Test Drive Opel Meriva since 2010 Minivan

All photos Opel Meriva since 2010

Such different marketing

Meriva Nishey Product Calculating Germans from Opel. Roomster Funny picture Skoda, revived in metal and plastic.

Pragmatism or fantasy, dry calculation or the fruit of imagination can penetrate confidence (and then a garage) of a person looking for a vehicle XXI in?

True, Opel Meriva reminds hamster? Pullen, round, with tiny legs, and he also looks like Corsa, with which there is a lot of them. If it were not for chrome and not dimensions, it would be difficult to distinguish the merice from the smallest Opel.

Roomster does not like anyone else of the line of your own creator, Skoda. Seven-eight years ago, he would successfully spoke as a futuristic militant or thriller. Its rounded windows of windows and rear doors without a handle would be perceived as a new word in the automotive design. So it was actually: at least in the history of Skoda.

After the success of the concept of Roomster in Skoda, we decided to develop a model for mass production. In the beginning of the century, at the beginning of the century, they thought about Meriva, when the gap between compact Agila and Mini-Veno Zafira began to seem too impressive and demanded urgent substitution.

Both cars were created literally from what was at hand. For Skoda Roomster, they took suspension, motors and steering mechanism from Fabia and attached to this rear suspension from Octavia. Similarly, it turned out from Meriva: steering, engine, gearbox and suspension from Corsa, and the rear semi-dependent suspension with the knitted levers got from Astra.

But Meriva is a typical representative of the family, with recognizable family features both outside and from the inside. Roomster is the same other topic. He added paints to the Skoda line, granting that the Czechs were not afraid of new ideas and forms.

yeri or black and white?
Inside Meriva in a corporate gray; In the cabin, only the right forms and, most advantage, straight lines are trial. Colors Roomster black and white. From dark plastic Made the upper part of the torpedo, steering wheel, radio, climate control panel, and white sparkles everything else: from the seats to the bottom glove. Yes, there are two of them, and they are on each other; Where in Opel (and in other cars), a glove box and a passenger airbag are placed.

In a strict interior, Opel feel free. With ergonomics of problems minimum: the first inconvenience caused double front window frames and small windows: turning to the left, you have to pull the neck to see the interference.

The second difficulty caused the adjustment of the seat in height simply was not. These ROOMSTER problems are deprived of these problems: here and the chair rises, lowers, and no windows in the windows. However, Skoda is closer: its relationship is affected with Fabia. I wonder how Opel managed to hide the Corsa genes?

And I also have a big doubt that the white plastic in the doors and central tunnel Roomster will remain those for a long time. However, it already depends not from the car.

Skoda Roomster.

Basic Roomster with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine costs $ 15,490. ABS, MSR is included in the standard package, driver airbag, electric power steering, steering wheel adjustment, immobilizer. The car with a 1.4-liter 87-strong motor and five-speed mechanical gearbox will cost at least at $ 16,790. And along with a 1.6-liter 105-power engine can also be ordered automatic transmission. True, such a roomster will cost at least $ 21,290.

Opel Meriva.

With a 90-strong 1.4 MERIVA engine will cost $ 15,790. The staff includes a package for dusty roads, a package for cold-climatic countries, an electric power steering wheel, an airbag, an immobilizer, driver and front passenger airbag, ABS, BRAKE Assistant, Central Castle with D.U., a car with a 1.6-liter 105-strong engine and mechanical gearbox will cost $ 17,490, and with semi-automatic transmission of Easytronic from $ 18,090.

Complement and rule
Each of the cars of the test participants is not enough. And they wonderfully complemented each other if it was possible to combine their advantages. Aggriting for the dynamic ride Meriva very sharply reacts to the change in the steering wheel, but the effort on it is minimally and unpredictable. Another Opel is staggering from side to side, if you suffer with sharp rebuildings: a high center of gravity makes itself felt.

Roomster lacks that sharpness in management, but the steering wheel is more informative, and you can forget about rolls. But, again, the car itself does not inspire the race rather on the contrary: on a comfortable smooth ride. Especially with a 1.4-liter 86-strong motor.

For the urban driving of the engine, it is quite sufficient that in Skoda it is believed that this particular motor will be the most successful. The engine quickly reacts to gas and smoothly pulls up to 6,000 rpm.

... dishonestly happening! Opel went to the test with a 1.6-liter 105-strong engine (similar in volume and power will stand on Skoda) while Skoda had a 1.4-liter. Therefore, telling who of them faster does not make sense.

However, the engine Meriva left a very good impression, which and rush to share. He is a quiet and economical, while quite turning and crap. Special thanks to the mechanical transmission, which is optimally suitable for motor requests, allowing you to effectively implement all its potential.

Instead of imprisonment
Both compacttvans have their advantages: so, Opel bribes accessibility, and Skoda originality, and the bright interior of the roomster opposes the Meriva strict salon.

If CD-Vain is needed for useful space and work if you need a greater result at less cost, we recommend Opel. If you want the car to surprise you every day, pleased and highlighted from gray everyday traffic jams to Skoda.

Cars are provided by Atlantm Baltic companies and Autocentre on Engels official dealers GM and Skoda

Text: Alexander Korchenko
Photo: Roman Stunnin