Test drive by Renault Scenic RX4 2000 - 2003 minivan

freedom of choice

It has long been an axiom that the most close competitors are taking on a comparative test. We decided to somewhat violate the rules of the game, and to a pair of high -wheel drive Japanese universals that formed the class of crossovers, similar to the Constitution, add the French hybrid of a minivan with an SUV. So, the newcomer in the Mitsubishi Outlander market, of course, competes with the usual hopeless Subaru Forester. Well, the Renault RX4, although it is produced only 3 years, but, alas, is not a promising branch of development. And the second -generation Scenic, soon replacing the current model, is not yet planned in version 4x4. The objectivity of the comparison of three cars is provided by close technical parameters: dimensions, motors (2 liters of volume), a mechanical box. And the price niche for cars is common.
The dynamics of acceleration with almost the same indicators on all three machines is perceived in different ways. By lightness in the movement, the unconditional leader of the Subaru Forester. Nothing supernatural, but give gas to medium -sized revolutions, and the car obediently, like a good hunting dog, rushes after the team. Although in fairness it must be said that the craving is not very on the bottom, but we were already going to hold the famous opposition engine well -promoted, although it is too loudly noisy noisy. But, I repeat, the forester provokes on exploits.
Mitsubishi is the most correct. The clear work of the KP lever, the soft baritone of the engine and ... absolutely invisible in sensations acceleration. The car seems to move in a viscous viscous environment. This is, of course, a consequence of magnificent sound insulation. But the run on neutral seemed insufficient to us. Although, perhaps, this is due to the fact that this Outlander is still not drunk.
Renault is definitely here in the rearguard, and primarily thanks to the box, not the engine. RX4 programs are extremely long. In order to stick on the second in the peak of traction, you have to twist the first before the ringing, and the third in transmission number is already as the fourth. So the optimal dispersal will not work, no matter how you ask. And all the time you feel the lack of traction, although the rench engine is the most powerful in the top three. The brake dynamics, on the contrary, the French car is the most decent, although it cries on the face. Subaru is also easily inhibited. But in Mitsubishi you have to excessively trample the middle pedal intensively.
The controllability of the passage of small irregularities, we did not tinch all the well done with our teeth with our teeth. But still, the most capacious suspension is Outlander. The unstable, tall and out-of-the-clock, Renault shifted forward did not please. The car definitely falls out of the turn you even have to support the glass with your shoulder. In parking lots, this is complemented by a large radius of rotation to spin, so in this machine I would prefer the role of a passenger.
Subaru and Mitsubishi here can quite argue for leadership, but only their character is different. A brilliant, sneaky, sensitive and responsive forester, a little, however, breaking away, behaves like a typical passenger car. And the alien does everything important, in an adult way, you can even say with a slight delay, like a solid and inconsistent limousine. The matter, of course, is about an amateur, but an experienced and active driver will like Subaru more, and a beginner and calm Mitsubishi. Its by neutral handling can even be compared with an electronic simulator. Although it is amazing: both have a permanent all -wheel drive with an interdosseous differential, which is blocked by Wyskoft only during slipping. And for the sake of these slippers, they fled the garden with the very concept of crossovers. The indisputable main advantage of the entire three is the high location of the body over the road. No parques will prevent you from climbing on each of these cars on any city border (within a reasonable one, of course) or drive along a broken country road. Some 5-6 centimeters, and how much they give in patency! Even in the sand, our caravan passed with dignity. But ahead of what Russian mud is not dreaming of Off-Road fans from a prosperous Europe. Having scattered around the field, a group of recent clean new cars diligently sprinkles clay slurry. Outlander is the first to refuse to go. No, it does not sit down, but it is desperate to skid. Here would be reducing! RX4 on summer rubber buries deeper and requires methodical buildup. And only Forester, after switching the leverage sticking out between the locks of the front seat belts, fascinating, dashingly pits through the obstacle strip. And I would not say that when the forester willingly rowing with all four, he is noticeably inferior to a real jeep. Bravo! From the foregoing, it is quite obvious that Mitsubishi is very well steaming on a solid coating, not at all working out all the seams and irregularities, unlike Subaru. But in rural areas, the latter feels much more confident. Well, Renault ... just Renault. He has a lot of other advantages.
The ergonomics of Outlander is certainly convenient. A tightly knocked, but not close interior, laconic control handles, wide doors are all fought advantageous and tasteful. It is only a pity that in the cabin of a tinted machine with a black salon, a high panel of devices and a dark one without a hatch. Subaru here is the anti -Paul: a colossal two -spar window in the roof, a low waist line creates that you are put on public display in the window. In Mitsubishi, there is also a hole in the roof as an option as much as 2! But the rear hatch is motionless. Who is how, but I like transparency and openness. But at the same time, Forester is completely uninteresting in the interior: banal and beaten Japanese solutions in the style of the early 90s are not too upset, but they do not inspire. Thin, no, bagel, inexpressive shapes and gleaming plastic. But sitting behind the wheel is convenient. It is most convenient. You are located in a lightweight deeply no higher above the ground than in ordinary machines. No jeep landing.
In this sense, heavier in Renault. A gentle bus steering wheel is located so that a wide column rests on the knee. And when you work as pedals, you constantly rub the pants on plastic. And to the far located lever KP, you have to stretch. Yes, and the programs are turned on extremely fuzzy and cotton, as on nine, after almost the reference outlander, I did not get any now and then. Moreover, this claim is serious, not a whim: you will learn about what 3 or 5th or 5th, you only find out in fact. Which is not always safe. But in the RX4 a bunch of pockets and boxes, including troughs under both front seats. And the back row is divided into three parts, which move in length and inclination independently of each other. On the back of the front seats, folding tables! In addition, Renault has excellent visibility: a half -glass high bun allows you to easily examine the road during maneuvering. I said that I would prefer to drive a passenger in a French car, especially behind, and at the same time be a five -year -old child who is interested and fun. And the jeep position over the road gives the driver the opportunity to look on top of the front, which, undoubtedly, is more convenient and safer. In competitors, on the contrary, the gaze sticks out slightly above strangers, even transparent glasses, into roofs with racks.
Mitsubishi’s practicality is practical only about the fact that on something it was necessary to save on improving the weightlifting, streamlines and space in the second row of seats. In this regard, Outlander is not a fighter. Although if you drop the back of the second row, then nothing. And this is amazing against the background of the ever -increasing trunk of the station wagons. Renault, as we have already said, is well done both in transformations and in tanks. There are even barders under the front seats. I’ll also add that that inexpensive black plastic, which is sheathed by the entire bottom of the RX body, changes easier and costs less than metal panels. This is a plus. It is also pleasant that the spare is not necessary to pick out from under things in the trunk it hangs on the fifth door, but under the graceful streamlined casing. Renault also has the largest mirrors. So at least the RX4 looks like an outsider of the test, it would be unfair to call it uninteresting or unsuccessful. Outlander horse is security. 9 pillows, the most massive, but properly folding hood and thick doors with bars, guarantee calm. And Subaru has a very wide and deep trunk with the lowest loading height. An invaluable thing in the household.
The results of our priorities have been determined. But this does not mean that in the same sequence their grades and buyers will set up. And they vote ruble ... dollar. Therefore, it is somewhat surprising why the RX4 is the most expensive. It’s all about, of course, in the euro, and if the exchange rates are somewhat aligned, then justice will be restored. It is difficult to compete with the car on equal terms by driving, but it takes a transformable interior. Our recommendations look like this: if you want to drive, then take Forester, even without a turbine, still Drivers Car with a raid of off -roadness. Outlander is a new solid all -wheel drive station wagon at which you will not be accepted into the present Trofy. And the RX4 is a very nice city minivan that will not let you down either in the country or in winter ice. And if you are a fan of French cars, then you do not need to be wise with a choice. And a farewell toast. So let's drink so that we always have such a rich choice!
 
OUTSIDE:
Two Japanese cars deserve the title of border guards. Firstly, because they are also not full-blooded SUVs, but not only universals. Secondly, the comparison with the border guard is appropriate due to the universality of these machines very useful quality when protecting the boundaries long and passing in different road conditions. And the French car is generally a one and a half comprehensive hatchback of increased capacity, and at the same time cross -country ability. In a word, the triumph of symbiosis or mixture, which are now in fashion in all consumer niches. The ambiguity with the type leaves an imprint on design, which is sometimes perceived slurred and loses integrity from this. This is noticeable in the forms of a more elderly Subaru, which, unlike popular lungs and dynamic in the outlines of modern station wagons, is more static and heavy. Outlander is a very fresh European version of the 2001 intra -storage model Airtrek, and therefore already has more sports outlines, as well as fashionable details. Scenic generally alteration of a civilian car in a very business in the image of an SUV. The alteration is successful and very professional, for the modernization is exclusively critical for the off -road place of the body front and rear wings, bumers. There were delicious extreme details: integrated reserve, upper trunk and silver crankcase protection slab. If we talk about the faces of cars, Subaru successfully develops the image of the related outback, Renault demonstrates two branded nostrils with the emblem familiar to the whole rhombic in the middle, and Mitsubishi has a characteristic nasasterness, which appeared recently and clearly claims to be a sign of company affiliation in the future. The silhouettes of all machines (except Scenic) can hardly be called static or dynamic. Forester is quite targeted in the created image, but in this regard it does not lag behind it, and maybe ahead of Renault, while Outlander loses the plastic lining in this nomination due to the intermittent encircling body. At the back of Renault and Subaru are very characteristic: the first due to the unusual integration of all the details, the second due to the pronounced powerful structure of the rear door and the protection plate that can be seen from the bottom. Mitsubishi is more derived and decorative, which, however, can also like someone.
INSIDE:
In the interior, the age difference and the vague of the type of these three cars are more obvious. So, the novelty from Mitsubishi clearly claims to be great sports. To do this, the control and measuring instrument block is defiantly brushing about two visors with a speedometer and tachometer spaced at the edges, which somewhat reminiscent of the good old Alfa Romeo. A dynamic drawing of door panels also works on the same image. Forester is less emotional and exalted, although the finish of the central console for winged metal aluminum also creates the mood of lightness and dynamics. Scenic is inaccessible in terms of functionality and versatility. Inside, more than a dozen (!) Containers with lids, including caches under the feet of the rear passengers. Plus, folding tables for rear passengers, separate adjustment of each of the three places of the passenger sofa and a very convenient double -leaf door with a glass section rising upward. The panel of the devices and doors of the Frenchman do not shine with originality, but everything is to the place and is quite consistent with both the class and the fashion of the beginning of the century. In addition to Scenic, all the rudders are solid four -spokes, and this again sets up in favor of a utilitarian and solid car. Again a real Mikst or a typical border?
Text Vladimir Smirnov photo Alexander Nozdrin
 

 

A source: Cars