Test Drive Mitsubishi Space Star 2002 - 2006 Minivan

Alternative is always

Mitsubishi Space Star has become a henchback rapider with a high roof

Although the Japanese is difficult to call the lawmakers of the automotive fashion, under the closer look, it turns out that almost any debutant car from the European or American manufacturer is by no means revelation. Its analogue (both for purpose and technical stuffing) has long been invented and manufactured by designers and engineers from the rising sun.

The next confirmation of this thesis is the model Mitsubishi Space Star. This car, who made his debut in Europe four years ago, opened such a concept as a hatchback with a high roof for residents of the continent. Being at the junction of the segments of Microwaves and traditional Golf Class cars, Space Star turned out to be a Tall Car concept pioneer (high car), so popular now in Europe. Only after three years this model has direct competitors of Peugeot 307 and Fiat Stilo.
Recently, sales of the updated version of Mitsubishi Space Star began in Russia. The car visited the wheel test.
Space Star, manufactured at the Dutch Nedcar Plant (by the way, they collect Volvo S / V40), has undergone significant restyling: the front part, lighting, salon have changed significantly. Added new body colors and interior, new equipment has appeared, painting technology has been improved. The car is offered in Russia in Family and Comfort variants with a 1.6 liter engine, a mechanical gearbox or a sequential Invecs-II machine. Since October, a more powerful 1.8 MPI motor, 15-inch wheels and guides for fastening the roof trunk are added. In total, more than 20 significant changes are made to the design.
Space Star is positioned as a family multifunctional car. And he still meets this definition. With very compact sizes, and therefore, the maneuverability is above the traditional sedans and golf-class hatchbacks at least 10 cm. These extra centimeters not only create an additional expanser over the heads of the driver and passengers Space Star. The main thing is that the tall body allowed to plant the crew of the star more vertically. Due to such a decision, the salon became very spacious. This is a full-fledged five-seater car. Three adults of the average set with convenience will be scented in the rear sofa, while their knees will not touch the backs of the front seats. On the rear sofa, Space Star jumps through the class and practically complies with the standards of the A group E (for example, Peugeot 406).
It is very convenient to get into the car and go out of it: the chairs are at the level of the fifth point, so it is not necessary to sign in the cabin, neither to scribble on the seat. I think that this fact will certainly appreciate your elderly relatives.
As it should be supplied with a car with minivan genes, in Space Star We have a mass of pockets and clothing offices. The luggage compartment can be easily increased: the rear seat moves forward-back in the range of 15 cm, and its backs can be folded in parts or entirely.
I happened to check all the advantages of the cosmic car in real conditions. During a trip to the cottage with a full combat layout of five people in the car Plus 50 kg of cargo in the trunk, I appreciated the pluses of the family layout of the car. At the same time, oddly enough, absolutely not disappointed in the characteristics characteristics.
We must admit that initially I did not expect to get any positive emotions from driving Space Star. Well, tell me, can you expect from a family car with a high center of gravity? However, my skepticism was inappropriate.
SPACE STAR 2002 of the model year received a new, more powerful motor 1.6-liter 16-valve engine, developing 98 hp Straight, not a record indicator for modern motors. But this engine has excellent elasticity and low fuel consumption. He completely satisfied me in the city traffic mode, allowing when it is necessary to accelerate or calmly stay in a stream without switching transfers once again. The lack of horsepower is clearly felt only on the country track. If Space Star is loaded under the urban, then risky overtaking at high speeds is better not to take.
The car was very maneuverable and yurik. The sharpness and zhivinka in the controllability appeared due to the steering power steering system (when parking the car, the steering wheel is lightweight, and at high speeds it is poured by force, allowing you to confidently control the trajectory of movement) and the rear independent multi-dimensional suspension with a sweeter effect. The sharpness has the opposite direction. It is impossible to say that Space Star swallows irregularities. He most often processes them. Such an adjustment of the suspension will probably enjoy people suffering from a land variant of the marine disease.
I liked the brakes (disk front and rear). They are sharp, but not to such an extent so that in traffic jams with the slightest pressed on the pedal, the car was peaked with a nose.
In their behavior on the road, the car differs little from the traditional hatchback. Only a high landing of the driver and the route bus location interfere to truly light on this car.
The advantages of Hatchbacks with a high roof have already been rated in Russia. This is what the most popular popularity of the main competitor Space Star French Peugeot 307. Whether the pricing policy of the Japanese regarding the star is slightly more aggressive, with a lot of probability it would be possible to say that the fawn will have to be seriously moved. However, the Russian Distributor Mitsubishi Rolf-Holding is considering Space Star primarily as an addition to Mitsubishi Carisma and avoid internal competition for the price of a car, apparently, will not be reduced. However, they are also quite adequate. Well equipped Space Star in configuration Family with mechanical gearbox, air conditioning, ABS, two airbags, an electric car, an audio system and an on-board computer costs $ 15,900. For the COMFORT version (improved finish, fog lights, heated seats, CD player, etc. ) They ask $ 16,990. Supplement for a sequental automatic machine with manual gear selection mode $ 1260.
Igor Komarov
 

A source: Wheel (Company)