Test drive Volkswagen Touran 2003 - 2006 Minivan

VW Touran and Opel Zafira: Universals of increased functionality

A car is a means of transportation, lifestyle, and for some even a way of self -expression. But first of all, this is an assistant who should regularly do his job, as well as the most consistent with the needs of its owner. And what other cars can be more functional, if not universals of increased capacity? Such as Opel Zafira and VW Touran ...
 
Both models, both Safira and Turan, are not quite positioned as family manufacturers themselves - at least in our market. Opel has the main buyers, corporate customers and small companies are considered, and VW in their advertising campaign focuses on the slogan not only a family car. Nevertheless, both models are seven -seater, which means that for a large family they are suitable as well as possible. Moreover, the price tag is more or less democratic, because for the same money only cars are offered, only five-seater and far from so spacious and multifunctional.
 
Interior design
 
The taste and color, as you know, are difficult to find a friend. But even with a liberal approach, we cannot but admit that the VW Touran is both more beautiful and nicer. More pretty, more interestingly, fresh - in general, in Turan, the appearance can be considered the reference to its class. But Zafira is far from a poor relative - given the fact that this car is already four years old, its appearance can be called quite modern. In addition, from this year, the seven -seater Opel received a slightly updated appearance. Now all versions already have a chromium package in the database, which includes a chrome editor of the radiator grille and several chrome linings. The rear lights changed a bit, and the interior has become a little stricter. And the rest is the same, well -known Safira.
 
A successful Turan’s design can be called because thanks to harmonious appearance, it very successfully hides its true size. Even if you are standing nearby, you will never understand how huge this car is. For me personally, it became a revelation when I took pictures next to two VW models - Sharan and Turan. It turned out that Touran is no less cumbersome in appearance of Sharan - both in length and in height, both models are almost the same. But at the same time, the VW Sharan and near and from afar looks like a real bus - tall, wide, massive.
 
About the same way against the background of Turan, Opel Zafira also looks: it seems more massive, tall and clumsy. But only it seems because in fact Opel ... less! He is shorter and lower, and already Turan! Here it is, an optical deception. Now you understand why I am so admiring the VW Touran design? It was created by geniuses, therefore, most of the buyers will pay attention to this model that it looks almost like a car. Although there are those who like exactly massive cars in appearance - and they will surely prefer Zafira or the same Sharan.
 
But inside the situation is as follows: seeming small on the outside, Turan will seem small inside. But only in comparison with the saline - VW is more spacious than any passenger car, even if it refers to the highest middle class. Five passengers are accommodated inside the Turan with comfort, and not one of them will feel infringed. In the back of the situation, the situation is the same, and even more so - the supply of space in all directions is as if you are not sitting in a compact minivan, but in a huge minibus. But in Opel it is felt that you are sitting in the minivan: both the landing is more vertical and the seats are located higher. There is no such effect in VW, since the designers once again applied an optical deception, and Turan passengers have a complete illusion of a trip in a regular passenger car. Low window line, large glazing area, comfortable landing - Volkswagenovites in this regard turned out to be real well done. In Zafira creates the effect of a large and bulky car, but in the tour - no. It seems so compact and comfortable, like VW Polo. But it only seems, because in fact, both cars simply amaze with their cargo and passenger capacity. But about that - later.
 
Price, equipment
 
Both cars are expensive, since their dimensions and equipment correspond to the middle class, if we conduct analogies with cars, and here the price tag is less than 13,000 euros is perceived as free cheese. VW Touran with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 102 hp In the Basic configuration starts with 14,000 euros (price recommended by the manufacturer), and Opel Zafira in the basic configuration costs from 12.697 euros. It is also equipped with a 1.6 -liter gasoline engine, and even their power is similar - 100 hp, and such a BASE equipment is called. And if you look only at the price, it turns out that in this case, the advantage of the sink is simply obvious: a large seven -seater car for a lower price is a good offer. But with a more thorough consideration of both options, it becomes clear that everything is not so simple: the configurations of both cars differ as strikingly as their appearance.
 
Opel Zafira Base, quoting one of my friends, is empty, like a drum. The basic version has: an immobilizer, a three -function display on the central console, the rear reading lamps, an additional brake lamp, the hydraulic tank hydraulic tank, spray -free and back, the central castle, external electric mirrors and heating, as well as the bumper painted in the color of the body. There is still an electro -hydraulic steering amplifier, cup holders and ashtrays in front and back. From the means of active safety - only two front airbags. The car stands on steel disks R15, it is necessary to pay 197 euros for the color of metallic, and 1076 euros for air conditioning. Here she is, the basic backwater.
 
But the VW Touran, as it is written in a press release, is characterized by rich equipment. For 14,000 euros, the buyer receives: six airbags (front, side and heads for the first and second row of seats), active head restraints of the first row of seats, three -point seat belts with pretense and height adjustment, the ESP exchange stability system, including ABS, ADR, ADR systems, ADR EDS and Brake Assist - and these are only active and passive safety tools. There are also electric windows on the front doors, 3 separate seats in the second row with individual adjustments in the longitudinal direction and along the corner of the back inclination, the driver’s seat adjustable in height, the central castle with remote control, the electroregulation and heating of the mirrors, bumpers and mirrors painted in The body color, the RCD300 audio system with a CD player, thermal insulating tinted glass, a glove box with backlight, a two-level filtration system and an electronic anti-theft system. What?
 
As you can see, the low cost of Opel Zafira no longer seems so attractive: for those 1303 euros that you will save when buying, you are unlikely to be softened to the level of the tourist. True, many equipping positions available in VW may simply not need a choice, but he does not have a choice - VW Touran is supplied only in such a configuration. It is not very wide and the choice of motors: there is still a diesel engine, and on this, it seems, all of other modifications of Turan is not offered with us. And what about Safira? There is a complete expanse for a fertilized individual: three gasoline and two turbodiesel engines, an automatic and mechanical transmission to choose from. And the price range is impressive: from 12.697 to 17.200 euros - without taking into account additional equipment.
 
Salon: space, transformation capabilities
 
If you do not look in advance in the technical data and do not know that the external sizes of the VW Touran are a little more than the back, in this matter you can quarrel a lot of money - even in full -time acquaintance it seems that the opposite is the contrary - that Opel Zafira is longer, and wider and higher Turan. Although in fact, the only thing that Opel is leading is in the wheelbase. In VW it is 2675 mm, and in Opel - 2695 mm. The advantage, although small, but very important, because it is the size of the wheelbase that significantly affects the space in the cabin.
 
And here an additional few centimeters, coupled with the talent of engineers, gave an amazing effect - Safira is one of the most spacious models of its class. If not even the most spacious: despite the decent age, it is simply impossible not to admire the ergonomics of the salon of Safira. Firstly, because with very compact external sizes, this model is the only truly seven-seater. And secondly, the folding and raising scheme of additional seats is truly unique-no one can repeat this yet. In what other car do additional chairs in a folded state do not take up space at all, but at the same time, in decomposed, are a full -fledged passenger place? I saw something similar only in Mitsubishi Pajero III - there additional places are also very original under the floor of the luggage compartment. True, in the unfolded form they are still not comfortable enough: small in size, and there are not enough space for the legs in the car. But in the back of the long wheelbase, the place is enough for all seven passengers. In addition, the average sofa in the back has a longitudinal adjustment - if necessary, it can be slightly moved forward, so that the rear ones feel even free. There is still a lot of places still. If additional chairs are folded, then Opel Zafira turns into one of the most capacious cars of its class. The secret is that the two chairs, the sixth and seventh, form a flush with the lining of the trunk floor and, thus, practically do not take up space.
 
But in the VW Touran there is no such thing, since its design is more traditional. Although there are enough chips in it - the middle row is made in the form of three separate chairs, each (!) Of which has individual adjustment in the longitudinal direction, as well as along the corner of the back of the back. The middle chair can be folded, and its back turns into a camping table - on the back there are special stamping, playing the role of cup holders. If the number of passengers does not exceed four, the middle chair can be left at home at all, and the remaining two in the middle row can be rearranged closer to the center of the car. Unfortunately, the design features of the TURAN do not allow both a large trunk and increased passenger capacity at the same time. Additional chairs, and there are two of them in the third row, in an unfolded state occupy almost the entire space in the luggage compartment, and the place remains at least - one or two bags. At the back of this case, even in this case, the trunk can accommodate several large suitcases. But the main problem of Turan is not at all. The fact is that even when additional chairs are folded, they take up a lot of space, and therefore if you plan to transport something large-sized, it is better to take them out and leave them in the garage. And in this situation, the car is already turning into five -seater - in order to again take on board two passengers, you will first have to return to the garage behind the left seats. In the back of this it is easier: the third row is part of the car design and is not dismantled, so Opel can become seven -seater at any time when you wish.
 
Opel wins the stock of space for passengers of the third row: here is more convenient here, and there is much larger space. It’s easier in the back and sit on the third row: the middle sofa pushed forward leaves a lot of space. In the tourist, despite the fact that the middle row can also move forward, this does not give a tactical advantage: the doorway is limited by the wheel arch, so it is still difficult to get to the third row. Yes, it is not in vain that additional chairs for the Turan are offered only as an option - the manufacturer sees this model primarily five -seater and only in rare cases - seven -seater.
 
Washing qualities
 
Both cars are almost the same in design: front -wheel drive, four -cylinder engines, independent front and half -dependent rear suspensions. True, True, a completely independent suspension has been installed in the back, but also in Safira - on the connected longitudinal levers. But despite the similarity of structures, both models go in completely different ways.
 
Volkswagen is a real car, and very well controlled. Small rolls, sensitive steering, smooth move. And Zafira is on the contrary - both the rolls in the turns are quite large, and the steering wheel is completely empty, and the suspension on the empty car seems quite rigid. In addition, Opel has a very vertical landing: you feel like in a large minibus. Turan has a complete order with this - it is very convenient to sit and the chair is low. The smoothness of the move, especially if there are two or three passengers in the car, will also appeal to drivers of cars: minimal swing on the waves, good damping of irregularities. Yes, and noise insulation at the height, since the sound of the motor is heard only at very high speeds, and the wind does not make noise at speed. The same can be said about Safip - at speed it is quite comfortable and does not strongly load unnecessary noises.
 
But both cars did not particularly please their engines: somehow they did not impress their performance. True, True, there is one excuse - a 1.6 -liter gasoline FSI was installed on the tested car, which will not be delivered to our market. With the beginning of official sales, it will also be replaced with a 1.6 -liter, but less sophisticated - from golf. So, this motor was so clamped for the sake of environmental parameters that on our 98th gasoline it drove almost half the power. That is, he worked stably, he seemed to pull well, but on 115 horses his dynamics was clearly not enough. It is interesting that after the car was accidentally refueled by the 95th, it drove much better - it was already immediately felt that the car accelerates to hundreds in 11.9 seconds. But still, by the nature of such a machine, the best option would be diesel. If only because the peak indicator of the torque of the 1.6 -liter FSI is still quite high - at 4000 rpm. Opel Zafira, despite the fact that it is equipped with a 1.8-liter engine, has no much advantage from this. Even an additional 200 cubic meters did not help him win parallel races. On the bottoms of the motor is just dead, which provokes constant twisting of the motor. To go at low speed, it is better to turn on a low gear, because it is almost impossible to accelerate on the high. Touching from the place is generally problematic: you need to keep at least 2,000 rpm, so that the car confidently starts off. True, if you inflate the motor properly, then the dynamics of the backbone can be liked by an active driver - after 3500 rpm, the engine seems to wake up. But is it normal for a family model? In general, as in the case in the tour, the optimal options for this car will be a turbodiesel. Moreover, for their facilities they are offered two- 100- and 125-horsepower.
 
Who will win?
 
None of the cars received a particular advantage in this comparative test. Both have advantages and disadvantages. In addition, Touran and Zafira were completely different in character, so their comparison would not have turned out to be entirely correct. VW Touran is a good, interesting, beautiful and quite multifunctional, almost car. Seven places, in my opinion, are absolutely nothing - he is good just like an alternative to a car. It is much more comfortable, more spacious, besides, it is inexpensive enough - again, in comparison with a proportionate car. And what about Safira? Opel Zafira is a very good seven -seater car. It is also quite comfortable and functional, but at the same time, in terms of passenger capacity and comfort, it has already invaded the territory of minibuses. So if you want just a slightly more spacious car - buy a VW Touran, and if you need a seven -seater model, then you simply can’t pass by Opel Zafira.
 

Source: Auto -Gazeta / N 31 (423) dated 02.09.03