Test Drive Ford Mondeo Sedan since 2010 Sedan

Office plankton. 6 business class sedans

Karelia. In Karelia great! And that is why its own, already the third in the account, we organize the mileage according to it. But if in the first time we risked to jump there on crossovers, then this time to visit this beautiful corner of our Motherland, we decided on cars easier on business class sedans

Participants test
Mazda 6 2.0
Ford Mondeo 2.0.
Citroen C5 1.6 THT
Renault Latitude 2.5
Opel Insignia 2.0 CDI
VW Passat 1.8 TSI

Why on them? Russian packages are the main promise to drive this office plankton on the Grader of the Russian reality. Where are we mainly used to see business class sedans? That's right, they are boosted near the Merigation, Batrachats in a taxi and even pull the strap in rolling offices. A lot of them and on the hands of wealthy citizens, whose wealth allows them to consider themselves the interlayer between the intelligentsia and the middle class. But anyway, the whole life of such cars is held in the refined middle jungle environment. But Russia is not only millionic cities and annular roads near them. These are also killed highways, broken primers, and sometimes just directions. And if the car gets to our market, to some extent it should be ready for the fact that it is not easy not, no, and it will bring it to the hell on the cake. How these cars will behave in such conditions, we were wondering. Karelia again became the landfill for our research. Or rather, the track from St. Petersburg towards the border post of Vyarksil, which is 60 km from the city of Sortavala. But not a pass point in Finland we were interested in this time. The latter, by the way, is famous for the complete lack of queues, and first of all because of the difficult road to him from Peter. Lake Yanisyarvi This is what was the end point of the route this time. It was formed 700 million years ago from the fall of the meteorite, the diameter of which was approximately equal to 14 km. The wrong place to check the cars in not quite familiar conditions for them, and the miracle of nature see. Moreover, this lake is 350 km from Peter. Not so far, but considering road conditions

So, in one of the vests of autumn days in the traditional start place six cars gathered. Preparing this test, we wondered for a long time to take. Of the huge number of applicants of this class, in view of the number of drivers, we could choose only six cars. In connection with this, the column was formed in several criteria. First of all it was the novelty of the model. Do not take in mileage on these indicators VW Passat, Renault Latitude and Opel Insignia we could not. Next was a dilemma. On the one hand, the brightest representative of the Japanese school in this class is Toyota Camry, but next year she must fully update, in connection with which she was given a discoverty. Assessing the honor of the Japanese car industry in this run was instructed by Mazda 6. It was not interesting to find out how the car with a non-traditional suspension behaves on bad roads. And then to whom, as not Citroen C5 with his Hydractive, give preference! The sixth same participant was the favorite of the prosperous middling Ford Mondeo.

In order for the test to be more or less correct, we took cars with approximately the same engine power. As a result, the table of ranks looked as follows. Mondeo turned out to be the weakest. Its two-liter power unit issued 145 hp. Compensate the lack of horsepower was called the mechanical 5-speed box. The next power was Mazda 6. Its two-liter engine was able to issue 147 horses, which, according to the designers, is quite enough to get along with an automatic 5-speed box. Citroen could boast 150 horses.

It is to boast, because of all the dough participants, he had the smallest engine in terms of volume, but the turbine made it possible to inflate the power of this 1,6-liter unit to such a magnitude. Plus, the car was aggregated with a 6-speed manual box. Continuing the list of VW Passat. There was already a speech about 152 hp at 1.8 l volume and 7-speed DSG. 160 horses have Opel Insignia. However, it is worth emphasizing that these horses were diesel, but they were injected into one harness with a 6-speed automaton. Well, the most voluminous and strongest became Latitude. Its 2,5-liter V6 at 6000 revolutions could release outwards as much as 177 horses. Someone may also reproach us that there can be no absolutely correct comparison with such different capacities and volumes of the engine. At first we thought so too, but, looking at the dynamic characteristics of these cars, came to the conclusion that the comparison is quite appropriate.

As before, throughout the way, we changed with machines, and so that each of us could draw on the same car both for a good section of the road and on the broken. Thus, we tried to be objective, and the final decision on the car was collegially accepted. Separate places this time did not become. It hurts a lot now those who take the courage to hang labels. This time we will simply be lit as one or another car behaved, and some of them give preference to solve you.

Let's start, perhaps, with Renault Latitude as the largest of this company. After all, what is the most important when purchasing a car of this class? That's right. But before starting to admire the almost five-meter length of this Frenchman, we will pass on the design. An interesting thing, but in the evening, sitting after a cup of tea, none of us could remember how it looks like. We have long risen to mentally imagine at least the cargoing of the car, but no one could say anything to say anything. Alas, but externally Latitude. It is likely whether it would be another color, his silhouette would have played, but even dirt was lost on golden metallic. But as soon as we were talking about the interior, the whole company was instantly revived. And first of all, everyone marked the space of the cabin. And many did not even confuse the fact that he was not the widest of the whole six. The interior design of Latitude has been worked out in such a way that the car seem much wider than actually, and it works. How it works and what this interior is made. The quality of the materials is quite high, and attention to the trifles is close. How do you, for example, is that, depending on the mood in the car, can one of the two flavors be fragrant? And the driver's seat with a bunch of settings and massager? Include it and not a word not to tell the next driver during the transfer of the car became a kind of joke. Feeling when the back of the driver's seat suddenly begins to change the configuration of the lumbar, sacrilate and chest roller, you need to say unforgettable. Pretty comfortable car and rear. The only thing you have to do when landing back, so it is greatly bent, because the doorway is quite low in this place. But for the legs of the place is quite enough, except that the seat of the front armor would like a little raise the socks of the shoe in it rest. If you wish, the rear passengers can regulate the climate in this part of the cabin, the corresponding control unit is available here. As for the ergonomics of a driver's seat, there are no special complaints about it. Is that the font on the instrument panel could be more larger, and the configuration of the audio system with inappropriate takes quite a long time. Despite the fact, Latitude had the most powerful engine, he did not demonstrate enviable dynamic characteristics on the track. The fact that under the hood of this car beats V6, somehow did not feel. 10.7 seconds were required by the passport of this car to dial the cherished 100 km / h. In real estimation, it went even more time. But I liked the suspension to almost everyone. Someone, of course, found it unnecessarily mild, in connection with which on the asphalt, and even with a complex road profile, the car was not so stable as I would like. But when it came to the grader, everyone unanimously recognized her quite comfortable. It is also worth noting that with such significant dimensions to control the car is quite simple, to help and parking sensors, and quite large outer mirrors of the right form.

The next rank is Passat. Being just two with a small centimeter shorter Latitude, visually he seemed more. Apparently, a more dynamic silhouette has affected. Although, honestly, in the appearance of this German more from the tank than from the aircraft. It hurts it from all sides. If there is place in his design to art, then this is the world should be supported by functionality. Whether a dual fog, part of which is responsible for lighting the road in turn, or the emblem-handle of the trunk cover, which is also a quotation of the rear view camera. The solution must be said very successful, because with any weather the camera remains clean, and it opens only when the reverse gear is enabled. No less practical Passat and inside. Here everything is the same in the same place. No liberty and damage to ergonomics in favor of a dubious designer delight. This severity of the interior of VW and bribes. Everything in its place, everything is intuitive. You do not need to think. And even when parking. The car itself is repurchased, however, if it finds a place. And the places, as the experiment showed, he needed quite a lot. In any case, most of us in those places that automatics found insufficient to fit, they parry completely calmly. And therefore specifically this option on this car we found it useless. But the fact that the box can work in sports mode, very nice. Pickup When you find a DSG mode selection selector at position S if not stunned, then it makes the heart faster for sure. Plus, in such modes, the car slowly slows down in such modes, which is perceived on Karelian serpentines as good. We must pay tribute, and the car is managed very well. Neither delays on the root or redundant turning. Of course, when passing a grader at high speed, the steering adjustment is required, but judging by the fact that the stabilization system in the management process almost does not interfere, the car is not bad for driving on such roads. And I also liked the suspension. Being unnecessarily tough when overcoming laying policemen in the city, she did not annoy the driver or a passenger. By the way, the passengers quite comfortably feel both in front and rear. And this is provided that the trunk volume of Passat is the most impressive of all 565 liters.

A little less trunk at Mondeo 550 liters. And Ford itself is less than VW for the same two with a small centimeter, which Passat lost Latitude. However, the Mondeo is wider than the cars presented here, in connection with which its visually, the surrendered silhouette resembles deep-water fiszy, rising from the puchin for hunting. They work on such perception and a huge mouth of lattice trapezings in the bumper, and shifted to the edge of the fog, adjacent to the ribbons of daytime running lights. And even the rear lights stretched out as they could. Wide in one word. As widely and in the cabin, however, the filling of the interior is so poorly that the feeling of space begins to border with a sense of incompleteness. This is especially noticeable on the background of opponents. However, most precisely such a setting and looked. Involuntarily start remembering the salons of American cars of the seventies. Huge instrument panels, huge seats, huge hood in front of the nose. By the way, for some reason it is in Mondeo that the hood seems unlimited, and if it were not for the front parking sensors, then in general, with unaccustomed there is a tight. Despite the fact that Ford had one of the weakest power units among cars in this mileage, the dynamics turned out to be quite balanced, and at a certain drivers of the driver, when manipulating a manipulation of a mechanical box, it was quite possible to squeeze 10 seconds to hundreds. But the fact that sometimes many of us on straight lifestals wanted to climb the sixth gear, says that the fifth engine turnover is clearly high. Yes, and the suspension on the irregularities left much to be desired. On the ridge, the rear axis has tormented, and if it were not for the stabilization system, to maintain high speed would be problematic. And the insufficient sound insulation of the wheeled arches was noticed. But as comfortably and imposed on the driver and the passenger on the perfect asphalt now it is now clear why most of our small bubbles prefer this particular car. It would be more often to carry them on it in bad roads, then you see, there would be less

Opel Insignia became next on the dimensions. You will not say anything, the appearance of the car turned out to be memorable. Some of us, he reminded the sophisticated fish-hedgehog, some German hatch of the second world, but somehow, the image of the car each in the head was formed. The effect of LED running lights in the headlights of headlights is meaningless. As the fact that if the passenger's growth is slightly higher than the average, it will inevitably touch the ceiling if it takes on the second row of seats. By the way, the landing in the previous three cars did not deliver inconvenience. We did not argue about the fact that still the noise of the diesel engine, especially at idle, is much stronger than from hissing gasoline under the same conditions. We were unanimously in opinion and then when they discussed the dynamic characteristics of this car. A rather impressive torque allowed Insignia on equal footing in racing for the cherished 100 km / h, and the fact that its result was equal to 9.6 seconds, it is quite logical with such characteristics. But the fact that the stabilization system is pretty early to intervene in the process of managing the car on gravel, one liked, and others found it with reinsurance. However, if we consider that the car has a small tendency to excessive turning, then it is not bad. And everyone plotted a huge number of buttons on the center console and on the beard adjacent to it. And there is a handle that is not only spinning, but also takes off, plus the buttons on her. And let it be ergonomically staged at the highest level, all one is wise with unusual. In this connection, as a rule, the column was waiting for the one who sat in Insignia: time even for a quick familiarization was required slightly more than in other machines. But for all the time, Opel showed the smallest fuel consumption of 6.7 liters per hundred. And this is in Karelia, where you can only dream about a uniform ride in view of a complex landscape and roads catering on it. By the way, on these looping roads it was noticed that the outer mirrors are not as good as they could have a different form. And if on the mirror elements themselves, the chamfer was not removed, then at a certain coal on a sunny day, a rather unpleasant glare would not appear on the ends.
 
The next on the dimensions was Citroen C5. What hopes we pinned on this car before mileage the hydraulic suspension was thrown out unsurpassed comfort on the grader and flawless handling on the asphalt. Alas of hope, although we justified, but only partly. Yes, in most cases, the handling on the road with a solid coverage of this car was not bad. Of course, before the college of the same Passat, he was far away, but in sports mode from driving a car could have enjoyed. In addition, many of us Citroen struck with their dynamics: at a 1.6 liter engine, it is quite easily held at the level of competitors. What was our surprise when, looking at dynamic characteristics, we saw that for a set, it takes only 8.6 seconds. The best result is from the whole six! True, in order to achieve this result, the tachometer arrow cannot be lowered below 3000 revolutions. Nevertheless, the car struck us for this indicator.
 
And then the grader began, it was here that it became clear that the Citroen hydraulic suspension was not better than the usual spring. It shakes the car no less, if not more, plus it is quite noisy working out onto the hang. Sustilly saves the position and comfort mode. In this connection, the recommendation is: if you prefer this suspension exclusively for considerations of comfort, then this is not the case. It is quite another thing if you need to go off the road and get it somewhere along a rut. Then the hydraulics to help you. Enlarge clearance from 110 to 210 mm is not a problem for it. And then you can involve those hundred meters to the cottage, which will not be on the shoulder to other participants of this run. And C5 pleased with the trunk. And let it be the smallest of the whole company, but he has the biggest day. And all through the opposite glass bending. Will start in a salon through such an opening anything will be easy. We left we are without attention and seats. Perhaps in C5 they are the most convenient of all. And rigid in moderation, and the profile is correct, and side support at the level. Now, if it were not yet before the driver, such an overloaded steering wheel buttons. Perhaps most insignia on the central console. Well, that before the design of this car, he can either like or not like, the third is not given.

It so happened that Mazda 6 was at the end of the narration, but this is not at all reason to believe that there was no more prestigious place for her due to ordinary qualities. She just turned out to be the smallest of all. The difference in length with the head of this list of Latitude is already 140 mm, which is quite a lot by car standards. However, the car turned out to be spacious for internal dimensions. For example, the very pilot who complained about the lack of space in the back row in Iinsignia, in the sixth considered it quite normal. But the comfort on the front seats, many were considered insufficient. And first of all, due to very tough seats. Plus, the entire development of an adjustable lumbar subsoil was clearly insufficient, in connection with which three of the seven complained about fatigue and lower back pain. Ergonomic miscalculations were also found. So, for example, it is completely incomprehensible why the route computer that is controlled from the steering wheel is displayed on the driver's later from the driver, and also in the far corner. Or why the galley changes in the volume of the volume on the steering wheel and the cruise control activation are so strive to catch the palm with intense taxi.

But the greatest discontent caused the operation of the automatic transmission. The transmissions switched so long and so reluctantly, which became just offensive for the car. After all, in essence, he could ask the heat to all here attend, because in terms of controllability this time he was not equal. The indescribable delight caused how he was literally screwed into a turn at the same time without the slightest hint of the loss of manageability. It was not published before the grader and suspension. Of course, on the frank pits it pierced, but it happened extremely rarely. It was amazing that with such minor sizes designers managed to carve a place under a rather large trunk. Its volume is 504 liters, which is even more than Latitude. In general, a decent car. That's just the wrong work of the box all spoils.

List
Last two runs passed directly around Lake Ladoga. This time we decided to retreat from the tradition. Why? Boring. Oh how boring ride around the lady after when you roll up the northernmost point and then enter into the stormy traffic flows of the Murmansk track. There is a completely different case of Karelia, it is there on its narrow serpentines and graders completely revealed the essence of the car.

This time we decided to deepen a little north, and then return back. Thanks to this, all the participants in the race were able to drive on all cars on those sites of roads that did not fall on their share on the first day of the run.
 

Renault Latitude 1,085 000 r.
Stanislav Shustitsky, 56 years old, journalist, driving experience 26 years, Personal car - Chevrolet Lanos

It is good. In the sense, in the Latitude cabin. Even there are certain excesses. I mean such chips such as flavors and an air ionizer, a function of massage a driver's seat, well, there is. But to use stealing switches you need to have truly musical fingers shorty levers. But this is so rather a grinding, and it's not difficult to get used to this feature of ergonomics. Not a sprinter, but also not an outsider for measured (do not forget about the class of car) Ride 177-strong V-shaped six is \u200b\u200benough. Good and suspension. On a flat asphalt car floats, like a ship, but without rolling in turns, small road defects quietly swallows.

No complaints about steering settings, absolute control at any speed. It was not bad to work out the suspension and on Karelian gravel roads, but the fast ride on the car wash is clearly not to face not the royal business. Nevertheless, under the machine-gun fraction of the compression of the penny of shock absorbers (by the way, a single breakdown!) And the warning winking of the ESP inclusion indicator, Latitude ended with the pace asked by colleagues in the test.
 
Driving
The dynamics did not impress. But manageability at a completely decent level.

Salon
Sometimes it seems that the car is even unnecessary. The quality of the finish is quite high

Comfort
Even a long-round trip will be a pleasant journey

Security
ABS, ESP, 6 airbags

Price
Cutely, well, the car is not small. Besides well equipped
 

Volkswagen Passat 1,064 000 r.
Igor Kuznetsov, 50 years old, photo editor, driving experience 30 years, Personal car - Skoda Yeti

In the spirit of Volkswagen, the latest generation of VW Passat looks restrained and at the same time elegant. The originality and style of the car give the parts emitting quality. Such, for example, as headlights. The sizes of the cabin make it possible to feel quite relaxed, although until the exclusion of other large-sized competitors, Passat is not Doros. The sedan has a laconic and very thoughtful ergonomics. The hand instinctively stretches to the place of the intended button and unmistakably finds it there. And the eye pleases not only the clarity of the instrument panel, but also the quality of the finishing materials. The sedan has an extensive package of on-board goods, which can be repeatedly expanded at the expense of additional options. The 152-strong Turbomotor is a modest volume 1.8, enough so that, if necessary, Passat turns into a hurricane. Automated transmission without delay and delay sends the engine energy to the wheels.

The suspension is traditionally rigid, but being tightly shot, it is characterized by guttapership and swallows most of the road flashes. Cancelled brakes allow you to accurately dose the effort on the pedals, and a rather sharp steering wheel track and, if necessary, adjust the motion trajectory. In general, Volkswagen Passat excellently balanced car.

 
Driving
The dynamics is quite decent to the car of this class. Brake system above all silence

Salon
Worked to the smallest detail. There are no complaints to ergonomics at all

Comfort
If the road is good quality, there will be no problems with comfort

Security
ABS, ESP, 6 airbags

Price
Acceptable


Ford Mondeo 1 003 000 r.
Alexey Smirnov, 39 years old, designer, driving experience 9 years, personal car - Volvo 940, Renault Logan

In general, the car left pleasant impressions. It looks solid, it has easily recognizable features both on a dynamic facade and with a tightly tailored rear. I liked the enlarged radiator lattice a la sport, the LEDs of daytime running lights look spectacularly. I did not like the too fuzzled wheeled arches, noise insulation and driver's seat (the comfortable position was not able to adjust). More about minuses. The salon is not so effective, as the exterior does not have some unifying ventilation. It looks simple to the design of the front panel with a display, which is removed significantly less information than could fit. It is inconvenient to communicate with the menu, the data of which is also displayed on a large screen between the tachometer and speedometer: it would be placed much more presented on such an area.

Pluses, perhaps, more. Main control and dynamics. Comfortable knob KP with short strokes, a pleasant obedient steering wheel. Speed \u200b\u200bis gaining valid, without straining. Comfortably both on the high-speed highway and on a bumpy cape. With intrastorming maneuvers, the dimensions are not confused at all.

 
Driving
The dynamics is not much worse and not much better than competitors. Single middling. Controllability
at the same level

Salon
Spacious. And quite comfortable, but against the background of competitors looks somewhat fad

Comfort
Maximum comfortable here yourself feel passengers of the second row

Security
ABS, ESP, 7 airbags

Price
Quite adequate
 

Opel Insignia 1 129 000 r.
Tikhon Sicolar, 29 years old, designer, driving experience: 11 years, Personal car - Ford Focus II

Diesel Insignia Noisy as the forth, takivntri: The motor sounds fills the salon. Salon, despite the shutting external samples of the car, quite close. The selfinterrier is handsome. At first, the buttons are at first, although some functions are duplicated by the duplicate, located in central tunnel. Hospitality, the screen of the multimedia system is a nonsense, itifies the use of navigation, which, by the way, there was a review map of Karelia. The algorithm worker's algorithmomer was incomprehensible. After the sacrifice of water, the wipers make only one wave, non-blocking karelian gravities. It is difficult to review back: Mirrors of small-sample are small enough to be polluted.

On the move Opel left dual impressions. Diesel engine gives a car good dynamics. Insignia's injuries are reliable omesely, the nobility has a certain insensitivity: the force will nimpose the dunning speed. The suspension is hard, the lavetomobile has to be addicted to the waves. In short, the diesel Opel Insignia is not for the amateurs of drive, adly, laptop movement of the prost.
 
Driving
To dynamics and brakes do not find fault, but with handling problems there are

Salon
Comfortten. Some designer sizes cause bewilderment, but in general, everything is rather harmonious

Comfort
At a completely acceptable level, except suspension a little harsh

Security
ABS, ESP, 6 airbags

Price
Great, but this is the fee for diesel
   

Citroen C5 938 000 r.
Sergey Zhukov, 55 years old, editor-in-chief, driving experience 36 years, Personal car Ford Focus II

The car is more likely to be able to simine the lifestyle of the life of the sophisticated pairs, more than valuable comfort than drive. Despite 150l.s., Removed by the current volume of B1.6LTER, this volume clearly lacks. All power growth is ensured by pressing. So that the car is driving, the engine is constantly being twisted. The dynamic fragment begins C32003500min-1, i.e. The time when the turbine begins to pick up the turbine. Naturally, it will still not affect the fuel efficiency of the machine. Therefore, you constantly stand the dilemma: either quickly go, or save fuel. The suspension conquered IBESCOs at the same time. The smoothness of the trip is simply amazing, but it is worth only to move on with a spoiling of worse, the orgidropneumatic suspension causto will be. Handling medium. Sport mode does not matter.

One of the recovery clearance, which is able to publish a smart minute: move across the border, to move the hees of Ineese. Very comfortable front of the front. It is pleasant to the entourage torpedo with a succulent iponal interface. An exception is, perhaps the steering wheel with a snow-giving central part of non-modes limits grip.

 
Driving
Despite the insignificant engine volume, not to fall asleep to the car dynamics

Salon
Comfortable driver and front passenger seat. Salon is quite spacious

Comfort
Hydraulic suspension on uneven comfort road does not add

Security
ABS, ESP, 7 airbags

Price
Overpayment for hydraulics?
 

Mazda6. 929 000 r.
Andrei Mashnn, 48 years old, deputy editor-in-chief, driving center 12 years, personal car - Mitsubishi Galant

A strange story came out this time. I got a car, and while I drove to my garage through the whole city, the loin barbed so that everything else ceased to pay attention to just to get there. I tried to adjust the chair on the go did not help. In the morning, when they went in the mileage itself, again twisted adjustments and put a rolled jacket under his back, and drove. After a couple of hours, they changed the machines, and at the next stop, my colleague complained to the same back falls off.

The next time in my Mazda I was already the next morning before the restaway and this is surprising: I drove to the house at all without these problems. Apparently, after a chair twisted five more people, it gained a certain optimal human position. In the way, with numerous overtakers, it was necessary to take into account that the car makes a jerk after some pause. But then the acceleration, accompanied by cheerful buzz, passes quite actively. The car is controlled easily and on the asphalt, and on a dry grader. After the rain on wet clay, he was a bit, in one of the turns, unexpectedly drove at the speed of sideways, then became careful. In the cabin everything is fine. The steering wheel is convenient, only often with the turn signal I turned on the distant light. The movement of the hand should be more accurate.

 
Driving
Health ruls. But the operation of the ACP and, as a result, the dynamics, leave to desire the best

Salon
Pretty spacious and well stylized under the sports car. Ergonomics have some complaints

Comfort
Seat tough. Places behind the head of passengers not much

Security
ABS, ESP, 6 airbags

Price
Quite adequate
 

Our verdict
The Karelian landfill once again proved its worthwesome and the ability to test cars on roads with different profiles and a different coating. We put our priorities for models this time, you remained to place your own. But, one way or another, each of the cars participating in the run definitely deserves attention.

Oleg Kalaushin

 

A source: Magazine 5 Wheel [November 2011]