Volkswagen Touareg test drive since 2010 SUV

Comparison of 5 crossovers. Deja vu

Similar in the life of the editorial office has already happened. There was a run around Ladoga, there were crossovers, and people are the same. And yet something has changed. Now not winter, but spring. Crossovers are not four, but five. And the cars are much larger and more expensive than those that were

Participants in the test
1) Volkswagen Touareg
2) Nissan Murano
3) Hyundai IX55
4) Mercedes-Benz M-Class
5) BMW X5

Why is Ladoga again and why again crossovers? Ladoga in winter and Ladoga in the spring, as they say in Odessa, two big differences. In winter, we rode most of the way along the icy road, and it was impossible to make out what was under the wheels, asphalt or grader. Plus, the slippery road did not allow cars to completely reveal their road potential. In the spring, a completely different matter. All the pits opened, the primers were softened, and in the fields you can get stuck on the roof. In general, you can’t imagine better time to check crossovers.

This time we decided to take a richer car in a run. And they selected them according to the principle of popularity. That is, what's larger on the roads, they took it. And since everyone has their own statistics, we have made their own rating. They spotted time and looked at which SUVs would pass by the editorial office more, and which will not get into the top list at all. As a result, our list includes BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Nissan Murano, VW Touareg and Hyundai IX55. The latter, however, should soon be upset, but so far we have what we have. So, he has every right to ride with us around Ladoga. In addition, Hyundai considers its IX55 only as a direct competitor to VW Touareg

Like last time, the cars in the run were with different types of engines. BMW and Nissan ate high -octane gasoline, the other three were content with diesel fuel. The weakest, based on power, was Mercedes in the company. His turbodiesel was given 224 liters. With. Hyundai was a little more powerful. His diesel could boast of 239 liters. With. Next came Touareg: his diesel for one horse is stronger than IX55. Basin Murano already had 249 liters. With. And closed the list X5: the power of its gasoline engine was 306 liters. With.

How does a long journey by car begin? That's right, from the gas station. It is on the amount of fuel taken with it that the car drive depends. It is clear that it also depends on the appetite of the engine, but when a solid supply splashes in the tank, it is somehow calmer in a long journey. The outsider for this indicator was IX55: his tank is able to accommodate no more than 78 liters of diesel fuel. A little more can take Murano: 82 liters of 95th gasoline. Not particularly stored BMW: no more than 85 liters of gasoline can hide in its bowels. But Mercedes can take 95 liters of diesel fuel with him. However, the best indicator for this parameter for Touareg: 100 liters of solarium take on board this nomad. Looking ahead, let's say that for the entire run, neither VW nor Mercedes was required more. What can not be said about gasoline cars. But most often BMW looked at the gas station. And not because it is too gluttonous: there are not so many 14 liters per hundred for a 306 -horsepower engine. The point is in the flood neck. As usual, before starting the run, we refuel all the cars to the eyeballs, that is, before cutting off the gun. Not a single car, except X5, had problems with filling under the lid. In the BMW, the pistol clung to now and then. As a result, after the fifth or sixth shooting, the driver decided that the tank was full. What was the disappointment when the fuel arrow showed the entire tank. I had to call on the gas station again and literally click gasoline by drop, wasting the nerves and nerves for this time.

Since it came to the fact that who has more, it would be nice to remember the trunk. The smallest and largest at the same time he was at IX55. With the decomposed third row of seats, it is only 185 liters. Further on increasing. We fold the third row and get 598 liters. And if you add the third and second row, the volume reaches 2460l. Theoretically, BMW can boast the third series of seats, but not this time.

The equipment of the car, which we took for a test, did not expected increased passenger capacity. But in the absence of a third row, the volume of the trunk is 620 liters. He has a little less Mercedes: 551 liters already fit in his bins. Touareg’s result is even more modest: if you do not lay out the back row, no more than 433 liters will fit here. And closes the list according to this indicator Nissan: 402 l.

It's time and on the road. We will get acquainted with the interior and control bodies on the go. After all, it is in motion that you understand how good the ergonomics is in the car and how easily and quickly is the same key that is needed at a particular moment.

Like the last time, the entire route was divided in such a way that everyone could take turns ride on different cars. Plus, we tried to check the cars outside the roads, in connection with which part of the path passed where along the forest paths, and where it was completely through the fields. By the way, it was in the fields that it was possible to find out who in this company is the least SUV. As expected, they turned out to be X5. Impeccable on the highway, it is very poorly prepared for driving outside the road. And even the traction regulation mode cannot adequately force this car to move if there is no solid soil under the wheels. Slowly X5 can drive along the forest track. Although, on the other hand, slowly and BMW somehow does not fit. And the algorithm of the joystick that is responsible for the work of an eight -speed transmission does not immediately fit in my head. There are no familiar, walking after another PRND. In this connection, transplanting to BMW from another car, at first you experience a slight shock. Muscle memory no longer works, and you have to turn on the brain. However, what and how to do to make these two tons of luxury and relics move, for especially gifted is drawn and written on the display. Over time, of course, you get used to it, but initially such an algorithm strains. But how easier it became to communicate with the car after he learned the Russian language! Running along the car settings menu is now much nicer. And also X5, the only car present, was able to project information such as the speed of movement on the windshield, and with the installed navigation system of the movement of the movement with the distance to the turn. But all these are trifles compared to what the driver feels behind the wheel of this car on the highway. Unity with the machine is almost one hundred percent. And what a pleasure to pass the turns that the roads of Karelia abound! The pace set by this machine, alas, could not keep everything, and therefore it was soon sent to the tail of the column. But even there, to the one who was traveling on her, was not boring. It was just necessary to release the column a little forward, so that later, having caught up again and again, enjoy the behavior of X5 on the highway. And although the perfect section of the road over the entire time of the journey met only once (Lahdenpojya Sortaval), it was enough to understand that there was no better than this car in the column. But on bad roads in this car, it is better to keep the teeth with his gritted teeth, and in the direct and figuratively, the car is a pity.

Not much comfortable on bad roads was Murano. However, it can hardly be compared with BMW in controllability, and therefore such his behavior on a broken road is not justified. Apparently, they tried to set the suspension of this car according to the principle of both yours and ours. However, a reasonable compromise did not work. As a result, the car cannot boast of either honed controllability on the highway, nor sufficient cross -country ability. Of course, it goes a little better through the mud than the same BMW, but we would not exaggerate the off -road abilities of Murano. Although in the arsenal of this crossover there is a key of compulsory intended blocking. And everyone seemed to be overloaded with the central console. However, if you try to be objective, then the buttons and handles, albeit a lot, but they are clearly zoned, and confuse what is where it is is simply impossible. The upper row of the keyboard is navigation, the middle audio, the lower ventilation and heating system. Everything is simple and clear. But the spectacular-looking instrument shield, which was accepted first with a bang, showed over time that bright orange lighting is not the right decision. Over time, three suns are boring, and I would like to see the instruments on the instrument shield, but, for example, a moonlit night. And what you involuntarily pay attention to when you look at the salon is that the backs of the seats of the second row have an almost vertical position. However, oddly enough, sitting there is quite convenient if you adjust it correctly. As a result, Murano did not cause the expedition to cause either strong positive or strong negative emotions. A sort of solid middle peasant with an American slope. By the way, having not the smallest of all the participants in the tank with a tank, it was Murano who demanded to replenish the fuel reserves first. Which was done at one of the first gas stations. It was quite dubious, but we must pay tribute: the Nissan engine digested those 10 liters that we plopped into it in order to reach the civilization without choked. They also say that the variator helps to save fuel. Apparently not this time. The variator loves a measured ride, and in Karelia, where the height changes compete with bends not a mile, it is very difficult to go evenly. In this connection, the gas and the brake gave out such a result. In general, Murano did not meet the fuel consumption rates declared by the manufacturer.

Oddly enough, but demanded refueling and IX55. Actually, it initially seemed to us that the diesel engine would pass the entire route without refueling, but no. Do not pour diesel fuel into it, Hyundai would definitely not reach the city. There are a lot of explanations for this. Firstly, the same Karelian factor, secondly, a small tank, thirdly, weight. This car turned out to be the most difficult that was well felt by his behavior on the road. Sometimes it seemed that you control not a car, but a tank. Swinging smoothly above the highway, he just forward. However, everything was so fundamental and reliable only on straight lines. It was worth approaching the bundle of turns, the speed had to be significantly dropped, thereby causing jokes from other participants in the run. The machine is significantly fired in corners, that neither comfort nor confidence adds. And the power of inertia in this machine is felt, as in any other. Fortunately, even though the brake system, as if not noticing all this mass, besieged the car’s running quite quickly. But he was no longer very accelerated. In order to gain a hundred, this car, according to the passport, requires almost 11 seconds, which in practice spills in all 12. Not quickly, in general, but if you remember who this car was originally oriented to, then everything falls into place. The cup holders and chic seats of white skin are important advantages. But seriously, then what can not be taken from Hyundai is a comfortable salon. In such a car, you can really go far and for a long time. The interior is sustained in strict colors, and therefore it looks discreet and at the same time very carefully. Not bad and ergonomics. In any case, you do not need to get used to the car. As for off -road abilities, they are no worse and no better than that of the above cars. However, it can afford to be off -road a little more than BMW or Murano, IX55. Firstly, its clearance is 205 mm versus 190 in Murano, and secondly, it has the same button of the hard interace blocking. However, riding arable land and sand showed that this is far from enough to confidently feel on such a surface. Of course, they did not plant to plant, but in many cases it was still necessary to retire. Although often rubber was guilty of all our off -road failures. There was a highway on all cars. And although on the sidewalls of some tires it was written that they were intended for 4x4, exclusively a highway pattern gave out their true purpose.

It was they who prevented Mercedes to drive where Touareg crawled. In general, Emka left a double impression. On the one hand, these are Mercedes, and you can’t argue against this; On the other hand, it has so much uncomfortable in it, which is especially noticeable when comparing this car with others. But we still start with pleasant moments. Immediately I want to note the German suspension. It will not constitute the setting of specific road conditions. You go on a good road and I want no problem you want to compare: we transfer shock absorbers and suspension into sports mode by clicking and enjoy dynamic driving. True, you should not expect the car in this mode of accuracy and composure of BMW. The road has become worse or completely deteriorated to go into comfort mode, and now the sloppiness of the road workers is not so obvious. Not bad for its 224 forces and accelerates. In any case, in order to dial a hundred, the car requires a little less than 9 seconds. But after acceleration, braking begins, and here you understand that this must be taken into account. The efficiency of the brake system is somehow particularly striking in this car. On BMW, for example, you need to slow down exactly when necessary. It is better to take care of Mercedes in advance. Outdoor mirrors are not too convenient on this machine. They are too pressed to the body, and therefore the appearance in them is too limited. And this is despite the fact that the area they have quite large. Well, the most unpleasant thing that meets the driver who had never before or rarely drives a car of this brand, a special algorithm for the work of steering wheel switches. As they say, you can’t figure it out without half a liter. Over time, you understand this, but quickly, but quickly rebuilding, crossing the wheel of Mercedes from another car, it does not work. That is why many of us often pulled the lever for managing the gearbox modes when it was necessary to turn on the wipers. Well, at least that in motion it does not lead to an extraordinary. And I also had to add oil on the road. By requesting it to check it at the next refueling, the on -board computer received very timely. Having pulled out the oil probe, we were horrified: it was almost dry. We could not doubt the quality of service in the official dealer center, we are sure that at the next, they flooded the oil as much as necessary in the motor. So, our gelding just crushed him. That's just the question, for what time. We had to add 2 liters. There is something else to count. For example, how much the car will rise if the air suspension is able to increase the clearance to 260 mm, and initially it is equal to 201 mm. And if it was equipped with an optional Offroad-Pro package, its clearance could be all 290 mm.

Meanwhile, the VW clearance in the most raised state is 300 mm. Which, in fact, puts this car as an SUV above all participants in the event. Moreover, both in the literal and figurative sense. However, this is not the only indicator for which the German car can be praised. It just so happened that from the whole galaxy only Touareg tried to demonstrate his fighting character. Although he, although not without difficulty, he crawled along the arable land in the rut and, quite likely, if the rubber on it was later, he would do all this with doubled zeal. However, its capabilities with such slurred, from the point of view of the SUV, the tread pattern was very limited. In this connection, there was simply no sense to mock over the car. But on the other hand, we gave him plenty to buy on a grader and broken asphalt. I must say that even in such conditions, the car continues to delight the driver: when the asphalt under the wheels turns into an incomprehensible what, then on such a road you can go quickly enough. The main thing is to choose the right suspension rigidity, for which there is an appropriate wheel on the central beard. Not a car on the highway. Of course, it is difficult for him to compete on equal terms with BMW, but he clearly surpassed the rest of the participants in our run. It’s not bad for the car: 8.3 seconds to hundreds are quite a decent result. Brakes behave well. In any case, there were no complaints about their work. However, not everything is perfect. For example, visibility from the driver's place is clearly insufficient, especially when it comes to off -road pokatushki. I want to stand on the seat to see the edge of the hood. Not everything is great and with a review back. And if the correct external mirrors did not save the situation, then maneuvering only by salon would turn into real flour. It is also not clear why the navigation system does not know Karelia at all. As soon as we entered this wonderful land, our route, judging by the navigator, reached out across the clean field. From the positive, the most pleasant thing is that at one gas station Touareg managed to go all the way, and this is about 1000 km (we turned it from the route many times in order to get acquainted with the environs), and there was still fuel. By the way, the average consumption of VW had about 8.6 liters per hundred (such a figure was shown by the route computer), which became a record among the rest of the participants. And most of all this indicator was about 14.5 liters of BMW. The remaining participants met this framework.

The next mileage is completed. Priorities are placed. For ourselves, we allocated both favorites and outsiders, although there were no obvious doubles in this mileage. But there are good and three -year -olds. As for the excellent students, we counted Touareg. BMW took the honorable second place. Mersedes stuck on the third, and the fourth in combination of characteristics between themselves was divided by Murano and IX55. What was quite expected.

Will there be the next mileage? Rather yes than no. However, once again we decided not to go again around Lake Ladoga, but to go deeper to the north. There are more interesting roads, and civilization is away. And where, if not far from civilization, a person begins to feel like a man! What will we go to while the secret


BMW X5. 2 919 000 p.

Test pilot
Stanislav Shustitsky, 57 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience of 29 years, personal car - Chevrolet Lanos


Best qualities: handling.
The worst qualities: off -road abilities.


Impeccable on the highway, X5 is capable of grasping the grader, but it is better not to move out of the road to it.

Driving
If you do not plan to move out by car of the Sasfalt, then this is the best option from the one, which was presented with a hung mileage.
  
Salon
It is designed in strict colors and unequivocally hints who is the main one in this car. However, passengers are not deprived of attention here.
  
Comfort
If you do not move out with a good highway, the current is not in fact.
  
Safety
6 airbags, AVS, DSC, SVS, NDC, ASC-X.
  
Price
The car cannot be called inexpensive, however, the ratio of price, the options of illegalities are quite adequate.

My opinion can be considered biased, since I liked this car at the emotional level, before pressing the Start Engine button. Further more. I absolutely agree with what my colleagues said about the work of the suspension: quite tough, reading all the bumps of the road. But ... personally, I did not feel much discomfort from this, despite the fact that I had to spend several hours at the wheel. And how this car keeps the road! However, they already wrote about this ... The ergonomics of the salon is just what at the very beginning made that emotional impression on me. A wonderful set of adjustments of the front seats and the steering wheel can conveniently accommodate a person of any height and physique. As for the AKP joystick, it really requires addiction, but after a short period of time you understand that the thing is surprisingly comfortable. And, of course, the car will give pleasure to active driving lovers.

 


Nissan Murano. 1 699 000 p.

Test pilot
Alexey Smirnov, 39 years old, designer, driving experience 9 years, personal car - Volvo 940, Renault Logan

Best qualities: dynamics.
The worst qualities: the work of the suspension.

The dynamics of this car is quite decent, but the average suspension does not always work as you want.

Driving
The suspension settings are universal, so that the car is not enough on the highway from the sky, and it does not shine with excessive indicators on the off -road. The engine is quite inflated, but loves to eat.
  
Salon
Pretty spacious and quite comfortable. Noise insulation is quite effective. But the trunk is small.
  
Comfort
A long trip will not be a burden on this car. Arongstresses of the rear passengers DVD.
  
Safety
6 airbags, course stabilization system, ABS and traction control system.
  
Price
Quite moderate.

Of the murano appearance presented on the test drives, it seemed to me the most cute. Especially in front. It seems that the auto designers are so passionate about the drawing of the facades and the construction of geometrically verified lines of lateral elements that there is simply no time left for the backbone.

The Nissan attempt to combine the convenience of the sedan and the functionality of the medium -sized SUV is almost successful. A friendly interior without much complaints about exclusive, thoughtful ergonomics, a responsive machine gun. I did not like only built -in navigation. It seems that the programmers specially tried to enter the user into a stupor.

A good car is also in management (it was probably better than VW Touareg). A serpentine passes confidently at high speed, cheerfully swallows irregularities at a straight line, grabs tenaciously along the bumpy forest paths, and quietly sneaks at super -minute speeds.




Hyundai IX55. 1 919 900 p.

Test pilot
Andrey Mashnin, 48 years old, deputy chief editor of the magazine, driving experience of 12 years, personal car - Mitsubishi Galant

The best qualities: spacious salon.
The worst qualities: Validity in turns.

The biggest drawback of this car is a comfortable suspension. In the turns, the car is falling.

Driving
As soon as you get behind the wheel of this car, you understand that it was created for long -term -pastes on direct highway. It is worth entering the turn of an intricate speed, as the problems begin to scare the problems of the rolls.
  
Salon
Convenient and comfortable, if desired, you can take six passengers on board, however, in this case, it is worth forgetting about the trunk.
  
Comfort
Equipment of the salon ishumoisulation deserve a high rating.
  
Safety
6 airbags, course stabilization system, ABS.
  
Price
A lot of car for a lot of money.
 
At the first acquaintance with the IX55, no questions arise regarding control, settings and some household trifles. You find everything where you expect. The appearance is not pathos, but since this is not Cadillac, so why unnecessary claims? It is immediately evident: a large car for the family, which allows you to move in space with all amenities over long distances. The course is soft, there are many places for both people and for baggage. With a long movement in the column, I did not get out of the general pace, when they drove quickly, but began to lag behind when the situation allowed me to drive to the limit. The road is mostly winding, and before each turn I had to slow down, otherwise the course stability system worked. Nevertheless, IX55 gives a great feeling of ease of overcoming our broken roads, and this is the main thing. Disadvantages are some kind of trifle. With my left hand, I could not comfortably get on the door armor, and even the steering wheel in the position that is convenient for me, overlapped the light bulbs.



Mercedes-Benz M-Class. 2 750 000 p.

Test pilot
Tikhon Sikuler, 28 years old, designer, driving experience of 10 years, personal car - Ford Focus II

The best qualities: COMPORT OF SURFER.
The worst qualities: brakes.

The air suspension is able to raise this car above the road to a level of 260 mm. Which, alas, is not always enough.


Driving
Despite the fact that the engine was a non -powerful powerful, this was practically undermined. The car was holding a system without any problems.
  
Salon
In principle, spacious and convenient. A little pathos, but these are Mercedes, and this must be considered.
  
Comfort
Noise insulation, despite a rather noisy diesel, at a very high level. It is nice that on a bad road the suspension can be taken into a comfortable, relaxed mode.
  
Safety
6 airbags. 4ets/ESP, ABS, ASR.
  
Price
Not the most expensive option.
  
Mercedes-Benz ML350 CDI left a double impression. It is great for long trips on roads with poor coverage and undeveloped infrastructure. With broken roads, a luggingly swaying suspension copes well, and a large fuel tank and relative economy on the highway give a considerable supply of move at one gas station. The dynamics of overclocking the heavy Mercedes for 224 liters. With. Not bad, but her sensation conceals excellent sound insulation and all the same general comfort. If the salon had not creaked on bumps. Emka is boring, but reliable and predictable in turns. There are many complaints about ergonomics. Once again, I did not like the Mercedes steering wheel switches instead of turn signals, you can pull the cruise control lever, instead of wipers, the switch of automatic transmission modes. The multimedia system was upset by the sophisticated management of the desired address in the navigator or searching for the desired track for CD takes a lot of time. And to the reliability of Mercedes, as our test showed, there are questions.




VW Touareg. 2 213 000 p.

Test pilot
Alexander Ivanov, 38 years old, director of the Internet project 5 wheel, driving experience - 20 years, personal car - Mazda 3

The best qualities: off -road abilities.
The worst qualities: rear review.

Prevented navigation does not know all of Russia. In any case, Karelia is just a clean field for her.

Driving
Equally good as a bad, so in a good road. But off -road abilities should not be overestimated. Very strongly the ability to overcome off -road is influenced by rubber. There is nothing to do in the mud.
  
Salon
Quite spacious. The front seats have a fairly large set of adjustments. The car is spacious in the second row.
  
Comfort
The customizable suspension allows you to adjust the car to specific road conditions.
  
Safety
6 airbags, ESP, ABS.
  
Price
Below, alas, it will not ...


For a long time I was very careful about this car. To say, more precisely, he lived his life, and I have it. And so we met on Ladoga test. Only two days and 800 kilometers along roads with different coverage, from the perfect asphalt to the clean field, I was enough to understand it! This is the same, chosen car, whose task is to be exactly as it should be, and precisely when it is necessary. Touareg is an ideal family car for any trips. In a matter of minutes I figured out the controls, set up mirrors and seat for myself. The navigation system and multimedia system also do not cause questions to all the inscriptions in Russian.

What I liked: a very frisky diesel engine in conjunction with an eight -speed automatic gearbox, a pneumatic suspension and a very low fuel consumption. What I did not like: I find it difficult to answer.



Our verdict
According to the totality of the qualities of Touareg, unambiguously outside of competition. BMW is impeccable, but the X5 is not the best option outside the roads. Mercedes is good, and the image of this car is already established. It is quite capable of becoming the only one who will replace several cars at once, and Murano. But it will be averaged by possibilities. But IX55 is suitable for those who gravitate towards peaceful driving with maximum comfort.


Cars are provided by companies: Hyundai IX55 Autocenter Dakar, Mercedes-Benz M-Class Auto forom, VW Touareg Baltavtratrad, BMW X5 Baltavtratrad, Nissan Murano Aurore Auto.

Author: Oleg Kalaushin
Photo: Igor Kuznetsov
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [June 2011]