Skoda Yeti test drive since 2009 -

Test drive Opel Mokka 1.8 4WD vs Skoda Yeti 1.8 4WD and Kia Sportage 2.0 4WD: Each of its own destinies

We planned the long -awaited comparative mock test a month ago. But only on the eve of the end of the world we were able to get a test machine. With the presence of rivals, difficulties also arose - the planned quartet eventually turned into a motley trio. But it was precisely against the backdrop of unlike competitors that Mokka revealed all his characteristics.
 

Unfortunately, in our company there was no Juke or Kaskaya, one of which was also planned to take for a test. Representatives of Nissan dealerships as one insisted that they needed a request, time to agree on a request, permission, approval, approval confirmation, a resolution with the seal and fingerprints of all the editorial staff. We joke, of course. That is OK. Talented members of the group and in part were able to play a good party.

Many will immediately pay attention to the fact that the company has selected quite heterogeneous. Cars are characterized by sizes, engines, transmissions, equipment and price. However, our task in this test is not the identification of the winner and the loser. It is more interesting to see who each car is oriented to and how much the expectations of buyers will coincide with real opportunities. After all, whatever one may say, all three cars belong to the class of compact all -wheel drive crossovers. And by and large, small discrepancies in the characteristics are not as great as consumer qualities are similar.


At first glance, it may seem that Opel is one of the smallest crossovers. But this is not so. Mokka, for example, is 2.3 cm higher than the gym, is 5.5 cm longer than the jet, and Juke is much larger in all respects.
 

Let's start, of course, with a beginner. As expected, Opel Mokka was born thanks to the efforts of two parents: Opel and the Korean Chevrolet Dat unit. In a happy family, triple was born at once (Mokka has two more twin brothers Buick Encore and Chevrolet Trax, and the latter will appear in Russia, however, under the less ambiguous name Tracker).

But despite the joint German-Korean Gamma II platform, external data do not allow us to doubt that it is Opel, very cute and pretty Opel. The absence in the design of the exterior of any brutality, the contours of the headlights summed up by black mascara and a variety of chrome and silver glasses-ups immediately determine the target audience, it, without a doubt, is female.


The opposite of Opel Mokka Kia Sportage. The Korean literally exudes aggression with all his appearance, although he has no less chrome jewelry, but they are more likely for pathos. In many ways, it was the style that attracts attention was the key factor in the popularization of the KIA crossover. It is only a pity that the test car was in an inexpressive dark gray color, and not corporate orange.


Skoda Yeti a sort of unisex. A young girl and a middle -aged man will look equally harmonious in it. The main thing, again, is correct to choose the corresponding color. And if at the beginning of his career, the exterior of the post -person seemed a little frivolous for the pragmatic brand of Skoda, then after the release of the brightest competitors, the Yeti style became quite commonplace.

Interior. The most capacious of the entire three, of course, was Kia Sportage in terms of dimensions, it is the largest. There is enough space without exception, but especially comfortable for those who are located on a convenient and wide couch with the largest supply of legs space from the trinity.


In addition, the KIA crossover has the most expensive interior and touch the interior: high -quality finishing materials with inserts made of black varnished plastic, a spectacular instrument shield, a touch display of a multimedia system and (in our configuration) leather interior and a panoramic hatch. And the most pleasant thing is that this wealth does not go against ergonomics to use almost all functions intuitively simple.

The second in volume Skoda Yeti. The main feature of the Czech crossover is the second row, the three parts of which can be adjusted separately, changing the back of the back or moving the seat back and forth. It is on the chosen position of the rear seats that the space in the cabin or in the trunk depends.


The appearance of the interior in Skoda, the most simple one does not save even an advanced radio with a large sensory display. It should be noted that, unlike two rivals, Yeti went to us in a modest configuration. However, the quality of the materials does not cause complaints, and ergonomics is traditionally magnificent.

Despite the fact that Mokka is longer than Yeti, the place in Opel is slightly smaller. A person with a height of 180 cm sits almost back on him, and the German crossover from all direct and indirect competitors wins the three -line and indirect competitors at all from Nissan Juke and Suzuki SX4.


The rear row pumped up and, from the point of view of planting, the unregulated back is set too vertically, and the sofa pillow is short - it will be convenient for people with perfect posture. Tactile sensations from the interior leave favorable impressions, the design pleases the eye a little less than in Kia. The only thing you have to get used to is the scattering of buttons on the front panel, among which you do not immediately find the necessary.

But Opel Mokka has the most convenient landing. The lamb has the most optimal thickness and diameter, the chair is tightly embraced by lateral support, but just as much as necessary. The mass of adjustments, including a change in the length of the pillow, allows you to choose the position of the seat for any landing.


Skoda’s driver’s chair is a little worse, it pleases with a verified profile and equally dense filler, but in terms of the number of settings it loses Ophevsky. But the relief of the KIA seat is only visual in the sportage of the widest and most flat chair with slurred lateral support. But it is on such seats that it will be convenient for people of dense complexion.


The largest trunk is predictable for Kia Sportage 564 liters. He is the only one who underground is full -size reserve. The cargo compartment of the Skoda Yeti with a volume of 405 liters is the most functional rear seats in transformation can not only be moved or folded, but completely pulled out of the cabin. The most modest hold of Opel Mokka is 362 liters. Its capabilities are quite enough for urban needs.
 
Dynamic characteristics and handling. According to speed parameters, the indisputable leader of Skoda Yeti. Its turbocharged engine 1.8 with a capacity of 152 horsepower takes the crossover up to 100 km/h in 9 seconds. But the most pleasant thing is that worthy protocol numbers of TTX completely coincide with sensations. The renunciation with which Yeti reacts to pouring the accelerator, brings to the hooligan manner of movement.


And the chassis of the Czech crossover is ready for provocations. Skoda holds well in vihi, and, moreover, in a straight line. And the steering does not leave gaps in unity with the machine. For active driving, the pre -sequential DSG box with the possibility of turning on the sports regime is well suited. She is afraid of only one torn ride, when the electronics confused with the inclusion of low or increased gear.

It is even more interesting to manage Opel Mokka. The Opel suspension is more sensitive, and the steering wheel amplifier is poured with greater weight than that of Skoda. Due to this, accuracy increases both in the deviation of the driver of the steering wheel and in the reactions of the car itself.


Eh, if Opel had more powerful, it would look great in the role of Drivers Car. However, the slow mocha cannot be called: the old atmospheric engine 1.8 is honestly lucky to its 140 forces, evenly accelerating and picking up the tachometer in the upper zone. In addition, paired with the engine, a smooth, but quick six -speed machine operates.

Kia Sportage in high -speed disciplines outsider. It is clear that it is 75-80 kg heavier than rivals, but this is not the difference in weight that justifies such a sluggish dynamics. The reason is in a tachometer evenly smeared along the entire scale and six gears of the traction of a two -liter engine, without a pronounced pickup.


To twist the platoon, the 150-horsepower Kia motor is useless to accelerate this cannot be achieved, which is especially sad when overtaking. In addition, Kia Sportage has the most non -informative steering wheel in the near -Stolium zone, he hangs out, and when turning he stumbles on an artificial step in effort. However, the Korean holds on the road regularly, avoiding either noticeable rolls or departures from the trajectory.

Driving comfort. But in this nomination, Kia Sportage performed better than its rivals. In the cabin, the Korean pleases, first of all, silence. The soundproofing of the crossover copes with both tire hum and the sound of engine operation. True, here Kia had a handicap in the form of friction winter tires, while Skoda and Opel moved on spikes. But the work of the Sportage suspension to equalize domestic pardons does not need any FOR. The crossover without choked swallows all the flaws of the road surface.


Skoda Yeti copes with the realities of Russian roads a little worse. The suspension also does not notice small and medium potholes, but passengers in the cabin shakes more strongly than in Kia. Large obstacles are better to try to go around the time for an hour, as shock absorbers can be closed on the end. Despite the presence of studded rubber, the snow man did not bother with an obsessive noise accompaniment.


The Opel Mokka surprised it was he who turned out to be the most loud, which is usually not characteristic of Opel. Howl of wind, a rumble of tires and the sound of the engine, especially at high speeds, all this forces to add the sound of the radio, and talk louder passengers. It is pointless to expect either one or the other to be densely tuned to the active ride of the suspension of lulling comfort. She does not allow breakdown, but with the accuracy of a gramophone needle passes the slightest bumps of the road to the salon.


Off -road opportunities. Such an audit may seem like a meaningless lion's share of compact crossovers sold in Russia exclusively in a monotive version. And even those who choose the modification of 4x4 most often move from the asphalt except for the primer. Car manufacturers also know this, so they do not bother with all -terrain abilities of their models. But since the test Opel Mokka, Skoda Yeti and Kia Sportage are rowing all four wheels, we could not find the limit of their capabilities outside the asphalt.


The declared road clearance at Kia Sportage is the least 172 mm. Skoda Yeti and Opel Mokka has 180 mm. All three cars are equipped with assistants during the descent, Opel and Kia have an additional assistance system when touching the mountain. And only Sportage has an electronic locking of the coupling.
 

The surprise was presented by Sportage. It turned out that this glamorous Korean sparkling with chrome, xenon and LEDs, which looks great in the parking of a business center or a fitness club, is better and easier for everyone to crawl over the hills covered with snow. Firstly, only KIA has an electronic locking of the coupling. Secondly, he has the widest, albeit unsolved tires, which increased the contact spot in deep and loose snow. Thirdly, the Korean has the most loyal settings of electronic collars - the anti -wings system and ESP intervened very correctly, not particularly interfering with the movement of the wheel inhibitory and revolutions.


Well, fourthly, on the off-road Kia Sportage, the sleepy settings of the engine and the checkpoint helped precisely due to the fact that the Korean has absolutely smooth traction without peak pickups, in the shaky virgin lands on it, it is easy to move evenly on the risk of unflapping and burying the car. But putting a heavier Kia on the belly is easiest to have the smallest distance to the ground under the protection of the crankcase.


Judging by the name, it would be possible to assume that for the white Czech crossover, almost untouched snow hills will turn out to be their native element. And, in general, Yeti did not disappoint, overcoming all the obstacles to which we sent him.


But in order to flounder in the snow, Skoda needs to work a little more carefully to the gas pedal. In addition, it is advisable to put the DSG box into manual mode, since an accelerator is too active again confusing two transmission adhesions. But Skoda has the most correct front bumper in shape, which without much fear allows Yeti to climb quite cool climbs.


But Opel Mokka with a front bumper has a real trouble. One third of the obstacles that Kia and Skoda overcame without problems, we were afraid to send Mokka precisely because of the opportunity to damage the front bumper or at least tear off his skirt. But Mokka definitely has the potential.


Let it be the most difficult thing to climb the snow virgin to climb the snow virgin to retreat and break through the path for the second, third time: the car does not have enough traction on the bottoms, and on the upper border of the revolutions there is a risk of imposing a damped gas pedal and burying. Mokke and too fearful safety electronics, which work as ahead of time, interfere with it. But still, Opel crawls through a fairly deep snow - both in a straight line and uphill! It only requires the driver’s hand from the driver. So we will not dare to recommend moving off the asphalt on the mockery, but if necessary, the crossover will pass along an easy off -road.


Mokka could not allow himself to call in and move out from this slide. What the people from Opel thought about, making an all -wheel drive crossover with a face lying on the ground, which the mocha is clinging to almost everything - it is resolutely incomprehensible. Even if the potential owner will never be out of asphalt, in the city when parking Opel in front of the front will collect all the curbs.
 
The cost and level of equipment. The parameter according to which Opel Mokka puts one left on the shoulder blades of both rivals. It is thanks to the competent pricing policy that you can predict the German crossover commercial success. In the top design of Cosmo with all -wheel drive and automatic, leather salon, navigation system, xenon headlights, hatch and even an electric heater in the cabin, as well as a lot of other useful and pleasant options Opel Mokka costs 1,091,000 rubles.

 
The only thing that is still confused by the absence of a crossover in Russia in Russia in the gamut of the version with front -wheel drive and automatic. Such a modification should appear in our market in the spring of 2013.

 
For a slightly larger Kia Sportage with the same rich equipment list, you will have to pay almost two hundred thousand rubles at once the price of the richest configuration of Premium 2.0 4WD is 1,289,900 rubles. Whether such an increase in a more spacious and comfortable salon, daring appearance, as well as good off -road opportunities, is worth it.


The test Skoda Yeti 1.8 4WD was almost in the basic version for 1,029,000 rubles. The poor Ambition package cannot be called on the list of equipment is a reasonable minimum. However, if you raise the level of equipment of the Czech crossover to a comparable with rivals, it turns out that the most expensive of the whole trinity. Due to expensive additional options, the total cost will be 1,346,900 rubles. True, the pragmatic buyers of Skod very rarely choose the charged modifications, the most sold in Russia with front -wheel drive and motor 1.2.

Result. The most balanced Skoda Yeti crossover in all consumer qualities. It was this car that did not fail in any of the parameters.


Of the advantages of the car: albeit not the most capacious, but the functional and thought out interior, an excellent balance of controllability and comfort, a very brisk engine and good abilities outside the asphalt. If, after the house of households on kindergartens, schools and work, the driver will have time for yourself, on Yeti you can rush with the same pleasure both to the high -speed highway and out of town with friends.


Kia Sportage is most suitable for aesthetes who want to present themselves and their family in spectacular packaging. Despite the fact that the Korean crossover has been sold in Russia for two years, it is still often escaped. The main advantage of the machine is sled and acoustic comfort, and, as it turned out, good -road abilities are good for the crossover. However, it is better for people to choose something else in blood with blood gasoline and connoisseurs of gambling.


And what about our newcomer? The role of the Opel Mokka family car will not pull out is small. But as a second car in the family or for the couples of a pair, Mokka will become, first of all, a very profitable acquisition, thanks to an affordable price against the background of a rich level of equipment and high -quality interior. You will have to sacrifice a little comfort and the opportunity to go beyond the asphalt without consequences. But the car will definitely appeal to those who understand a lot about the verified setting of the chassis and control - at the wheel of Mokka it is very interesting.

 

Source: Wheel magazine [December 2012]