All these cars are assembled in Russia: Mazda CX-5 - in Vladivostok, Nissan and Toyota - at the St. Petersburg factory, and the new Volkswagen Tiguan - at the Kaluga factory. All these cars with a capacity that exceeds 170 liters. with., with all-wheel drive and automatic transmissions. Under the hood of the new Tiguan is a turbocharged 2-liter TSI engine, in Japanese brands - 2.5-liter aspirated. Which of these cars would be the best to feel on Russian roads, especially in winter?
All of these crossovers are well prepared for winter use. Heaters in all cars work well. True warm steering wheel and heated rear seats are only in Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguane. In terms of practicality, to get into the car and not get dirty - Toyota is in the lead. In Nissan, the thresholds do not close the door, so the pants can be stained.
Salons
Salon Tiguana made better than the salon Toyota RAV4, even the buttons in the Tiguane are grouped by function. The quality of interior finishing materials in Toyota differs from Volkswagen not to the best. As for the Mazda and Nissan, the quality of the materials of the finishes is no worse than that of Volkswagen. Everything is also done qualitatively - even stitches on the skin, plastic pleasant to the touch, the panels are all fitted exactly. In Tiguane, a virtual instrument panel will now always be installed and from it, just like in the new Passat, you cannot refuse and put an analog with real arrows.
For rear passengers, the comfort is slightly lower than for the driver and front passenger. If the upholstery of the front doors is soft, then the upholstery of the rear doors is more rigid, also the door pockets are smaller. But in Tiguane there are folding tables. Also in Tiguane there is a 3-zone climate, unlike the Mazda and Toyota.
Strengths of Tiguana:
- instead of the box, a more reliable 7-speed preselective DQ500 is installed here;
- There are several modes of operation of the car: winter, off-road, highway and individual. But in reality, all these modes do not give anything, on the roads, for example, it is better to drive in a highway mode, then the ESP system (traction control system) will not be turned off;
- 3-zone climate and heated front and rear seats;
- In the trunk of a Volkswagen there is a hook for bags, a flashlight and a socket, a button for folding the back sofa.
The most spacious cabin in the RAV4, and the closest in the CX-5. In the rear seats of the Nissan, the three of them are not very comfortable to sit, especially to the one in the middle. In Volkswagen, too, it is not convenient to sit in the middle, because the central tunnel interferes. And in the Toyota RAV4 is most convenient, here is the largest range of backrest adjustments. You can even horizontally fold back the front passenger seat and sleep peacefully.
Also in the Toyota RAV4 is the largest trunk, its volume is 559 liters. In the CX-5, the trunk is not much smaller, but it has a trunk lid without an electric drive. In Tiguane trunk beautifully made, everything is neat, but its volume is 459 liters. And the smallest trunk in the Nissan X-Trail. In general, the trunk - this is not the most important thing in the car, the car should be able to drive fast, regardless of its size and weight.
But all these 4 cars cannot boast of fast acceleration dynamics. This is still a family vegetable cars. Even if you switch to the sport mode and get under way from two feet, you won’t be able to accelerate faster. But if you turn off the ESP system, the wheels will start to slip a little, but the car will be able to accelerate faster for a second. The driver’s crossover among these 4 is considered the Tiguan, and in terms of acceleration, it is slightly faster than Toyota and Nissan. Mazda also showed itself from the good side, it accelerates to a hundred, just like Volkswagen.
Next, the table with measurements:
In everyday driving, Mazda is also good, here is a 6-speed automatic, which shifts gears gently and on time. In Nissan, the variator is also good and in terms of clarity of work is no different from the Mazda submachine gun. But in the Toyota RAV4 automatic transmission is not as nimble. And the Tiguanov preselektiv without a sports mode is also a bit slow.
What else is good about Mazda is that it is the most economical, it has a start-stop system, unlike other cars, maybe because of this we managed to save some fuel. Although all motorists do not like this system. In the city of Mazda consumes 10.5 liters per 100 km. But Volkswagen and Toyota - 12.5 liters per 100 km. A Nissan - generally 14 liters. In all test vehicles, brakes are equally good.
The strengths of the Mazda CX-5:
- comfortable chairs with a function that can remember the adjustment, there is a lumbar support, which can also be adjusted;
- In the automatic box there is a manual mode, the transfer itself does not increase, but it can switch down.
There is a puck that duplicates the multimedia system console, it is more convenient to use it when the car is in motion. As for handling, the Volkswagen is the most stable - it runs smoothly along the tracks, it enters into turns briskly and with excitement, there is excellent feedback on the steering wheel even on winter tires. Also good handling and Mazda, sharp reactions to the steering wheel.
In terms of handling the Nissan X-Trail on the background of the Mazda and Tiguan is not so good, the steering wheel is not configured, but it has its own characteristics, so you can not say that the handling in Nissan is worse, it is just different.
In Toyota, too, a peculiar handling, on the corner of the snow, the front wheels are a little torn down, it does not provoke a quick ride. Even if you give gazku, it still blows the car, as the torque is quite high. On the ruts, the car scans, so it's better not to turn off the ESP system, well, on real off-road, of course, you can turn it off.
If you compare cars for smoothness, then the Mazda CX-5 showed itself the best. 19 inch wheels are installed in Mazda, they somehow tolerate bumps better than Volkswagen 18 inch wheels. Toyota stiffness is the same as Volkswagen. But in the Nissan X-Trail is the toughest suspension. Also in the cabin while driving in the Nissan is quite noisy, the noise of the wheels is heard, etc. The Toyota is quieter, and Mazda's insulation is even better. Mazda's engine sounds especially good after 4,000 rpm. Turbocharged Tiguan engine sounds quieter than the engines installed in the Japanese crossovers. Yes, and good insulation.
Nissan X-Trail strengths:
- high-quality Zero Gravity seats, but you cannot adjust the inclination of the pillow, and since the seats are a bit slippery, the driver is poorly fixed when cornering
- CVT box without a sport mode, but there is a calmer Eko or manual mode.
X-Trail is the best car that falls under the category of price / quality / equipment. On the roads, the Tiguan showed itself the best even without an off-road package. His ground clearance is 184 mm. At Nissan and Mazda - 194 mm. The DQ500 robotic box is the most reliable robot in Volkswagen. He has a wet clutch, he does not overheat while driving through the mud, does not twitch and the traction does not disappear. Also in Tiguane there is an imitation of interwheel locks, which makes the car very confident off-road.
Toyota RAV4 with off-road is not particularly friendly. Moreover, it has no algorithms for the distribution of thrust. If it is posted diagonally, the car will not cope with this and will not pass on. Also the lowest accurate on the bottom is the receiving tube of the motor, it is 165 mm. from the earth. But on sales, Toyota RAV4 is confidently leading among all cars, despite the fact that there is a lot of hard plastic in the cabin, there are curved stitches and other shortcomings. But when buying, you usually do not notice all these shortcomings.
Oddly enough, Toyota is sold almost twice better than other cars. In addition, Mazda and Nissan about 150,000 rubles cheaper. But people still buy Toyota, because it is already in everyone’s subconscious that Toyota is a reliable car, it never breaks, it serves for a long time and so on. But it is, Toyota brand cars, indeed, with proper care, serve for a long time. Here is a table that shows how much the Toyota RAV4 sells better than its competitors:
In sporty mode, the Toyota engine becomes more active, the thrust increases on the rear wheels, the automatic transmission switches faster, the steering wheel becomes heavier. There is also Eco mode, then the box will switch more slowly, and the remaining nodes will work in standard mode.
The instrument panel looks pretty decent in classic style. Nissan sales are 2 times less, but still they are, and this brand is also loved for Japanese quality, there is also a feeling that this is a big car.
The strengths of Toyota RAV4:
- excellent lateral support on the seats, during the long turns of the seat they hold the driver perfectly;
- The gearbox switches smoothly and on time.
The CX-5 does not have many modern options such as windshield and heated steering wheel, tailgate without electric drive. But outwardly, the car looks balanced, the cabin is spacious, the dynamics are good, while the fuel consumption is not large, the car is also good in terms of safety, there is a ground for passing and comfort is also in the cabin.
But in the new Tiguana all these options are there, and they are made at a fairly high level. True, the price for this model starts from 2 150 000 rubles. A more or less charged version will cost about 3,000,000 rubles. For the money you can and take Audi.
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What car won this comparison can be determined by the following criteria: ergonomics, driving comfort, interior comfort, dynamics.
Ergonomics
In terms of ergonomics, Tiguan wins, because here it is perfect, everything is thought out to the smallest detail. Chairs Mazda and Nissan too loose, more suitable for a thicker audience. And in Toyota, some buttons are not conveniently located. There is no all-round camera at Mazda, even as an option it cannot be ordered. And in Nissan, visibility is so-so due to the fact that the rack is the thickest.
Riding comfort
Volkswagen is also leading here, because it has 3-zone climate control in the basic configuration, there is also a heated steering wheel and rear seats, and in Mazda and Nissan this is not all. The toughest suspension in the Nissan, and the most comfortable in the Mazda. In terms of sound insulation, the noise in Nissan is most of all, in Toyota it is quieter, in Mazda it is even quieter, and in Volkswagen there is generally excellent noise insulation.
Interior comfort
Cabin comfort is better than everyone else in the Toyota RAV4, because it has the most free space. In Mazda, on the contrary most closely. Each of the cars has its advantages, which are not in other cars. For example, the trunk is different in size, but all this is not so important.
Dynamics
Here, Mazda wins all, but if you use some cheats such as 2 pedals and turn off the ESP system, then according to the dynamics and Volkswagen can be fought with Mazda. And Toyota and Nissan for a second behind. But it is clear that this car is not for racing, but with my family to go to the country cleanly. In terms of controllability, Tiguan’s is the best, and RAV4 is the worst of all. All brakes are good.
Rear seats
Climbing into the rear seats is best in the Tiguan or RAV4, and in the X-Trail you have to jump over the threshold, unprotected by doors, and the CX-5 has a slightly narrow doorway. There is enough space for everyone in front of the knees, unless there is not enough space at Mazda if a tall person is sitting in front. But on the 5 cm above the rear seats are located in the Tiguan and X-Trail, than in Toyota. It feels like a general landing, going above normal sedans. But by 5 cm the distance from the head to the ceiling becomes smaller.
In all four cars in the center armrest there are holders, ceiling handles, in general, everything is as usual. The interiors are only slightly different. As for heating, Japanese manufacturers have saved on some things. For example, in the RAV4, the steering wheel is not fully warmed up, but only in those places where the steering wheel is usually held. And on the back of the couch single-stoked heating, in Volkswagen - 3-step. And in Mazda and Nissan there is no heating in the back seat at all.
Visibility
A review of the Tiguan would be the best, if not for the side mirrors, whose dimensions are rather small. Thanks to the high seating position, the hood is clearly visible, and everything is also clearly visible from behind due to the large salon mirror, there are thin stands.
In RAV4, visibility is slightly worse, because there is less rear opening and thicker front struts. But the side mirrors, but large, and there are no distorting sections in them. In the CX-5, visibility is slightly worse than in Toyota. And in the Nissan X-Trail, the visibility is even worse, because here the thick pillars, especially on the ground, the rear head restraints also interfere with the visibility, since the glass of the trunk door is also not very large. The system of circular review is in all cars except Mazda. But as a rule, if you drive in the winter, then these cameras will quickly close the dirt and nothing will be visible. The least distortion in the Volkswagen circular review, and most of all - in Nissanovsky.
Multimedia systems
In Toyota, there are most of all the various online services, but the menu structure leaves much to be desired, and the system responds poorly to sound commands, and you have to repeat the same thing several times. The names of the Russian tracks in all cars normally displayed, and in Toyota - abracadabra. The sound here is not the best, because there are only 6 speakers in the car.
As for the Volkswagen, there is an 8-inch Composition Media display, it looks more advanced, its dimensions are larger and it has more resolution. You can also insert a ¬SD card, the hard disk capacity is 64 GB, but only 10 GB are available to the user. Also here is Android Auto, Apple CarPlay. The menu here is well structured and you can control gestures like on a tablet.
Recommended article: Mitsubishi L200 2015 - the highly anticipated pickupAlso in Volkswagen, voice control is better than in Toyota. They promise that soon there will be online services for the Russian audience. The sound in Tiguane is great because there are 8 speakers installed. The Mazda Bose audio system is installed, it is quite good, the sound quality is decent, but slightly inferior to the Tiguan. The display is better than in Toyota, despite the fact that the resolution and dimensions are the same. The picture is more colorful. The quality of voice control is about the same as in Toyota. But there is a washer-joystick, which is more convenient to use than the touchscreen. There are 2 ¬USB-connector, with which you can charge the phone or download the necessary files.
The X-Trail multimedia system is not very thought out, it uses a 7-inch display, but the menu is more complicated than in Toyota. But there are applications with social networks Facebook, Twitter and others. There are no Russian maps in navigation, there is only Baltic, so you will have to use the navigator on your smartphone.
Headlights
Adaptive LED headlights are installed on all tested cars, which can automatically switch the dipped beam to the main beam and vice versa. Volkswagen has such a function that when cornering, the side light comes on, which helps pretty much in the dark in unlit places.
Prices
The most affordable is the Nissan X-Trail with a 2.5 liter engine and a capacity of 171 liters. with. The cost of this car starts with 1 749 000 rubles. Already in the basic configuration there is a heated windscreen, keyless entry, parking, electric tailgate and bluetooth.
Maximum grade with leather interior, electric front seats and other useful options will cost 2,016,000 rubles. For those who want to save, you can take a complete set with a 2-liter 144-horsepower engine with front-wheel drive and a manual transmission for 1,409,000 rubles. A version with the same engine, but with all-wheel drive and a CVT box will cost 1,559,000 rubles.
The car has a warranty of 3 years or 100,000 km. run Price Mazda CX-5 with a 2.5-liter engine, whose power is 192 liters. with. It costs 1,750,000 rubles, but it is equipped quite simply, there is only climate control and rain and light sensors in the database. If you take the maximum package Supreme, the price will be 2 064 000 rubles. Then in the car there will be more additional options such as the electric drive of the tailgate, all-round visibility, heated steering wheel and windshield. If you take a more modest equipment Mazda CX-5 with a 2.0 engine and a capacity of 150 liters. with., manual transmission and front wheel drive, the price will be 1,349,000 rubles. There is a diesel equipment with a 2.2 engine and a capacity of 175 liters. with., it will cost 2 012 000 rubles. The warranty on the car is the same.
Equipment Toyota RAV4 2.5 engine and a capacity of 180 liters. with. slightly poorer than the Nissan, but costs more than 101,000 p. - 1,850,000 r. If you take the Prestige Safety package, the price for this car will be 2 194 000 rubles. It will already have more options. The cheapest version with front-wheel drive, mechanics and a 146-horsepower 2-liter engine will cost 1,459,000 rubles. And with the same engine, CVT box and four-wheel drive Toyota RAV4 will cost 1 601 000 rubles. The car is also 3 years warranty or 100 000 km.
The most expensive is the Volkswagen Tiguan, under the hood of which is a 2-liter turbocharged 180-horsepower engine. The price will start from 2 150 000 rubles. But in the car quite a lot of options, so the price is high. If you take the Tiguan in the maximum configuration, the price will be 2,750,000 rubles. There is a cheap version of the Tiguan with a 1.4 engine and a capacity of 150 liters. with. its price will be 1 450 000 rubles, for this money the car will be equipped with front-wheel drive and a manual transmission. For those who want a DSG robot instead of mechanics - you have to fork out for 1,550,000, and if you put the four-wheel drive, then 1,800,000 rubles. There is also a 150-horsepower diesel 2-liter engine. The price for this version is 2 050 000 rubles. But the warranty on the Volkswagen Tiguan - 2 years, regardless of mileage.
Next, a video test drive of the new Tiguan off-road: