Test Drive Ford Galaxy since 2006 Minivan

reasonable sufficiency

Citroen C4 Grand Picasso. Price: from 806 400 rubles. On sale: since 2006
Ford Galaxy. Price: from 770 700 rub. Available: c 2006
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso are completely satisfied with the owner and his family. It is comfortable, spacious and functional, but maybe it was necessary to take anything more? How about a Ford Galaxy?
 
Colt Boris, 34 years old, entrepreneur, drives a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, driving experience 17 years
Frankly, the new Galaxy looks very good. Of course, it is not as beautiful as my Grand Picasso, and yet. There is something to see and what to cling eye. However, it seems to me, in the form of a mini-van too much pathos. Too weighty, and therefore more representative. To me he once more seen in the motorcade with officials, rather than on the lawn among the playing children. Design C4 Grand Picasso in this regard is more democratic. It easily can be used as an office and as a family car.
We continue our tour. As I understand it, Galaxy is longer than my car. Well, it is likely that this is a plus. As the saying goes, the more the car, the spacious interior. That's just how he more spacious? Let's start with the boot. Yes, the pantry in a five-seater version is undoubtedly more at Galaxy. How, you say, here l? One thousand one hundred and thirty, if shipping under the ceiling. Well, an impressive figure. However, my Grand Picasso is also not small. As much as five hundred seventy six, with fully push back seats of the second row. And that's just on the level of the back. And if both the rear row folded, or even of the order of 1951 liters. However, as I understand it, Galaxy, this figure is even higher. Commendable. And how can we open the glass in the tailgate? How not open ?! Yes this is a clear miscalculation. Through this opening is very convenient to ship the car when the trunk is already half full of not getting enough sleep is nothing.
As I understand it, in my car, that in this third row of seats can be considered full only for defective. Of course, throw someone near them, but you can sit there three-four hours only a child of ten years old. In general, I think that a third row was really full of my previous car Mazda MPV. So, according to this indicator and Galaxy, and Grand Picasso can be considered quite similar. Is that the kinematics of folding and laying this most third row in my car just easier. But on the second row, the spacious seems to be in my car. Apparently, in Galaxy, nevertheless, most of the volume of the salon decided to take off under luggage. As, however, most of the ceiling. To see such a number of ceiling boxes I am somewhat unusual. The feeling is that I did not get into the car's salon, but in the cockpit of the airbus. That's just it seems to me that they will not stand up to the larger load, and crickets excess at boot will appear. And yet do not recognize the fact that there are much more boxes here much than in my Citroen, it means to discuss. But the fact that you can manage the climate in the Grand Picasso salon much more efficient than in Galaxy, this is a fact. Unlike Ford, where the climate control is two-zone, in Citroen it is a four-zone. Yes, and the location of its management organs in my opinion is much more practical. Like the location of the rest of the controls. In Galaxy, too, everything is in place, however the location of everything and the whole here is traditional. Citroen was not afraid to leave traditions, in connection with which the interior, and in particular the front panel, it looks much more interesting. What is just one of the instrument shield. It is beautiful, functional and infoable. And as before he stands in the center, so this is a matter of habit. To me, in order to somewhat change the worldview, it took no more than three days, and now I perceive it as proper.
A few words about the review. Of course, compared to the Grand Picasso, Galaxy on this indicator loses somewhat. First, the front racks have a slightly thicker, and secondly, it does not have such a huge, income on the roof, windshield. The latter greatly facilitates riding in the city, especially when you stop right under the traffic light. No need to look out from under the visor. Seventy degrees of the vertical angle of review, compared with the standard thirty-five degrees, something and mean. Did I like Galaxy on the go? I guess, yes. He confidently accelerates. (Dynamics, by the way, in sensations, he, despite the more powerful engine, is similar to the Grand Picasso.) Well, due to the larger wheelbase, keeps the trajectory, is less susceptible to the scaling and, which is sin, due to the larger mass softer. However, he seemed insufficient brakes. Some of them, compared to Grand Picasso, sluggish. You give, you give, and slowing down is not so effective as I would like. And I was struck by the fact that in the Galaxy automatic electric parking brake only as an option. In Grand Picasso, it is already in the database, and, you need to admit, to use it very convenient. Of course, with an automatic transmission, like Galaxy, it is not so relevant, however, as far as I know, there are versions and a handle, and here it would most likely come in handy. After all, it's convenient when when you start a slide, the car does not roll back.
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso.
Driving
I practically do not feel that I drive in mini Wen. With its cooks and the dynamics of C4, it is practically no different from a car.
   
Salon
Spacious and very convenient. I especially become a huge number of glove boxes on the front panel. Everything you need is placed there without difficulty.
   
Comfort
Comfort level is very high. Especially like the presence of four-zone climate control. I am satisfied with me and noise insulation.
Security
It seems to me, it is optimal.
   
price
Arranges.

Ford Galaxy
Driving
A solid car and on the road behaves solid. However, it is possible to look at such an engine on it. Is that, compared to C4, the brakes are not very grab.
   
Salon
It is quite spacious and comfortable, but most liked the trunk. However, it seems to me, it is even too much here.
   
Comfort
Everything is on the level, everything is convenient, except that the seats, in my opinion, could be softer.
    
Security
I think that here it is also all right.
   
Price
Does not frighten.
   
My verdict
Undoubtedly, Ford Galaxy is very comfortable, spacious, well equipped, and the main thing is a modern car. However, for my needs it is too large. Yes, and I am a few alien to me: too much pathos. But C4 Grand Picasso is exactly what I need. Anyway, both dimensions and equipment, and the level of comfort me and my family are completely satisfied. And I choose a car today, all one eye would be put on C4 Grand Picasso. Should I take the car already with the rear pneumatic suspension. Spring is still harsh.
Expert opinion
Oleg Kalaushin, journalist 5 wheels:
In principle, we did not expect another results of this meeting. C4 Grand Picasso is really a smaller car than galaxy. But the last, in view of strict design, is more suitable as an office car. As for preferences, both were glanced.
Database
Dimensions, weight
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso - Ford Galaxy
Curb weight, kg 1560 -1734
Full weight, kg 2240 - 2465
Length, mm 4590 - 4820
Width, mm 1830 - 1884
Height, mm 1680 - 1764
Base, mm 2730 - 2850
Volume of trunk, l 672 - 760
Dynamics
Maximum speed, km / h 195 - 191
Overclocking time up to 100 km / h, from 11.5 - 11.6
Fuel control flow
urban cycle, l / 100km 11.1 - 13.8
Fuel control flow
route, l / 100km 6.2 - 7.5
Technique
Engine type gasoline, 4-cylinder
Working volume, cm3 1997 - 2261
Power, hp at min-1 143/6000 - 161/6500
Torque at min - 1 200/4000 - 208/400
6-speed transmission, mechanical - 6-speed, automatic, robotic
Drive - front
Front wheel suspension - independent
Rear wheel suspension semi-dependent - independent
Front brakes - Disc, ventilated
Brakes Rear - Disc
Steering - Rake Gear
Front tire size 215/55R16 - 225 / 50R17
Rear tire size 215/55R16 - 225 / 50R17
Volume of fuel tank, l 60 - 70
Author: Oleg Kalaushin
Photo: Igor Kuznetsov
 

A source: Magazine 5 Wheel [July 2008]