Test drive Ford mondeo sedan 2005 - 2007 sedan

All photos of Ford Mondeo Sedan 2005 - 2007

The jacket four

The photographer’s question, as always, is at a dead end:
What color are they? It is better to be brighter
Now blue, gray and two black.
It was such not the brightest that the color scheme of the four middle class sedans, gathered in a close editorial parking lot. The latest Volkswagen Passat and his rivals recently transformed Ford Mondeo and Mazda 6. Opel Vectra, while the modernized car shown at the Frankfurt car dealership, has not yet reached Russia. Really new is still only a Passat, the rest of the restyled versions. Can you expect an extraordinary results from a beginner?
Gray, blue, black colors of business jackets. Raspberry and lemon does not count. Cars from this price group to a tailcoat or evening tuxedo are not pulled, but you can appear in a decent place. I recall the story of Robert Yang read in childhood a mechanical fig sheet: there it was about a society where the car became a necessary item of clothing. Well, a convenient association!

Ford Mondeo

He made his debut in 1993, the current generation has been released since 2000. Restyling 2003
Body options: sedan, hatchback, station wagon.
Engines: gasoline 1.8-3.0 liters (125-256 hp), diesel 2.0 and 2.2 liters.
Gearboxes: 5- and 6-speed mechanical, 4- and 5-speed automatic.
Complete: Core, Trend, Titanium, Ghia, ST220.
Price in Russia: $ 21 120 42 100.

A little more than a year has passed since the restyiga has passed, but the original Ford Mondeo can not be called. Although in its strict lines no less grace than five years ago. However, we do not watch to go. And first get settled. Regarding the seat, they argued: the complexion of the testers is far from the same, the difference in the mass is two -time from 60 to 120 kg. It is clear that you can’t please everyone, but a solid driver in Ford is better than a thin one. With all the wealth of the Ghia configuration, there was no confusion with switches.

Unless you need to get used to the control panel control panel on the steering column, especially since the automatic box selector makes access to its buttons. The climatic installation without separation into the right and left parts of the salon is now considered the property of cars below the class. Review is better than average, but external mirrors are small.
Seventeen-inch wheels with tires of a 50 percent profile hint of outstanding abilities in turns and mediocre comfort.

However, Mondeo, despite low -profile tires, copes with all the bumps perfectly. (Those in which the wheel fit the whole, of course, does not count.) Ford suspension is enough energy intensification for transverse waves, support an acceptable road clearance, silently swallow the seams and joints and successfully damp ups. The behavior of the car in the bend is more reliable than gambling. The car smoothly argues for the discharge of gas and is not inclined to drift. But the sliding begins early.

The combination of an automatic box and a two -liter engine will arrange only fans of a calm ride. Mondeo is able to rush off, but the agility disappears already in second gear. The machine with four gears is outdated: it switches down, is not able to work optimally in a relatively narrow speed range, and significantly increases fuel consumption.

But in the peak to some more modern, the Ford box switches smoothly, does not confuse in programs, which are really, by the way, only three (fourth overdrive). It is a pity that Ford is noisy: at high speeds for talking with a passenger, you have to raise your voice.
The rear seat of Mondeo, although a considerable width, is still for two. There is a headrest and belt for the middle passenger, but an unexpectedly large transmission tunnel and a raised pillow will not be conveniently given. And, of course, the average will not get the heating of the pillow and back.

Ford’s luggage compartment could accommodate 50 liters more, but in the Russian configuration with a full -size reserve, polyurethane spacers occupy so much, lifting the gender of the trunk.
The basic version of Mondeo with a 1.8 liter engine is very attractive at a price, and even powerful six -cylinder machines are relatively inexpensive. Therefore, choosing an automatic transmission, it is worth stopping on the engine more powerful. Moreover, they put more advanced five -speed machines with them.

SUMMARY
Ford Mondeo is essentially a very simple car, however, combining the reliability of control with an exemplary comfortable suspension, but age is affected by a total assessment of 7.9
+ Comfortable suspension, roomy trunk, large road clearance, heating the rear (!) Seats.
- modest dynamics, sluggish brakes, an obsolete machine, a limited list of additional equipment.

Opel Vectra

The third generation of Vectra is represented in the fall of 2001. Restyling in 2005.
Body options: sedan, hatchback, station wagon.
Engines: gasoline, including turbocharged, 1.6-3.2 l (100-211 hp) and diesel 1.9-3.0 l (120-177 hp). For Russia, only gasoline.
Gearboxes: 5- and 6-speed mechanical, 5- and 6-speed automatic.
Complete: Essentia, Desing, Comfort, Elegance, GTS.
Price in Russia: $ 21 190 39 970.

The restyled sample for the test did not ripen the renewed vector became more like Astra, especially headlights and lanterns. Motors with the direct injection of gasoline did not get to us. So far on sale, pre -ray -line machines with a discount of up to $ 2,000. Opel is the most compact of the four, almost 200 mm shorter than Volkswagen. This did not affect the cabin, but the trunk, of course, is smaller than others.

Vectra has the most industrial interior design. Any style has fans, but getting used to rectangular sensory steering wheel switches is not easy. It is even more difficult to master the on -board computer. Anyone who finds the testing button for the testimony is faster than three minutes, has the right to declare himself a genius, spending from three to five just talents. Found button in less than a minute they disqualify, they clearly communicated with a veil earlier. No less wise climate control: it is easy only to set the temperature in automatic mode. Imagine that the fellow traveler soaked her legs and asks to direct the hot air down, so that the car does not become too hot. The problem is solved, but requires at least half a minute to focus on the handles and display.

Large soft chairs of Opel for large people. It’s comfortable, but there is no proper side support. It is partly replaced by a nonsense upholstery. But the main advantage of the car with lightning on the emblem in it is not only convenient to sit, it is easy to sit here thanks to wide and high openings. Vectra boasts and good visibility. Relatively thin and successfully located racks do not interfere with looking around.

The previous experience of communicating with Opel-Vetra left memories of hard suspension and mediocre comfort. Now the buyer can choose between European, suspension for bad roads and an intermediate option. Those on the test car. There are no complaints about him on a flat road, but on smooth irregularities, the car is swinging intensively. This does not affect the reliability of management too much, but noticeably tires. Moreover, the vector does perfectly with small chips and potholes. Noises and vibrations are equally convincingly suppressed at 160 km/h. You can have a conversation without being distracted from management.

Fans of driving vector are hardly interesting, despite the highest maximum speed and good acceleration. Although the advantage of 200 cubes of the working volume affects, and the gearbox helps good acceleration, yet the dynamics are not very impressive. A long -term and rather heavy gas pedal must be literally push to the stop. Even less desire to quickly pass high -speed turns on an uneven road. Everything is predictable, but swing, unwillingness of the car to enter the turn and too light steering wheel do not allow the unity of the system of the driver-machine.

The vetera of the vetera on the bends has to be turned more than that of other cars, but the car is clearly falling out of the arc. The terrible, of course, is nothing in extreme cases, the stabilization system will slow down the right wheel.
The list of additional equipment of the vector is second only to Passatovsky. Perhaps almost everything, up to seats with electric drive and memory. In updated machines, a two -liter motor with a turbocharged will also appear.

SUMMARY
Opel Vectra if you like American cars, but you want European design this is your choice. Active drivers are unlikely to taste the calm character of the vector. General estimate 8.0
+ A spacious interior, a painful motor, a nimble automatic, low noise, excellent brakes.
- rocking on an uneven road, an empty steering wheel, a confused climate control algorithm.

Mazda 6

European premiere of 2002 Restyling 2005
Body options: sedan, hatchback, station wagon.
Engines: gasoline, including turbocharged, 1.8-2.3 liters (120-261 hp), diesel 2.0 l (120-136 hp). Only gasoline engines are supplied to Russia.
Gearboxes: 5- and 6-speed mechanical, 5-speed automatic.
Complete: Base, Touring, Sport.
Price in Russia: $ 22 900 41 050.

The grace of forms immediately distinguishes it from a number of classmates. When landing behind the wheel, the spore of thin and fat flared flared up with renewed vigor. This is a seat for thin drivers. The owners of the body weighing from the centner and more will visit it on the weak design of the seat under them. But everyone agreed in one thing: the pillow could be more authentic.

Mazda salon is the most air. Regardless of the growth and planting of the driver, all the dimensions of the car are clearly visible except the rear. Well, for reversing, there are parking sensors and mirrors, to which there are no complaints.
It is impossible to get confused in the buttons. Even the on -board computer is controlled only by one: a short pressing the next parameter, a long discharge.

A six -speed gearbox hints at sports potential. This is not entirely true, although the character of the motor is really clockwork. The sluggish below 2500 rpm, it really wakes up after 4000. With proper touch and switching, Mazda 6 easily reaches hundreds in less than 10 seconds. The machine lays the maximum speed in the fifth gear, the sixth supportive. On the highway, this should be saved by fuel. But long gears mean reduced elasticity, which is why it is necessary to switch down to a couple of steps.

Low engine speeds at high speed suggest a decrease in noise. But in this area, Mazda is still too early to compete with the leaders.

The two-leash suspension in front is more complicated than McEferson, but softens the effects of the drive wheels to the steering wheel. He really does not gives the hands of motor moments, and the characteristic of the hydraulic power steering is selected competently. MAZDA-6 chassis is a good compromise between sports habits and comfort. The reactions of the machine may be harsh for the middle driver, but there is nothing dangerous in them.

Mazda confidently stands on uneven asphalt, but at high speed the accuracy of the trajectory is difficult to control. But the energy intensity of pendants is sufficient.
Mazda is not a record holder on the road clearance: 128 mm even under a powerful steel protection. Naked brake tubes and oxygen sensors on our roads are not pleased with what to hook them on our roads.

A short wheelbase forced the designers of the maza to move the interior forward and drown the rear seat into the space between the wheels. Therefore, only two are comfortable behind, and sitting down, you have to bend too much in the lower back. But the trunk was a six absolute leader.

SUMMARY
Mazda 6 The most bright car of the four is captivated by accelerated dynamics and living character. All this is not to the detriment of comfort and economy with solid equipment. General assessment 8.2
+ Good accelerated dynamics, acute controllability, excellent ergonomics, a large trunk.
- limited selection of configurations, aerodynamic noises at high speed, modest decoration materials, there is no individual climate installation mode.

Volkswagen Passat

European premiere of 2005
Body options: sedan, station wagon.
Engines: gasoline, including with direct fuel injection and turbocharged, 1.6-2.0 liters (102-200 hp), diesel 1.9 and 2.0 liters (105-140 hp) .
Gearboxes: 5- and 6-speed mechanical, 6-speed automatic or automated mechanical box.
Complete: Trendline, Comfortline, Highline.
Price in Russia: $ 24 815 50 000.

The Passat of the previous generation established an unspoken, but undeniable standard for its class, which included comfort, controllability, dynamics, salon dimensions, decoration materials. That level to this day will not be reached by everyone.
The new Passat, especially in the black, and with a chrome finish, is almost a representative class. By the way, in size, it is not quite a bit.

It is even inconvenient to say that under the hood of only a two -liter atmospheric motor, albeit with direct fuel injection. The engine is not bad: acceptable bottoms, a good middle, easily spins up to 6500 rpm. Just have time to click the programs. The entire high -speed range of Volkswagen is proportionally cut into six pieces in accordance with the traction capabilities of the motor. The sixth gear is not increasing, but working.

As a result, the dynamics are good for a large and rather heavy machine and the ability to overtake without unnecessary switching. You should not worry about the noise of the engine at increased speeds.
There is a wide console, trimmed with polished aluminum in the passato salon. Instead of winged metal, there may be a noble tree. The innovations are enough: the electromechanical handbrake is activated by the button, the ignition key needs to be pressed, not turning, a large display with two columns of the Soft Clavish (their functions depend on the current program: radio, telephone, navigator, etc.). All this is impressive, but it requires addiction.

The salon disputes this time broke out not because of the seats: they were just right and large and small. But low doorways make you diverge even a person of medium height when planting, especially in the back seat. Although inside is convenient and two -meter passengers. The trunk was a little disappointed: they expected to see an immense hold, but here is just a large box. But in it there was a place for a full -sized spare wheel on a alloy disk. With tire size 235/45R17, this is significant.

Test Passat without adapted suspension. Now you can order a car with it. It is wrong, since the road clearance without protection is only 120 mm, and the perseverance with which the car voices all the defects of the road surface borders on annoyance. But there are no complaints to controllability. Even in maximum turns on a fairly wavy road, the Passat is absolutely confident and allows you to withstand the trajectory with jewelry accuracy.

The payment for this is the annoying repetition of the profile of the road and the insufficient energy intensity of the suspension.
The list of additional equipment is long. Having estimated how much the most expensive Passat will cost, we easily went out for 50 thousand dollars. The base model starts with half of this amount. Price superiority is no less significant than technical.

SUMMARY
Volkswagen Passat spacious, quiet, with a perfectly configured chassis, is ready to become a standard in its class again. The offer of additional equipment requires more than one hour to think about the price.
General assessment 8.3
+ Convenient driver's seat, spacious interior, expensive finish, rich equipment, excellent tuning of the steering wheel power steering, excellent gear shift mechanism.
- Mal road clearance, limited energy intensity of the suspension, average economy, high cost of additional equipment.

After trying on
Let's get back to the jackets and scores they have score. The first looks gorgeous, sewn well, but still not very much in figure and obviously a little expensive. The second fashionable, sits like a glove, but looks cheaper. The third is not that baggy, but not very convenient. The fourth seems to be no longer fashionable, but what a lining! Still, the choice of clothing, especially the car is thin, it is very dependent on personal taste. By the way, getting to him, re -read Yang ...