Hyundai Grandeur test drive since 2005 sedan
Conflict of names
Toyota Camry of the latter, the sixth of the generation, debuted in Russia imperceptibly. In the sense that there was no noisy presentation, a massive advertising campaign. Just one day, so many of these cars ran through the streets of the city that it seemed that the new Camry was always in salons.
A successful market attack without artillery preparation is the merit of a previous generation model, which was a sales leader in its class for several years. In this regard, Camry is interesting not only in itself, but also in comparison with the closest competitors, especially since the Korean representative of the younger business class appeared on the market almost simultaneously on the market. In addition, Nissan Teana will become a direct competitor to Camry. This car did not fall into the test only because it was late for her official debut in Russia took place several days later. 
Toyota claims to be the role of prima, but Hyundai also causes considerable interest a large black car with deeply tinted glasses fraught with a riddle. This format for the Korean brand is very atypical. Grandeur (reads like Granja, but dealers stubbornly call his Grander with an emphasis on a) the name is almost literal, translated from English means grandeur, greatness, and the sedan looks really significant. Designers seemed to fantasize exclusively on the topic of solidity through the eyes of a middle -level manager. Only in the design of the back did they allow themselves a fraction of frivolity large lanterns with LEDs, connected by a jumper, look unusual. 
The creators of Camry were clearly endowed with more freedom and even came up with a new Vibrant Clarity style, trembling transparency. Therefore, the car turned out to be memorable. The design is in a little rich and verbose. But in the total mass of decor, borrowings are distinguished from Lexus IS, especially in the solution of rear lighting. True, in the desire for identity, a successful, in general, style for some reason was seasoned with excessively lush forms. A convex lid of trunk and chubby bumers do not give a slimming machine. Although there are other opinions The design of the salon in both cases meets the appearance. In Camry, this is a successful combination of smooth surfaces and sharp corners. Lightly silver plastic for metal and high -quality imitations of wooden inserts create an atmosphere of sophistication, again referring to Lexus. An unexpected note lining of fresh blue color on the central console. A bold and ambiguous combination.
Grandeur is the exact opposite. Everything here is strict, if not stiff. Metallized panels and wooden elements are also present, but uncomplicated solutions quickly evoke longing, which is only able to disperse a graceful strip of the same tree, an encircling salon around the perimeter at a level just below the window line. A similar detail is on Mercedes S-class a worthy example to follow. The layout of the devices from there. The scales are modestly decorated, but thanks to bright contrasting backlight, they are easily read at any time of the day. 
The Camry dashboard is much more expressive than a thin schedule of numbers, shing and shooter pleases the eye. The high -control display of the on -board computer is convenient. Unfortunately, in the daytime the picture is spoiled by the dull lighting of the devices. Hyundai ergonomic miscalculation overloaded with faceless buttons and large inscriptions of the central console. Managing an audio system and climate control (it is separate for both machines) is not very convenient. And the perseverance with which Koreans supply stereo systems (in this case, the Infinity brands) on their cars of the cassette deck is surprising. On the other hand, it turned out to be a musical combine. Camry also has a similar device. A real Asian Music Center with many functions and an elaborate design. The picture is complemented by a desperate meaningful inscription Plasmacluter in the most prominent place. No, this is not a new brand from the Audio & Video sphere, but just a plasma ionization technology used in the climatic installation. By the way, it is very convenient to use both the installation and the audio system in Camry, and the effectiveness of the first in the summer heat is higher than Grandeur.
The driver’s landing is both Hyundai and Toyota has high, ergonomic and with exhaustive adjustment ranges. But Grandeur seats liked them more softer, have effective side support and memory in two positions. The front seats Camry have a more sporting look thanks to the drawing. But one species is not enough: an almost complete absence of lateral support is an annoying circumstance. The rear sofas are almost equally convenient, in each car there will comfortably accommodate three people. The back of the Toyota sofa is adjustable by inclination, but the supply of space in the knees and above the head in Hyundai is slightly larger. In addition, in addition to the dummies and deflectors of blowing, the Korean car will delight passengers with a 12 volt nest.
The possibilities of transforming the salon in this class are of secondary importance. The fact that cars can be offered, which develops in the proportion of 60/40 of the back of the sofa, enough for transporting something less animated than the chief accountant, and more overall than his box from a photocopy. By the way, according to official data, Camry wins the trunk volume with a score of 504: 470, but the visually luggage department of Grandeur is more roomy. Oddly enough, at the static stage, Grandeur was able to bypass Camry in terms of some indicators, and most importantly on equal terms to compete in terms of performance quality! Note that the scope in the back seat of the Korean machine is a consequence of more impressive dimensions. But as soon as the engines come to life under the hoods, everything falls into place. Now the large sizes and mass of Hyundai are already disadvantages, because the 3.5-liter Japanese engine a priori is more serious than the 3.3-liter Korean. The Camry motor is new V6, which before it appeared only on the Lexus RX 350. The specific power of the Hyundai engine 71 hp, in the Japanese unit 79.
In nature, the motors are close in both cases, the thrust supply and its even distribution throughout the speed range make the ride pleasant and confident. But Camry is tangibly more powerful and accelerates, one might even say, gambling. In addition, to dispose of her 277 hp. It is very convenient thanks to a perfectly tuned 6-speed machine, which has a sports and manual modes. To go to the manual, the lever must be pulled to yourself, and then it lies perfectly in the hand. The automatic Camry transmission is one of the few where the manual mode is both pleasant and effective, delays in switching are very small. Grandeur cannot boast of the same way the 5-speed box decently slows down, and the sports regime is a manual, in which the machine independently switches before the speed limiter. In addition, movement in active manual mode is complicated by delay in switching and fine indication of the inclined transmission on the instrument panel. Still interferes with a strongly dumped gas pedal. But if you pave it to the end and wait a couple of seconds, the machine will jump a few steps down, and Grandeur will tear forward with grand agency. In acceleration to 100 km/h, he loses to a more powerful opponent only 0.4 seconds, and in maximum speed even a little surpasses him.
The average fuel consumption in Grandeur, according to the computer, is almost 18 liters per 100 km. The volume of the tank is impressive, and to give the arrow of the fuel -affirming vertical position, large gasoline financial injections will be required. The loyalty of the engine to the 92nd gasoline Toyota, by the way, is also not offended by the appetite is also not offended, and the fuel requires more expensive. It was illogical to expect that the controllability of these cars would be an exquisite dish in the driver's diet. This did not happen. The characteristics of the chassis settings and the steering are selected with the sight for comfort. And in this regard, Camry looks more advantageous of her suspension copes well with irregularities and provides confident behavior in corners. Grandeur is so tougher that when you quickly drive along a bad road, it just scares the driver of shaking, and in corners he also strives to jump off the trajectory. But on an even coating, the Korean behaves much better. It should be noted that cars with a stiffer suspension are delivered to Europe and Russia than to the domestic market and in the USA. Maybe you should try the home option?
Managing Grandeur is more pleasant than Camry at the helm to a greater extent zero and a more understandable reactive force. And the Toyota steamer grieves with emptiness in the near -Stolium zone. The configuration of the amplifier is too comfortable. Cars differ in the approach to active security. The Hyundai stabilization system is more strictly configured, it almost does not allow slipping with sharp speed maneuvers, the Toyota system can allow the skid, but to a certain limit, it is easy to adjust the drum to the steering wheel, and the electronics are on the alert. It is made by the non -clogged for that. And the Korean ESP can be completely deactivated. But this should not be pleased to do this, different from the abuse of the tread, it will still not be possible.
Both machines have a negative feature that manifests itself in extreme modes, a dangerous step of effort with rapid rotation of the steering wheel. It interferes with timely stabilizing actions, and on Camry it also helps to slip hands along the wooden part of the rim is thin. As for the brakes, the main difference is the effort on the pedal. In Grandeur, with intensive braking, it is unusually large, and in Camry at the very beginning of the pedal, an unpleasant void is felt.
Having passed almost the entire distance of the nostril in the nostril, the competitors reached the finish line, and prices should play a decisive role here. But they are close to each other. Toyota Camry is more expensive, but only $ 700, and the configuration is almost the same. Nevertheless, we give the victory to the Japanese car, taking into account individuality, name, 277 hp. As it is easy to notice on the streets, many agree with us. And we will advise to pay attention to the Hyundai Grandeur to someone who forms his own opinion without looking back to the majority.
Cars are provided by Toyota Motor and Block Motors
Configurations and prices
Toyota Camry
The cheapest Camry 2.4 liters. can be purchased for $ 30900. For this money, you get a 5-speed manual transmission, alloy wheels R16, velor salon, audio system with MP3 and chainger, airbags (front, side, curtains), separate climate control, air ionizer. Camry with automatic transmission and headlight washer will cost $ 1600 more. With a 2.4 liter engine, four different configurations are offered. For the most expensive Camry, dealers ask $ 43200. It is equipped with a 3.5 liter V6 engine. and 6-speed automatic transmission. In addition to basic equipment, its complete set includes: parking sensors, electric leather seats, xenon headlights, course stability, cruise control, steering wheel with wooden inserts and much more.
Hyundai Grandeur
Hyundai Grandeur is offered in a single configuration. But you can’t call it simple. It includes ABS, EBD, TSC, ESP, 8 airbags, a leather steering wheel with electroregies and radio control, a leather salon with wood and aluminum inserts, front seats, rear parking sensors, lighting sensor, rain sensor, chobilizer. , cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon, electric hatch, optimal dashboard, rear window curtain with an electric drive and high-class audio system with an external amplifier and 8 Infinity speakers, which allows you to listen to disks with MP3 and cassettes. All this luxury is complemented by a 3.3 liter engine, and a 5-speed automatic transmission. With such a set, the machine is estimated at $ 43900.
Text: Sergey Knowemsky
Source: Motor magazine [July 2006]
