck of Renault designers. And the buyer is also important and very worthy of the assembly quality


The scenes, by the way, have a supply of passengers over the tops of the tops of the passengers, but there is a wider sofa composed of three individual seats. Again, in favor of the Frenchman and the opportunity to order a 7-seater modification of the Grand scenes. Let only next year Si-Max, no matter how cool and remain 5-seater, or rather, to be honest 4-seater to the end.
 



Half a step from the ideal
What really compactwomanes are all overlooking the usual golf-class hatchbacks is in the amount of transported luggage. The volumes of trunk, which operate with Si-Max and stage, their passenger relatives and did not dream of 460 and 430 liters, respectively. And this is a minimum! If you disassemble the barricade of the rear seats (by the way, in the French car, the dismantling process seemed easier for us), then we have at our disposal luxurious numbers. The scenes take on board up to 1840 liters, Si-Max 1620 l.
 

The advantage of Renault becomes even more convincing when you recall a record number of hidden and obvious luggage cavities in the cabin. Ford does not shine with such a variety, and besides, it offers as a spare wheel only a dock.

 
  
Not being a record holder among compactwenes in terms of trunk, the scenes, thanks to the rich possibilities of transformation of the salon, will cope with the transportation of any cargo

Large loading height and relatively narrow transverse opening can be attributed to the disadvantages of the trunk of Si-Max
 


The components of the salon scenes for such compromises could not go under the floor of the trunk are waiting for a full -sized wheel, a jack and a set of tools. It’s just that the record for the carrying capacity of the TURAN 695/1990 liters does not allow you to set perfectly.


Caught everywhere
A rare eccentric will buy compactwane in order to travel alone around the city. Travels are supposed to be family, that is, at least with an average load. That is why a 1.6-liter engine is not enough for a golf class that is quite sufficient for a golf class. We need an artillery of larger caliber. For example, a 120-horsepower Fordovsky 1.8 liters, and it is better to walk like that! 2-liter motor. With such power, the 136-horsepower scenes and si-max, under the hood of which 145 horses, turn into formidable road strength. Especially with a mechanical gearbox. Confidence in overtaking is guaranteed not only in the city line, but also on the highway, where the left range of the highway can be secured by the right of the strong (read: fast).
 

Si-Max is especially good. Clear and rather short moves of the lever of the box, a pleasant pickup of 2500 rpm and confident thrust in the lower speed. But the trouble is: a 2-liter Ford cannot be obtained with automatic transmission. To do this, you will have to buy an unusual 1.6-liter turbodiesel with a Ustromon-RALL injection system for Russia. What a nonsense!
 

However, maybe it is for the better? After all, the scenes with a machine gun immediately loses almost all of its temperament. A four -speed proactive lives with a motor like a cat with a dog. You drown the gas to the floor, and the box of two seconds finds out the relationship with the engine and only then sticks the lowered. On the contrary, with a measured ride, it's time to switch upstairs, but the machine guns and lucky on the third, as if deliberately forcing the engine to work at increased speeds. You need to either come to terms with this or use the manual switching mode.

 



Wait!
A high center of gravity, a soft comfortable suspension, a driver’s bus planting that does not contribute to an active steering wheel, but how to make a tasty car with such introductory controllability? The answer was still negative. But then Si-Max came, and a noble steering appeared among the single crews. Thanks to the wonderful chassis remarkable in the part of the drivers, Ford is surprisingly obedient and even excitement.
 

The steering wheel is simply magnificent, clearly and urgently telling you about where the wheels are directed in the bend. It is easy in the parking lot, but he is heavier with an increase in speed in a protracted bend, not giving a chance to a mistake. On the Highway, the steering wheel is insistent in the near -Zone and at the same time instantly orders the car to take to the right or left, depending on what the driver wants. Si-Max performs commands readily a personnel officer: quickly, clearly, without hesitation. Add to this exemplary holding a high-speed straight and not too noticeable rolls, and Si-Max deservedly receives his five for handling.
 

Another question is whether compactwane needs such dexterity? There is no sin to take the kids and mother -in -law to the cottage, grab with the breeze on the way back. In addition, good handling is the main key to the active security of the car.
 

The scenes of special liberties do not allow with him. It can be seen that if the si-max turns pleasure, then for the Frenchman routine. This is because this universal control got the steering from Megan and this is not too cool. In the absence of a well -constructed chain of wheelrulruk, the desire to nimble in the stream evaporates like water from a boiling teapot. It's a shame, because the scenes are carefully held for the trajectory on the turn of the scenes, although much earlier than the Si-Max begins to roll and straighten the arc. Yes, and cruising, that is, comfortable for the driver, the speed is not 170, as in the case of Ford, but in the area of \u200b\u200bone and a half hundred. That for compactwane is a good result. But nothing more.


On guard of the world
Soft tread and good noise insulation for a family car to determine the task fundamental. Do not please doubt that the scenes and Si-Max will not violate the fragile family harmony. Extremely soft pendants swallowing most flaws were pleased with a high level of comfort. At the same time, Si-Max is distinguished and the body does not swing with good energy intensity and does not peck with the nose on braking. The scenes can be a little more rack on the long journey.

Ford sound insulation also appeared more effective. If in city modes both cars do not differ in the class with a low noise background, then at speeds close to maximum, the Renault engine sings much louder and at the same time openly fakes to listen to this song at all.




It would be more thoroughly ...
Renault has a total approach to security. In other words, the buyer of the simplest stage will then expire in the absence of the air conditioner and use gross physical strength, opening the windows with the help of an antique handle, but at the same time rely to protect six airbags at once. After all, they are already in the standard! Of course, in French, touching care deserves respect. Among other things, the scenes also have an ABS with a system of distribution of brake forces, and five head restraints, and the isofix locks for children's seats, and, of course, where without them are nasty! Sensor sensors about the unsteded seat belts. In the Euroncap crash tests, the scenes have not just five stars, but one of the best assessments among all the cars that have ever been broken. So, there is no doubts about the maxi assessment for safety.
 

Si-Max is only good. Which, however, is by no means a shame in such a solid company. Ford has a lower passwind, and smoke is older. To begin with, in the euroncap tests, the Si-Max broke up only four stars higher did not allow an increased risk of knee injury in the head of the test. And the starting equipment of the compactwane is by no means overloaded with protective equipment. Here is a modern cost of living of at least two frontal and two lateral Eire-Bag Plus ABS. But six pillows in Si-Max can not get any gold of the world.


Do not believe your eyes
The total pricing policy, or more simply, is the fact that both cars in euros are selling, in theory, the scenop and Si-Max in Russia interferes with the proper popularity. Multiply 16,600 and 15,900 euros, respectively, the basic prices of the stage and si-max with 1.6 liter engines at the coefficient of 1.3. Immediately fly out for 20 thousand green.
 

Not everyone can pay so much for the car, but no one will definitely want to drive on this without air conditioning and music. For Ford, it makes sense to order a package of comfort (air conditioning, radio, the remote control panel of the central castle, fog) for 700 euros. Renault needs to be finished with kondeem (550 euros) and CD magnet (300 euros). In any case, the amount is approaching $ 22,000. And this is for the basic configurations Otentik and the ambient!
 

The prices of top versions are completely on the other side of good and evil. The 145-horsepower Ci-Max performed by the trend will cost 19,310 euros. The most powerful 2-liter ledge is at least 22,500 euros. Plus a thousand per automatic. Expensive. For 30 thousand green, you can look after a business class sedan.
 

But why, then, the Si-Max leader of the domestic compactive market market? And the new scenes from the very beginning of sales took a very good pace. It’s just that sellers know about high prices and vying to offer customers very generous discounts. In November, at the purchase, the stage could save 1200 euros. Are you late? It's OK. I assure me that Renault will soon launch a new limited offer to the market.
 

Ford is not behind the buyer. In addition to the most profitable lending rates, both cash discounts and free packages of additional equipment are valid for the purchase of Si-Max. Choose what your heart pleases. In this case, keeping in the mind the equal conditions of the factory guarantee 2 years or 100 thousand kilometers, the scenes and Si-Max deserved for the budget in the four. Let it be slightly tightened by the ears.



 
   
Remote control of music is extremely comfortable

Passenger Air Bag can be turned off before installing a children's chair

The heating button will have to look blindly
 
Self -growing handbrake is an extremely comfortable thing

You can’t imagine modern Renault without a key card
 
An additional mirror spying behind the rear row will be appreciated by family people

With removed seats, the scenes turn into a cargo van
 


 
   
Tick \u200b\u200bpassengers in the back row are quite crowded

Clearness of the work of levers and switches at altitude

Si-Max on-board computer communicates with you in Russian
 
The central chair of the back row easily turns into a buffet table

The dashboard provides a convenient department for cards and atlases



 
    
We decided:

The eight -world duel, passing with a slight advantage of one or another single -raised, never revealed the winner. The referee eventually raised his hands to both (the average rating is 4.4). With such points, both are quite suitable for the role of class leaders. The scenes more successfully succeeded in the field of family values, a more spacious salon with an incredible number of underground cells and a roomy trunk. Toy toys, strollers, cribs and other belongings of a married couple and its offspring will easily fit here. For them, the scenes will become not just a car, but a real house on wheels. More precisely, a comfortable house, relatives and probably loved.
 

In general, does the quality stage have a quality that can be improved? There is. First of all, dynamics and handling. These are the same components from driving, which Si-Max can fully give. Yes, the Ford Salon by and large is only 4-seater, the trunk is not record, but it is worth the wheel of this compactwane to lick a couple of turns, and you are almost in love. Not least that is why the most passenger among all compactwenes, Si-Max Leader of Sales not only in Russia, but also in Europe.
 
Mikhail Medvedev, photo of Maxim Goncharov
 
 

Source: Magazine buy a car [22/2004]