Hyundai Elantra 4 doors 2003 - 2006 sedan

How to catch up with a departed train?

Formally competitors in the focus in Russia of a dime a dozen are about two dozen different models. But if you look closely, it turns out that real rivals can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Yes, and these remaining are clearly awaiting difficult times.
 



We select for the price
Focus for us today that the VAZ penny is thirty years ago a car, which everyone and everyone are talking about. Choosing a new car, it is simply impossible not to think about the focus. On its side, the price, novelty, and a powerful advertising campaign. Nevertheless, there were still a golf class model in our market, which managed to compete with the favorite. First of all, this is Mitsubishi-Lenser, whose sales this year are hit by one record after another. And not surprising. It is enough to compare its price in optimal equipment with the same focus, and it turns out that the difference between a purebred Japanese and a European vehicle machine will be only a couple of hundred at. e.
 

Another curious proposal of the hander. What is called, all other things being equal, it stands even more expensive for a penny. Of course, these cars diverge with our bang. So we decided to reduce this three in a full -time dispute. The flight task was like this: the most popular sedan body, the most popular engine of 1.6 liters, and necessarily an automatic box. After all, we buy a car for the city, which means that it is obliged to have this type of transmission.

So, what are the competitors of the focus really? And is Ford so good as its price?
 



Another world
If I doubted his abilities, then, having looked into the focus interior, I forgot about all my doubts instantly. Just because the inner world of this Ford is on the head, if not two, above the rivals. No, I did not bought on a leather upholstery or other expensive toys of the top execution of the GIA. But even without this prestigious tinsel, the sensation of quality in the focus salon makes you believe that you are in the car class above. This very feeling consists of little things, whether it is finishing materials one soft plastic torpedo what is worth it! Or equally clear efforts on all levers and switches.

 
   
Sports tidy and minimalist, a decorated salon is tuned in a serious way

An untidy gap between the torpedo and the upholstery of the door is the only thing that can be blamed for the focus interior

All testimonies are well read, all controls at hand, but the design pumped up
 
  
For four places in the cabin in abundance, but the third on the couch of Mitsubishi will be crowded

The developers of the interior added a very spacious sofa to the impeccable ergonomics and the high finish class.

Even tall Hende passengers from behind are enough space for the head and legs. Sorry, the pillow is not the widest


And it is difficult to make serious claims to ergonomics. Unless the handle of the rear door is not too successful. Nonsense. But you will definitely like such a characteristic stroke of real concern for buyers as the on -board computer menu in Russian. Ay, well done!
 

You can sing praises of focus salon for a long time. But let's, mentioning his only labina, a large gap between the upholstery of the door and the torpedo, we will see how the buyer Mitsubishi and Hyunde are pleasing to.
 

Lancer, at least bribes the sports of style. Spectacular white dashboard dials and minimalist design of the torpedo is very much to the face of this car. Moreover, the stylistic similarity with almost racing evoluish is by no means a hindrance to the convenience of use. By and large, the minus of Lancer has one steering wheel adjustment only in the angle of inclination.
 

Elantra, by the way, is also not without this sin. But the rest of the hande, as well as Lancer, is generally convenient and understandable. Unless we did not like the confusing block of climate control. Air conditioning, which is placed on simpler versions, wherever more clearly. But on the quality of the finish and design of Hende against the background of Lancer, and even more so the focus looks an alien from the last century.
 

Mitsubishi Lancer 1.6at Invite

    
 
    
Adjusting the driver's seat in height is also standard equipment

Stylish dials of devices are well read

Lancer passengers will not be able to complain about the absence of cup holders
  
The technological arch behind the back of the sofa limits the possibility of transformation of the salon

The blocking of the central castle, unfortunately, is not visible outside

Luggage hinges going inside, and small height the main disadvantages of the trunk
 
Ford Focus 1.6at Comfort
    
 
 
The driver's drive of the driver's chair is required in the presence of leather upholstery

Board comprehensive is trained in the Russian language

GIA prerogative tree decoration, and separate climate control can be obtained on simpler versions
 
  
A self-dusting mirror is still a rarity on golf class models

The manual mode of the Lancer and Focus automatic machines has different polarity on Mitsubishi down down, swaying the lever to yourself, in Ford, on the contrary

In terms of transformation, the Ford trunk is preferable to rivals
 
Hyundai Elantra 1.6at GLS
 
 


   
The instrument panel is made simple, but with taste. And no complaints about readability
 
Such a generous set of adjustments on Korean cars is still a curiosity

Front and rear armrests with tanks for small things, as well as a complete electric package, are included in the equipment of GLS
   
 
The button in the end of the automatic transmission selector is disconnected by increasing gear

On the Korean Sedan, as well as on Lanser, the arch behind the back of the sofa interferes with the loading of the overall luggage


Just a photorefinish
Ten years ago, a golf-class car, in which four adults would comfortably be located, was considered a rarity. Now there are many. The trio of our contestants fully meets the modern requirements for spaciousness by a person of 185 cm sitting without problems. Another thing is if three passengers claim the rear sofa. Here, perhaps, a focus looks preferable. The fact is that Ford has a wide sofa, and the distance between the upholstery of the doors is the largest, and therefore the third will not be superfluous. For comparison: Lancer and Elants have a salon in the rear, respectively, 9.5 and 5 cm, respectively.
 

But we were not able to determine the champion on the convenience of a driver's seat. All three seats are very ergonomic and have an optimal-setting set of adjustments. The difference is only in detail. Say, on the Lanser, the landing is lower, with a flight of sports. But this is only a feature that does not affect the overall result.




Suitcase arithmetic
At first glance, the trunk of sedans look almost the same. The focus has the most modest opening, but the parallelogram mechanism of folding in Elantra and Lancer luggage loops go inside. At the same time, on paper, the useful volume of three trunks is approximately at the same level. So what is a draw? No, not at all.

 
   
The picture clearly shows that in the trunk of Lancer on top of two large suitcases you can put only something wide and flat
 
The focus will allow you to go on vacation with much more solid luggage, and the Elantra in its cargo talents is no better than Mitsubishi


During the control load, it turned out that the focus trunk beats rivals in height. Say, in an Entra or Lancer, only two large suitcases fitting. To put something on them will not work out the lid will not close. In Ford, on two large suitcases, three more average impressive result for the sedan went freely on top.




Or either...
Golf class is often called a 1.6-liter class. This is as fair as the fact that it is more convenient to ride with a locomotive box in the city. But plus a plus sometimes gives a minus. Indeed, a machine gun with a 1.6-liter engine is not the most funny. No, our trio cannot be called at all. Equipped automatic transmission, and focus, and Lancer, and Elantra easily cling to the flow of urban movement, and on the track they support cruising 150160 km/h without any problems. The main thing is to remember that in comparison with the mechanics, the machine provides you with less freedom.
 

Say, risky overtaking should be planned very carefully to the pour of the gas pedal at cars with automatic transmission, like chess players. Of course, it is great that Focus and Lancer manually shift the transmission to the very limiter of revolutions, but this is only an illusion of control over the machine. You will have to come to terms with the fact that a 1.6-liter motor and automatic machine do not adapt to your driver's style, but just the opposite adjust you to their limited opportunities. And no shutdown of the overdrive or manual modes of the situation will change.
 

But in terms of reverse accelerations, everything is extremely simple. Ford and Lancer have disc brakes, which theoretically should ensure greater efficiency of slowing down at high speeds and better endurance after multiple braking. In practice, the Elantra with the rear drums slows down no worse. And with endurance everything is in order. At least in staffing, no complaints arose to the effectiveness of work.




The enemies of the good
An amazing thing is to compare the controllability of the Elantra with its Korean rivals, and there is nothing to blame the car. Confident retention of a high -speed straight line, by no means critical rolls in corners, in general an honest steering wheel that does not hide information from the driver about where the wheels are currently directed. No, of course, a cheerful spark of excitement. Well, so what? For a family car, it seems, more and not required. Or does it just seem?

It is worth it after Hyunde to transfer to a car, really endowed with driver talents, and the picture is changing. No, Elantra does not suddenly get worse, just Focus and Lancer give the driver much more impressions and at the same time do not require anything in return. After all, Ford and Mitsubishi even more confidently work out irregularities on the high -speed highway, but in turns you feel not a spectator, but a direct participant in an exciting action.

The differences in the character of Lancer and Focus are not so great for Ford, perhaps a slightly more sharp steering wheel, and Mitsubishi’s transverse rolls are even less pronounced. And if not for these moments, then we would gladly put both on the top five. And so, by current standards, Lancer and focus earned a four with a plus.




In the highest category
Incidentally, the focus of the first generation in our tests invariably received five for handling. A slightly lower assessment of the current model is due, first of all, an increased level of comfort. In fact, in this discipline, Ford rose to an unattainable height. This applies to the smoothness of the course, and sound insulation.
 

I well remember how in the previous focus the hand itself reached out to the radio without juicy musical accompaniment, the 1.6-liter engine took out its votor. Now, even when the tachometer arrow rages around 6000 rpm, the sound of the motor does not resemble roar. And in the zone of 4000 revolutions, the engine is almost no longer noisy. Anyway, is it possible to call the baritone well somewhere far ahead of the baritone? Hardly...
 

And how now Ford is muffle on the go! Small road seams, cracks and other small things swallows the car swallows, completely not straining, as if there is no under the wheels at all. At least, this feeling develops in the driver and passengers. True, on sharp irregularities, the body is still noticeably shocking, and on large pits it even seemed that the car was not enough energy intensity. Perhaps a slightly more rigid suspension would be here and for the good.
 

Such, for example, like Lancer. The balance between comfort and survivability here is clearly shifted towards the latter. So those road flaws that the focus passes without moving, the driver and passengers of Mitsubishi feel their backs. But the chances of making the suspension work much less on a breakdown.

Elantra, in turn, is closer to Ford, she has a soft and insufficiently energy -intensive pendant. But to compete with the focus in terms of comfort in Hende, it will hardly be possible, given the too noisy engine.
 




It is not recommended to save
In the Krash-tests of Euroncap, the focus earned five stars. Can you finish the conversation of the driver and passengers about the protection of the driver and passengers? We will not rush. The fact is that the compilers of sets deprived the basic Russian focus of almost all modern attributes of passive safety. In the performance of the ambient, the car, in addition to the belts, is equipped only with a driver's bag. Logic is clear: they say, the Russians are fastened at the wheel on big holidays, so why do they need six pillows? But the European competitors of Focus have already managed to accustom us to the fact that a modern golf car car is six Air Bags and ABS.
 

And after all, the notorious five stars received a new focus with six pillows. And unequivocally to transfer an excellent assessment of the car only with a driver's eire-beg will be wrong. Therefore, we put Ford four can save on anything except security.
 

At best, Elantra, at best, got so many stars in the Euroncap crash tests, the prostilling version of Hende. Yes, and the basic performance, alas, does not include ABS, despite the fact that two front-bag-bags are available here. Europeans did not beat Lancer. The Americans (USNCAP) gave him four stars behind the frontal blow and only two over the side. But ABS compulsory equipment of even the most affordable Lancer. For this, Mitsubishi is a separate plus.


 


As good as it gets
It is simply impossible to kill the basic price of the focus. $ 11,700 acts on customers, as you want to do not want a fakir pakir, but you look at the show room. There you will find out that in fact the car will cost more. For example, a sedan with a 1.6-liter 100-horsepower engine and automatic transmission is not less than $ 14,420. And still, let only the air conditioner be from the attributes of luxury, it sounds tempting. Another extreme sedan performed by GIA. Skin, heating, CD changer, parking lots and other nonsense almost doubled the initial amount. As a result, $ 21,120 was released. But this is already frank barking. Moreover, the optimally equipped focus with automatic transmission will cost the buyer $ 16,400. So much is worth the Comfort Plus ABS, passenger AIR-Bag, heating of the seats, the central castle, and the electric package. If desired, you can chip by adding climate, cast discs and music $ 17,510.
 

How profitable it is, you understand, only when you begin to ask competitors. The same Elantra from the automatic transmission in dollars is drawn at least $ 16,730. Moreover, nothing depraved in this performance will still be. If you want cast discs and separate climate control, prepare 18 pieces.

The price list for Lancer with the automatic transmission begins at $ 16,650. Again, the equipment of the invite is made up so that everything you need (air conditioning, electric strokes and mirrors, heating the seats) are present, but there is no sense of deep satisfaction with the buyer. Castle wheels and climate control (on the machines of the 2006 model year) require the next installation of installation, which will be pulled already by $ 18,630.


 
 
 


 
    
We decided:

So, apparently, the Ford train went forward. The focus is good not only with a tempting basic price, it is also a wonderful car. If it was not an attempt to save on passive safety, then the focus (, 4.4) would receive the highest assessment for all the time of our tests. An unconditional leader appeared in the class, who, by and large, has no weaknesses. And given the attractive price and profitable loans, it becomes clear how complicated the task of dealers selling cars of competing brands.
 

Mitsubishi, at least, boasts his true Japanese origin. Of the other advantages of Lancer (, average rating 3.9), we note gambling, energy -intensive suspension and sports style of interior design. In addition, the updated version of Ulan will appear on the market soon, and this, of course, will spent interest in the car.
 

As for Enntra (, the average rating is 3.5), the prospects of this model were struck not only by a new focus, but also by the transfer of price tags in euros. Hyunde sellers are now noticeable than ever, $ 1,5002,000, discounts, but instead they will have to sell an Endra, which today is very difficult to mask a solid age, at a higher price than a young and talented focus II.
 
Mikhail Medvedev, photo of Maxim Goncharov

 
 

Source: Magazine buy a car [16/2005]