Test Drive Volkswagen Caddy since 2005 Minivan

Citroen Berlingo VS VW Caddy Kombi. Conduct the heels!

Citroen Berlingo. Price: 716 000 r. On sale: since 2010
VW Caddy Kombi. Price: 735 900 p. On sale: since 2010

On the eve of the country's summer season, you begin to pay attention to the heels. Eh, how much goodness can be transported to these ponies! But what to prefer? German or Frenchman? Some are famous for practicality, other attention to trifles. We set this question and we

Test pilots
Oleg Kalaushin, 41 years old, car journalist, driving experience 22 years old, personal car - Renault Logan
Igor Kuznetsov, 49 years old, car journalist, driving experience 32 years old, Personal car - Skoda Yeti

One of the robbeans in the fight for the honor of the robe (we will not forget that the initially all the heel transports commercial) came up with VW Caddy and Citroen Berlingo. So let's say two of the most vivid representatives of the Pleiads of cars for all occasions. However, before it happened, we had to pretty break down the head over what to put into the chapter angle in order for this comparison to be correct. Equipment? Engine power? Or maybe the price? It was decided to stop in the last two criteria. After all, that, if not the price, sometimes heavily affects our choice. It is impossible to throw off the bills and dynamics. It is enough to remember, in which age we live. As a result, the Citroen Berlingo XTR with a gasoline 1,6-liter 120-strong engine for 716,000 rubles and VW Caddy Kombi also appeared with a gasoline 1,2-liter 105-strong engine for 735 900. At first, it may seem like that The choice is somewhat incorrect, but if you consider that there is no more powerful gasoline engine at Kaddy, then everything immediately falls into place. And the dynamics, as it seems to be strange, according to technical data, these machines are quite comparable. Well, the price is about the same. It is not suiced, of course, but not so expensive, as it may be, if you start to fill cars with options.

Before you begin to understand that in the end, the owner receives for this money, pay attention to the fact that it is impossible to change, in any case, Citroen. That is, the dimensions of cars (Caddy for money can be stretched, there is a production program and an extended version). At first it seems that cars are absolutely identical in size, but, delving into numbers, you find out that Caddy is still slightly superior to Citroen in terms of indicators as the length and height, and is inferior in width. In short, Caddy and the wheelbase. However, by and large, these cars have no grand difference in dimensions, and therefore, for the future owner, the first definitions they will not become. But the fact that Caddy is deprived of the rear left door, as it seems to us, is not very convenient. In the trimming trim, it is, but this time you have to do without it. Especially inconvenient to endure the second row of seats without it. Yes, it is to take out, because in VW they are removable. The same can be done with Citroen, but only if this is stated separately: this function at Berlingo is optional. Although, on the other hand, what gives the consumer to dismantling the second row? Significant increase in cargo space. Judge himself: with a folded second row, the Caddy's trunk is 2852 liters, and when dismantled 3030. In Berlingo, with folded seats, the volume is equal to 2650 liters, but if they could be pulled out, then three cube would have been. A little more modest indicators at Berlingo and by volume with unfolded seats. To the shelf level, it is possible to fill the 675 liters of the boot into it, while in Caddy can fit already 750. There is in Berlingo and such a pleasant option as a folding back of the front passenger seat, which significantly lengthens the salon for the transportation of a long period. In Caddy, such a fiscue option.

In general, if we talk about the films, then Berlingo for this money is significantly superior to Caddy. So, for example, Citroen has ceiling crossbars that are quickly mounted and allow you to carry nonsense long items, such as skiing or snowboarding. The main thing is that they are not harder than 20 kg and no longer than 2 meters. Outlet of Citroen and scattered throughout the salon boxes and pockets. Moreover, the first can be both explicit and counted. Conference can be attributed to the closed boxes under the feet of passengers of the second row. There is a huge shelf above the drivers and front passenger heads. Separately, I would like to mention a regular flashlight, which in a marching position is a plander lighting the luggage compartment. In case of necessity, it can work about 45 minutes. Comfortable.

Caddy salon decoration for almost the same money much more modest. Let's start with the fact that the part of the cabin, which begins behind the backs of the front seats, does not actually have finishes. Unfinished, painted in the color of the metal body so much what is involuntarily started to think: in an easy car you are, or did you kindly agree to throw up to the nearest village in the container? Do not please the eye and the upholstery of the side panels with the ceiling. Made of organic painted in gray, it makes the interior still more. And if it were not for the carpet on the floor, it would be completely uncomfortable. In general, in this configuration Caddy, there is nothing particular and boast. On board there is not even music. Although, if you begin to understand, it has everything you need: air conditioning, electric mirrors, electric windows, central locking, driver and passenger seat luxury. All this, no doubt, deserves warm words. But it is necessary to move back, as though, in fairness it should be noted that sit at the back is also quite comfortably. But best of all is to be done with eyes closed. But it's all static, and that the move?

Despite the fact that Caddy has a smaller engine and power engine, its dynamics was quite comparable to the Berlingo dynamics. Moreover, overclocking up to 60 km / h He was even faster. Cause more torque. Yes, and it gives this very moment in a rather wide range, with 1550 revolutions up to 4100, while the peak of the moment at the Berlingo motor accounts for 4250 revolutions. In this regard, to achieve the stated dynamics, the latter need to turn all the time. Otherwise, it will not work dynamically. In general, dynamic ride is clearly not Berlingo. It is too inert compared to Caddy. Volkswagen in this clearly succeed more. And it's not even in the engine power, but in the chassis settings. Caddy is more assembled, he has an acute steering, and there is less on a bad road. More efficiently in its brake system. Thanks to the same Caddy settings, less prone to valve valves. Yes, and sailiness is felt in it less. But Berlingo is a bit more comfortable on a bad road, which can also be discarded.

How can not be thrown off in our time and fuel consumption of cars. However, according to this indicator, cars are almost equal, except in the city cycle of Berlingo a little more voracious. Although what increment can we talk about if the claimed consumption does not exceed 10 liters per hundred. Here is just one no hope: cars are ready to digest in their cylinders of gasoline with an octane number of at least 95, which in itself is not suiced. And in the conditions of the high-octane fuel crisis in Russia, sometimes problematic.

Our verdict
Undoubtedly, the new Caddy, and Berlingo deserve attention, especially if you strive to purchase a car for all occasions. However, against the background of Citroen Caddy for comparable money looks not the best. The main reason is the equipment. Especially annoying the lack of proper sheaving on the second row and in the trunk. However, if this is not so important for you, then the Caddy manageability is much more interesting to Berlingo. Well, if comfort at the head of the corner, then Berlingo is better.


VW Caddy Kombi.
The first Caddy saw the light in 1982. The current model, as well as the former, is made on the platform of a passenger car. However, if the first model borrowed a platform from Golf, then all subsequent divided it with Polo. Caddy's database is equipped with quite poorly. However, passenger variants are generously converted by different options.

Driving
Impecable both on good coating and on a fairly broken asphalt.
  
Salon
Spacious and very roomy. If desired, it can be supplemented with different kind of optional equipment, but in a specific configuration of the SUDN.

Comfort
If you do not pay attention to the orphan finish of the second row of seats
and the luggage compartment, the interior is quite comfortable.
  
Security
ABS, ESP, 2 airbags.
   
Price
Obviously overestimated.

Top quality: handling, trunk volume.
Worst qualities: scarce equipment in the database.



Citroen Berlingo.
This car is very popular in Europe. However, first of all, it is used among entrepreneurs who use it exclusively for commercial purposes. A small maneuverable car is indispensable on close streets. It is no less demanded in the top versions as a family car.

Driving
The car behaves well with a measured ride, but the suspension settings do not allow to say the same when driving.
  
Salon
It is superbly thought out from the point of view of storage of things. Impressive trunk.
  
Comfort
For this money, the owner receives the car actually in the maximum configuration.

Security
In the basic configuration ABS and 2 airbags.
  
Price
Quite reasonable.


Top Quality: Rich Equipment in the set of XTR.
Worst qualities: High speed control.



Author: Oleg Kalaushin
Photo: Igor Kuznetsov
 

A source: Journal 5 Wheel [July 2011]