Test drive by Renault Fluence since 2009 sedan

Renault Fluence vs Chevrolet Cruze. Sanguine and phlegmatic

Renault Fluence. Price: 621 500 rub. On sale: since 2010
Chevrolet Cruze. Price: 616 500 rub. On sale: since 2010

Chevrolet Cruze and Renault Fluence in the basic configuration cost approximately the same money. So, there is an occasion to meet them better

Test pillets
Oleg Kalaushin, 40 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience 22 years, personal car - Renault Logan

Maxim Fedorov, 32 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience 6 years, personal car - Ford Focus II

It seemed to us that taking basic configurations for comparison is not entirely correct. As practice shows, such cars in Russia are not particularly in demand, and if a person decided to buy a C-segment, then he will certainly fork out to something more than a banal hydraulic power and oars. As a result, we had quite tightly equipped Dynamique vehicles from Renault and LS from Chevrolet. The price of the first in this case was 677,500 rubles, for the second consumer would have to be given, although not much, but less than 659,200 rubles. In fairness, we note that both Fluence and Cruze can boast of two engines.

Chevrolet has a 1.6 -liter engine similar in volume with a renormal volume, and the second is more powerful, 1.8 liters. Renault can also offer a 2.0-liter engine. However, in order for the comparison to be absolutely correct, we decided to not take more charged versions for the test. As a result, one fine day to clarify the relationship, the 106 -horsepower 1.6 -liter Renault Fluence with an automatic 4 -speed box and the 113 -horsepower 1.6 -lit Chevrolet Cruze with an automatic 6 -speed KP.

To begin with, a little about appearance. And although this is an ungrateful thing, it is still impossible to talk about her. The reason is the rather extraordinary appearance of these cars. Cruze itself is dynamics and pressure. It was as if he had just moved out of the racing ring. Another moment will pass, and it will be impossible to discern it because of the mechanics who came from all sides. Fluence, on the contrary, is the very calm and peacefulness. It is like a huge deep -sea fish, whose habitat is hidden from the human gaze. His image is unusual and in connection with this is insanely interesting. The interiors of cars are echoed by this concept. But before starting to explore the inner world of these subjects, we decided to trample on the outside for some time. Well, for example, in order to look under the hood and inspect the trunk. The latter look quite impressive in both cars, but only the numbers allow us to evaluate their size. 450 liters offers to fill out Cruze luggles and as much as 530 liters can offer its owner Fluence. But if it is enough to carefully approach the examination of these pantries, it will become clear that the entire volume will not be able to fully use the first or the second car. The point in the racks of the lids of the trunk, which in the closed position eat a fairly large useful volume. The loops of the scissor -like type here would be preferable.

From the trunk we go to the engine compartment. Here we are primarily interested in how well the machines are adapted to our realities of operation. We open the hood of Cruze and understand that after some time to see what here and how, under a thick layer of dust and road mud, it will not be easy. Protection of the motor compartment on the American is absent as a class. But there is a heater on the hood. Nevertheless, the first in our conditions would be preferable. Following in line Fluence. Everything is in order with protection. Neither dirt nor stones are scary to the car. But the fact that on the most expensive configuration there is no noise insulation of the hood, a clear design and marketing miss.

The interior of cars echoes their exterior. The Cruze interior is literally impregnated with sports notes, which are eloquently indicated by the sports scales of devices and deliberately dynamic central console. Seats, finally. It is amazing, but they are so good that there is no desire to configure anything. During the test, three people of different complexions and growth sat behind the wheel of this car. However, no one had a desire to change the adjustment. It seems that it is itself, long before you sit in it, evaluates your dimensions and takes the desired shape. Of the shortcomings of ergonomics, only the stabilization system is shutdown, which is located on the beard of the central console from the passenger. Even a random touch causes the system. Note active security systems! In general, the missing from the designers is still what. We did not fail to sit at the back. To say that there is a lot of space here, of course,, but even a very long journey can be conveyed tolerably. True, on one condition: there should be two on the second row.

What about Fluence? The first thing that greatly alarms in the car is a long search for a convenient position driving. Short seats do not allow you to really get comfortable in the driver's place. Over time, the body gets used to it, but it is still impossible to achieve such a landing as in Cruze. The second point, which is remembered by the no less than the first, is an audio system. It is so advanced that it is not easy to configure it to your auditory preferences from a screech. Solder of the key, a bunch of substitution. In general, while you get from radio waves to low frequencies, surpasses more than once. But if you configure, then be sure that a complete immersion in the world of music is provided. But how is it long for this path and what's in the back row? It is not much worse here than in front. Long length and large, compared with Cruze, the wheelbase allowed the legs of passengers of the second row to remain in more comfortable conditions. However, in Fluence, it is not worth counting on that it will be quite comfortable for three. Despite the fact that the Frenchman is wider than the American, there are also nothing to do here.

Finally, it came to punch. Three times in a row, each of the cars went on the same highway with different drivers, and all six times the verdict was the same: the cars, despite different design schools and the difference in engine power, are very, very similar. And the fact that Fluence was aggregated by a 4-speed automatic, while Cruze had six steps is also not much affected. The difference in acceleration to hundreds of these cars is only one second. The declared expenditure of flow rate has less. But ceteris paribus, we managed to note that Cruze still loves excitement, but Fluence is promoting, as it is customary to say, riding a relaxation. Although it can enter the turn under the squeal of tires and at the same time stay on the right trajectory.


Chevrolet Cruze
The basis for this car, which is assembled in St. Petersburg, was the same platform as for the new Opel Astra. Having become the successor to the Chevrolet Lacetti, he not only surpassed him in all basic parameters, such as the design, the level of equipment and the level of passive and active safety, but also did not go away from him at a price.


Driving
The mischievous behavior of the car on the road is quite possible. Suspension settings allow you to easily keep the car even with critical trajectories.

Salon
It cannot be called particularly spacious, but for a long trip the four, this car will fit well.

Comfort
At the level of competitors, however, the suspension configured for dynamic ride allows you to quickly move on really good roads.

Safety
At the level of competitors.

Price
Acceptable.





Renault Fluence
Budget business class. Perhaps this is how the novelty from Renault can be characterized. This sedan collected in Turkey is a real accelerate. In external dimensions, he almost approached Laguna, and in terms of trunk, he is able to surpass the lion's share of the D-segment cars. Echoes the dimensions of the car and the level of its equipment.


Driving
Dynamic ride with such an engine and automatic transmission is problematic, but possible, but the suspension settings will fully allow you to cope with the car and with a more powerful motor.

Salon
Spacious and quite comfortable. A huge trunk is also pleasing. The driver's seat settings are extensive, but in order to really get comfortable to get on it, you will have to try.

Comfort
Corresponds to the class of the car.

Safety
At the level.

Price
Very attractive.




Our verdict
Renault Fluence and Chevrolet Cruze in its consumer properties are quite similar, but the ideology of the machines embedded in them by the manufacturer is slightly different. This is striking not only with a fleeting visual analysis of their appearance, but also with a more detailed study. Renault Fluen is seems to be a sort of imposing small, which is alien to worldly vanity. Cruze, on the contrary, a fighter, the state of peace is simply burdensome for him. What is indirectly confirmed by the participation of this model in the World Touring Car Championship.



Author: Oleg Kalaushin
Photo: Igor Kuznetsov
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [July 2010]