Test drive Volkswagen Touran 2003 - 2006 Minivan

All photos of Volkswagen Touran 2003 - 2006

Growing class

For any family and for every taste
A lot of useful volume on a small area is their motto. A high landing allows you to see the entire column in front of standing, up to a traffic light, and a dimensionless trunk, which increases as much as the salon decreases, makes minivans indispensable.

Who is what

Ford C-Max

The price of a tested car is $ 23 160
Power 145 liters. With. at 6000 rpm/min.
Max. speed 203 km/h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h 9.8 s

Toyota Corolla Verso

The price of a tested car is $ 26 900
Power 135 liters. With. at 6000 rpm/min.
Max. speed 185 km/h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h 9.9 s

VW Touran

The price of a tested car is $ 30 140
Power 150 liters. With. at 6000 rpm/min.
Max. Speed \u200b\u200b204 km/h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h 10.4 s

Citroen Xsara Picasso

The price of a tested car is $ 28 073
Power 137 l. With. at 6000 rpm/min.
Max. speed 192 km/h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h 10.9 s
There is enough fingers of one hand to count the brands that do not produce minivans today. The second hand will fit factories producing one model. Almost every company, having conquered its niche in this category, diligently begins to dig deep and in breadth, simultaneously appeasing potential customers with all kinds of options and new -fangled decisions. Even the domestic VAZ once gathered in the spirit and sang his hope on the unfortunate chassis from the Niva. But let's not about sad.
Due to the very strict and specific starting conditions: a single -volume layout, a large useful volume and a high level of passive safety, most small buses are obtained, so to speak, for one person. It was all the more interesting, reducing the nose to the nose of four brands, to determine the family differences of Ford Focus C-Max, Volkswagen Touran, Toyota Corolla Verso and Citroen Xsara Picasso.
DYNAMICS
The fact that the two-liter C-Max is unusually fast and obedient, a lot is said. Each time, sitting behind the wheel of this one hundred percent German car, you understand that in the construction of the chassis close to the ideal, engines and transmission, our former enemy defeated in the war has no equal. From the first movements on the Ford minivan, a persistent sensation is born, which is best transmitted by the phrase here everything is as it should!
A quiet and responsive engine, easily twisting to the limit, a box with an excellent entering any gear. Even the problem with touching, marked six months ago, left. Apparently, it was still possible to adjust the engine control. In any case, it became easy to build a Ford Focus C-Max uphill.
Volkswagen in dynamics can easily argue with Ford. Touran with a two -liter engine we have a rare bird. The Germans' tests revealed approximately the same characteristics, and the sound of FSI is almost inaudible as there are no vibrations. The more powerful, but the heavier Volkswagen still lost a little Ford, but from the place on the first it breaks down more fun and practices each program longer. For systematic transportation of cargo or passengers in this discipline, I would prefer it.
Toyota Corolla Verso looks very worthy compared to competitors. Despite the smaller volume, the motor is powerful, moderately noisy, but it is fully not allowed to taste the mechanical-automatic box. There are no complaints about the clutch, and with strong acceleration, its work should be recognized only a little longer than you want, there is a change of programs. The main difficulties in the gradations of smooth acceleration. At some points, with a slight addition of the gas, the box itself begins to calculate what to turn on, the hitch should be turned on, the gas pedal is shed stronger, new reflections, etc. As a result, instead of adequate acceleration presses, is slowed down. At this time, the surrounding machines are already having time to accelerate, or to start a maneuver, thinking that there was a teapot behind the wheel. However, a leisurely housewife will not feel all this. The selector is simple, understandable and does not cause a second hitch.
The brakes are magnificent, moreover, they are equipped with an assistant who squeezes the pedal during long -term retention.
The two -liter Citroen Xsara Picasso engine is almost equal in power to Toyotovsky 1.8 and is equipped only with an automatic transmission. Not too frisky motor and for a long time thinking box do not allow Picasso to get out of acceleration leaders, although the machine is completely eliminated from jerks. Here, the smoothness of acceleration was clearly put in the first place.
The braking champion immediately became Citroen. The slightest press on the pedal leads to a sharp slowdown. Sometimes it slightly exceeds the planned, but brake effectiveness leaves no doubt. Touran and C-Max and here remained true to the country of origin. Both slow down in proportion to pressing, both are easy to get rid of the final clutch, while Ford still doses the force by milligrams better.
The Japanese also slows down well, but in the adequacy of exposure to brake mechanisms is inferior to Europeans.
CONTROLLABILITY
Anyone who has been standing behind the wheel of Ford Focus C-Max, with pleasure notes its excellent controllability. Even the most microscopic movements of the steering wheel cause a deviation from the trajectory to a fraction of a degree. If the driver, quickly getting used to this over-list, will want to imagine himself by Schumacher, C-Max will easily allow this to some limit and will only respond to completely reckless ruins of the steering wheel with easy and understandable demolition. Passengers in such a situation be better off for anything, since accelerations are raining thanks to the Fokusovsky cart.
Touran already provokes such exploits with its appearance to a much lesser extent, although in fact it is able to prescribe the breathless snakes. He stands on Golfovsky tightly on his feet, although, of course, a little more than the chassis donor is heated.
With very sharp movements, the steering wheel is filled with heaviness. This deprives the driver of the opportunity to put minivan on two wheels and at the same time saves passengers from an airplane chatter.
Corolla Verso has excellent swallowing of long and short waves. Even on large potholes, it rarely comes to the chipsters. An excessively strong reaction to the transverse joints is annoyed, which are surrendered by a voiced knock and shaking throughout the car, and a slightly stiff amplifier that does not contribute to steep turns.
With less hunting, it goes into Citroen's turn. Soft steering wheel, the same reactions to its movements. After a little addiction and he went where necessary, but it seemed not entirely right to us to make a constant correction to the wind. In addition, Xsara Picasso leans strongly in the turn and begins to screech too early. This is a car for a leisurely driving.
ERGONOMICS
Citroen always went his own way, and this special path of the brand. Each Xsara Picasso, who has fallen in the salon, will be fascinated by remarkable decoration materials, a friendly design and numerous little things that have a long stay inside. Soft seats, in which the inhabitants are drowned, as in the oriental pillows, are not devoid of various supports and lull no worse than the cradle. In addition, they are extremely pleasant to the touch.
Citroen’s steering wheel is traditionally thin, and in my opinion it could be more modest.
What is really good Picasso is a review. Relatively thin front racks, a sloping hood and a high landing put the Frenchman in the first place when the driver looks in any direction. The highly inclined rear window of the largest size passes the maximum image on the rear -view mirror, which beginner drivers will certainly celebrate. They will visit the smallest and uncomfortably located external mirrors.
To the honor of Citroen, it is necessary to note a regular suitcase that turns into a cart for carriage of cargo.
The second for the review is Volkswagen Touran. Huge glasses and the largest height allow the driver to control the surroundings well, although thick front racks close the large sector. Corolla Verso and Focus C-Max are close in this indicator, but the first is still better to see obstacles from behind. All minivans, except Citroen, are quite highly located the lower edge of the windshield.
Volkswagen interior details seemed to migrate here from other brand cars. The traditional corporate style in everything, and for a practical, well, tailored minivan, is rather good than bad. Of our competitors, Touran is the only car with the floor lever of the CP. Hard seats have many adjustments, and there is no rider who did not find their pose on them.
Ford sample of a laconic and strict approach to building the inhabited space. He is the direct opposite of the French single -crew. Here, each millimeter works and is carefully thought out. Everything is subordinated to rationality. The steering wheel lies in the hands of, like a glove, the handles and buttons are located by themselves, and the chairs simply perfectly combine stiffness and comfort.
Toyota seemed to be the closest inside, moreover, it is most difficult to sit in it very well and a rather low front of the roof is designed for low people. Seats with weak support, albeit with great adjustment opportunities.
What is really great in Toyot is the third row. If, on the most spacious of the competitors of VW Touran, the presence of sixth and seventh places does not seem unexpected, then the compact Corolla Verso surprises the correct use of the space behind the driver and the simplicity of the transformation of the salon.
In terms of transportation of cargo, indisputable leadership holds Touran and championship and a rectangular body box. Almost two cubes in the maximum are the best argument.
Ford and Citroen will provide a close volume for loading, while Citroen eats some part of the whale of cargo supplies, and the most modest Toyota truck.
Result
Each of the cars presented for the test is interesting and valuable in their own way. Toyota will daily delight the unusually beautiful instrument shield and modern appearance, its non -aggressive interior is supplemented by calm habits when driving.
A fan of Xsara Picasso, resting on the royal chairs, will be surrounded by a comfort in a light and pleasing eye of the air salon. Volkswagen will allow you to take away several generations of relatives or an impressive mountain of things at once, and Ford will enjoy an active driver.
Taking into account all the indicators, including the price, we set competitors as follows. In the first place Ford, which gained the most advantages. The second place is with Volkswagen. Came by him, with the difference in the strength of half a bell, Toyota, and will close the series Citroen.

Ford Focus C-Max

Engine:
Working volume 1999 cm3,
Compression degree 10.8: 1,
Max. Power 145 liters. With. at 6000 vol./min,
Max. moment 185 Nm at 4500 rpm/min
Fuel consumption (EPA): 5.6/10 l per 100 km
Fuel tank volume: 55 l
The number of places 5
Front drive
Suspension
The front is independent
The back is multi -link
Gearbox fur. 5-Test.
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed, km/h 203
Acceleration to 100 km/h, from 9.8
common data
A mass of equipment./Full, kg 1260/1855

Maximum volume: 1620 cm3.
The trunk is average in size, but it is easy to increase, moving forward the rear seats.

Toyota Corolla Verso

Engine:
Working volume 1794 cm3,
Compression degree 10: 1,
Max. Power 135 liters. With. at 6000 vol./min,
Max. moment 171 nm at 4200 rpm/min
Fuel consumption (EPA): 6.3/10 l per 100 km
Fuel tank volume: 55 l
The number of places is 5/7
Front drive
Suspension
The front is independent
The back is multi -link
Gearbox aut. 5-Test.
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed, km/h 185
Acceleration to 100 km/h, from 9.9
common data
A mass of equipment./Full, kg 1220/1705

Maximum volume: 1510 cm3.
A medium -sized trunk. The opening below is somewhat clamped with lanterns. If desired, an extra pair of passengers will be located here.

VW Touran

Engine:
Working volume 1984 cm3,
Compression degree 11.5: 1,
Max. Power 150 liters. With. at 6000 vol./min,
Max. moment 200 nm at 3500 rpm/min
Fuel consumption (EPA): 6.2/10.9 liters per 100 km
Fuel tank volume: 60 l
The number of places 5
Front drive
Suspension
The front is multi -link
The back is multi -link
Gearbox fur. 6th.
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed, km/h 204
Acceleration to 100 km/h, from 10.4
common data
A mass of equipment./Full, kg 1450/2130

Maximum volume: 1990 cm3.
Under the floor of the trunk of the championship, a full -fledged third row of seats is hidden.

Citroen Xsara Picasso

Engine:
Working volume 1997 cm3,
Compression degree 10.8: 1,
Max. Power 137 l. With. at 6000 vol./min,
Max. moment 190 nm at 4100 rpm/min
Fuel consumption (EPA): 6.3/12.6 l per 100 km
Fuel tank volume: 60 l
The number of places 5
Front drive
Suspension
The front is independent
The rear is independent
Gearbox fur. 4-Test.
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed, km/h 192
Acceleration to 100 km/h, from 10.9
common data
The mass of equipment./Full, kg 1240/1790

Maximum volume: 1970 cm3.
The Citroen cargo compartment is somewhat cut with a sloping lid. A set of fasteners for the cargo also eats a noticeable part of the volume.

HOW DO THEY LOOK
Nikita Rozanov

Ford C-Max

The first show of Paris in 2002 began the production of 2003. The design under the leadership of Chris Bird (Chris Bird).
Toyota Corolla Verso

The first show of 2001, the design under the leadership of Kazuo Morohoshi.

Volkswagen Touran

The first show of Geneva 2003, the design led by Hartmut Warcus.
Citroen Xsara Picasso

The first screening of 1998, the design under the leadership of Arthur Blakesli.

OUTSIDE
The theory classifies all the participants in the test as minivans or compactwenes. In practice, it is not difficult to notice that not everyone has the third row of seats, silhouettes, with the exception of Picasso and C-Max, are far from the same, and only Touran decorates the vertical back wall of the body. It seems that the style does not get worse from this. All of them are just pretty and cozy family station wagons of increased capacity and more comfortable landing. This feature of the layout forms the brightest features of individuality. As usual, today their design is moderately corporate with basic models: Ford Focus, Citroen Xsara, Toyota Corolla and VW Golf. With the exception of Picasso, the style turned out to be more restrained than the prototypes, but it is supposed to be a business and practical universal in status. Because of this, Touran seems dry. The most balanced design of the S-MAX, and in comparison with it, Verso may seem slightly elaborate. The faces of each of the cars are recognizable in many respects help large emblems. Exception Picasso. Silhouettes are more characteristic. Picasso is the most dynamic, even the main advantage of the class is sacrificed to this. The view from the back is the leader of the C-Max. Thanks to lifted lighting, it simultaneously resembles a brother Focus and looks very modern.

INSIDE
If it were not for central devices, the bus start would have been most obvious in the architecture of the Picasso instrument panel: the console sticks out a characteristic short beard and is not related to the lining of the floor tunnel. The Touran and C-Max panel is completely passing in the panel of the panel, in comparison with them, Verso does not look determined, which is strengthened by a silver lining on the console, as if transferred from a sports compartment. The shape of the door panel is quite organic in all cars, and the seats, containers, tables are most organic in Citroen. The rudders, with the exception of Toyota, the four -spokes and thanks to chubby pillows look very modern, and Ford is also very stylish.
SUMMARY
Each of the cars, with the exception of Picasso and, perhaps, Verso, the choice of those who prefer functionalism and utilitarianism to all other components of the car. The Frenchman and the Japanese stand out with charm and even some shocking. Sometimes these properties (unlike car iron) are not aging so fast ...
Ford Focus C-Max
Wheel base, mm 2640
Length, mm 4335
Width, mm 1825
Height, mm 1560
Clearance, mm 150

Ford holder of the most balanced appearance. There is not a single random part in it

Everything in the interior of Ford is understandable and logical. If you want, you will not be mistaken

Wonderful seats with rich transformation capabilities

A good shield is one from which the readings are read without hesitation. C-Max fully corresponds to this

Toyota Corolla Verso
Wheel base, mm 2600
Length, mm 4260
Width, mm 1710
Height, mm 1610
Clearance, mm 145

Toyota has the largest rear doors and an unusual roof shape

Toyota demonstrates family features in the interior. Large metallized rectangle of console Focus on attention

At the service of passengers of the back rows of Toyota the back-style

Despite the advertising attractiveness of the Toyota shield, it is very convenient and unusually beautiful

VW Touran
Wheel base, mm 2775
Length, mm 4390
Width, mm 1795
Height, mm 1650
Clearance, mm 150

Volkswagen has the most pronounced division of volumes into a motor compartment and salon

The corporate style in each interior detail leaves no doubt before us a hundred percent folk car

There will be enough space in the tour. You can even take a walk from behind

Strict correspondence to the Aryan spirit. Kokpit der Grosse Mashinen

Citroen Xsara Picasso
Wheel base, mm 2760
Length, mm 4275
Width, mm 1750
Height, mm 1635
Clearance, mm 150

The holder of the largest base and the most aerodynamic body attracts attention with an almost symmetrical set of side windows and racks

Designed to surprise, Citroen easily copes with this. However, I still want to see devices right on the course

The soft seats of the second row are pretty, but a little short

The driver of Citroen is quite free from crushing dashcams. And really, where to rush?

Ford Focus C-Max

LIKED

Amazing steering wheel both as a detail of the interior and as a governing body. Obedience and predictability is determined by the chassis donor

DID NOT LIKE

One of the few details of the Ford, to which the box of the sound remote control had to be used to, with invisible controls

Toyota Verso

LIKED

The instruments shining with even blue light are well read both day and night. He is bright, but not annoying

DID NOT LIKE

It seems that the designers of Toyota forgot to leave a place in the feed of the car for the muffler. The tank and the pipe are noticeably

VW Touran

LIKED

Three containers spreading from the ceiling, of which are smaller for glasses. Their total volume is equal to some glove compartment

DID NOT LIKE
With all the wealth of the imagination and meticulousness of the views, we could not find the shortcomings from Volkswagen

Citroen Picasso