Opel Meriva test drive since 2010 Minivan

Another Russia

How will urban compactivens show themselves in the harsh reality of the Russian province? To answer this question, our team went to Mtsensk.

Citroen C3 Picasso
The French love eccentrics, originals and extroverts. It is no coincidence that there are so many of them in French cinema: Louis de Funes, Pierre Richard, Gerard Depardieu ... And the cars to the descendants of the Gauls are unusual, with their own character. Mikroven on the basis of C3 was named after the Great Picasso, the car does not accept anything banal and simple. He is ready to change reality and rewrite laws. It is defiantly unusual even in Moscow, to say about Mtsensk. Here, in the Oryol province, he completely gives the impression of a lunar, which accidentally landed, instead of chasing.

Outside and inside
The trouble is that in pursuit of external effect the French often donated convenience. But this is not about C3 Picasso. The dashboard in the center of the front panel is unexpectedly comfortable, and all due to the fact that it is translucent! Look at the steering wheel, its hub is like the ritual mask of the Indian of the Amazon jungle. And after all, there are no complaints about the convenience of this governing body. Or a radio located at the bottom of the central console. Is it inconvenient to reach down and use it to the touch? We place it at an angle relative to the vertical axis, unfolding it to the driver, and the problem is solved. And the additional windows in the racks, because of which all single-volume cars regularly receive a portion of criticism for poor visibility? C3 Picasso is almost the only one to whom these windows help! The thing is that the front stand is not just bifurcated strictly speaking, there are two of them. Moreover, they are located not one after another, but with a displacement. To do this, I even had to make the resulting panoramic window. But there is practically no blind zone. Super!

And how many containers are there for a trifle: a tray with a lid in front of the tidy. An open trough above the mess, a container to the left of the steering wheel, another open container under the music, pockets in the doors, secreters in the legs of the rear passengers, a floor of a trunk with a double bottom and a glove compartment with a volume of 9 (!) Liters. In addition, the back of the front chair folds forward, which allows you to transport long -meters, and there are tables on the back of the front seats. On the ceiling console there is a small spherical mirror that spins on a hinge not only in a horizontal, but also in a vertical plane. As a result, you can observe not only the rear row, but also behind the front passenger, if it is located below the usual. It is convenient if a child sits in an armchair. So functionality is far from always becoming a victim of design.
The main minus of the interior of the French compactwane front seats. Weak lateral support interferes in corners, and a flat back causes pain in the spine.
In move
After the almost racing Opel with its powerful Citroen turbocomer with atmospheric 1.6, and even on the robot did not inspire optimism. In addition, the PSA robotic KP is neither smooth, nor timeliness, nor speed of work. Stupid box, frankly. And it is all the more amazing that on the way from Mtsensk I liked the car. Of course, the speakers are not enough on protracted lifts have to lower the transmission. Of course, the box is stupid when switching are so large that the photographer and I dangled back and forth, like blannchi. Trying to catch the moment of switching and dropping the gas is almost pointless. Saves manual mode. In time, dropping the gas and pulling the lever, you can make the ride smooth and comfortable. The brakes that began to work effectively only at the very end of the pedal’s course were not too pleased. What is good then in Picasso? Comfort! Unlike Meriva, a French car smooths even the largest bumps, making a pleasant ride on provincial roads. Citroen is the quietest in the trio, and the steering wheel empty at city speeds during acceleration is so heavy that you can’t get tired of driving with one hand for a long time. The only thing that removes C3 from balance, longitudinal waves. Due to a fairly soft suspension, the machine begins to swing so much that it almost reaches the belly to the asphalt.
Otherwise, it was C3 Picasso who showed himself a great option for the province, because, among other things, Citroen also behaves well on impassability. The strokes of the suspensions are large enough, and ESP is completely turned off, which allows you to slip. In addition, the French car was more economical than Opel with its turbo engine about half a liter 7.0 versus 7.5 liters. Moreover, on Citroen we went on average 1020 km/h faster! But what will upset the inhabitants of the regions is the dim light of headlights. At night, on the poorly lit streets of Mtsensk, I constantly wanted to turn on the far.
 


Igor Shokhin, site editor

Citroen C3 Picasso bright, pretty, unusual. Inside is cozy and spacious. The car has a lot of tanks for trifles. The washer consumes a liquid very quickly, but the glass is completely washed from one click. The overview is great. But the rear window is getting dirty quickly. The robot in automatic mode has noticeable failures when switching, but it is enough to discard gas when switching and the set will become fast and smooth. The gear rates are well selected: on the bottoms of confident acceleration and excellent traction, at the top of an economical riding. Among the pluses: the suspension is energy -intensive, the steering wheel is obedient, and ESP is already in the basic configuration. Bus overview, universal capacity, low -profile consumption. For the company of youth or family motorist what is needed.
 
Opel Meriva
Can a family car bring pleasure from driving? Should he be stylish and attractive outwardly? Finally, can the Germans blow up the world with a non -trivial design course? The creators of Meriva in the affirmative answered all three questions. I never thought that a family compactwane could be so funny and clumsy that a purely utilitarian car can bring such pleasure. In the gray despondency of the spring Mtsensk, Meriva became our longing for longing.

Outside and inside
On the other hand, what else should you expect from a car with the rear doors, like Rolls-Royce Phantom and a 140-horsepower turbo engine? Of course, the notorious doors are the first thing you want to try in action. The verdict is unequivocal: it is incredibly convenient! The Opel doorway is not too wide, but the doors break away by 90 degrees, which facilitates access to the salon this time. If your car is parked close to the neighboring car, and you need to get something from the rear seat, then the swing system allows you to open both doors without leaving the place. No need to walk along the car with a risk of getting dirty on a neighboring car. These are two. And finally, it is just beautiful and spectacular. These are three.
Like all the latest models of Opel, Meriva pleases with rich equipment. Double-zone climate control, navigation system, an electric parking brake, a musical system with good sound, heating the steering wheel, headlights with additional sectors that are lit in corners. Of course, almost all of the listed options even for the top -end Cosmo configuration, but they are cheap enough, as always happens with Opel machines. So, a package, which includes navigation, parking sensors and an advanced audio system, costs 46,000 rubles. Good offer! At the same time, unlike the Opel of the early 2000s with ergonomics, Meriva is all right. Characteristic for the minivans of landing, as on a stool, and there is no overwhelming steering wheel. You sit almost like in a regular hatchback. And what is the location of the puck control of the multimediasist: we put the hand on the lever of the manual transmission, the thumb and index fingers fall on the puck, and it is convenient to press the Back key. Good seats 300 km to Mtsensk seemed easy walk.
But why you can scold the car: firstly, on the rear sofa Opel is closer than others, secondly, he has a fairly small trunk, thirdly, the cup holder is extremely unsuccessful, and the central box was constantly creaking. In addition, the compartments for a little thing here are still much smaller than that of Citroen.

In move
But no matter how comfortable in Meriva is inside, the main buzz still brings movement. 140 forces for a V-class machine is a lot. If anyone has forgotten, then Corsa GSI, claiming the title of heated hatchback, is only 10 liters. With. more. In addition, the manual box pleases with clear switching, which has never been characteristic of Opel. On the way to Mtsensk, the meriva speed was limited only to the quality of the road surface. Just with the driving in Russian areas, Opel has certain problems, because the car suspension is quite tough. There are no problems with waves and shallow irregularities, but the suspension does not work out large pits. I had to carefully peer on the road and drop speed ahead of time. Maybe a hard suspension gives incredible joy in corners? Unfortunately no. The blame for this is an empty steering wheel. Not to say that there is no effort to get used to and fried over time, not paying attention to it, but there is still no complete understanding. So, calmly! Why fry? On what? On Meriva? This is a family car! I can’t do anything with myself, the car is pushing. It’s so great to feel as it is already at 2500 rpm. The turbine begins to unwind, as a wave of torque begins to increase at 3,000 revolutions, and at 3,500 you are already flying, picked up by this wave. Moreover, this wave does not subside up to the cut -off, because the peak power is issued in a fairly wide range: 49006000 about/min. And the peak moment is issued in the range of 18504900 revolutions, so you always have something to go on: first at the moment, then at power. In general, you realized that I am delighted with Meriva. One trouble few people will be able to evaluate all the charms of a powerful Meriva, because a car with such a motor and automatic transmission in Russia is not available. And who needs a family car without a machine gun?
 
 

Denis Halfin, editor-recrecer

I will speak about this car in the intonations of Comrade Saakhov from the Caucasian captive: activist, athlete, hooligan and just beautiful. Opel Meriva with a 1.4 turbo engine with a capacity of 140 horsepower with a mechanical gearbox is a car that you do not want to stop to leave it. Even if it's time for you. Everything is fine here: appearance, driver’s landing, interior decoration, comfort, amazing dynamics and excellent handling. What you can fight is for is the behavior of the merchants while driving on old Soviet roads. This swallow is clearly not sharpened on our provincial reality. But on a good highway and city avenue it is ace. Glory to the mechanics!
 
Skoda Roomster
The General Director of Volkswagen Group Rus Marcus Ozhegovich in a recent conversation told me that Skoda is the most regional brand in the VAG family. The brand dealerships open in cities with a population of only 100,000 inhabitants! It is Skoda that is the first to come to the provincial cities, preparing a bridgehead for the landing of other brands. Of course, Mtsensk is still too small for Skoda to come to him, but in the neighboring eagle, which is less than 50 km, the dealer appeared. How well is Roomster suitable for provincial life?

Outside and inside
Against the background of the beauty of Opel and the charismatic Citroen, the Czech car is somewhat lost, even despite the original sides of the side. After all, in front this is a strict Fabia, and behind a completely some kind of average car. It is not pleased with the riot of colors Roomster and inside. After the rich Meriva and the eccentric Citroen Skoda, it seems almost monastic cells: you do not remember a single detail. However, not for design everyone loves the VAG concern. Convenience, practicality and quality are the strengths of the concern. Let here simple music, a single-zone climate control and the most ordinary seats, but everything is located successfully and does not cause any special complaints. Thanks to the single front stands and the low window sill line, you can live a magnificent visibility in the back of Skoda without parking sensors. The seat during the first landing seems soft and shapeless, but in fact it was the only thing in the test never caused me back pain! It was necessary to adjust the steering wheel longer than two other cars, but the final landing is even more convenient than in Opel. But the compartments for the little thing is not enough. There are no secretaries at all, there are two messages, but both of them are shallow, all the place between the front seats took the handbrake located for some reason right in the center. It’s good at least two cup holders, and behind them is a roomy trough. But put the bottles in the cup holders, and you can’t get to it anymore!
Behind the legs of the expanse, it seems that the places are the most, moreover, the absence of hard tables in the backs of the seats allows you to rest your feet at the chair. But in the width, the Czech compactway loses both to the Frenchman and the German. The three of them are almost impossible to sit down. Not only is the car itself narrow, so the shape of the sofa is such that the central passenger is sitting on a stool. You won’t go to any long road.
Skoda trunk is the best in the test. Firstly, it is the largest, and secondly, it has the most hooks in it, several shelves for storing rather large objects (a canister with butter climbs) and there is even a basket fixed in the right side of the trunk. Thirdly, a branded school leash, for which you pull when you close the door, are much more convenient than classic pens.
If, looking at the photo of the cabin, you will think that Skoda is a budget car, then you are mistaken. In the list of options, both rotary headlights, and a glass roof.

In move
The Roomster who visited our hands had a rather proletarian modification: an old atmospheric 1.6 and not too young 5-speed automatic. It’s good at least 16 valves, which is proudly declares the nameplate on the fifth door. Boring, brothers, boring! There is neither a holiday of the speed of Opel, nor Citroen carnival. Or is there? Ba! Yes, this machine seems more dynamic than a more powerful Frenchman, and controllability is even better than that of the reactive Meriva! The thing is that Roomster is assembled from two platforms: in front it is Fabia, and from behind Octavia. As a result, the rear track is wider than the front, which provides unprecedented stability. In addition, Skoda vividly responds to any movement of the steering wheel, and the effort on it is completely exemplary. Well done Czechs! As for the machine, then after the stupid Citroen robot, its smooth and quick switching is just a balm to the soul. As in the case of DSG, Sport and Drive modes differ significantly in the algorithm of work.
In addition, Roomster is a very comfortable car. It is not as soft as Citroen, sometimes even pierces his suspension, but he does not swing on the waves, and the serious flaws of the roadway digest much better than the Opel. What is needed for the broken streets of Mtsensk, and the roads of Moscow seemed to have completely lost flaws. But they saved in noise insulation. The head starts to hurt on the long road from the rumble, besides, the sound of the engine is not too pleasant. An unenvoyed car is tapping like a diesel!
 


Denis Halfin, editor-recrecer

Skoda Roomster among all other brothers in the brand is the worst of all under a car with a Czech brand. This is a real Volkswagen, his handwriting here is too recognizable and obvious. Unless the plastic in the cabin is easier and rude. The rest is practical, solid, attentive to the little things in Germany. The main disadvantage of this version is a six -speed machine is not friends with a 1.6 engine. 105 horsepower can disperse this machine much faster. The main plus everything else. I especially want to note a comfortable, collected, impenetrable suspension. 300 kilometers of provincial asphalt to Mtsensk turned out to be a flight in a dream and in reality. If the mechanic was here, I would be ready to fly even further.
 
Summary
We count points and see that Opel won. And this is expected, because Meriva is the most powerful and luxurious in our trio. Of course, comparing cars in such different equipment is not entirely fair, but, as I said, the Germans' options are very cheap, and no one offers such a powerful motor in this class. But Opel’s victory is not unconditional. Meriva is very tough, and the turbo engine probably requires high -quality fuel. If you live in the same Mtsensk, it is better to choose something else.
The eccentric Frenchman unexpectedly turned out to be a good choice for the province: proven units, a convenient salon, a comfortable suspension, good cross -country ability and attractive prices of C3 Picasso can be safely recommended for regular use in the regions. And in Moscow, the car does not seem superfluous, because its design is the most metropolitan. Not without reason, at the European presentation of Citroen, its creators were either joking or seriously seen by bourgeois Bohemia among the clients.
But the best car for another Russia Skoda. Let it be simple and even primitive in something, but look at the points: as much as Citroen has and not much less than Opel. At the same time, the atmospheric motor and the machine are much better suited for the hinterland with its problematic fuel than all these TSI and DSG. Of course, Roomster gives less emotions than other cars, but, as they say, do you have checkers or go?

 
 

Source: Cars