Test drive Kia Cerato (Spectra) Sedan 2004 - 2007 sedan

Life will judge

Chevrolet Viva. The Opel of the second -generation Astra was produced in Germany from 1998 to 2004. In Poland and Brazil, he is still being made under the brand of Chevrolet. In September 2004, the official start to produce a sedan under the name Chevrolet Viva on Je-Em AvtoVAZ in Togliatti. Engine: gasoline 1.8 liters (125 hp). Gearbox: 5-speed mechanical. Complete: L, GLS. Price: $ 13 60017 500.
Kia Cerato. He made his debut in early 2004. In the North American market, the sedan is sold as a spectrum. Body 5-door hatchback and sedan.
Engines: 1.6 and 2.0 liters (105 and 143 hp), turbodiesel 1.5 and 2.0 liters (102 and 112 hp) are not supplied to Russia. Gearboxes: 5-speed mechanical, 4-speed automatic. Set of configuration: five options. Price: $ 15 80023 300.
Hyundai Elantra. The second generation of Elantra (in some markets of the Lantra, Avanta) debuted in 2000. Three years later, outwardly updated. Release a 5-door hatchback and sedan. Engines: 1.6 and 2.0 liters (105 and 143 hp), a turbodiesel 2.0 liters (112 hp) are not supplied to Russia. Gearboxes: 5-speed mechanical, 4-speed automatic.
Complete: GL, GLS (several options). Price: $ 13 79019 990.
Chevrolet Lacetti. In Europe, he made his debut in 2003 as Daewoo Lazetti (in some markets of Daewoo Nubla, Suzuki-Forens, Chevrolet-Oprais). After the DEU join General Motors, it is also sold as Chevrolet Latsetti with bodies 5-door hatchback, sedan, station wagon. Engines: 1.41.8 l (95122 hp). Gearboxes: 5-speed mechanical, 4-speed automatic (except 1.4 l). Complete: se, sx, CDX. Price: $ 13 50018 050.

Russians, like a good half of the world, love sedans. If possible, they choose C-class cars, still inexpensive, but already quite prestigious. It is this segment that accounts for a significant share of sales of foreign cars in Russia. One of the interesting replenishment in it is the Togliatti chevrolet Viva, which, most likely, should compete with inexpensive Koreans and others like them. We picked up the trinity of such Chevrolet Latsetti, Kia Cerato and Hyunde Elantra in the price range of $ 1517 thousand with the most popular engines of 1.6 liters. Let's see if Viva can play the advantage that gives her the only possible unit of 1.8 liters. Latsetti turned out to be an automatic gearbox, while the rest of the mechanic will take into account this when evaluating dynamic qualities.
The burden of choice
Most buyers first pay attention to the lower bar: the model is such and such as !!! And only having begun to deal with the assemblies, they understand: it is necessary to really lay out much more. We will know about our four, given that in different car dealerships, prices may differ slightly from the above.
From the point of view of benefits, the first place was divided by Hynde Elantra and Chevrolet Latsetti. The first leader in the budget category. For a total of $ 13,790, you get a car in a non -poor configuration of GL: central castle, immobilizer, two airbags, a steering wheel with an amplifier and an adjustable column, electric windows, air conditioning, audio training. Our test GLS is more expensive than $ 15,390, but not much richer (see the set of sets).
No less accessible to Chevrolet Latsetti in the SE version for $ 13,800: there is already ABS and an audio system, but the steering column is motionless and the rear windows rise manually. The main minus is a modest motor with a volume of only 1.4 liters. For a 1.6 liter unit you will have to pay $ 900, but then God himself ordered to add more $ 200 and order the SX set for $ 14,900 (sometimes it is called Elite). Among other things, it involves a rich decoration of the cabin with metal and skin and even a more profitable proposal for this money is difficult to find on the steering wheel for the steering wheel! Our Latsetti is painted with metallic ($ 200) and is equipped with an automatic machine ($ 1,400) total $ 16,500.
Having counted the price of Kia Cerato in dollars, we get a minimum of $ 15,800 so much sedan on oars (mechanical windows), but with ABS, air conditioning, audio training and a pair of pillows. The full electric package will cost only $ 200, but sixteen thousand for a test car? Dear.
Chevrolet Viva in configuration L The cheapest, only $ 13,600. But also the equipment of Spartan: neither your airbags, nor air conditioning, nor an electric packet, nor even the rear head restraints. But there is ABS, tramphnic control and most importantly a powerful 1.8-liter motor. The second GLS option equalizes the equipment of Viva with rivals (minus audio system, plus alloy wheels and headlight washers), and yet $ 17,500 unreasonably a lot for the cramped car of the last generation.
Drivers Car car for a driver
If I had to unscrew the snake or go through the mountain road without hesitation, I would have taken Viva, and if you hit another city to an Endra. The words of one of the experts are perfectly determined by the essence of these cars.
Chevrolet Viva with a powerful and tracted motor is an undeniable leader in power exercises. A dense suspension, a compact salon, a low landing in a well -stained (albeit with a short pillow) armchair, a sharp, forceful steering wheel and even white sections of the devices all this gradually tunes on an energetic ride.
Of the shortcomings, we note the long stroke of the accelerator pedal, mediocre selectivity when switching gears, a tight pedal node, and also led to the right with dynamic acceleration. Unlike European Astra, the domestic Viva has an adapted suspension with increased clearance, which is why the front axles were slightly lowered. The short left is inclined at a large angle, and therefore the moment attached to it during acceleration gives a large component that unfolds the wheel inward, that is, to the right.
Hyunde Elantra from another test is rather a styer. Responsive and light on the go, with a very comfortable, energy -intensive suspension, it neglects small coating defects and is good on long trips. To match this character, the working motor is the most energetic of the 1.6-liter: it even shows sports excitement after three and a half thousand. The steering wheel is quite a long 3.2 turn from the stop to the stop, but with a sharp turn it bites a little. The controls are easy, sometimes unnecessary with a weightless brake pedal is difficult to dose slowing down. Payment for comfort is high rolls in a bend, slightly slow and smeared reactions. The blind instrument panel also upset.
Kia Cerato has the same power unit as Elantra, and many similar elements. We will call the same steering columns with adjustment only in the angle of inclination, but with a different gear ratio of the mechanism of Cerato, only 2.8 turns. This couple showed almost the same dynamics completely predictably, dispersing to accelerate to 100 km/h only one tenth seconds. However, the Kia suspension is tuned in another way more dense and tough, it feels potholes, but better perceives energetic maneuvers.
The motor is noisy, but its sound is more likely, which, coupled with clear controls, allows you to enjoy dynamic driving. The longest braking distance, perhaps, explain the instability of the coating measurements in raw weather. In part, therefore, not one of the rivals confirmed the declared characteristics. Before the rain, everyone is equal ...
Chevrolet Latsetti with an automatic gearbox fell into a deliberately losing position in dynamic exercises ... However, the lag is surprisingly small! The automatic control algorithm puzzled: to remove the lock, the selector must be drowned down.
As if justifying the golden cross on the radiator, the car demonstrates American habits: slightly slow reactions, soft suspension, noticeable rolls, tank stability. The impression is enhanced by wide comfortable chairs with five adjustments, a spacious rich salon. Only a large steering wheel, a well -heard rumble of wheels and slaps when traveling joints, can be stuck.
For passengers and suitcases
It is much easier to determine an outsider than a leader. The Chevrolet-Viva salon is 4070 mm already than that of rivals. A well -fed driver, weighing kilograms under ninety, in the winter you need to fear a cold: he will probably immediately try to remove outerwear that interferes in a cramped salon, is checked.
The front passenger strives to move away from a spacious glove box (the benefit of the longitudinal adjustment range is the longest) and rests the back into the knees of the rear passengers. In short, four tall 180185 cm will be placed, but without excesses. The fifth is neither a headrest nor a width of the width, well, only to throw it away. It is understandable, in 1998, when the current Viva appeared, there were completely different criteria.
Three Koreans, on the contrary, are pleasing. In front of the other Kia Cerato 130 mm above the head! But chairs are not very convenient, and in a five -seater configuration of the heads sitting from behind on the sides fall between the headrests and racks of the roof. In Hyund, the rear passengers, tall from 185 cm, touch the back of the head of the glass, and the forehead of the roof. In the pre-war years, cars were divided by the number of side windows into four- and six-end. Latzetti Chevrolet rather refers to the last windows in the rear racks add air and light.
As for the trunk, here rivals are equivalent to three and a half hundred liters, the difference within the measurement error. Moreover, in all cases, part of the volume is eaten by huge loops of the covers. Under the split folding back, the hatch opens, you can transport longs.
Prose of life
All cars are without problems, only with some power loss, consume 91st gasoline. There are no doctors, and Chevrolet Latsetti has a spacious basket in the niche for the spare. However, the road clearance is 130 mm and rudimentary plastic protection will make the driver be careful.
However, Kia Cerato and Hyunde Elantra does not have such protection, although the lumen of more than 155160 mm. In the best position, the Russified Viva only has 140 mm, but under a powerful steel slab. By the way, she has a simple and reliable elastic beam from behind, while the rest of the McEzersona familiar to Koreans with three thrust in a finger thick.
The frequency of service for everyone is the same year or 15 thousand km. But the guarantee is different: both have a chevrolet for two years, for Viva, the mileage is limited to 100 thousand km. Kia and Hyunde dealers increase the three -year factory warranty of up to five years and 150 and 120 thousand km.
And it began so well
Yes, with the exception of individual disciplines, she could not surpass the more modern models, albeit not the most noble origin. In this test, the point system of ZR will debut (explanation regarding points in the next material).
The situation could correct competitive prices, the initially declared $ 12,000 and 15,400 for the L and GLS configurations looked quite attractive. But they were strangely increased due to high demand.
However, maybe we are mistaken, and Viva will be as immortal as her grandfather Opel Cadet, who became a detergent after the reincarnation? Life, we believe, will judge

Yu. Nechetov: A team of six experts was initially puzzled by close final grades of cars. Well, it proves once again that everyone has both weaknesses and strengths.

SUMMARY
Chevrolet Viva is a compact and frisky car for a slender racer, not burdened with a living spouse, adult children or cottages.
+ Excellent dynamics, dense suspension, whole reactions on the road, informative control, the presence of protection of the motor compartment.
- leading during acceleration, tight interior and pedal node, low selectivity of the box lever, high price, modest guarantee, lack of choice of bodies and power units.
General assessment 7.5

SUMMARY
Kia Cerato European in spirit car, which can be judged without discounts on the origin and price.
+ Good dynamics, quick reactions on the road, spacious and high in front of the salon, the presence of active head restraints.
- a harsh suspension, a loud motor, not very comfortable chairs, the lack of adjustment of the steering column and protect the motor compartment, biting the steering wheel.
General assessment 7.5

SUMMARY
Hyundai Elantra is an excellent cruiser for long -distance runes or just a calm ride. He would have more fun ...
+ Soft suspension, high smoothness, spacious interior, comfortable seats, light controls, high selectivity of the gearbox lever.
- tangible rolls, slow reactions, a gloomy interior, a poorly readable instrument panel, lack of adjusting the steering column along the length and protect the motor compartment, biting the steering wheel during a sharp turn.
General assessment 7.6

SUMMARY
Chevrolet Lacetti is a large and roomy car, it looks more expensive than it costs. At the named price, a potential bestseller.
+ Soft comfortable suspension, solid appearance, spacious elegant salon, rich equipment, attractive price.
- A few slow reactions, tangible rolls, a small road clearance, a modest guarantee, an uncomfortable automatic control algorithm.
General assessment 7.7
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yuri Nechetov
Photo: Konstantin Yakubov

A source: The magazine "Driving"