Test drive Opel Corsa 5 doors 2003 - 2006 hatchback

All photos of Opel Corsa 5 doors 2003 - 2006

Kids with "automatic"

A few years ago, it was difficult to imagine an equal duel of Hyundai and Opel brands. Of course, one can only be happy with the rapid progress of Korean machines, but this is not the only reason for this confrontation. Opel is one of the two European brands (second Saab), which traditionally offers the Russian buyer his cars for dollars, which allows him to successfully compete with the dollar Hyundai, as well as Mitsubishi and Toyota.

Getz is sold with us for a year and a half; During this time, the model diverged more than 5200 units. The result of the Corsa for the same period is more modest: 1900 pieces. The reason is banal price. The simplest Getz 1.3 GL with air conditioning, a capacity of the driver, electric windows and immobilizer costs $ 9990. Price for the five -door Corsa Essentia starts at $ 12030, for which you will receive 1.2 liters under the hood, a driver's pillow and immobilizer. The fundamental moment Hyundai offers its cars only in fixed equipment packages, while Opel works with a list of options: by order of Corsa, ABS, six pillows, climate control, hatch, a rain sensor controlled from the steering wheel, and many others can be equipped with an order . Getz is not able to answer such a call. Yes, and he doesn’t need this, after all, buyers prefer cheap cars in modest trim levels.

But interest in automatic gearboxes is growing. Therefore, today we took just such cars. With one reservation: if a real machine is installed on Getz, then Corsa is equipped with EasyTronic. What it is? This is a robotic mechanical gearbox with an electric clutch (there is no corresponding pedal in the legs), capable of working in automatic and sectral modes. What are the benefits of such a solution? Firstly, economic. For a machine for Hyundai, you need to pay a thousand dollars, while Easytronic will cost $ 550. The difference in fuel consumption is also very indicative; True, a more gluttonous Getz eats 92nd gasoline, and Corsa 95th. Secondly, the sequential mode allows the driver to independently switch the programs, pushing the gearbox lever from himself or to himself.

And the disadvantages? Alas, they are too. Easytronic a compromise child, which determines the known limited possibilities. In fact, the automatic regime is pseudo -automatic: in this case, the electronics union with mechanics turns into the unpredictability and slowdown of switching, accompanied by the same noticeable bite of the body. Kick Dawn (the transition to two or more steps down during acceleration) occupies almost eternity. Of course, all this manifests itself with active driving, because in traffic jams Easytronic does not differ from a normal machine gun. As you guess, the manual mode is also from the pseudo category: there is no complete control over the machine due to the same delays in the gear shift. However, it is funny to travel on the Corsa: working in one leg and a lively motor remove the voltage, and the alternative methods of overtaking promise small sizes. For example, shed between the stripes. The main thing is to adequately perceive the machine and its Easytronic, do not treat them too seriously, not to demand the coherence and dynamics of a multi-liter engine with type-or stepbronics from them.

Getz is different, with a complaint about solidity. Its engine pulls better on the bottoms, twists more fun, responds a little faster to gas. He has a full -fledged machine with quite smooth, and at the same time with operational, switching, and even equipped with an adaptive algorithm. That is, the moment of the transition to the next gear depends on the ride style: in the limit, everything occurs at 6000 rpm, already behind the red line of the tachometer. But the pleasure that Corsa gives with her unusual box is no longer. Because there is no involvement in the process.

The design of cars also vary greatly. Opel Corsa Creation of an old school, a classic five -door hatchback with glasses in the rear racks. Hyundai Getz more advanced. This is a modern city car with a high roof and a short hood, striving for a single -volume layout. Who came out prettier? The issue of exclusively personal preferences. With interiors, there is more certainty. Getz makes an unambiguous impression of a budget car, in which there is only the most necessary, although no complaints about the quality of materials and assembly. The Corsa Salon is inherent in style, there is something that can be called the situation, so you feel homely comfortable in it. Only the front chairs with an uncomfortable curved profile of the back are upset: the shoulders are deprived of support. However, this applies to many Opelian models. Getz, due to its lanches, requires a more vertical landing, but its seats are very good. Another plus in the piggy bank of the Korean machine is an attractive dashboard with metal dials.

At first glance, Corsa seems to be hospitable in relation to the rear passengers: the distance between the rows of seats is visually greater. There is a difference, but not so striking. The secret lies in the backs of the front chairs of Hyundai, in which there are deep recesses under the knees of the rear riders. Therefore, in both cars on the second row you can get a lot even of nothing. Decent for cars of a similar class. And the trunk has a complete parity: both volumes and openings are almost identical. The rear seats are folded in a proportion of 1: 2 or in its entirety, as a result of which it becomes possible to transport large objects.
If we talk about driving comfort, the advantage will be on the side of the Corsa. Her suspension easily extinguishes not only a road trifle, but surprisingly with adequately copes with serious defects, avoiding breakdowns and nervous trembling of the body. The car quietly penetrates only a small part of the external noise and the muffled sound of the engine. Getz also ignores small pits and cracks, but large irregularities are easier to remove it from balance. Inside, the motor is clearly heard at high speeds, road noise penetrates through sound insulation, and at times the fraction of pebbles along the wheeled niches reaches hearing.

Manageability of cars are very similar. The reactions are smooth and quite accurate, the gear relations are great, but they do not force it to be wrapped in the steering wheel, in both cases there is reliable feedback. Discrepancies are observed only in the nuances. So, in the near -Street, the hetz steering wheel is easier to rotate, but zero is not so pronounced here. With the corsa, the opposite is true: a clear zero position and the need to make great efforts when the steering wheel is deviated from it. This is a consequence of the ideological orientation and origin of machines: Getz is created for life in the city, Corsa should periodically travel to the autobahn and demonstrate stability when moving at speeds close to maximum. A similar picture with brakes: Hyundai's pedal is easier, the Corsa is harder, but more informative.

The time has come to take stock, but making an objective conclusion is not so simple. Corsa with an Easytronic box is cheaper (from $ 12280 per three -door, from $ 12580 for a five -door version), more pleasant from the inside, more interesting in management and carries a more prestigious brand, respectively, a good resale price and liquidity in the secondary market. Getz has a hundred percent machine, modern design, better equipped in the database (plus air conditioning and 14-inch wheels). And in Korean machines, warranty conditions are more attractive and recently these cars have appeared in dealers in stock. Wait or not wait for the question!

Autography

Opel Corsa C.
Hyundai Getz

Still known as
Chevrolet Celta
Holden Barina
Vauxhall Corsa
Still known as
Click

Predecessor
Corsa B (1992)
Predecessor
no

Premiere
september 2000
Premiere
march 2002

Modernization
summer 2003
Prototype
TV (2001)

Body
3- and 5-d. hatchback
Body
3- and 5-d. hatchback

Engines
1.0-1.8 l (58-125 hp)
Engines
1.1-1.6 l (62-104 hp)

Production
Spain
Production
South Korea

Expected replacement
2007-08

The Hyundai Getz car is provided by East AUTO.
The Opel Corsa car is provided by the Baltic company official official General Motors.
During the test, cars are insured LLC North Center.

Text: Leonid Klyuyev
Photo: Roman Ostanin