There are no comrades for taste and color, but there are objective factors that characterize a car according to certain criteria, which is why it’s actually worth “dancing” when choosing a car brand. Since such a class of cars is still largely the prerogative of women, we will consider the choice of cars from their position. As the famous Russian satirist Arkady Raikin used to say, “forgive me men, we will talk about women ...
Both cars belong to class "B" and are presented in a hatchback body in two Opel Corsa and four-door Skoda Fabia versions.
Immediately it is necessary to decide for what purpose the car is purchased. If only for your beloved, then it is better to choose a two-door version of Opel, where the absence of rear doors will not be so critical, but the body will be an order of magnitude tougher. In addition, if there is a small child, then the problem with the eternal curiosity of children in terms of opening the rear doors will go away, and this is a big plus for their safety. Opel's wide door provides a fairly comfortable fit for both the driver and rear passengers. In the minus of the large door, it is still worth noting the inconvenience of opening it in a tight parking lot.
Engine
Here, despite small differences in engine displacement, a serious difference in horsepower is 85l.s. for Opel Corsa, against 86 hp for Skoda Fabia. Acceleration dynamics: OpeL spends 13.6 seconds to accelerate to the first hundred, then Skoda easily overcomes this barrier in 12.2 seconds, where Skoda wins.
The “mechanics” of Opel, like Skoda, are quite selective, cause no complaints and practically do not require any effort when switching.
Next is fuel consumption. If you do not take money from the nightstand, then the difference in consumption should undoubtedly interest you. Here the leader is Opel with a consumption in the city of 6.9 l / 100 km, against 8 l for Skoda. AI fuel - 95.
Chassis
Both cars are equipped with MacPherson strut independent suspension at the front and a semi-independent torsion beam at the rear. It is worth noting that the Opel suspension is still too stiff for a city car, although there is no doubt a gain in handling.
Brakes front disc and rear drum type. Opel has ventilated front discs.
Ground clearance Opel Corsa is 140 mm and 135 mm for Skoda Fabia.
Safety
In terms of safety, Opel again goes one position higher and has a well-deserved 5 stars, against 4 stars for Skoda. An important factor in this case, pliable front panels in Opel, minimizing the effects of a collision with a pedestrian. Although, it is worth noting that Skoda has side airbags for those sitting in front, which is not yet provided for in Opel.
Equipment
In both cars, the driver's seat has all the necessary adjustments, as well as the steering column with adjustable height and reach, which allows you to adjust the driver's seat to a woman of any build, with any length of legs and heels.
Skoda does not provide heated front seats, which in winter is clearly a big minus and not only on the street. But there is cooling and lighting in the glove compartment, the dream of every woman to have a similar one in a handbag. In addition, the Opel Corsa does not provide a spectacle case in the most impudent way, and you have to put the glasses in your purse, where you can’t find them at all later. In addition, Skoda uses the latest technologies and installs windshield, rear and side athermal windows that can partially absorb infrared rays (the thermal part of sunlight), as well as block ultraviolet radiation. Athermal glasses allow, as a result, to keep the interior from burning out by the rays of the sun for a long time and always maintain a comfortable temperature in the cabin. In addition, to some extent, this makes it possible to do without air conditioning (it is present in Opel) and climate control, which is quite expensive, although climate control is provided in Skoda.
In terms of rear view, Skoda has a rear window cleaner and washer, moreover, with heated washer nozzles. Another advantage of the Czechs is the presence of 16'' alloy wheels of the original design (against steel 15'' on the Opel Corsa), cruise control and seat height adjustment not only for the driver, but also for the front passenger and a chic leather steering wheel with a secure grip ... against the backdrop of sports seats. In addition, Skoda has more thoughtful ergonomics of the driver's seat. So on an Opel, turning on lighting devices can distract you from the driving process for a long time, since it is apparently only the developers themselves who can deal with their intricacies right away against the background of poorly readable characters. This minus is smoothed out by finishing materials that are pleasant both to look and to the touch and a multifunctional steering wheel, which is not at all unimportant when perceiving a car.
Unlike the Opel, the Skoda hatchback boasts a rain sensor and a tire pressure monitoring system.
But for some reason, Skoda has only audio preparation and there is no radio tape recorder, apparently fearing not to fall into unison with the individual taste of its owner. In Opel, the radio, on the contrary, is available both AM / FM and CD / MP3, but there is no front armrest with storage capacity. Electronic assistants are available on both brands, but the Opel lacks a stability control system and a lift assist system, which is important and not only for women.
The luggage compartment of the Skoda Fabia 300/1163 l versus 285/1050 l for Opel in both versions, the rear seat backs fold in a ratio of 40: 60. However, Opel has a double bottom covered with a lid, which can be easily removed if necessary.
What's up girls?
Of course, some ladies will be interested in the price. So Opel Corsa is offered at a price of 585,000 rubles and 554,000 rubles are asked for Skoda Fabia. The difference of 31,000 rubles is not so significant as to refuse to buy a car you like.
Germany, rain, wind, low cloud cover... In such conditions, I got acquainted with the fifth generation Opel Corsa hatchback. And a week later - the clearest sky and the sun of the coast of Portugal, where the new Skoda Fabia was waiting for me. Two of the top ten most popular B+ cars in Europe. Are they similar - or different?
Two blades of LED running lights cut through the fog, and after a few seconds, a gloomy face with a predatory mouth of the radiator grill was drawn. Is that you, Corsa? Or is it a Corsair?
She, she! When viewed from the side, it is impossible to make a mistake. The body shape, door and window openings are the same: the power structure of the Corse body was inherited from its predecessor of the 2006 model, both in three-door and five-door versions. But of the external body panels, only the roof remained unchanged - all the rest were “drawn” anew, and the front end was redrawn and “flattened” for the sake of pedestrian safety: it was because of it that the length of the car increased by 22 mm - up to 4021 mm.
Opel's new-generation 1.0 SIDI Ecotec turbocharger is designed from the ground up: 90 or 115 hp, aluminum cylinder block with balancer shaft, head with integrated exhaust manifold, direct injection, intake and exhaust phase shifters and a fast-response turbocharger.
The 1.2 TSI engine (90 or 110 hp) on Fabia is from the EA211 family already known from Octavia: there are four cylinders, so there is no balancer shaft
New instruments Korsa - with tape scales for fuel and coolant temperature
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Interior? The new front panel looks much more solid than the previous one, steel and instruments are stricter. And also - glory to the Rüsselsheim gods! - the usual paddle shifters returned to the Corsa instead of the previous non-fixed ones.
The front seats have become much more comfortable: my shoulder blades no longer hang in the air, and I don’t have to throw my head back in search of a headrest. Corsa, of course, did not become more spacious, but the recesses in the backs of the backs of the front seats added comfort to the rear passengers, and deeper recesses in the door panels gained some space in the area of \u200b\u200bthe elbows of riders (according to my measurements, the interior width increased by 20 mm). However, the attachment points of the front seats themselves have not changed, so the "clearance" between the driver and the right-hand passenger and the tight "elbow feeling" remain the same.
The main novelty under the hood is a 1.0-liter three-cylinder gasoline turbo engine with direct injection, which is based on the new six-speed “mechanics” M1X. In the basic version, the engine develops 90hp, but I got the Corsa with the top 115-horsepower version of the “turbo engine”. Cool motor! Thanks to the low-inertia turbocharger, it pulls briskly, without delay, from the very bottom and accelerates the Corsa to 180 km / h without visible effort on the autobahn. No vibration! Opelevtsy did not stint and installed a balance shaft in the cylinder block, which, for example, the Ford “troika” Ecoboost or the Renault 0.8 TCe engine are deprived of.
I also liked the box: in terms of ease and clarity of switching, it came close to the Volkswagen ones.
Opel Corsa - City mode, which maximally "lightens" the steering wheel of Corsa at low speeds, is turned on by a key in the block to the right of the steering wheel. Nearby is the button for heating the rim of the steering wheel. For Fabia, there are no such options.
For Corsa, you can order a rear-view camera (295 euros in Germany). The image is dim, and the markup is static, but Fabia has no camera at all - only parking sensors
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Similar progress on the chassis. A new subframe was installed at the front, and thanks to the reduced clearance, the center of gravity was lowered by 5 mm. The attachment points of the steering gear have been changed, the electric power steering has been recalibrated. The steering wheel got rid of artificial gravity, but at the same time it became more informative: you refuel the car easily and accurately in turns. Bravo Opel! And only at autobahn speeds there is a slight uncertainty during the fine adjustment of the trajectory.
And for parking, the City mode appeared, clearly peeped from Fiat cars. After pressing the key, the steering wheel becomes weightless - you can rotate it with one finger.
Inspired by the “liter” turbo corso, I already imagined how bright the version with the “four” 1.4 Turbo would go. But I was wrong.
The interiors are different in spirit: although the Corsa has “grown up”, you still feel the lightness of being in it, and the Fabia is stricter and more boring. But Skoda has better ergonomics: the audio system and the climate control unit are more conveniently located, the keys on the steering wheel and console are grouped more logically
The 1.4 turbo engine with distributed injection is already well known to us from the Astra and Mokka models, but if it develops 120-140 hp on them, then for Corsa it was deformed to ... miserable 100hp. “We tried to reduce CO2 emissions,” the Opelevites explain. “But the 1.4 turbo engine has a lot of torque - 200 Nm versus 170 Nm for a liter engine.”
It's no good ... A hundred-strong hatchback accelerates sluggishly, at the bottom there is a frank failure of traction, and turbo assistance comes only after 2000 rpm. The old M32 gearbox from the same Astra also contributes: with “stretched” gears (you can forget about fifth and sixth in the city) and a tight shift mechanism.
Yes, and driving this Corsa is no longer so pleasant: a more loaded front gives rise to laziness at the entrance to corners, demolition begins a little earlier.
For rear passengers, Fabia is preferable: it has wider doorways, a little more legroom and headroom, there are pockets on the backs of the front seats, and rear electric windows are offered for an extra charge.
Luke Korsa "covers" only the front riders, but shifts back with the help of an electric drive. And at Fabia, the window extends over two rows of seats, but it is glued tightly
By the way, the power of the old aspirated 1.4 is also reduced: from 101 to 90 hp. To "breed" it with a turbo engine of the same volume? Ah, marketing...
Smooth running? Alas, in Germany I managed to ride only on hatchbacks with a sports package, which is installed on all versions with 17-inch wheels (on request - with 16-inch ones) and includes other springs and shock absorbers. Such a Corsa is still harsh, even on small bumps. And in Russia, Corsa will be sold with a suspension adapted for bad roads.
An old body, most of the engines from the previous model (including a 1.2 petrol aspirator and a 1.3 CDTI turbodiesel) ... All this is a crisis into which Opel fell in the last decade and cannot get out of it. Over the past six years, Opel sales have declined by almost one and a half times (to 1 million 57 thousand cars in 2013), and the main models, Corsa (by 35%) and Astra (by 42%), especially sank. At the height of the financial crisis in 2009, the company was losing 250 million euros a month, the management of the GM concern even thought about selling the loss-making division, and now, in order to save Opel, the “junior” Chevrolet brand had to be removed from the European market. So, instead of developing a new Corsa, we had to deeply modernize the old one - however, quite a successful model. Having made a bet on a new power unit, for which they even started a leapfrog with gradation in power.
Another thing is Skoda. Since the Czech brand joined the Volkswagen Group in 1991, sales have grown almost annually and in 2013 reached 920 thousand cars, and this year the monthly increase is 10-19%. Therefore, when developing a new Fabia, they did not stand on ceremony with finances.
Back in early autumn, I managed to drive partially camouflaged pre-production cars on well-groomed roads in Germany (AR No. 18, 2014). I already knew that the new Fabia is a little more spacious than the Corsa and wins in terms of visibility: Opel is let down by heavily littered A-pillars and triangular windows at their bases.
Fabia's trunk is much more spacious: 330 liters versus 285 liters for the five-door Corsa according to the VDA method (for the three-door it is five liters less). The Skoda compartment has a pocket, a shelf and two hooks for bags. But if in the previous Fabia the rear seat cushion could be folded forward, then in the new car, like the Corsa, it is motionless, and the folded backs form a high step
And now the Czechs have brought serial hatchbacks to Portugal. Hooray - the Skoda listened to criticism and provided the driver's window regulator with a full-fledged automatic closer (for pre-production cars, it only worked when the glass was lowered, like in Rapid). A trifle, but nice! But Fabia of the previous generation has closers for all power windows. And at the five-door Corsa, both front windows are equipped with closers, but at the back - non-alternative "oars".
Alas, with the improvement of the head light in Skoda, they were greedy: despite the promises of engineers, the headlights shine as weakly as their predecessor.
The “third” Fabia is built on the new MQB-A0 platform: the powertrain module, steering gear and electrics are borrowed from the MQB architecture, that is, from Octavia. With the change of generations, the Czech hatchback has retained its perky driving character: the electric power steering gives an excellent feeling of steering wheel, the steering wheel itself has become a little sharper, the limits of stability in corners are very large, rolls are minimal. More driving pleasure than in Corse!
The suspension, of course, is stiff, which is especially noticeable on large potholes. But the discomfort does not reach. Moreover, unlike the Corsa, the Fabias will come to us without suspension changes: the traditional for all Skoda “Bad Road Package” this time provides only a more powerful battery, reinforced brake hoses and plastic shields under the bottom. Ground clearance is a modest 117 mm versus 145 mm for the previous hatchback with an adapted suspension.
The 75-horsepower “three” for Fabia is rather weak and loads the body with vibrations (there is no balance shaft!), And the “turbo four” 1.2 TSI (90 hp) suffers from a lack of traction up to 2500 rpm, but then it is cheerfully lucky hatchback in the entire legal speed range. Feels even more cheerful than the Corsa with a hundred-horsepower 1.4 Turbo engine.
Both engines have a five-speed "mechanics". I liked the MQ200 box on the 90-horsepower Fabia more: although the lever stroke is longer than that of the “younger” MQ100 unit, the switching clarity is higher, and the clutch works softer. It’s a pity that we didn’t manage to try the Fabia with the most powerful version of the 1.2 TSI engine (110 hp) and a six-speed “mechanics”: it would compete with the Corse with a 115-liter turbo engine with 115 horsepower.
So Corsa or Fabia? Which path is right: a deep modernization of the old model or a really new car?
So far, European buyers are voting for Opel with their wallets: in the European ranking of B-class car sales for the first eight months of this year, Corsa was in fourth place (165,000 cars) - ahead of Ford Fiesta, Renault Clio and VW Polo. And Skoda Fabia is twice behind: 78 thousand cars and ninth place. And in the foreseeable future, this disposition is unlikely to change: the preferences of the European public are too traditional, and Fabia does not have and will not have a three-door version beloved by European youth. In addition, Corsa has acquired an up-to-date turbo engine and noticeably improved in driving disciplines.
Skoda Fabia At the ends of the front seats of the Fabia there are convenient pockets for mobile phones, and there are thirteen places in the cabin for storing small things
Like the old Fabia, the radiator of the new hatchback is poorly protected from insects and pebbles. Dealers make good money on this: an additional grid with installation costs about 5,000 rubles. In the center of the grille is the radar of the optional auto-brake system
Part of Fabia's extensive customization program is the favorite photo on the front panel insert. You can order "photo printing" from a local dealer, but the image will be applied in the Czech Republic
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In Russia, everything was different before: after the 2008 crisis, Fabia was consistently ahead of Corsa by three to four times. Last year, 22 thousand Czech cars were sold against 5.5 thousand German ones. It would seem that the trend should continue - especially since we will sell Corsa only with the same aspirated 1.4, which is combined with a five-speed "mechanics" or a new six-speed "automatic". But Fabia will come to Russia with a much wider choice of powertrains: with a base liter 75-horsepower engine and a new aspirated 1.6 EA211 family in two boost options (90 or 110 hp), and for the most powerful version it will be possible to order a traditional six-speed "automatic" Aisin from the current Fabia. It is possible that cars with a 1.2 TSI turbo engine and a DSG “robot” will also get to us, but, most likely, these will be “special versions” like the current Monte Carlo.
However, if the Fabia of the previous generation was assembled in a full cycle at the Kaluga plant of the Volkswagen concern, now its place on the conveyor has been taken by the more promising Rapid for our market, and we have no plans to produce a new Fabia yet. Therefore, cars will be imported from the Czech Republic, and... Can you imagine the price level?
Corsa will also not receive a Russian residence permit, but its “screwdriver” assembly is now being established ... in Belarus! So far, Corsa has remained the only imported Opel model, and a few years ago they even wanted to assemble it at Avtotor in Kaliningrad, but changed their minds due to falling demand. However, in 2016, Avtotor will lose customs privileges of the special economic zone, and the jiemites found an alternative assembly site near Minsk: this is the long-suffering Unison plant, which assembled Ford Escort and Transit cars in the nineties, then Iranian Samand sedans, and in the last couple of years, Chinese Zoty models. If Opel's cooperation with the Belarusians goes according to plan, then the assembly of the Corsa will begin in March-April, and sales in Russia (without import duties) by the end of spring.
Fabia will arrive earlier - already in March. By the way, the Tatar-assembled Ford Fiesta will return to our market in the spring. Let's add Peugeot 208 to this company - and then we'll find out who wins in the traditional European B+ class.
| Passport data | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Automobile | Opel Corsa | ||
| Modification | 1.0 Turbo | 1.4 Turbo | |
| body type | three-door (five-door) hatchback | ||
| Number of places | 5 | 5 | |
| Dimensions, mm | length | 4021 | 4021 |
| width | 1736 (1746) | 1736 (1746) | |
| height | 1479 (1481) | 1479 (1481) | |
| wheelbase | 2510 | 2510 | |
| track front/rear | 1472/1464 | 1472/1464 | |
| Trunk volume, l | 280-1090* (285-1120*) | 280-1090* (285-1120*) | |
| Curb weight, kg | 1088 (1124) | 1124 (1162) | |
| Gross weight, kg | 1635 (1665) | 1665 (1695) | |
| Engine | gasoline, with distributed injection and turbocharging | ||
| Location | front, transverse | front, transverse | |
| 3, in a row | 4, in a row | ||
| Working volume, cm3 | 999 | 1364 | |
| 74,0/77,4 | 72,5/82,6 | ||
| Compression ratio | 10,5:1 | 9,5:1 | |
| Number of valves | 12 | 16 | |
| 115/85/5000-6000 | 100/74/3500-6000 | ||
| 170/1800-4500 | 200/1850-3500 | ||
| Transmission | mechanical, 6-speed | mechanical, 6-speed | |
| Drive unit | front | front | |
| Front suspension | independent, spring, McPherson | ||
| Rear suspension | semi-dependent, spring | semi-dependent, spring | |
| Front brakes | disc, ventilated | disc, ventilated | |
| Rear brakes | disk | disk | |
| Basic tires | 185/65 R15 | 185/65 R15 | |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 195 | 185 | |
| Acceleration time 0-100 km/h, s | 10,3 | 11,0 | |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km | urban cycle | 6,0 (6,1) | 6,6 (6,5) |
| suburban cycle | 4,3 (4,3) | 4,4 (4,5) | |
| mixed cycle | 4,9 (5,0) | 5,2 (5,3) | |
| CO 2 emissions, g/km | mixed cycle | 114 (116) | 121 (123) |
| Fuel tank capacity, l | 45 | 45 | |
| Fuel | gasoline AI-95 | gasoline AI-95 | |
| Passport data | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Automobile | Skoda Fabia | ||
| Modification | 1.0 MPI | 1.2TSI | |
| body type | five-door hatchback | five-door hatchback | |
| Number of places | 5 | 5 | |
| Dimensions, mm | length | 3992 | 3992 |
| width | 1732 | 1732 | |
| height | 1467 | 1467 | |
| wheelbase | 2470 | 2470 | |
| track front/rear | 1463/1457 | 1463/1457 | |
| Trunk volume, l | 330-1150* | 330-1150* | |
| Curb weight, kg | 980 | 1034 | |
| Gross weight, kg | 1510 | 1564 | |
| Engine | gasoline, with distributed injection | gasoline, direct injection and turbocharging | |
| Location | front, transverse | front, transverse | |
| Number and arrangement of cylinders | 3, in a row | 4, in a row | |
| Working volume, cm3 | 999 | 1197 | |
| Cylinder diameter / piston stroke, mm | 74,5/76,4 | 71,0/75,6 | |
| Compression ratio | 10,5:1 | 10,5:1 | |
| Number of valves | 12 | 16 | |
| Max. power, hp/kW/r/min | 75/55/6200 | 90/66/4400-5400 | |
| Max. torque, Nm/r/min | 95/3000-4300 | 160/1400-3500 | |
| Transmission | mechanical, 5-speed | mechanical, 5-speed | |
| Drive unit | front | front | |
| Front suspension | independent, spring, McPherson | independent, spring, McPherson | |
| Rear suspension | semi-dependent, spring | semi-dependent, spring | |
| Front brakes | disc, ventilated | disc, ventilated | |
| Rear brakes | drum | drum | |
| Basic tires | 175/70 R14 | 175/70 R14 | |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 172 | 182 | |
| Acceleration time 0-100 km/h, s | 14,7 | 10,9 | |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km | urban cycle | 5,8 | 6,0 |
| suburban cycle | 4,2 | 4,0 | |
| mixed cycle | 4,8 | 4,7 | |
| CO 2 emissions, g/km | mixed cycle | 108 | 107 |
| Fuel tank capacity, l | 45 | 45 | |
| Fuel | gasoline AI-91-95 | gasoline AI-95 | |
| * With rear seats folded down | |||
Opel Corsa
Corsa has almost lived up to the age of Christ, during this time it has changed five generations and has grown in length from 3.6 to 4.0 m, and the bodies of the first four generations differed from each other a little less than completely. At factories in Spain and Germany, 12.6 million Kors were produced under the brands Opel and Vauxhall (under this brand, Opels are sold in the UK), but if we take into account the “clones” with the Buick logos (in China) and Chevrolet (in South America), then the total circulation will exceed 20 million cars. The first three generations had a sedan body in the range, and the second also had a station wagon! And modernized sedans and hatchbacks based on the “second” Corsa are still being produced by Latin Americans.
The history of Fabia is more modest: the new generation is only the third in a row, and the previous two have found 3.5 million buyers in fifteen years. The first generation Fabia could have been a five-door hatchback, wagon, van or sedan, but only the hatchback and wagon subsequently remained. In addition to the native Czech Republic, cars were produced in India, Kenya, China, Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.
undermirror
What else do you remember about the new Corsa and Fabia? multimedia systems!
According to the latest fashion, they lost their CD player: there are only Aux and USB connectors (Fabia also has an SD card slot) and the ability to play mp3 and wma files. And the MirrorLink function allows you to use the functionality of a connected smartphone on the head unit. Games, internet access, navigation system...
But, for example, the Fabia system does not allow you to simultaneously listen to music from an SD card and use the navigator of a smartphone connected via USB: either one or the other. And the main problem is software incompatibility. For example, Shkodovsky MirrorLink is "friendly" only with some Android systems - these are HTC, Samsung and Sony Xperia smartphones, and even then not all models. The Opel system also works with iPhones (iOS), but Volkswagen can't find a common language with Apple. Support for devices with the Windows Phone operating system for both Skoda and Opel is expected only by spring.
And even if you have an Android smartphone, the car "perceives" only programs specially adapted for MirrorLink. There are few of them yet and not all of them work well. For example, the only compatible navigators (for Skoda this is Sygic, and for Opel - BringGo) are extremely slow: they warn you late about upcoming maneuvers and periodically lose their location.
So for the time being, paying extra for MirrorLink (for Opel in Germany it is 300 euros, and for Skoda - 330 euros) is not necessary: it is better to sculpt a smartphone mount on the windshield in the old fashioned way. And wait until the prices of automotive touch displays drop enough that the "mirror" of mobile devices in cars can become complete.
Skoda has the usual buttons and handles that are responsible for basic functions - this is convenient. In the Opel system, separate buttons are responsible only for the volume and return to the main menu, but they are touch-sensitive and do not always work from the first touch. Both displays have a low resolution by modern standards, in the Fabia the screen is slightly more contrast, and in the Corsa - a little more (diagonal 7 inches versus 6.5)
When the first official photographs of the Peugeot 207 were published in 2006, something sank in my heart ... But falling in love with a picture is a dangerous business. Behind an irresistible appearance, a far from ideal nature can be hidden. But the feelings that flared up did not deceive - I could not resist the red-haired beauty 207, who turned out to be at my disposal a month later - for two years we lived together in perfect harmony and parted only by coincidence.
And here in front of me is a "blonde" Peugeot 208, and in my heart and soul ... silence. The same as in November 2011, when the Peugeot concern published the first pictures of the new compact. What is in the photo, what in reality the appearance clearly lacks expressiveness. From a daring young lioness, who was 207, the car turned into a plump “fluffy” kitten of such a pretty appearance that I, a person far from stereotypes and dividing cars into male and female, am embarrassed by the surrounding views. But today it's not about my tastes.
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Peugeot 208 inside and out - design work. Such a number of bright strokes, curves of lines and intricate shapes of individual details is a rarity. Even the edging of the foglights has been turned into a small decoration.
Opel Corsa - the same field berry. Even in an era when Opel drew cars with a single square, the Corsa turned out to be neat and smooth. A few sharp edges and protruding "ribs" look so harmonious that even now, six years later, the German hatchback does not look archaic. And after restyling, even a bit of aggression appeared in the look.
The also elderly Skoda Fabia was originally created as a car for all ... ages, genders and tastes. The Czechs coped with the task perfectly, managing to create a memorable image without a single controversial detail. In its own way, the attractive Fabia is not as frivolous as Peugeot and Opel, and at the same time, there is not a drop of rigor in the design.
Interior. Salon Skoda Fabia - the territory of exceptionally harsh pragmatists. There is no place for colors here, and any stylistic refinement is unnecessary pampering. All interior architecture is subject to only one rule - maximum practicality. And Skoda in this regard, there are few equals.
Fabia is the most spacious and roomy of the trinity. Thanks to the high roof and wide door openings, it is most convenient to get into the Czech hatchback: forward and backward.
The Skoda instrument panel is an example of simplicity and information content. Even radial digitization, typed in large and contrasting font, does not interfere with fast reading of data.
There is less space in Corsa than in Fabia. The roof is located closer to the heads, and the knees of the rear passengers almost touch the backs of the front seats. Not to say that the second row was too crowded, but on a long trip, the limbs can numb. In addition, because of the narrow opening of the back door, it is difficult for an adult to get on the sofa - you wipe the rear pillar with your back and touch the doorway with your head.
The driver's seat in Corse is more fun. Sure, the front fascia design is pretty dated, but thanks to the lacquered black console, body-coloured fender flares, and striped seats, at least there's something for the eye to catch on to. But there are claims to ergonomics.
First of all, you will have to get used to the non-fixed paddle shifters - a very controversial decision that modern Opel models have already lost. On a large, but dim display, which also glares in the sun, almost nothing is visible. You have to aim at scattered small buttons, and setting up the radio functions is confusing.
Opel's "tidy" is convenient for perception, but slightly less informative than that of Skoda, due to the lack of secondary information before the eyes. And it's way too simplistic.
Against the backdrop of competitors in the Peugeot 208 salon - a flight of designer fantasy! Here, much is not like everyone else: a stylish instrument panel is made in the form of a superstructure above the console, in the hands there is a very small but comfortable oval-shaped steering wheel, and the crown of the designers' creativity was the influx of a touchscreen display with "tablet" graphics - it flowed out of the dashboard. And froze.
And most importantly - all this is convenient and easy to use. In addition, the interior of the 208 looks and feels the most expensive, although the quality of the materials is uncompromising in any car.
In terms of space and convenience for passengers, the “Frenchman” is average. There is more legroom in the back row than in the Corsa, but less than in the Fabia. Of the inconveniences - a vertically set back of the sofa. And because of the glass roof with a compartment for closing it curtains, even passengers of medium height rest their heads against the ceiling lining.
The stylish and richly designed instrument panel of the Peugeot 208 clearly displays the maximum possible on-board information. There are two complaints: dense digitization with many risks and partial overlap of the scales by the steering wheel, depending on the driver's landing.
The 208th is the first modern car that does not have a CD player (it is replaced by two USB ports at once). The touch display, in addition to modern graphics and good sensitivity, has a logical interface. And yet the French “screwed up”: the Russian “voice acting” of navigation is just screaming! All turns to the left are “turns to the bridge”, to the right are “turns to the station”, and the exit from the highway is “approach”. I really want to look the translators in the eye.
Getting behind the wheel in all three cars will not be difficult. Each of the hatchbacks has a full set of necessary adjustments for both the steering wheel and the driver's seat. And yet there are individual nuances.
The most comfortable driving Peugeot. Moderately soft chair has an excellent profile and is set higher than usual - a clear curtsy towards short ladies. And an excellent overview: the 208th has a panoramic windshield and large side windows with low "window sills".
Against the background of Peugeot driving Fabia, as in a tank. Through the loophole windows, light reluctantly penetrates the already dark interior. But we must pay tribute, this does not interfere with the review and the feeling of dimensions. There is only one complaint about the chair, which has been verified in all respects - the “lamb” adjustment of the backrest is inconveniently located.
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The same flaw and the Corsa. Opel's seat has the most pronounced lateral support, but the hardest filler. The chair tenaciously holds the body from all sides, but on a long journey you will not relax on this.
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In terms of trunk volume, the Skoda Fabia is ahead with a slight advantage - 315 liters. Peugeot and Opel have 285 liters each. However, Corsa has a continuous rear sofa back, which greatly reduces the passenger-and-freight capabilities of the car.
Dynamic characteristics and controllability. Under the hood of the 208th familiar from other Peugeot models, a 120-horsepower 1.6 gasoline engine is the most powerful of the trinity. In addition, the French hatchback is also the lightest. It is not surprising that the car pleased both with a distinct acceleration and a good supply of traction in the upper zone of the tachometer. The feeling of dynamics is concealed only by the old four-speed "automatic", which the French have finally taught to switch without jerks.
But a powerful engine is not the main trump card of the Peugeot 208. The filigree setting of the electric booster, coupled with a plump “kart” steering wheel, makes driving a real pleasure. "208th" is so obedient and accurate in reactions that in the stream it provokes to "play checkers", and outside the city - to set records in the speedy passage of turns.
Skoda is not far behind Peugeot. The 1.6 engine is weaker here - 105 "horses", but the automatic transmission has six gears. It is due to the “automatic” that the engine quickly reaches the optimal torque values, allowing more precise control of acceleration.
But the Czech hatchback does not encourage gambling. The steering is clear and informative, but with increasing speed it does not become sensitive-sharp. The habits of the car are rather measured and correct, without pronounced accents towards “drive” or comfort.
We got the Opel Corsa with a 1.4 engine with 100 horsepower. The 1.6 engine in the Opel lineup is only with a turbine and on the "mechanics". Therefore, we will not blame the sluggish dynamics of the test Corsa. Moreover, the reason for the slowness is not in the engine, but in very stretched gears of the same old four-speed box as in Peugeot.
On the move, the Corsa frustrates with its overly “light” steering. If at a quiet speed this is not so noticeable, and when changing lanes and parking it adds convenience, then with an increase in speed it starts to noticeably strain - after 100 km / h you literally bite into the "steering wheel". Opel keeps on the road regularly, however, until the moment when it remains flat.
Ride comfort. The most omnivorous suspension is in the Skoda Fabia. The car easily swallows small potholes, tram rails, and even repair pits sawn out by road workers. But he does it rudely: the car often shakes, but does not knock it off the trajectory.
Surprised by something else. Against the background of competitors, Skoda turned out to be the noisiest. And louder than winter tires and the howling of the wind, the engine soloed. And if, with uniformly smooth movement, the sound of its work can still be drowned out by the radio, then after 3,000 revolutions the number of decibels reaches an uncomfortable level.
Another thing is the Peugeot 208. The “Frenchman” does not bother with external noise even at a speed of over 100 km / h. But the suspension does not cope with all the realities of Russian roads: a little higher speed, and a bigger pothole - and the shock absorbers can “break through”. True, for the driver and passengers, this is reflected only by an unpleasant blow - Peugeot is unshakable on the road.
In the Opel Corsa, the engine is almost inaudible, and when driving into the cabin, only the noise of the tires unobtrusively breaks through. But the work of the elastic suspension is ambiguous. Corsa goes through the bumps encountered without breakdowns, but even asphalt ripples are noticeably transmitted to the body. Large holes in the turn and completely knock the car off course.
Cost and level of equipment. The most profitable of the three hatchbacks is the Skoda Fabia. The tested car in the Ambiente configuration with a 1.6 engine, automatic transmission, a pair of front airbags, an ESP stabilization system, air conditioning, cruise control, a simple radio, heated seats, full power accessories, fog lights and metallic color costs 598,800 rubles.
If you want a richer version - with climate control, parking sensors, additional airbags, an advanced radio with steering wheel controls and alloy wheels, you will have to pay 70,000 rubles more.
Peugeot 208 Allure 1.6 AT with six airbags, ESP system, dual-zone "climate", cruise control, parking sensors, rain and light sensors, heated seats, full power accessories, as well as with a multimedia navigation system and a panoramic glass roof pulled as much as 756 000 rubles. True, if you leave only the most necessary options in the car, the price can be reduced to 650,000 rubles.
Price Opel Corsa Cosmo 1.4 AT stopped at around 655,700 rubles. For this money, the buyer will receive the same six airbags, ESP system, climate control, cruise control, heated seats, heated steering wheel (!), MP3 radio, full power accessories and fog lights. "Stuffing" it to the fullest (for example, to the level of Peugeot), the price can be increased to 726,700 rubles.
What is the result?
Class "B" hatchbacks in Europe are the leaders in sales ratings and the backbone of manufacturing companies. Europeans value compact dimensions, bright style, high-quality interior, balanced handling, a high level of safety and environmental friendliness more than anything else. And for them, it goes without saying that all this will have to pay a corresponding price.
In Russia, the priorities of the majority are quite different. Therefore, cars of this class are perceived at worst as expensive and useless toys, at best as the choice of a girlfriend, wife or daughter. And it is in this regard that the Peugeot 208 will be a win-win option.
Unfortunately, many young ladies will never know that this French car can deliver driving pleasure. However, the cute “plush” appearance, stylish, modern and comfortable interior, and also the lightness, simplicity and ease of operation will definitely not leave them indifferent. Yes, it's expensive. But aren't the happy eyes of the woman you love worth it?
What can I say, with a 120-horsepower engine, the car drives perfectly, and it steers easily. The unusually small steering wheel at speed is pleasantly heavier, this added confidence in handling. Special thanks to the translators of the navigation system "Frenchman" - they added humor to the trip! In addition to "railway stations", "bridges" and "landing approaches", a pleasant female voice advised me to "get off the ring at the ELEVENTH exit"! While I was trying through laughter and tears to imagine a ring with at least 12 exits, we had already arrived at the place of the test drive, where the second contestant, the Skoda Fabia, was waiting for me.
Externally, the Skoda is more angular. The eye does not cling to anything, but the design is unlikely to cause rejection among the male representatives. Salon Fabia meets with asceticism: nothing superfluous, nothing cute for a woman's look. Everything is strict, simple, no frills. And pretty scary, between us girls, speaking.
They gave me the Fabia in the same version as the 208 - 1.6 with an "automatic". So it goes well as expected. However, from the very first minutes, a difference was felt: it was shaky and noisy in Skoda. A separate inconvenience was delivered by a rather large thin steering wheel and a short volumetric gear lever, but I suspect that this is purely a matter of habit.
I chose my car for a long time and thoughtfully, because I wanted to get something optimal in terms of parameters for my hard-earned money: convenient, hassle-free, beautiful, safe. In general, Corsa copes with the requests quite well. Unless I would like better dynamics, but there is nowhere to drive in the city.
And yet now I regret that I did not wait for the Peugeot 208! On this test, I liked it the most: the car you get into and drive is comfortable, easy and pleasant. Despite the unusual interior, everything is intuitive, no need to get used to anything. In general, I boldly advise girls to pay attention to the "Two hundred and eighth" ...
The editors of the portal site thank the company "Sigma Service" - the official dealer of Skoda and "AutoPremium" - the official dealer of Peugeot, as well as personally Polina Shipkova for the cars provided.
SHOWHOLD
We cherish, cherish the cars dear to our hearts. We appreciate them for their uniqueness, external expressiveness, attractiveness, beauty. We believe (unfortunately) that owning a car puts us in a number of people of a certain income. From the height of our seat, standing disdainfully at a traffic light, we consider pedestrians running past.
"B" class is the most massive representative of the car, rustling on European roads. It is in this class that it is customary to experiment, changing stylistic elements, changing forms in every possible way, excelling when stuffing cars.
These cars took root painfully to our roads, bouncing from fright on potholes, bumps in the “road surface”. In a word, there are flaws, but today cars are valued not only for driving performance. Like cars for a unique exterior, bold colors, of course for comfort. You have to pay for all this!
Considering the options for acquiring an Opel Corsa or a Skoda Fabia, you need to understand that this sweet couple has a lot of competitors. Sharks such as Kia Rio, Nissan Note, Renault Sandero, Hyundai Getz, Volkswagen Polo want to join the fight, to win their place under the sun. Really any international competitions turn out. Yes, dense ranks of competitors are obtained! There are more than enough candidates for leadership!
Take at least compare Opel Corsa with Nissan Note. They are already known in the automotive market, and the Skoda Fabia is just starting to push its elbows, making its way into a bright automotive future. I wonder how strong the newcomer is, what arguments will he put forward in his favor?
Naughty with a touch of glamour.
We are talking about the car Opel Corsa. Elegant appearance with a touch of nobility, "breed" from several previous generations are striking. Massive instrument panel with windows - portholes blowers. A combination of devices, made in bright catchy colors. The front console at first glance is overflowing with all sorts of unnecessary attributes, although located very conveniently for the driver. If crows, who love everything colored, unusual, sat on the jury, this particular car would take first place.
The slightly enlarged steering wheel is adjustable in two directions. At hand is the 4AKPP lever to which you do not need to reach, which, of course, pleases. The mass of various combinations of adjustment of the passenger, driver's seat. In addition, the car has massive body pillars. The impression that you are in a large car, at least a "solid car". Euphoria instantly disappears when a neighbor sits next to him. The house becomes, obviously small. No, not everything is so bad, on the contrary, an individual style, caring attitude to the interior is very commendable. But let's take, for example, a chair, let's examine it, so to speak, under a microscope. At first glance, the quality upholstery pleases. Side support rollers look good, sit down! The back is very small, uncomfortable. With your "spinal cord" you honor various unpleasant humps. From the outside, everything is beautiful, but in fact it will be somewhat uncomfortable on the road.
Tall passengers will feel cramped, they will have to bow their heads - thanks to the sunroof on the roof of the car. Visibility in a car is limited by a massive body, it will be difficult to read information from such an outwardly beautiful speedometer while driving, but where is the practicality necessary for the driver.
The engine plus the gearbox is the commonwealth of the phlegmatic with the choleric. The power unit reliably confidently does its job. Automatic transmission, on the contrary, is in a hurry to please you. The result of such an unusual tandem is a predictable calm dynamics, a feeling that something is missing at speeds.
Driving a car is very easy, but a stiff suspension on a "short leash" gives an ambiguous assessment to the car. The 17-inch wheels are confusing, although it must be admitted that they give a sense of permissiveness when cornering. Incomprehensible settings in general of the entire car, which, by the way, reaches 100 km / h in 18 seconds. Despite the fact that after some time you can find mutual understanding with Corsa, the desire to change glamor for comfort, for a feeling of satisfaction from being behind the wheel, does not leave.
What will we change to?
Applicants lined up in line: Kia Rio, Nissan Note, Renault Sandero, Hyundai Getz, Volkswagen Polo of course, Skoda Fabia.
Everyone attack the Corsa!
The cars are recognizable, but without a touch of originality, although the Skoda Fabia looks much more interesting than the Opel Corsa. But the Czech creation loses according to external data to other applicants hungry for triumph.
The interior of the representative of the Czech automobile industry does not strike with bright colors, on the contrary, everything here is reduced to the style of "minimalism", practicality. But looking closely, you understand that the equipment of the subject is better than that of the Opel Corsa. It’s just that those highlights that a representative of the Czech automobile industry has are somehow lost, or rather, they don’t stand out against a gray background. You just need to understand the psychology of this car. Then you will see the “correct landing”, feel the comfort of the seats, the ease with which you can read the instrument readings while driving. You feel the ease of shifting the gearbox. In a word, you sit down at first with annoyance - you say: “Oh, you!” When you start moving, the result is completely different, even enthusiastic: “Wow!”
The car is perceived clearly better than its rival Opel Corsa. Clearly balanced chassis of a Czech car, where everything is open, there are no falsehoods, no attempts to lick your mind, wishful thinking. Management is quite comfortable both when driving under certain rules, and at speed. The machine turns with a bang, willingly, even with some excitement. Irregularities (insignificant) the car overcomes with ease, although during the passage of more serious obstacles, the subject's knees "bend", the suspension fails, the body begins to sway.
The power unit is an unsolved mystery of the Czech car industry.
The limiter does not allow you to accelerate "in an adult way." The motor, most likely, regularly rumbles in everyday, relatively uniform life: it is elastic, perhaps a little noisy.
Nissan Note makes a step forward in the lineup of contenders
Winking at us with eye-catching headlights. It can compete with Corsa, but in our opinion it falls short of the opponent.
Although the machine is light, practical. The interior is smaller than that of the Opel Corsa, "splattered" with bright spots that catch the eye. For the convenience of passengers, there are many drawers, all sorts of compartments for small items.
Buggy-eyed Note is very poorly equipped
Perhaps you should not say so, it is better to look at the numbers. Do you agree?
- A representative of the Czech automotive industry needs less fuel than Note (by 7%) to obtain the same power.
- Fabia has 2% larger pistons than the opponent.
- 10% more piston stroke.
- Large fuel tank: capacity 46 liters as opposed to 45.
- Manufacturers give a large guarantee for the body: 12 years for a representative of the Czech automobile industry versus 10 years for an opponent.
- The interval for mandatory maintenance is 20,000 km, as opposed to 15,000 for Nissan Note.
- The Czech version is 113 kg lighter. Its weight is 1182 against 1313kg.
In addition, this Japanese, like previous models, sways when cornering. What is not unimportant when passing MOT, the service of a Japanese is worse than that of comrades from the Czech Republic. Good quality service is one of the determining factors when choosing a car. So, at least, many motorists believe.
Kia Rio or Skoda Fabia - only numbers
The Kia Rio peanut is the leader in such indicators as:
- Fuel consumption: 4 liters per 100 kilometers instead of 5.18 liters for the opponent. This is 30% less than Skoda. Good indicators.
- Kia Rio has 30% less emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere.
- The weight of the Korean baby is 209 kg less than that of the Czech. 1104 vs 1313.
But there are indicators by which Skoda is ahead of its Korean opponent Kia Rio.
- The power unit of the Czech peanut is more powerful: 180 Czech horses instead of 84 Korean l / forces.
- The Czech car accelerates 5.3 seconds faster than its competitor: 7.3 instead of 12.6 seconds for the opponent.
- The maximum speed indicated on the speedometers is different. 225 km / h as opposed to 127 km / h for Kia Rio.
- The luggage compartment in the Czech car is 40% more spacious and is 480 liters according to the passport instead of the Korean 288 liters. 192 liters gap is significant.
- Finally, the Skoda's fuel tank is 4% more capacious, which is 45 liters instead of 43 liters for the Kia Rio.
Here you have to choose either a Korean adapted to urban conditions or a Czech version with great opportunities. Although many experts put these two cars on a par, they even give some preference to the Korean car. But in our opinion this is wrong.
The representative of the French car industry enters the battle - Renault Sandero
Since we are considering economy class cars, let's start with the price. Without going into details, let's say that the starting price of Renault Sandero starts at 329,000.00 rubles. The minimum price for the Czech version of Skoda is 329,000.00 rubles.
In cars - babies, the capacity indicator is important. Don't you agree? So, in terms of comfort, especially in the rear seats, the French comrade Renault Sandero looks preferable.
Both cars tolerate all the bumps on our roads well, but in critical situations during emergency braking, the Renault Sandero's braking distance is longer than that of the Fabia. Agree that this is a significant minus.
In terms of fuel consumption, the Czech version looks somewhat more economical than the Renault Sandero, although not by much, but still.
Comparing the external data of the two cars, we can say that Renault Sandero in terms of design is not satisfactory. Sandero looks like a solid, solid car with a masculine appearance. Compared to Sandero, the opponent looks more harmonious and elegant. As they say, tastes differ.
Summing up
Renault Sandero is universal, it can be successfully operated both in the city and during road trips to nature. The Czech version in this case is more suitable specifically for moving around the city, although you can safely travel outside the metropolis to get some fresh air on it. This car is more suitable for the female half, although many practical men successfully move around the city in Fabia, solving their daily problems.
Remember, no matter which car option you choose, you will not be disappointed.
What arguments will Hyundai Getz put forward in its favor?
Of course, the Korean model and the Czech one have their own arguments. Let's take a look at them.
- Fuel consumption - combined cycle: Hyundai Getz has 3.76 liters versus 5.18 for the opponent. On the track, the Korean consumes 1.09 liters less. In the city, the consumption is 4.59 opposite 6.43 l / 100 km.
- Hyundai Getz has lower CO2 emissions.
- Better safety: 9 points as opposed to 4 for the Czech. We are talking about the front and side impact.
- As for pedestrian safety. Hyundai Getz is also ahead here: 9 points as opposed to 2 points of the opponent.
- The carrying capacity of the Korean miracle is 18% more.
- The guarantee for a paint and varnish covering makes 5 years against 3 at the Czech.
- The Korean weighs less than 1112 kg and the Czech 1313 kg, which, of course, affects fuel consumption. Affects the dynamics of acceleration, braking distance.
But the Czech machine has its own trump cards up its sleeve.
- Accelerates to 100 km / h in 7.3 seconds. Which is 3.8 seconds faster than Hyundai Getz.
- 45 km more maximum speed - 225 km / h.
- Luggage compartment indicators are superior to the Korean typewriter. 480/1460 liters versus 228/987 liters.
- Corrosion guarantee 10 years and 6 years for the opponent.
- The engine is 71 l / force more powerful. 180 Czech horses as opposed to 109 Korean ones.
It is difficult to say unequivocally who the clear leader is. Each has its own weighty arguments. Here you can rely solely on your taste. Some people prefer power, while others tend to prefer safety.
The last of the Mohicans on our Volkswagen Polo list
Here the forces are almost equal. After all, the Czech version, in fact, is the brainchild of a German concern. Volkswagen Polo is somewhat smaller in terms of the internal common space of the cabin. Although the Polo has one indisputable advantage over its opponent: a large legroom for second-row passengers. The version of competitors is the absolute leader in terms of luggage compartment volume: 480/1460 liters exceeds 280/952 liters in the Volkswagen Polo.
The applicant from the Czech Republic has a smaller turning radius: 10 meters versus 10.6 meters for the Polo. But the German machine was more nimble. Polo accelerates showing a top speed of 228 km/h against 225 km/h of the opponent. Pleases Polo with moderate fuel consumption - 4.93 / 4.26 / 6.26 liters per 100 kilometers versus 5.18 / 4.35 / 6.43 km / h. (In versions: mixed cycle, highway, city).
The Polo has lower CO2 emissions of just 139g/km as opposed to the opponent's 148g/km. It looks safer in a frontal and side collision: 9 points against 4. German manufacturers took care of the safety of pedestrians. Volkswagen Polo got 9 points, and only 2 points were given to the opponent. Agree that 7 points is a very solid gap in terms of security. The Polo's body corrosion warranty is slightly longer than 12 years versus 10. There are neutral reasons that we didn't mention. By exposing only the obvious differences between Polo and a competitor. These cars are so similar, but at the same time it is a manifestation of the individual styles of the two competitors. Many believe that the Polo is visually more attractive. But we don't kiss the machine. We choose a vehicle for driving performance, practicality, evaluating technical characteristics.
Although we were faced with the task of dismantling the Opel Corsa and Skoda Fabia, we decided to add our own “spice” in the form of possible competitors to the “automobile borscht”. What happened in the end, what dish tastes like you judge.
It is difficult to give someone the first violin in this orchestra. The only thing that can be said with certainty is that Skoda Fabia is a worthy competitor to such aces as Volkswagen Polo, Opel Corsa, and some models: Hyundai Getz, Renault Sandero, Kia Rio, Nissan Note lag behind our newcomer in many key indicators.
