Which is better - Opel Insignia, Volkswagen Passat, Volkswagen Passat CC, Volvo S60 or Infiniti G25? Opel Insignia or Volkswagen Passat - a comparative test of mid-range cars from Germany Finance and equipment.

The spring morning sun is blinding, reflected in the chrome parts of the car in front - we are going west. Ahead is the diesel Opel Insignia, followed by the updated Honda Accord, and on the shores of the Baltic we are waiting for the fresh Passat, the popular Volkswagen sedan already in its seventh generation.

Another ditch of the federal highway "Baltic" led to the idea: but the drivers of many countries that are west of Russia will never be able to appreciate some of the properties of their cars. Until they go in the opposite direction - to the east.

TRAVEL INVITATION

No matter how good and familiar the car in which you travel around the city every day, fees for a long trip always open something new in the car.

The Opel seat is very hard and at the same time shapeless. In the city, this is not particularly annoying, but on the highway it is better to reduce the lumbar support to a minimum. But Opel's chair still did not become completely comfortable: at times, each of the experts fidgeted in an attempt to slightly change the position.

It’s more convenient in the Honda Accord: I didn’t want to change the landing all the way. Although the pillow would not hurt to make more authentic.

The Volkswagen seat is simple and surprisingly fit for all experts, regardless of build. Those who happen to travel in the Passat will appreciate the back sofa in about the same way. Even behind our two-meter photographer there is enough space in all dimensions, you enter and exit with the dexterity of an athlete and the dignity of a businessman.

Honda will disappoint rear passengers. At least those who have passed adolescence. A narrow door hangs stupidly over an arch, an adult's leg barely squeezes between the sofa and the front chair, while you wipe the dust from that arch with your back.

Are you seated? Did you hit the ceiling? If not, your height is no more than 180 cm.

In Opel, everything is expected to be normal.

PRESS AND ROTATE

While pushing in city traffic jams, using the buttons and all sorts of switches, even an unfamiliar car, is not only easy, but sometimes even interesting. However, a long journey in this discipline puts forward special requirements. Having driven almost 3,000 km on the Opel, we never learned how to press the buttons accurately. Everything seems to be nearby, but the feeling of randomness has been preserved. Obvious disadvantages: a fuzzy central light switch that you always look at with your eyes, an uncomfortable ring at high speeds that acts as an Enter button, an awkward on-board computer knob in the middle of the turn signal switch. It's nice that Insignia navigation knows not only Russia, but also many other countries, including Latvia. True, it is normally oriented only on the main roads.

Honda navigation, by the way, believes that the world ends at the Burachki border crossing. The rest of the buttons and levers are convenient and pleasant to control - they look elegant.

By the way, the current Passat has made a significant step forward in the interior. Obviously, the German designers took into account the criticism of the academically inexpressive interior decoration of the previous model. With light touches - small clocks, bright chrome trim, other little things - the stylists managed to paint the interior without compromising iron ergonomic logic. As a colleague said, the sensations are at your fingertips. True, our Passat is simpler than its competitors - without navigation and some other bells and whistles. But there is no doubt that additional buttons would be arranged according to the mind.

COMPLEX RUN

In the city "Opel" seemed tough. He twitched nervously on every, even a miserable bump ... and completely changed with increasing speed. The car smoothly spreads over the road, extinguishes not only small, but also quite deep bumps. It is not afraid of Insignia and waves, it stands tolerably and even changes its trajectory, falling into asphalt rails. Fine! But those who drive "insignia" there, "in Europe", do not even know about these advantages. True, I pity them!

"Honda" slightly sharper "Opel" reacts to taxiing. Great road holding, as long as it is at least relatively flat. The suspension hides small grooves well, but often misses large ones. Yes, and on the waves, the possibilities of a short-travel suspension are sometimes not enough. The car bounces, almost striking its tail on the asphalt (or something similar to asphalt) when it lands. A sharp steering wheel responds with nervous behavior in ruts. If they are “laid” in areas where you need to go for overtaking, then rally skills are required to keep the car within the limits.

To test the Passat, I had to pretty much travel along the provincial Latvian tracks in search of similar ones to our federal ones. Found with difficulty. Not ideal, of course - potholes, ditches and ruts are not enough, but something similar. The suspension swallows small irregularities successfully, but the car does not like waves: it repeats the profile of the road, albeit not as reliably as the Honda, but still too diligently. "Opel" in this nomination "Volkswagen" loses.

For the noise level, the Insignia rating was reduced only because the engine grumbles painfully menacingly at idle and growls during acceleration. At high speeds, Opel does not bother with noise, like its competitors.

Not only in the city, but also on the highway, there are enough dynamics for a 200 strong Honda, and a 160 strong Opel, and even a 140 strong Volkswagen. In our hands was a rather strange Passat from the Russian point of view: a poor interior, not the most powerful diesel engine and a manual six-speed gearbox. In Western Europe, such machines are in good demand, we will not sell such a modification (at least for now). Therefore, first of all, they paid attention to properties that were not related to the motor. And yet, let's say a few words about the power unit: the engine is traction, the gears are chosen correctly, although the clarity of switching (especially reverse gear) could be higher.

There are almost no complaints about the brakes of cars. However, Volkswagen has a pedal information content of at least a micron, but higher. From the first press, one gets the impression: all his previous life he drove this particular car.

In real conditions, Opel, even with very fast overtaking, practically does not lag behind the nimble Honda. "Insignia" only a moment longer responds to pressing the gas pedal to the floor. And in quieter modes, the machines are related by almost imperceptible, close to the reference switching.

At the Passat, a manual box in a car of this class looks foreign to us.

But diesel behaves perfectly. Although it would seem that it is not at all powerful for a car with a curb weight of more than 1500 kg. Our drivers, who alternately tested the Foltz in the city and on the highway, did not have any complexes. If you don’t whip up the car, you can generally change gears through one: the engine pulls already from about 1700 rpm.

For the entire trip, the Insignia, at a fairly high average speed, consumed, according to the on-board computer, an average of 6.8 l / 100 km, the gasoline Honda - about 8 liters, but the Passat on the roads of Latvia, where the average went under 90 km / h, fit into 5 l / 100 km.

TURNING TORQUES

The controllability of the cars was evaluated on the track of the 333 sports complex, which is only half an hour from Riga.

"Opel-Insignia" is distinguished by a certain understatement. Take at least a sharp, obviously overloaded with artificial stabilizing force steering wheel. Or suspensions - rather heeling, obviously oriented towards not very good roads: in the settings there is a minimum of sportiness, but with a margin of ability to withstand pits and potholes. On a flat road, Opel is far from always lacking integrity, composure of behavior. Electronics that are not completely turned off are more likely to be good, because sometimes the Insignia strives to stern too actively. But on a normal highway, the car is comfortable, tireless. Against the background of his rivals, he lacks a little composure, expressive reactions, but otherwise the Insignia looks quite reliable and balanced.

"Honda-Accord" is especially good on a flat, smooth pavement. Thrill is added to the crisp, balanced steering response already familiar from road riding. Regardless of the weight and size of the car, you quickly forget about its business purpose. Now the driver is one on one with speed, considerable overloads and precise, understandable steering. In other turns, there is an excess of desire to fall out of the intended trajectory in a front-wheel drive. But you perceive it more as a feature of behavior, and not as an unfortunate flaw.

"Volkswagen Passat" attracts with the right efforts on the steering wheel and reference reactions. In ordinary life, it will seem even more collected and more accurate than the Honda. However, calmness and equanimity, as well as the lack of driving excitement, are factors that prevent Volkswagen from excelling on the race track. He diligently, as if along a given line, goes through complex turns, sometimes even breaking into electronically controlled slides. But all this as if by necessity, without the desire to make the soul of the driver sing.

LUDZU - PLEASE, PALDIES - THANK YOU

The sky, the sea, the sand of the once prestigious Baltic resorts in the USSR have not changed since then, and the infrastructure has become much better.

The easiest way to get to Latvia from Moscow by car is along the M9 "Baltic" highway - a little more than 900 km to Riga. The coverage is unstable: from quite decent in the Moscow and Pskov regions to frankly ugly, especially at a distance of 300-350 km from the capital. But the main problem is the unpredictable border. The formalities usually take an hour and a half, but sometimes they cost eight or nine hours. This is mainly due to the number of passenger "fuel trucks". Residents of the border regions of Latvia are transporting cheap Russian gasoline in tanks (not always regular ones, judging by the duration of filling and tricks like jacking up a car when refueling). At the same time - cigarettes and some food. Out of turn, travelers with children are unconditionally let through on both sides.

Opel Insignia, Honda Accord, Volkswagen Passat: East - West

The main hero of our test will be the updated Opel Insignia sedan, but at the same time, the leader among middle-class sedans, the Volkswagen Passat, will be the examiner today.

Passat is a whole phenomenon in the market, it personifies sedans, as a symbol of the middle class, it divides the segment into two halves: into the budget middle class and the premium middle class. Not a single car in the D-segment has been able to compete on equal terms.

Sedans from Opel and Ford have long been in the shadow of this ideal mid-range car. Opel Insignia before the update sold a modest circulation of 600,000 cars. Opel was assigned the role of the flagship of the brand's model line. The thorny path of the company from Rüsselsheim became after the start of its cooperation with General Motors. The parent company, although it did not spare funds for the development of Opel, but there was no technological breakthrough for a very long time. It seems to us that right now Opel is starting its revival in its native European market. At the recent Frankfurt Motor Show, Opel presented the updated Insignia lineup. The main surprise in the new Insignia was the appearance of all-wheel drive and the off-road version of the Country Tourer.

Volkswagen Passat station wagon in Europe is considered one of the most practical cars on the market.

The novelty has become more attractive than its predecessor, both outside and inside. After the modernization, the car began to look more solid thanks to the new lighting and grille. There are even more changes in the cabin - the dashboard of the novelty is made of new materials, and its shape has become more ergonomic. The multimedia system, in terms of its capabilities, has caught up with the one installed on the Passat. The interior of the car is simply pleasing to the eye, the quality of finishing materials finally began to correspond to Opel's stated claims for premium.

The interior of the Volkswagen Passat, even after a few years, looks modern and of high quality.

In addition, the technical part of the car has undergone a major upgrade. Customers will now be able to choose from 9 different motors ranging from 110 to 326 hp. and three types of bodies: station wagon, sedan or liftback.

Opel did not particularly strive to reduce the weight of the car, they went the other way. The main task for the engineers was to achieve maximum optimization in the operation of vehicle systems. This is most noticeable in the characteristics of the engines. The 2-liter turbodiesel was already one of the best in the class before, and now it has become even more economical and has reached the A + energy consumption level according to the European classification. You ask, what does this mean? This means that now when you buy such a car in Europe, you will pay less car taxes and fees. Engine power is 120 hp. in the basic version and 140 hp. in a more powerful one. Such a motor is equipped with a 6-speed gearbox and a Start / Stop system. Fuel consumption in this case is only 3.7 liters per 100 kilometers. Opel Insignia 2.0 CDTI is claimed as the most economical car in the D-segment. Charged version of the BiTurbo CDTI with a power of 195 hp. with the help of two turbines it produces 400 Nm of torque.

Opel has supplied the Insignia with both diesel and petrol engines. Opel engines of the new generation with turbocharging and direct injection, which are called SIDI, have a volume of 1.6 and 2 liters. 1.6 SIDI Turbo has 170 hp. and 260 Nm of torque. The more powerful 2.0 SIDI Turbo received 250 hp. and 400 Nm of torque. Both motors are aggregated with both manual and automatic 6-speed gearboxes. Customers will be able to order an all-wheel drive transmission for both engine options.

Opel for economical buyers will offer the Insignia LPG version equipped with an engine running on liquefied gas. Consumption per 100 kilometers for such an Insignia will be 7.6 liters. Insignia on "gas" complies with environmental standards Euro 6 and belongs to cars that meet the energy class "A".

To increase the level of comfort, reduce noise and vibration while driving, new shock absorbers and a steering stabilizer, as well as a reconfigured chassis, should. The most powerful and sporty version of the Insignia will be the OPC. The loaded OPC model will be equipped with a 326 hp six-cylinder engine. and 435 Nm of torque. Such indicators will provide the car with acceleration to 100 km / h in 6 seconds. The maximum speed of the OPC will be 250 km/h. The luggage compartment in the station wagon will be on the same level as the trunk of the Volkswagen Passat.

The main innovation in the new Insignia was an information system called IntelliLink. This is Opel's new branded multimedia, which debuted on the baby Opel Adam. Thanks to IntelliLink, the control of all functions in the car is now much more intuitive and easier. Even a child can connect a smartphone to the system and use all its features. We recommend ordering the optional Navi 900 Europa Touch system for the car - this is the most advanced system of the company, it provides access to all the functions and menus of the car. It is equipped with an 8 inch high resolution color touch screen.

The color display of the instrument panel displays indicators such as fuel consumption, speed, engine speed and navigation system data. Updating the entire electronic filling of the car will have a positive impact on its sales in Europe. In Ukraine, this advantage can play a decisive role when choosing a car. The price of such a multimedia system for the Volkswagen Passat is several times higher than that of Opel.

Comparative table of the test (the maximum number of points in the assessment is 10)

Options	Opel Insignia	Volkswagen Passat
Appearance
Basic equipment
Options (package)
Interior quality
patency
Noise isolation
Braking
Prestige of Ownership
Loss in value
Price
Safety
Fuel consumption
Maintenance costs
Controllability
Individuality
Additional cost equipment
Dealer network
Reliability

As leaders in the D-segment, both cars received good marks. They set the bar for the rest of the midsize sedan class. Opel Insignia in Ukraine is cheaper than Volkswagen Passat. The updated Insignia in the basic configuration is priced at UAH 220,000, while the Passat cannot be bought for less than UAH 286,000.

In Moscow, nothing would have worked out for us. Firstly, Volkswagen would not give Passat and Passat CC from the press park at the same time - marketers will lay down the bones, but they will not allow a "related" comparison. And secondly, the latest seventh generation Passat has not yet been sold in Russia. But he was... in Kyiv!

“A rare bird will fly to the middle of the Dnieper,” wrote the classic. Our Passat CC 2.0 TSI and 220-horsepower Opel Insignia flew from Moscow in 10 hours, including half an hour of formalities at the Troebortnoe-Bachevsk border crossing. And on the banks of the great river, we were waited by Passat 1.8 TSI, Infiniti G25 and the new Volvo S60 with a two-liter turbo engine.

The Dnieper is wonderful in calm weather! And our cars...

Is it a Passat or a whole Phaeton? Ish bared his teeth at the chrome of the false radiator grille. Bulky, solid, like a burgher in years. The interior has not changed much: a high seating position in hard comfortable chairs, well-balanced ergonomics and exemplary space on the back sofa. Under the hood, a 1.8 turbo engine hums comfortably - on Russian cars it will develop 152 hp, but for the Ukrainian market it is allowed as much as 160 “horses”.

Good acceleration! On measurements, Passat, even on non-studded winter tires, without any problems kept within the passport 8.5 s to a hundred. The seven-speed "robot" DSG with two dry clutches works well - gently takes it from a place, changes gears in time. And the chassis... Passat is Passat: "clean" steering, unambiguous reactions and excellent straight-line stability. Though asphalt under wheels, though snow or ice.

Stylish watch on the “metal” wrist of the front panel went well with the Volkswagen interior that was already set on edge.

Passing the Kursk region, we could not help but admire the quarry of the Mikhailovsky GOK (mining and processing plant) in the Kursk magnetic anomaly. The first ore was mined here in 1960, and its reserve will last another 250 years. When BelAZ trucks are crawling at the bottom of a 300-meter pit and trains are crawling, it is difficult to assess the scale of the quarry, which is larger than the entire city of Zheleznogorsk with an area of ​​100,000

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The cloth seat of the Passat only looks flat - it fixes the driver well and pleases with an orthopedic profile

But it seemed to us - or did pensioner notes really appear in the trade wind character? In the city, the steering wheel has to be rejected at unusually large angles, and monolithic stability on the track turns into laziness when entering turns. To perform the “moose test”, that is, to go around an obstacle at a speed of 65 km / h, you turn the steering wheel with interceptions!

Infinity G25. The distinctive architecture of the Infiniti center console does not harm functionality. In Volkswagens, on the contrary, they did not spoil the design in an exemplary manner. Both there and there you can navigate through a logical menu by touching the touch screen or pressing real buttons. Volvo sometimes makes you wonder which key to press, and while driving it is easy to hit several at once. In Opel, the fittings are large - you won’t miss, but it’s inconvenient to confirm the operation by sinking a shiny ring in the center of the console

Opel Insignia. The distinctive architecture of the Infiniti center console does not harm functionality. In Volkswagens, on the contrary, they did not spoil the design in an exemplary manner. Both there and there you can navigate through a logical menu by touching the touch screen or pressing real buttons. Volvo sometimes makes you wonder which key to press, and while driving it is easy to hit several at once. In Opel, the fittings are large - you won’t miss, but it’s inconvenient to confirm the operation by sinking a shiny ring in the center of the console

Volkswagen Passat. The distinctive architecture of the Infiniti center console does not harm functionality. In Volkswagens, on the contrary, they did not spoil the design in an exemplary manner. Both there and there you can navigate through a logical menu by touching the touch screen or pressing real buttons. Volvo sometimes makes you wonder which key to press, and while driving it is easy to hit several at once. In Opel, the fittings are large - you won’t miss, but it’s inconvenient to confirm the operation by sinking a shiny ring in the center of the console

Volkswagen Passat CC. The distinctive architecture of the Infiniti center console does not harm functionality. In Volkswagens, on the contrary, they did not spoil the design in an exemplary manner. Both there and there you can navigate through a logical menu by touching the touch screen or pressing real buttons. Volvo sometimes makes you wonder which key to press, and while driving it is easy to hit several at once. In Opel, the fittings are large - you won’t miss, but it’s inconvenient to confirm the operation by sinking a shiny ring in the center of the console

Volvo S60. The distinctive architecture of the Infiniti center console does not harm functionality. In Volkswagens, on the contrary, they did not spoil the design in an exemplary manner. Both there and there you can navigate through a logical menu by touching the touch screen or pressing real buttons. Volvo sometimes makes you wonder which key to press, and while driving it is easy to hit several at once. In Opel, the fittings are large - you won’t miss, but it’s inconvenient to confirm the operation by sinking a shiny ring in the center of the console

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But even beaten roads the new Passat "levels" so that Kyiv seems to be quite a European capital without any discounts. Pits? Yes, as long as there is. But behind the wheel of the Passat, only muffled slaps of tires will remind you of them.

I wonder if the Passat CC will be even more comfortable? After all, CC is, after all, a Comfort Coupe.

Don't you find that the shape of the taillights of the Passat resembles the eyes of a dragon?

A squat body, frameless side windows, but at the same time four doors and a voluminous trunk - like a regular Passat. Of course, beauty requires sacrifice: when getting into a car, tall people have to bend in half, the view is worse, the landing “in a compartment” is low ... But what chairs: you sit like a glove! And the rear is only slightly tighter than in a regular Passat.

The two-liter turbo engine is excellent: 7.7 s to a hundred, even on soft Nokian Hakkapeliitta R tires. The "robot" here is already a six-speed one, with wet clutches - it usually works softer than a "dry" seven-speed one. But this Passat CC vibrated noticeably when starting off, and when stopped, the clutch discs opened too late - and dragged the car forward.

We did not give the new generation of Volkswagen Passat time to build up - we immediately sent it to a duel with the Opel Insignia. Can the VW rating be affected by the fact that with a less powerful one - 160 hp? With. does it stand with a motor like a 220-horsepower rival?

Criticism of the new generation Volkswagen Passat has been heard since the first foreign tests of the model. God forbid, he didn't get any worse. But the trouble is, he didn’t make much progress either - he remained himself. To give him a real test, we brought the Passat to a compatriot model that has become one of the brightest premieres of the German car industry in recent years - the Opel Insignia. On a cloudy and slushy day, these two German sedans in a strict coloring set up a serious mood.

Say what you like, but Opel with its non-trivial design, presented almost three years ago, still looks bright and is in no way inferior in appearance to its rival, whose suit is brand new, brand new.

Volkswagen Passat in front and from the stern looks much more elegant than before. Strict headlights, LED lights make it a very business car. But in profile, you won’t immediately guess whether you have a new generation of Passat or the previous one. The characteristic trade-wind arch of the roofline and the shape of the C-pillar remained unchanged. But even this kind of change in appearance is enough to make the owners of entire shoals of Passat of different generations wring their necks, looking at the B7 passing by.

Hospitality

Salon Opel is familiar to us from repeated meetings on single and comparative tests. The driving position is very sporty. The arc of the door map flows into the dashboard, and then into the center console, surrounds the driver, forming a cockpit. At the same time, the seats are devoid of the sporty obtrusiveness of developed lateral support or excessive rigidity. Finding a comfortable driving position is easy. But navigating in a tight parking lot without the help of parking sensors is not so easy. Fortunately, it is even in the base Insignia. The sloping trunk line, heavily sloping rear pillars and a small rear window create problems with visibility. And the rear-view mirrors, the upper part of which is beveled for the sake of aerodynamics and design, are not as large as we would like.

In the Passat cabin, everything is ... like in the Passat cabin, only with a clock in the center of the dashboard. All the same laconic center console, dash with a step, simple lines. It does not have such accents as the rival, but at the same time it is still comfortable. The driver's seat cushion is only slightly (1.5 cm) shorter than the Opel. But the traditional rigidity of the chair allows you to ride for a long time without fatigue. As for the space in the front seats, here the Insignia and Passat have parity. And in terms of visibility, the Passat is better than its rival thanks to the large size of the rear window and mirrors.

The roof line of both cars for the sake of the swiftness of the silhouette was made arched. This explains the not very large headroom for rear passengers. On long trips, taking three passengers in the back row of both cars is not worth it. After all, the transmission tunnel strongly protrudes into the cabin, interfering with the legs of the third rider.
In terms of trunk capacity, the unequivocal leader is Volkswagen. In addition to the fact that the volume of the Volkswagen luggage compartment itself is 65 liters more, the loading opening is also noticeably wider and the loading height is 6 cm lower.

	In overclocking dynamics, Insignia is noticeably better. Its locomotive thrust of 350 Nm is unrivaled.

Opel Insignia looks fresh even three years after its debut. Volkswagen Passat is new, but, in fact, differs little from its predecessor.

Why different?

In this test, we brought together cars that are the same price. Passat was taken as a landmark in the popular version with a 1.8 TSI engine and a 7-speed DSG robotic gearbox. Such a modification is offered in Ukraine, starting with the average Comfortline configuration, and will cost at least $36,173. That's $4,302 more than the manual transmission version of the Trendline. At the cost of a Passat with an "automatic" we also picked up an opponent. Opel is selling the Insignia with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission for $36,340. And this despite the fact that under the hood of Opel the engine, which is more powerful than that of the opponent, is 60 (!) HP. with., and its torque is higher by as much as 100 Nm! Let's see how Passat will resist such pressure.

Faster, more agile

As expected, Opel turned out to be more interesting in management. It offers noticeably better acceleration dynamics. On acceleration, you always feel a huge supply of traction under your right foot. Still, because the motor produces a whopping 350 Nm already at 2000 rpm. You feel it especially vividly when you put the car into Sport mode. The suspension becomes stiffer, the gas pedal is more responsive, the steering is clamped and more resistant to turning the steering wheel. The car seems to be going into a ball, mobilizing all its forces. But the driver also needs to get ready. After all, such power and traction, concentrated on one, moreover, controlled axle, cannot but affect the transparency of the steering. In a turn, the Insignia is not as accurate as its power requires. The ideal ride on such a car is on the highway with smooth turns. This is where the Insignia, with its low-profile tire and the most powerful engine, will race without problems even at speeds close to its maximum 240 km/h. And for lightning-fast overtaking, an endless supply of torque is just right. In the city, this potential remains almost unclaimed. But you don’t forget about it: an extra reminder is the fuel level arrow and the fuel consumption indicator, which stubbornly creeps up to 14 l / 100 km. And if you abuse the sports mode and active driving, then it’s not a problem to drive the consumption indicator higher.

	In dynamics, the Passat has an advantage in the speed of the 7-speed robotic box.
electric drives are not all seat adjustments, but only the backrest and lumbar support.

But he eats little

The Volkswagen 1.8 TSI engine is well known to us from other models of the concern, including the Skoda Octavia, which has been traveling on editorial business for almost a year now. But against the background of Opel, the Volkswagen power plant looks much more modest. To go all out against such a powerful Insignia, you would need a Passat 2.0 TSI, but it is very expensive - $ 40,608, and with DSG it is almost $ 3,000 more expensive. And this is already a cost comparable to the price of the most “charged” version of the Opel Insignia OPC (about UAH 407,500) with a 2.8-liter engine that produces 325 hp. With.

In acceleration, elasticity testing and other dynamic exercises, the Passat does not catch up with the opponent, although its dynamics are very decent. But there are a few points on which the Passat won. So, its robotic gearbox is flawlessly fast and better responsive to the work of the gas pedal. Although in urban toffee she cannot afford such a smooth start, like a car with a classic “automatic” equipped with a torque converter. During the initial closing of the “robot” clutch discs, a slightly more rigid moment of the start of movement is felt, although there is no talk of discomfort. But the most significant advantage is still the “appetite” of the machine. Compared to its rival, the Passat consumes 4.7 l/100 km less. And this is very significant.

Accelerating dynamics, speed, elasticity of the motor, handling - Opel. Trunk volume, fuel consumption and aftermarket price - Volkswagen.

Where is comfort?

In terms of smoothness, both cars do not particularly pamper passengers. The chassis setting is conducive to fast driving in a straight line. Both machines are not prone to sway or yaw around the track. However, with regard to the fight against irregularities, here everyone has their own recipe.

On Opel you can order the FlexRide system. It helps to tailor the car's behavior by offering three modes: Standard, Sport and Tour. So you can make the running Opel softer by simply pressing one button on the center console. And yet, I drive more accurately when I drive an Opel. After all, the test car is in the top-end Sport package, which is equipped with 19-inch wheels and “low” 255/40 tires. Such in our pits is easy to damage. However, the standard 18-inch tires for the Insignia 2.0 turbo are more resistant to our roads. Passat wheels don't look as impressive as 17-inch wheels, but they are much more tolerant of accidentally hitting a hole.

Volkswagen has a conventional suspension and does not offer any versions. Although it has become a little softer than its predecessor, you can’t call it very comfortable. Irregularities Passat fulfills knocked down and without unnecessary sounds. But on a broken road, passengers are still shaking.

quiet glanders

The tests are already over, and sitting at the table of results, I cannot help but be amazed at how consistently practicality prevails in the confrontation between the Opel Insignia and the Volkswagen Passat.
In terms of volume and interior comfort, both cars were equal. But the Passat pulls ahead with a larger trunk.

Departure on the road has changed the emphasis. And even before the measurements of dynamic qualities began. Opel offers the FlexRide system, which allows you to select ride options. And as soon as it became possible to drive at full strength, many more advantages of Opel became clear. Maximum speed, acceleration, elasticity, handling and stability - in all this Insignia surpasses Passat. But Opel also has a weakness - its fuel consumption. For every hundred kilometers in the city, the difference in costs compared to VW is almost fifty hryvnias! So, because of its “appetite”, Insignia immediately loses six valuable points that it earned with such difficulty for dynamic data. And although Volkswagen is already ahead, he still saved a few insidious decisions. Maybe the points that this model gains for its reputation will be decisive? After all, it is precisely due to the positive halo created around more than one generation of the model that the car loses its price slowly in the secondary sale, and the demand for the Passat is stable. Insignia does not yet have such an established reputation. However, the minimal advantage of Volkswagen can be seen as a success for Opel. After all, it is not necessary to take an Insignia with such a powerful motor. She has a choice of power units. And the range of gasoline engines is even wider than that of the opponent.

We count in a new way

Due to rising fuel prices, part of our benchmark score system had to be rewritten. Not only has the transport tax disappeared since the beginning of the year, but the price of gasoline has already soared that we could not leave the weight of the assessment at the same level. Now, instead of the previous 25, they increased the weight of the assessment for efficiency to 50 points, making it the second most important after the price of the car.

Summary Opel

Body and comfort
Appearance and interior design look brighter and more expressive than the Volkswagen. The driving position is more sporty.	Light interior trim (in this version) is impractical.
Powertrain and dynamics
High engine power of 220 hp. with., especially in sport mode, provides the necessary acceleration even at high speed. In traffic jams, a 6-speed automatic transmission with a torque converter starts softly and comfortably. The presence of the Flex Ride system allows you to change both the nature of the suspension and the sensitivity of the controls.	Fuel consumption is very high. Large rims and low profile tires make the wheels very vulnerable on our roads.
Finance and equipment
The current price of the model is quite attractive. A wide range of motors is offered.	Less than the competitor's aftersales value.

Resume

Body and comfort
After the facelift, the Passat looks solid, much in common with the flagship Phaeton.	There is no particular reason to change the old Passat to a new one. The size of the cabin has not changed, as, in fact, the interior design has also remained almost the same.
Powertrain and dynamics
The motor and robotic gearbox work smoothly and respond very quickly to commands. At the same time, fuel consumption is pleasantly surprising.	Accelerating dynamics is noticeably more modest than that of a competitor.
Finance and equipment
The people's favorite is slowly losing value and enjoys a good reputation in the secondary market.	The cost of the car is not small, even considering that under the hood is not a top-end 2.0 TSI engine, but only a 160-horsepower 1.8 TSI. Changed mainly design and list of additional equipment Passat. In the technical sense of change, compared with the previous generation, a minimum.

Total information
body type
doors/seats
Dimensions, L/W/H, mm
Front/rear track, mm
Clearance, mm
Curb / full weight, kg
Trunk volume, l
Tank volume, l
Engine
	benz. immediately e.g., turbo	benz. immediately e.g., turbo
Resp. and number of cyl./cl. per cyl.
Volume, cm cube.
Power, kW (hp) / rpm		118 (160)/5000-6200
Max. cr. torque, Nm/r/min
Transmission
type of drive	front	front
		7-st. robot. DSG
Chassis
Brakes front/rear	disk. vent./disk	disk. vent./disk
Suspension front/rear	independent/independent	independent/independent
Amplifier
Performance indicators
Maximum speed, km/h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h, s
Expenditure highway-city, l/100 km
Warranty, years/km	2/no limit samples	2/no limit samples
Frequency of maintenance, km
Maintenance cost, UAH
Min. cost, UAH**.
We are standing. test. auto, UAH
*At the rate of the National Bank of Ukraine on 07.04.2011 ** With tested motors and gearboxes

Overall score	Max. points
Body and comfort
Space ahead and seating comfort
Rear space and seating comfort
Visibility
Trunk volume, transformation
Quality finishes and fittings
Soundproofing quality
Climate comfort
Ride on empty/laden vehicle
Powertrain and dynamics
Acceleration
Max speed
KP work
Elasticity
Fuel consumption
Power reserve
Controllability
Sustainability
Maneuverability
Finance and equipment
base price
Safety
Equipment
Loss of value
Maintenance and operating costs
OSGPO insurance
Guarantee
OVERALL ASSESSMENT	500	324	328

Andrey Voloshchenko
Photo by Sergey Kuzmich

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Until a few years ago, all of these cars could be found on dealer price lists for around $30,000. Today, any of these cars can be purchased for less than $13,000. But which one is better?

To do this, we will try to analyze in detail all the parameters. We will mainly focus on how much these cars cost in the secondary market, how often they break down and how expensive they are to maintain. But let's not disregard the subjective impression of cars and behavior on the road.

Acquaintance

The goal was clear: to compare the Volkswagen Passat, one of the most popular used cars, with the no less famous Ford Mondeo. But who to choose as a third party? Finally the choice was made - Opel Insignia. He is also of German origin, and therefore, probably, the closest to his rivals.

And so we present. Opel Insignia, hatchback, 2009, mileage 138,000 km, petrol turbo engine. Volkswagen Passat, sedan, 2011, mileage 176,000 km, Highline equipment, 2.0 TDI turbodiesel (140 hp). Ford Mondeo, liftback, 2010, 151,000 km, turbodiesel. All vehicles are equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission.

The Volkswagen Passat is the youngest and most expensive car in the test, and it also has the highest mileage. His choice is not accidental - this year's Passat is the next generation, as close as possible to its predecessor, the B6. For three years and a decent portion of kilometers, the German sedan has been well preserved.

First impression

Nothing influences the choice of a car more than the first impression. From the moment you first see it with your own eyes from a distance of a meter, until the door opens, you can already make a buying decision. Unless you prefer a certain brand and model. And here it will be very difficult Mondeo.

Ford Mondeo of the whole trio gives the impression of the most ancient and shabby car. And it's not in a particular instance. It's just that the interior looks obsolete, as does the partially digital instrument panel. Ford seems to be much older than its rivals. The build quality is also lame. In addition, the tested sample, it seems, was in the hands of not the most responsible and not the cleanest owner.

All the rotating air vents are smashed, the center console around the gear lever creaks uncomfortably, and all open areas are a little scuffed. Even the seats, although not torn, look bad. And damaged trunk upholstery is a common occurrence since the days of the old Mondeos.

Opel Insignia, despite the years, still looks good. At least outside. Everything inside is not so nice. Mainly because of not the best ergonomics, cramped cabin and the presence of hard plastics. But the interior of the trinity has the least signs of aging. This is probably due to the fact that the owner took care of the car and regularly cleaned the cabin.

Volkswagen Passat is the most modern. But this does not mean that the Passat is in the lead. His mileage clearly hints at the fact that no one wiped the car with a cloth every day, and he drove not only on holidays and weekends. But, aside from the worn steering wheel and dented leather seats, the interior still looks good.

However, the cruise control lever is a little scratched, the vents are hard to move, and you can hear the plastic clatter and creak loudly in the back. But given the mileage, the interior is in very good condition. By its appearance, it could be assumed that the sedan had traveled no more than 100,000 km. Perhaps that is why Volkswagens are so popular - with a range of more than 300,000 km, they look much better than competitors that have gone only half way.

As for the first impression, Opel Insignia made the most positive. Its interior is austere and a bit dull at first glance, but is of higher quality and with fewer signs of wear. At least the Ford Mondeo isn't impressive either from the outside or from the inside.

Driving

Comparing the behavior of cars was not easy, since the Opel Insignia was equipped with a gasoline engine. But, despite this, he could not avoid cruising through the city streets. And yet driving Opel was not very pleasant. The clutch was twitchy (although the records showed it had been recently adjusted), the pedals had vague force, but the engine was surprisingly supple. The heavy steering wheel is too sharp and not informative enough.

The Passat handles more pleasantly. It has a lot of space, the pedals have natural resistance, and the electric power steering is informative and creates a pleasant effort on the steering wheel. A significant share of the positive impression is made by unobtrusive pointers, an ergonomic and easily accessible front panel. All switches and buttons needed by the driver are in place.

Driving the Mondeo is even more enjoyable. Its clutch grabs more smoothly, and the engine responds softer to the gas pedal. The Passat's 2-litre unit makes sounds typical of older diesels during acceleration and has a too bright turbo boost. Turbodiesel Mondeo is more calm and predictable. The mechanical resistance steering is set up almost perfectly. Largely thanks to the classic hydraulic booster.

Thus, the best in the city was Mondeo, Passat in second place, and Insignia in third - mainly due to problems with the clutch. And this is not only a problem of a particular instance. All Opel Insignias, both diesel and petrol versions, have a clutch calibrated in a strange way.

Outside the city on the highway, the picture changes. Opel performs much better. The chassis shows a good compromise between stiffness and comfort. Thanks to the sharp steering, the Insignia quickly changes direction, and the roll depends on the speed of entry into the turn. A fairly strong gasoline engine provides dynamic acceleration, and responsiveness is inaccessible to diesel engines of other rivals.

Insignia boasts large anatomical seats: comfortable, not too soft and securely holding the body. However, the equipment of the car is mediocre. This is an inexpensive equipment without an adaptive chassis, without xenon headlights. Apparently the first owner wanted only a powerful engine and great seats.

The Insignia is a car that can go a long way without back or neck pain. But both Passat and Mondeo in higher trim levels are equipped with good seats. If you decide to buy one of these cars, then it is better to look for copies in the highest trim levels: Highline for the Passat and Titanium for the Mondeo. You will get chairs made of better materials and, above all, with better support for the body. In poorer versions, the seats are usually less comfortable with fabric upholstery and a flat outline, which will affect long distances. The base Ford lacks a digital instrument cluster.

The VW and Mondeo are no less enjoyable on the highway. The Passat of our trio is a real road cruiser that is not very suitable for fast cornering. On a rough road, the Passat shakes the comfortably tuned chassis, and the car begins to float. But this is noticeable only at high speeds. Approximately also behaves and Mondeo. It picks up speed easily, like the Passat, but at high speeds it has more power.

Managed by Mondeo is definitely the best in the test. Ford reacts sharply to the release of the gas pedal, and is better through long turns. The Passat is a bit dull and sterile, but unwaveringly stable. The Insignia is a cross between the rest: more responsive than the Passat, but not as excited as the Ford.

Volkswagen reigns on the highway - refined, light, dynamic and comfortable. Ford boasts of its enthusiasm and excellent responsive steering. Here Opel is again in the center. Although it is comfortable, it lags noticeably behind the Passat in sophistication. However, on a country road, the German hatchback moves more confidently, and its chassis allows it to withstand an even faster pace than the Mondeo. But the Insignia doesn't handle as well.

Practicality and spaciousness

From the point of view of practicality, formally, the Volkswagen Passat is the worst of all, since it has a standard sedan body. But its trunk is the largest in terms of capacity - 565 liters. While Ford has 540 liters and Opel has 530 liters.

And, nevertheless, the sedan body has limited possibilities for using the luggage compartment. The loading bay is not large enough to fit a crate of beer in there easily. In this regard, the Mondeo and Insignia trunk is better. Mondeo's transportation capabilities increase significantly after folding the rear seats, but a high step is formed, and the trunk finish quickly deteriorates over time. The materials used in Insignia and Passat are more wear resistant. As for the capacity after folding the rear seats, the difference between Ford and Opel is not so noticeable: 1460 and 1470 liters, respectively.

The second row has plenty of room in all three cars. But Opel is claustrophobic - small rear windows, massive pillars, thick doors and black plastic everywhere. Passat passengers are most comfortable, besides, there is less noise from the rear wheels. Mondeo is quite civilized, but in terms of comfort it falls short of the native Germans.

Reliability

Consider various statistics from various rating agencies. According to ADAC, among cars aged 3 years, Insignia has the 4th reliability class with a failure rate of 11.8%, i.e. Faults are found in every ninth car. Mondeo received class 3 reliability with an indicator of 9.3% or every 11 car, Passat - class 2, 3.9% or every 26 car. For the age category of 5 years, the situation is as follows: Opel - 3rd class, 24.5%, Mondeo - 4th class, 29.3%, Passat - 2nd class, 15.7%.

According to TUV Insignia looks more attractive. When assessing serious and minor defects at the age of 2-3 years, Opel ran an average of 64,000 km to the first failure, and the proportion of serious defects was 8.2%. Passat passed 79,000 km, but the proportion of defects is 10.7%. Ford was recognized as the most problematic - 69,000 km and 12.9%. At the age of 4-5 years, the proportion of defects was distributed as follows: Insignia - 8.9%, Passat - 13.7%, Mondeo - 15%.

Typical malfunctions

Ford Mondeo

The main problem of Ford Mondeo, especially the first years of production, is the quality of finishing materials. Even after a relatively short run, the plastic began to creak in the cabin, and the interior looked as if the distance traveled had been twice as long. Soon the chassis made itself felt, which often had to be repaired, as soon as the mileage exceeded 100,000 km. Although it all depends on where and how the car is used.

From the point of view of operating costs, the FlexFuel version is very interesting, allowing the engine to run on E85 bioethanol. The 2-liter aspirated is not an athlete, but quite a reliable unit. Gasoline EcoBoosts suffer from problems with the engine control unit, which is the weak point of the Ford Mondeo. The 2-liter turbodiesel was delivered to us without a particulate filter. But you can find out about its presence by the VIN code.

As for turbodiesels, in addition to the usual hassle, the first two years of production, the injection system added worries. More often, poor quality diesel fuel was to blame for this. Owners who use good additives have practically not encountered malfunctions. It is worth noting that the scale of the problem is not as great as with the previous generation Mondeo.

There are troubles with electronics: remote control of the central lock, power seats, audio and navigation system, heated front and rear windows or mirrors. Sometimes the reason is only a blown fuse, but it is necessary to check the operation of electrical equipment.

A bunch of 2.3-liter engine with automatic transmission is not successful enough. Such a car consumes a lot of fuel, but not dynamic enough.

In addition to reliable mechanics, a 6-speed automatic and a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic were offered. Both automatic transmissions are quite stable. The main thing is not to forget to change the oil in the box every 60,000 km.

Opel Insignia

Although Opel diesel engines are rough and noisy, they are very reliable. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that it will be possible to avoid the irreversible process of wear of the turbocharger, dual-mass flywheel, injectors and diesel particulate filter. But this is the reality of all modern diesel engines. And in the case of Opel, these defects are not numerous and occur only at high mileage.

Like any other car, the Opel Insignia needs regular maintenance. If you change the oil on time, Opel engines will serve faithfully for a long time. You need to be prepared for the high fuel consumption of gasoline engines, especially 1.4 Turbo and 1.6 Turbo. The 2-liter Turbo is very good, but burns at least 9 liters per 100 km.

The biggest problem with the Insignia is the electronics. Failures occur in the operation of the on-board computer, audio system, climate control, heated seats and electric seats. This is not a dogma, but when inspecting the car, be sure to make sure that the electrical equipment is working.

If you are looking for an Opel with an automatic or all-wheel drive system, carefully test the operation of the nodes. Pay special attention to crunching or other strange sounds. They shouldn't be. To check, make a couple of circles with the wheels completely turned out, first in one direction and then in the other direction.

The weak point in Insignia is the brakes, especially in station wagons. Not in terms of efficiency, but in terms of resource. The heavy weight of the car wears them out very quickly. The car chassis may make noise after 100,000 km. Wheel bearings fail relatively often. Rarely do they withstand more than 120,000 km. Opel mechanics claim that Insignias come with suspension problems mainly with a mileage of more than 150,000 km.

Volkswagen Passat

The Passat is a really good car. At least in terms of workmanship, materials and the precision of their fit. The chassis resists road adversity quite well. Even on Russian roads, the chassis does not require serious intervention up to 150,000 km.

However, under the hood of the Volkswagen Passat there is nothing to brag about. The first 2.0 TDI PD engines turned out to be very problematic. Vulnerabilities: lubrication system, injection system, quick-wear clutches, dual-mass flywheel and turbocharger. The situation improved significantly in 2008, when a more modern 2.0 TDI CR engine was installed.

It is worth noting that we are talking about a 140 hp turbodiesel. Those unreliable units had the code designation WRC and were a block with a 16-valve head and a short-lived Siemens injection system. Is that the absence of a particulate filter could be considered a plus. The aluminum block head could be driven at any time with a range of 150 to 200,000 km. Exactly the same engine, marked with the BMP code, has the same dynamic characteristics, a more mechanically reliable 8-valve head and a particulate filter. However, the head often suffered from cracking. Fortunately, the Bosch injection system turned out to be more resistant.

One of the common problems of 2-liter VW diesels is the balance shafts and oil pump drive, which rarely nursed more than 150,000 km.

In the positive direction, 1.9 TDI is noted. But it also has the characteristic problems of modern diesel engines, such as turbocharger wear. It's better not to think about the weak 1.6 TDI. Passat is too heavy for him.

No less rosy situation with gasoline engines. Avoid aspirated 1.6 FSI and 2.0 FSI, which often fail and have high fuel consumption. TSI engines aren't that bad, but they suffer from turbocharger problems. 1.8 TSI at high mileage requires the elimination of “hanging valves”, and sometimes defects in the block head. The 2.0 TSI is relatively reliable, but can use up oil.

A 6-speed automatic DSG with a wet clutch system has proven itself well. If you regularly change the oil at the intervals prescribed by the manufacturer, then it is quite capable of going over 200,000 km without serious problems. DSG6 is used with 2.0 TDI, 2.0 TSI and V6 engines.

Even before the generation change, the Passat B6 (2005-2010) paired with the 1.6 FSI, 1.8 TSI, 2.0 FSI, 2.0 TSI, 2.0 TFSI engines received a classic 6-speed automatic with a torque converter. It's not as fast as the DSG, but much more reliable. The box also needs regular oil changes.

The 7-speed DSG robot uses a “dry clutch” system and almost always causes problems by 100,000 km. Often, not only the clutch needs to be replaced, but also the mechatronics. And this can cost up to $2,000. DSG7 was paired with 1.4 TSI, 1.8 TSI and 1.6 TDI engines. Regular oil changes are vital not only for automatic transmissions, but also for the Haldex clutch (if you have an all-wheel drive system).

If you find out that the owner has never changed the oil in the box or clutch, or at least exceeded the recommended replacement period by more than 40,000 km - run, do not look back. Unfortunately, many people simply do not know that oil requires regular changes. And then they are surprised that the box refused them.

For the Passat, transparency of the history of origin and service is extremely important. Don't look at the mileage, focus on the general condition of the car. Used Passat very skillfully disguises its age. Even cars that have traveled more than 300,000 km are no exception. Avoid instances after chip tuning.

Market situation

The largest selection is provided by the Volkswagen Passat, Mondeo and Insignia are slightly less popular. For a 2008 Passat, they ask from $8,000. For the new B7 2011, owners want to get no less than $ 13,000. Opel Insignia is priced about the same. The Ford Mondeo is slightly cheaper: 2008 from $7,500, 2011 from $11,000.

Spare parts cost

Cars differ in various equipment. It is quite obvious that xenon headlights and lamps, heated windshields with anti-reflective coating and rain sensor are much more expensive than conventional parts. The table below shows the approximate cost (in dollars) of those parts that are most often subject to minor damage in accidents.

Detail	Ford Mondeo, $	Opel Insignia, $	Volkswagen Passat, $
Headlights - halogen
Headlights - xenon		1280 (adaptive)	1090 (adaptive)
front fender
Windshield
radiator
set of shock absorbers and springs
brake kit
Clutch (set)
dual disc flywheel

As you can see, the repair of these cars is not a cheap pleasure. The sedan on the twentieth disks, with an adaptive chassis, swivel xenon, a sports bumper and a heated windshield looks beautiful. But keep in mind, sooner or later something will break. Troubleshooting the base vehicle will cost less.

Now compare the estimated cost of various maintenance operations and consumables.

Summarizing

Volkswagen Passat is a solid car that drives very well, is well-assembled, comfortable and refined, has well-thought-out ergonomics and is presented on the secondary market in a wide range. In addition, it is the most modern car in the trio.

Of the minuses, it is worth noting questions about the notorious reliability of TSI and TDI PD engines, the DSG box. You should not discount the large number of disadvantaged and tortured specimens, as well as popularity among hijackers and scammers.

The Opel Insignia is certainly an interesting option in terms of design. Despite its age, Opel still looks attractive. Among the advantages, one can single out a rather high mechanical reliability, a variety of engines and the presence of all-wheel drive modifications.

Among the shortcomings, the most noticeable are noisy diesel engines, insufficiently informative steering, slightly confusing ergonomics and problems with electronics. In addition, the cabin is quite cramped for rear passengers, and the atmosphere causes bouts of claustrophobia.

According to statistics, Ford Mondeo owners complain most of all about the low-quality interior, which today seems already outdated. The subjective driving experience stands up for the Mondeo. In terms of its driving performance, it is clearly the best of the three. In addition, Ford offers the lowest official prices for the most sought-after genuine parts. And besides, it is cheaper if you compare rivals of the same year, in a similar configuration and with the same mileage.

If driving performance and a total sense of control are important to you, then buy a Ford Mondeo. In any other case, choosing one of these three cars will not be a mistake. The main thing is a thorough inspection and test drive. Stop exploring as soon as you have even the slightest doubt, and continue your search further. The choice is big enough.