Test drive by Renault Laguna 2005 - 2007 hatchback

GOLDEN MEAN

They will not keep up with a long -lover on a hot hatchback, but family quiet -flowers will remain far behind. They will not go after Hammer, but they will not scrape the bottom on the asphalt. Their owner does not chase luxury, but claims to be a high level of comfort and a large set of options on board. When estimates by any criteria, our subjects Mazda6, Renault Laguna, Citroen C5 are likely to take places in the middle of the values.
 
Two -liter engines, automatic transmission and climate, applied design, close dimensions, cost of about $ 30,000 here are zero reference of our coordinates. More accurate shifts on the axes will reveal a test.

Who is what
Citroen C5

The price of a tested car is $ 30,000
Max. Power 136 l. With. at 6000 vol./min
Max. Speed \u200b\u200b202 km/h
Acceleration 0100 km/h 12.3 s
 
Renault Laguna

The price of a tested car is $ 32 500
Max. Power 135 liters. With. at 5500 vol./min
Max. Speed \u200b\u200b200 km/h
Acceleration 0100 km/h 12.1 s
 
Mazda6

The price of a tested car is $ 27 800
Max. Power 141 l. With. at 6000 vol./min
Max. speed 195 km/h
Acceleration 0100 km/h 11.1 s
 
Being exactly halfway from the Cossack to a personal aircraft, the car class D offers the widest selection of brands, models and shapes. Our tested bright representatives of their families, but at the same time are quite unified and democratic.
 
Structurally, all three classics of the front -wheel drive genre, and here little can be added. The love of compatriots for individual trunk is gradually replaced by emotional attachment to more practical and spacious hatchbacks, and we also decided to correspond to changing addictions. The entire trinity is sold officially, but, unfortunately, the Mazda6 hatchback was not available. Of the other purely technical differences, the adjustable suspension Citroen C5.
 
In addition, you should take into account the nine-year difference between the Debuts of Renault and Mazda, as well as the fact that Renault Laguna was the first car in history to earn five stars out of five possible in a crash test according to the EURONCAP system.
DYNAMICS
The Japanese woman turned out to be the most dynamic. Five to six extra horsepower, and a more steep motor, and a more sports mood of the box contribute to this. Sportsivity is also added by tangible howl of the engine at high speeds.
 
Mazda6 responds to the gas to the floor instantly. The box for a fraction of a second fails, then a strong jerk and good thrust should be followed until the next switch. For the dynamic qualities, the owner of the six pays noticeable kicks when changing the steps. But it is worth a little release of gas, as everything returns to normal. And if you do not abuse a kik-dowan, the transmission behaves flawlessly.
 
On the selector handle, the Mazda has a HOLD button forced retention of the transmission turned on. It allows almost a thousand revolutions to raise the limit on each range, however, the already advanced algorithm of the Mazdovsky box, we considered it optimal and not requiring violent squeezing.
 
Renault seemed slow, but at the same time quite adequate pressing the accelerator pedal. With calm driving, the confident traction of the motor does not force the box too often switching. In addition, the driver and passengers of the most quiet of our three cars are deprived of the opportunity to evaluate the revolution of the engine for noise support. The engine is heard only at maximum speeds, and even then slightly.
 
A sharp pressing of gas on the go is accompanied by a soft connection of transmission and a smooth issue of the moment. But the rubberity of the automatic transmission can do a bad joke when starting.
 
T-shaped departure, to us to the left. We skip cars in both directions. A decent window, with a good margin. PaulGaz, 3/4 we stand, we think ... gas to the floor, even stronger in the floor. Cars are approaching. The colleague was nervous. A couple of seconds went to assess the box of our intentions, and she shot. I shot well, only late ... It seems that the Proactiv automatic transmission with the possibility of manual switching must be a little learn a little before such actions. The Renault anti -wings system was seen in constant and unreasonably early operation. As a result, in manual mode, on the indicator on the transmission, the figure is replaced by a yellow field with a warning and deprives the driver of the reverse control. In the automatic mode, a warning about slipping does not go out exactly until switching to the next speed at which the automation is turned off, and a real acceleration starts with a frantic wheel slip.
 
C5 in dynamics demonstrated something average. Acceleration in normal mode seemed the most sluggish (and the numbers indicate the same thing). But the combination of flat thrust, completely inconspicuous gear shifts without delay and moderate noise of the motor, takes the carrier of the chevron to second place. Sportsmith improved the dynamic characteristics, but not much. And in Citroen, the speed is smaller than others.
 
Mazda brakes in German are tenacious and clear better and you can’t imagine! Slow down is dosed even by nor millimeters, but by hint of clicking.
Citroen is not so informative. It slows down intensively, but sluggishly responds to an increase in effort. But very willingly starts a-Ba-saga.
 
Renault champion of brake amplifiers. It is difficult to dose a soft pedal, although addictive is quite quickly. In other machines, the brakes seem more stringent. As a result, French brands in second and third places.
 
There was no serious difference in fuel consumption among competitors. All our subjects met approximately in the control numbers, and in this discipline it was decided not to celebrate anyone.

CONTROLLABILITY
Having hit Mazda, you expect sports reactions, and they, of course, are fully present. Even with an overkill. Acute on the steering wheel, instantly reacting to both the discharge and the additive of gas in the turn of the Japanese, will delight the active driver and alert relaxed ladies. But, you can not especially worry. The DSC stabilization system does its job perfectly, and it is better not to neglect it.
The cocky character of Mazda is manifested in everything. She has the most informative steering wheel with a clear and unambiguous zero and a tough suspension, as if repeating the profile of the road. In fairness, we note that large and medium irregularities are extinguished well. However, at the seams and joints, the whole car shudders and responds with a short bam-ss. In general, Japanese behavior on the road is an excellent synthesis of obedience and mischief.
 
Renault and Citroen during our test opened a competition on the smoothness of the course, damping irregularities and isolation (in every sense) of people from what is happening under the wheels. Laguna won, although C5 was just a little. Both Frenchmen perfectly swallow large and small potholes and do not annoy passengers with shaking and pitching. At the same time, Renault still leaves most of the sensations from the quality of the road surface on the steering wheel, while it is not easy to feel zero in Citroen. A more energy -intensive suspension C5 copes better with gentle waves, and in Laguna there are absolutely no joints and potholes.
 
The main highlight of Citroen C5 suspension with a variable height (maximum 230 mm). But you can use this impressive maximum position only up to a speed of 10 km/h. Further, the automation will lower the body one step down, but even at a speed of 10 km/h you can move only on a flat surface. Blocked shock absorbers cause serious shaking. Therefore, the upper position can only be used for very slow movement over bumps or neat entry into the curb. True, there is no such border stone that would be too tough for us!
ERGONOMICS
In the fact that someday the Japanese auto industry will catch up and distilty not only the States, but no one in general in general doubts the European colleagues and Mazda6 to the guarantee. A pinch of national seasoning is still preserved. The right handler and buttons on the steering wheel recalls that the designers initially placed the driver in the neighboring seat. Why, on a very worthy, comfortable and modern car, you can’t change a couple of handles and four buttons are incomprehensible.
 
But this is only a small drop of tar. In all other respects, Mazda demonstrates a huge barrel of honey: in German are hard and very comfortable seats, the perfect steering wheel, clear devices and display (which is especially important now). A successful design and materials of the buttons and three twists of the central console allow them to use them blindly, without being distracted by a visual audit. (Only after a while you understand that the average twist does not spin at all, but only highlights the decorative framing of the buttons.)
Mazda6 has a wonderful contrasting backlight and display. By color, this will remind many shields of the ransomware combat vehicle. Three zones of a single -line display are separated by clear vertical lines that exclude the wandering of the gaze in search of the necessary information. A simple and right decision. Everyone would be so!
 
The soft and extremely comfortable seat Renault clearly demonstrates a successful combination of the qualities of a cozy home chair and the driver's workplace. The elastic material of the pillows is quite multiplied, but the areas of various parts of the body, which are formed at the same time, hold the drivers and passengers from side and longitudinal displacements no worse than anatomical seats of some car.
 
The owner of Renault Laguna, resting on the royal bed, not distracted by extraneous noises, lullified by music with excellent sound, not burdened with sharp steering wheel and hard suspension risks with uniform and straightforward movement to start to peck his nose. Seriously, Renault's ergonomics allows you to maintain vigor and strength on a long trip or many hours of urban crush.
 
The Renault steering wheel is convenient, but visually seems heavy because of a huge hub. The dashboard did not cause complaints, and the display in the center of the torpedo upset with dark gray numbers on a light gray background. Any extraction of information using this screen is accompanied by long and concentrated looking at what, in our opinion, is unsafe. Climate controls require, as well as on all other models of this brand, some addiction. The receiver is closed by a large lid, which is easy to open, and not very much to close. The steering wheel switches are mastered without difficulty, but the plastic box installed on the column, in which the sound control buttons are concentrated, crunches at every touch, and looks extremely archaic.
 
The cheap and reliable car of Mr. Citroen is trying to disown each interior detail from the first definition. First of all, it is spacious inside. The Sitroen seat cannot be called ideal, but its material will lead to anyone. Connoisseurs of plastic abundance will celebrate the quality and variety of colors and textures of interior details. However, the silver selector handle and the framing of its slots, in our opinion, would have more suitable for the game console to the computer. In addition, the techno-chuck is not very convenient.
 
The Citroen steering wheel is good in all respects, the steering wheel switches and the audio control panel are quite acceptable, but the instrument shield caused conflicting feelings. The passing serious external restyling car has changed a bit and, first of all, the dashboard was updated: thick and short arrows are adjacent to the same well -fed colorful divisions. There are light circles under the red arrows, symbols and light bulbs are scattered everywhere, and all this is circled by an intricate rim. The advertising attractiveness of Kokpita turns into low information content, and five devices placed in a row are not placed in the frame of the steering wheel. The average console, located below the waist line, on the contrary, is solved somewhat straightforwardly: there are a lot of button, and it is easy to get confused in them.
 
If we talk about landing at the wheel, then the whole trinity demonstrated an extremely wide range of controls of special differences.
 
Even with a cursory look at the drawings, there is a single approach to building the forms of torpedo both French cars: smooth shield contours peering in the center of the display, central deflectors under an arched eyebrow and a clear horizontal line from board to board. There are seven years between models, but both are true to national traditions.
 
The youngest and resolved in a completely different Mazda6 contrast with our competitors and is perceived inside, like a good German car.
 
CONCLUSION
In terms of impressions, Mazda6 falls on the first place, and here we are in solidarity with the continuously growing number of fans of this brand. The six looks equally solid and sports car and fully corresponds to its image. Citroen C5, providing its owner with a high level of comfort, will take a second position. The faceted facelifting and preparing to remove Laguna is nevertheless perceived by the previous generation by the car and therefore will close the row. It is no coincidence that the next, its last version will be shown at the Motor Show in Amsterdam. All changes will be aimed at bringing a veteran to the standard of the rest of the Renault lineup.

1. Mazda6
The youngest car easily got into the leaders. Because it is made with the soul!
2. Citroen C5
In the desire to be unlike others, the comfortable C5 surpassed himself
3. Renault Laguna
A solid and restrained Reno noted a score due to annoying, but noticeable trifles
HOW DO THEY LOOK
Nikita Rozanov
Renault Laguna.

The first show of 1993
New version of 2000
Renault design under the guidance
Patrick Le Keman.

Citroen C5.

The first show of 2000
Feylifting 2004
Citroen design under the guidance
Jean-Pierre Plou (Jean-Pierre Ploue).

Mazda6.

The first show 2002
Mazda design under the guidance
Seasia Callum (Moray Callum).
 
OUTSIDE:
Their habitat is the middle of the middle class. Middle peasants and design? Probably, to prove that there are no, their stylists tried so hard. Well, do you say, looking at Mazda6, that in front of you is dull by definition of a sedan? And the rear lights of C5 or the lines of the lid of the trunk Laguna? The brightness of the details is such that at the time to envy a different car like Granturismo. However, let's see what's next. The recognition of brands from the face was clearly pumped up with Laguna. Without an emblem and with a silver-shaped mud of a silver v-shaped lining on the hood, the car becomes without a kind, without a tribe. This model is still aged, and therefore, of course, lagged behind the dynamics of the development of the corporate style, which was united by all Renault models in the last year or two. Is it time to do facies? I don’t know, maybe it’s easier to do a new model, still five years have passed. To guess or calculate all the pros and cons. Here the Citroen stylists did not miss the time, and C5 no longer reminds the gaze of boiled pike perch car Bodr and even shocking. The silhouettes of the entire tested three are very diverse: from the clear step of the trunk in Mazda and the slurred transition of these parts in Citroen to the mono -comprehensive abrose of the rear of the Renault body. Not to find out from behind is as impossible as to confuse him with someone in front. Similar rear lights were in history only once, and if I remember, Maserati. Laguna is also inimitable and beautiful, but the architecture of the back of Mazda, although convincing, is still too cosmopolitan. Even the colorless cover glass of the rear lights does not save. Today, such tuning is offered even to the Lada.
INSIDE:
T-shaped architecture of the instrument panel in this class of cars is almost a rule. There is no exception this time. Only interpretation and details vary. For example, French designers conspired: both C5 and Laguna panels are divided into two tiers with a display in the middle. Mazda traditionally demonstrates its sporting orientation by an obvious plastic bunch of panel-floor, the significance of which is also emphasized by a wide silver lining. Clear and east laconic. It is curious that the French seek to give individuality to everything: even the drawing of a simple and cut of the upholstery of the seats carries the features of decorativeness, charm and the desire to please the taste of the owner. Rules with a clear claim to a business class: four-spitzes and solid for everyone except the sportingly oriented Mazda (three-spokes).
SUMMARY:
Disputes about whether the division of cars into female and male is possible is becoming less and less. I think this is due to the fact that universal cars appeared. For example, this three: why not transport for a business woman? There is strictness and charm. But among men there are such that details love more. In this case, any of these cars is suitable for you.
LIKED
Citroen

A drop of molten metal next door to the KP selector hides the buttons up and down, responsible for the height of the lumen
Renault

Renault Laguna map, together with the Start Stop button, will appreciate any. After it, the turn of the ignition key is perceived by an anachronism
Mazda

The center of attention of the Mazdovsky interior is the central console, entirely built on circles of different diameters. Let them not bother you their number, using them is simple and convenient!
DID NOT LIKE
Renault

The soft glow of the railway indicators is not contrasting enough. Because of this, the letters and numbers do not seem in focus
Citroen

In order to open the door, the handle must not be pulled on itself, but down. Strange algorithm ...
Mazda

Only one remark is the right handle of the receiver handles and control buttons on the steering wheel
 
Text Evgeny Khapov photo Alexander Nozdrin
 

Source: Cars