Test drive Ford mondeo sedan 2003 - 2005 sedan

To ride or carry?

Put in appearance
Let's start getting to know Toyota Avent. The current machine is designed and produced in Europe. This is the second generation of European Toyota. What is now considered in demand in the old world? The former car was distinguished by a very modest look and size, and the salon was not particularly spacious. The new Avensis looks impressive. Even something reminds of a Volkswagen Passat - either a convex grate of the front, turning into a bumper, or a rounded line of the roof. However, it looks even more massive than the German colleague: rounded sides without any substetricians, a high waist line, in dense wheel niches, the dimensions of 205/55R16, which has already become an unofficial standard in the class, barely fit the tires of dimension. In general, solidity with excess, recognition too. What is missing? Lightness of silhouette, grace or sports? Let's look at the second participant in the dough.
Ford Mondeo is 101 mm longer, 52 mm lower and as much wider. It is not surprising that it looks more swift and frying, and a low waist line and molding on the doors visually lengthen the car. Ford's wheel niches, on the contrary, are made with a margin, and massive selecting visually expand them. The whole appearance of the car does not cause any heavy associations. True, in this class this is not always a plus: solidity is often identified with fullness.
The principle of reasonable sufficiency
Car segment D is an example of reasonable sufficiency in comparison with the following - E, often referred to as a business class. In terms of salon, and in terms of equipment, they are not actually inferior to more prestigious machines. The main difference until recently was expressed in the absence of particularly powerful modifications, but now, apparently, only external sizes remain. However, the division into classes is more and more conditional: the same Ford Mondeo, in length, greatly went beyond 4.6 m, and Toyota Ansis does not fit into the framework. So in real life, the segment is determined rather than the price of the basic modification and relatively modest engines for it.
Despite the novelty, Toyota Ansis did not go about the fashionable trend to create prestigious modifications in general simple machines - the gamma of engines is limited by a two -liter unit. But the marketing of a car in Russia is not like a European one - a basic package with a 1.6 liter engine is not imported to us. However, Mondeo with an eight -valve engine of 1.8 liters is also not sold here. The complex of the owner of a large machine does not yet allow compatriots to be soberly approaching the choice of a modest motor and equipment. So what does Toyota consider necessary?
The basic equipment of ANENSIS according to European concepts is luxurious. Climate installation with separate control for the driver and passenger, on -board computer, a panel of devices with yellow electro -luminous backlight, wood insertion, sheathered steering wheel, knob lever and even internal door handles, heated front seats with smooth adjustment, automatically darkened internal mirror from electricchrome coating, external mirrors with heating and automatic folding, as well as nine (!) Pillows of safety. It is a pity that in Russia, automobile GPS receivers are not allowed - the controller of the on -board computer of Avensis is unloaded. The odd number of pillows is explained quite simply - the driver has an additional knee pillow that prevents the legs on the front panel and the steering column with a frontal clash. Something similar was on KIA Sportj for the American market, but in Europe such a decision is novelty. A very serious audio system that the chief designer of Suguya Fukusato was engaged in the refinement, includes a cassette tape recorder, a compact disk, a signal digital processor and eight speakers. And the receiver, in addition to the traditional ranges and information of RDS, is able to take broadcasting in digital format (which we do not have yet). I must say, with a modest power of speakers and amplifier (only 40 W per channel), the system not only makes the impression of a much more powerful, but also surprises with a clear sound picture that can only be heard in audiophile cars.
Against this background, the equipment of Ford-Mondeo 1.8 Core looks Spartan. Front windows, air conditioning, electrical adjustment of the driver's seat in height, two airbags, a proprietary radio and large oval clock on the front panel. Even external mirrors are adjusted manually. But, tell me, is something really really necessary here? So if you blame the mirrors, then first on their unsuccessful shape and only then on the lack of electrical regulation and heating. However, everything missing is in the lists of additional equipment.
Salon for the salon
Size or convenience? This question does not apply to our pair - drivers from one and a half to two meters will find the optimal landing, while even the highest of them people of medium height will fit comfortably. It is also realistic to plant four passengers of impressive complexion in both cars. Differences in the length of the passenger compartment and the seats adjustment ranges. The only, truly noticeable-in the width of the salon at the level of the shoulders for the rear passengers: here Ford Mondeo surpasses Toyota-Avent 50 mm. If we evaluate the capacity of the rear seat in conditional passengers, then in Ford they will fit 2.8, and in Toyota 2.7.
However, the layout of the driver’s place is more important to us. With the general similarity of sizes, the difference is very noticeable - Ford -Mondo has much larger range of height adjustment, wider than the possibility of a steering column. True, in the lower position, the steering wheel can interfere with the knees during landing. An uncomplicated and rather rigid chair in Mondeo is very convenient, but requires thorough fit. The desire to leave from the parking lot will quickly turn into the need to settle again in 15-20 minutes. Toyota Ansis is a direct opposite; In it, the softness of the pillow and back conceals hastily selected adjustments. At the same time, much depends not only on proportions, but also on the mass of the driver. If a light and thin driver is reliably held by the side rollers, then his colleague weighing more than a centner simply flatten a soft chair with his back - what kind of fixation is in a turn. However, comfort does not suffer at the same time, only the feeling of a car becomes a victim - sitting on a soft couch, it is more difficult to feel anything ...
On our roads
Ford Mondeo prepared for Russian conditions: enlarged clearance, dirty apron, an enhanced suspension. Toyota Avensis arrives in a special performance for bad roads and cold climate with an increased 20 mm road clearance, more powerful starter and battery. From the holes and hidden cavities, a drop of fresh anticorus will hide sometimes - God protects the banned ... But despite the enlarged lumen, when parking, especially with the nose to the sidewalk, on Toyota -Ansial, you need to be extremely careful - a large front overhang and a low hanging bumper easily They can plunge you into unforeseen expenses.
Until the asphalt is too broken and the coating has not played in waves, the leadership of Toyota Ansis is undeniable - its suspension easily and almost silently copes with small coating defects and chaotic irregularities. Problems, as usual, begin on the waves of roads floating after the harsh winter and at high speeds - here the suspension simply does not have enough energy intensity. It is difficult to find fault with the staffing in regular modes. Unless an excessively dumped steering wheel with an electrical imprisoner makes a certain detachment of the car from the driver. However, the Avensis performs sharp shifts of the strip at ease, confidently keeps the course even on an uneven road, is good in long high -speed turns. He grazes only in the most intricate and slow turns - the hanging front wheel is desperately slipping, and the car falls out of the turn.
Ford Mondeo with an adapted suspension is strikingly different from a Japanese classmate. Although small potholes his suspension does not swallow so spectacular and silently, he is not afraid of combinations of wave and speed. By the nature of Mondeo’s handling, perhaps even more interesting. He strains the driver a little more on high -speed lines, but in his responses there is no trace of thoughtfulness or severity. A pleasant, moderately acute character of Ford is more likely to appeal to an active driver. Moreover, in Mondeo's turns, one hundred percent are reliable, even the washing board in the most responsible area is not embarrassed. In extreme cases, the car expresses its displeasure with the demolition of all four wheels. But in order to reach this limit, you need to try to how it should - is it worth it?
To start, attention ...
Both Mondeo and Ansis have a very good dynamics, but similar weight and power parameters do not mean complete identity in acceleration. The Toyota engine is very flexible and is easier to adapt to the load than Fordovsky, preferring high speeds (between marks 4 and 6 on a tachometer). Before this range, he is able to confidently pull the car - but do not count on quick acceleration. However, the gearbox can fix a lot. This is especially noticeable on Ford: well -selected gear rates allow the use of the potential of the motor with maximum efficiency, and the gear lever, although it does not differ in short moves, but acts impeccably accurately. So much so that the blocking of the rear gear turned on is excessive, made only to increase foolishness.
The gearbox of Toyota Avents causes other sensations. You can still adapt to large strokes, but the difficult inclusion of the first and second programs does not bring joy. Another feature is already exactly the unleashed on the service is too much a step between the first and second gears. It is difficult to say what the designers were guided by, but when acceleration, even a flexible characteristic of the motor is not able to correct the situation. But in the highest gears, which a little shorter than that of Mondeo, Ansis demonstrates the entire potential of the engine with smoothly adjustable phases of gas distribution, confidently accelerating even from small revolutions.
Economics for economical
The price of Toyota Avent in our version is $ 2,2900. A considerable amount, given that the prices of the previous generation cars began at 16 thousand. The rise in price by more than 40% is impressive, but perhaps corresponds to the difference between the previous and new Avensis in size and level of equipment. The best way to recover from price shock is to count a little. Let's try to finish Mondeo to everything that is in the standard configuration of ANENSIS. Add rear windows, headlight washers, an advanced CD resort, fog lights, side pillows and safety curtains, as well as heating seats and climate control. You have 19,990 euros or 21,990 dollars at the rate on the dough day. Notice, with a jubilee discount ... Without it, Ford in such a configuration will cost 21,650 euros or 23,815 dollars - noticeably more than Toyota. And if you take into account that the average buyer has more favors Japanese technique, Ford dealers will have a hard time. Of course, there are proven moves - service programs at reduced prices or a loan at a low percentage. Here is such arithmetic ...
Comfort in the offensive
The key question is which is better? leaves little chance of a diplomatic, evasive answer.
If they intend to carry themselves and loved ones with maximum comfort, then it is difficult to find an alternative to Toyota Avent. If in the foreground the pleasure of management, then Ford-Mondo has something to contrast. This is not at all like a competition in the number of pillows, speakers and wooden planks. However, for him Ford has a suitable GHIA equipment, and Toyota has Exclusive. Another round?

Brief data
Toyota Avensis 1.8 SOL
It has been produced since 2003.
Body options: sedan and station wagon.
It is equipped with four engine options - 1.6 gasoline; 1.8 and 2 l (the latter with direct injection of gasoline) with a capacity of 81 to 108 kW and a turbodiesel 2 liters, 85 kW. The front wheel drive.
Complete for the Russian market - only gasoline engines 1.8 and 2 liters. The latter is also with an automatic gearbox.
Price - from $ 22,900 (1.8 SOL) to 29 400 (2.0 Exclusive).

Brief data
Ford Mondeo 1.8 Core
It has been produced since 2000.
Body options: sedan, hatchback, station wagon.
Engines: five gasoline from 1.8 to 3.0 l with a capacity of 81 to 166 kW and three turbodiesels - 2 liters, from 66 to 96 kW. The front wheel drive.
Completions for the Russian market - gasoline engines 1.8 16V, 2 l, 2.5 l, 3 l (ST220) and diesel 2 l, 85 kW. Automatic gearbox for engines 2.0 and 2.5 liters.
The price is from 19,100 (sedan, 1.8 l, Core) to 39 520 euros (hatchback, ST220+all options). The price of this configuration is 21,650 euros.

Toyota Avensis 1.8 SOL
Toyota Aventhi Salon is a perfect illusion of an expensive car, not only in appearance, but even to the touch.
Electrolyuminescent backlighting of the Optitron dashboard yellow.
Tree, chrome steel, leather?
No - plastic and substitute. But barely distinguishable.
The on-board computer panel is sad due to the lack of navigation system.
This is comfort for two and security for three.

Ford Mondeo 1.8 Core
Ford Mondeo does not claim aristocracy. His interior does not try to look more expensive than it is.
The set of devices is standard, but there is only one odometer of daily run.
An additional muffler of absorption on the hood.
Rear electric windows - for surcharge.
The rear seat is not a mother -in -law.
The central armrest is entitled only in the Trend configuration.

Dimensions, mm
Toyota Ford
Avensis mondeo
L1 950-1170 960-1140
L2 635-850 660-860
H1 1010 1020
H2 940 930
B1 1380 1400
B2 1350 1400
h1 290-315 270-330
h2 360 390
L3 1140/2130 1030/1980
B3 min 1000 960
h4 710 730
H4 480 460

SUMMARY
Toyota Avensis
+ A painful engine, comfortable suspension, low fuel consumption, excellent sound insulation, high quality decoration, wealth of standard configuration.
- High price, lack of cheap basic complex, insufficient energy intensity of the suspension, fuzzy work of the gearbox.
Ford Mondeo
+ A good combination of engine and transmission capabilities, spacious interior, attractive prices for additional equipment, good handling, ease of overclocking and slowdown, energy -intensive suspension. An acceptable price in standard configuration (taking into account the discount).
- The modesty of the finishes, limited comfort of the suspension on the roads with a coated coating.
 
 
Anatoly Fomin. Photo: George Sadkov

Source: The magazine "Driving"