Skoda Octavia test drive since 2008 -

Polaring feeling

Two non -standard approaches to the concept of a crossover or, if you like, a SUV, on the example of Skoda and Nissan, was evaluated by Sergey Voskresensky. Photo: Alexander Batyr.
Being classmates, they do not fit each other. Despite the similarity of the sizes of the same type of body, two -liter gasoline engines, an impressive, by European standards, road clearance and the second axis drive connected using a special coupling.
You perceive the muscular nissan-kashkai, even in the most saturated version, primarily as a compact, maneuverable and relatively inexpensive crossover, almost an all-terrain vehicle.
You see Skoda-Octavia Scout as a derivative of an ordinary car, despite the carefully emphasized expressive elements not at all asphalt exterior. The creators definitely haunted the special qualities of Audi-Hall, including its impressive price.
Snow virgin lands are a good test of the viability of ideologies. Machines easily bite into the snow, grunting hefty snowdrifts with expressive bumpers. A few meters forward, then backward. With a push in a small but dense parapet, a characteristic plastic boost is heard. It's time for a flyover, put in the place of the next clip, of which there are plenty of both cars on the relief bottoms of both machines.
What are they: non-combatants who can conquer only borders of non-built parking lots and tram ruts, or more serious assistants? In which car is more all-resistant qualities, or rather, which is better adapted to Russian dysfunction?
Respirements of respectability
While Nissan-Kashkay does not have direct competitors, he will have to swim between the classes. Even the creators do not always clearly determine the type of car: in terms of the size of the salon, they compare with the golf class, and reminding the four leading wheels, they are called the city, but the crossover.
Luxury signs: leather upholstery, separate climate control, an impressive screen of a color display, cruise control to the steering wheel I am much more impressed with simple, but comfortable seats, high landing, intelligible controls and a cheerful combination of devices. I looked closely: it seems to be nothing special, it is closely close and the overview is so -so, and the climate controls are small. But in general, the feeling of harmony and security does not leave.
Acquaintance with Octavia Scout is better to start on the lift. You will be pleasantly surprised by a greater way, with an impressive steel sheet covering the motor compartment, believe in the security and all -resistant makings of the station wagon. There are plenty of all kinds of plastic tinsel here, but most of the elements are still slightly higher than the main line of protection.
What is on top looks rich, in a corporate style: leather and alcantara, thoroughbred soft plastic, unbroken control organs. Inside the Scout is a convenient and familiar car. I am reliably settled in a large seat with a huge range of adjustments. I instantly find mutual understanding with a separate (but otherwise?) Climate installation, traditional heating wheels, and the audio system toothblastic. You sit down perfectly and behind. But the soul is gloomy. On a monophonic-dark front panel, there are not enough bright spots. The branded combination of devices irritates with fine digitizing, an unnoticed round roller interferes with the shoulder blades. In general, as it gets used to enthusiasm, although the scout is undoubtedly at a higher consumer level than Kashkai.
Power methods
Power, dynamics, maximum speed, transmission ceremonial numbers of tables and they do not lead to an agreement. Only mechanics are placed on the Scout, the opponent flaunts a modern variator. But the main confrontation unfolds not at all where he expected
If Nissan-Kashkai looks a little bore, then not because of the engine or transmission. They cope with duties very soundly, sometimes even with a spark. True, sometimes you expect a greater herd of 140 horses from the car too balanced, which is dictated by ecology. Much more annoying sound accompaniment, because with intensive acceleration, the variator persistently throws the tachometer arrow for 4000 rpm. Moreover, it is worth moving on to manual control of the box, Kashkay becomes quiet and flexible.
Obviously, there is not enough intelligence to the suspension settings. They are frankly rude, most small irregularities convey to the body, hard, not energy -intensive sufficiently behave on large potholes. It turns out that the comfortable kashkai becomes only on a flat road, where suspension vulnerability causes discomfort and bewilderment.
Maybe these victims have been contributed? On the asphalt, Kashkai really behaves quite understandably and predictable. You can complain to the too artificial steering wheel, but the settings are solid. On a slippery road, the car gives up a little position. It is worth believing in the possibilities of four leading, as in a turn, the car suddenly strives to get out of control: in front of the drive glides the front axis, without responding to the driver’s commands. And only at the exit, the car finally recalls the rear axle and then only manage to catch it! Of course, there is a stabilization system, but it is too active and interferes with the management process very early.
Those who expect a scout of hurricane dynamics from Octavia (ceremonial numbers of O-th!), Most likely, are disappointed. Sightly, reliably, partly emotionally, but no more. As it gets used to the car, the engine conquers not acceleration, but excellent traction. It seems that what program do not choose, Skoda will go anyway.
But, perhaps, the main scout simply envelops with comfort. As a rule, the sound of the motor is only a barely noticeable movement companion. If he becomes more intelligible, do not hesitate, the tachometer arrow approached 5000 rpm.
The pendants are also trying to carefully filter the majority of bumps. They relax so much that, having come to serious potholes, I am indignant about the unexpected shake, and then, assessing the size of the disaster, I pay tribute to the reliability of the chassis. Everything else is a carefully verified balance. Convenient, suspended brakes. Well -configured handling, in which, however, against the background of ordinary cars, the rolls of the body at the entrance to the turn and a slightly synthetic in the opposite force of the steering wheel are noticeable. But this quickly adapts to this for a crossover, this station wagon is just going well. On the winter road, Skoda Scout, unlike an opponent, allows you to feel like a driver of a hot all -wheel drive, even with the stabilization turned on. Well, if you turn it off, the car becomes aggressive, while sensitively listening to the driver’s teams. Skoda and Skoda are sometimes wide and long, but they are easy to manage.
DIVORCED
From the consumer position, the line between the crossover and the universal of increased patency is blurred. Nissan-Kashkai inspires a feeling of an all-resistance, but at the same time much closer to a light car than raised above the land of the Skoda-Octavia. It was Scout who suddenly demonstrated, perhaps, one of the main for this class of qualities excellent comfort. Alas, judging by the decoration and the basic price, he is destined for the fate of an exclusive toy for the most ardent connoisseurs of Skoda. Kashkai, with all its shortcomings, thanks to a reasonable price, a car for a wide range of consumers.
Nissan Qashqai
A compact city all -terrain vehicle appeared in our market in the spring of 2007.
Gasoline engines 1.6; 2.0 l (115; 141 hp).
Gearboxes 5- and 6-speed mechanical, CVT variator, front or complete drive.
Configuration XE, SE, LE.
Price 649 760850 190 rub. (front-wheel drive); 712 640913 070 rub. (four-wheel drive).
_x0007_ + convenient salon and controls, high landing of the driver, balanced dynamics and handling.
- Hard, non -energy -intensive pendants, mediocre visibility and comfort.
General assessment 7.6
Nissan Qashqai from the most expensive configuration you expect more. It is a little rustic, noisy and harsh. These are the main directions for improvement.
Skoda Octavia Scout
An all -wheel drive station wagon with all -terrain deposits was presented in 2006 at the Paris Motor Show.
Benzine engines 2.0 liters (150 hp) and diesel 2.0 l of TDI (140 hp), the latter is not supplied to Russia.
Gearbox 6-speed mechanical.
Basic settings + options.
Price from 945,000 rubles.
+ Tested ergonomics, good finish, spacious interior and trunk, excellent comfort, interesting sledges.
- High price, lack of bright stylistic solutions.
General assessment 8.3
Skoda Octavia Scout in an effort to become audi turns its practicality, convenience and comfort into a too expensive product.
Sergey Voskresensky: The automobile world is changing inexorably. Before the test I heard that Skoda in Russia should not be cheap. So, will we forget about the nationality? Or did the excitement demand make this business so successful that everyone simply has to go on fashionable and expensive?
Sergey Voskresensky
     
 
 
 
   
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"