The main disadvantages of Solaris, Rio, Polo and Focus are reviews. New Kia Rio vs Solaris and Rapid - ZR test Comparison of Kia Rio Hyundai Solaris and Polo sedan

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Today, in the sub-$15,000 class, there are several options. Among which, Hyundai Solaris, Skoda Rapid and KIA Rio. Let's go through the main characteristics of these cars and decide which one still claims to be the best.

What will the motor offer us?

Let's start with the Czechs, their designers tried to do something new in the class of budget cars. Rapid - an application for a full-fledged sports car, in any case, it follows from the name, rapid is translated as fast. The car is presented in three trim levels:

• active;
• Ambition;
• elegance.

Each of the configurations has MPI, TSI, TDI motors. The engines are bored out to 75 or 105 horsepower. If we take the flagship TDI 5MG engine, then acceleration to hundreds occurs in 9.6 seconds. The indicator, although not very impressive, is quite good for this category of car.

Rapid engine compartment

How will competitors respond?

KIA Rio with a 1.6 liter engine shows even less acceleration, 100 km / h is reached in 10.2 s, provided that the most powerful engine in the line is used. With some probability, the reason lies in not the most convenient transmission, which reacts with a certain delay.

Rio engine

Solaris engine

Compare Hyundai Solaris's maximum configuration equipped with a 1.6 liter engine with a capacity of 123 horsepower. Looks better than competitors? Nevertheless, acceleration to a hundred for the same 10.2 that KIA demonstrated. The only advantage can only be called better acceleration over long distances.

What's around the corner?

Skoda conceptually approached the development of Rapid, so sporty notes are felt in everything. First of all, the pedals deserve attention. They are tuned very sensitively, so acceleration and deceleration look quite dynamic.

This is also true in relation to the steering wheel, it is enough just to slightly deflect it to the right or left and the car immediately reacts. All turns are very smooth. But, for domestic roads there is a non-standard equipment with reinforced suspension. It is more “wooden”, but it holds small holes and potholes on the road well.

Hill hold control system works like this

The high-quality performance of the Hill Hold Control system is also pleasing. Sensors read the level of the slope of the terrain and hold the brakes in automatic mode, as a result, the car does not roll back when the slope. No need to hold the brake yourself and fire the clutch.

Movement with comfort

Both KIA and Hyundai are positioned as clear competitors not only in price but also in quality. Not surprisingly, both compared cars have similar characteristics. Suspension in the Rio is made with the expectation of a safe urban ride. It is quite soft and smooth turns. The gas and brake pedals have a slight play, which is important for constant traffic jams on the main highways.

Solaris loses to both competitors in this regard, since the scourge of Korean designers is demolition rear axle. Turns are somewhat risky, especially at speed. Adrenaline adds punchy throttle and a responsive steering wheel.

To sum it up, you can give away one point each for Skoda and KIA, given that their suspensions are designed for completely different driving styles. Solaris loses in this comparison.

At the limit of the speedometer

Rapid can justifiably be called budget sports car. average speed on the track, which maintains maneuverability and controllability - 140 km / h. At the same time, there is no interior extraneous sounds, which is not typical for the class budget.

In a similar Solaris comparison and Rio cannot stand side by side. Both cars do not behave very well at speeds over 100 km / h. In the first case, the risk of skidding due to axle displacement increases greatly, it is not recommended to go around an obstacle or overtake for safety reasons. In the second, there are no problems in management, but saving points become visible. Naturally, we are talking about soundproofing. The rumble in the cabin is so strong that it causes a certain nervousness.

It is appropriate to recall the fuel consumption. For Solaris, this figure is 6 liters on the highway and 8 in the city. Another Korean shows results in 6.2 liters and 7.7 liters, respectively. Against this background, Rapid confidently earns another point. The average consumption outside the city is 5.5 liters, the city is 8 liters, but this is taking into account traffic jams. If you drive smoothly and keep the speed, then the indicators fall by 1.5-2 liters per 100 km.

What can you take with you?

Rapid, although it looks compact, is actually a very roomy car, with a trunk that is not inferior to city jeeps, the volume is 530 liters. The designers tried to minimize the protruding parts as much as possible, so nothing interferes with the installation of the load. Folding rear seats allow you to increase the volume up to 1470 liters.

Trunk Skoda Rapid

Rio hatchback can only answer 389 liters, and the sedan - 500 liters. At the same time, the internal performance does not look very convincing. Soft bags will be no problem, but solid overall cargoes may not fit due to the inconvenient design of the rear wheels, which is made in the form of a cascade and steals usable space.

Trunk Kia Rio

Against the background of these two machines, Solaris looks better. Although the trunk volume is only 460 liters, it has the most correct geometry, which allows you to make the most of the usable space. With the rear seats unfolded, you can carry almost any load.

Let's move on to design

All three cars are far from claiming the laurels of the most elegant or daring cars. Their style is quite classic. The Koreans continue the line of smooth forms, the Czechs stick to the more familiar concept of a standard sedan.

Some special distinguishing features none of the cars have. But the score should still be written in favor of Solaris. Curiously, this car looks for the reason that the design can be compared with the famous Mercedes S Class. On the other hand, this is only an attempt at inheritance, while Rapid and Rio are full-fledged design developments.

What's waiting inside?

Solaris lures the buyer not only with an interesting appearance, but also with a beautifully designed interior. The spectacular control panel immediately catches the eye. On closer inspection, the front end is perfectly balanced, everything is at a comfortable distance for the driver. But things are not so good with the rear seats, passengers will have to pick up their knees, since there is very little space for them.

But compared to Rio, Hyundai looks a little better. In addition to the limited space, the cheapness of the material and the simplicity of the solutions immediately catch the eye. Ordinary plastic, synthetics, in a word, everything to make KIA accessible to the widest possible audience.

Rapid is beyond competition. First, the cabin is very spacious. Secondly, the design does not look cheap. Thirdly, there are many useful functions and electronics even in the basic configuration. One of the advantages is the large rear windows, which do not cut visibility.

What will electronics tell us?

What can be expected from budget cars, of course, savings on modern electrical equipment. There are no expensive climate control systems or fancy stereo systems here. But simple on-board computer Solaris, Rapid and Rio has all the features you need. It monitors fuel consumption, controls on-board equipment and the emergency braking system. Simple but tasteful. And if for personal comfort you need additional devices, that is, there are two options: purchase an extended package or install them yourself.

In this situation, the Czechs decided to offer a rather non-standard solution. Instead of trendy gadgets, they supply cars with the tools necessary for every driver. Including a snow scraper, a set of keys, a phone holder. Quite interesting is the decision on automatic backlighting when cornering. If the speed is less than 40 km / h, the headlights light up when the steering wheel is turned.

findings

Engine and others specifications Korean cars were supposed to bring them to the undisputed leaders since, but in practice this did not happen. Both companies save a lot on creativity and new technological developments, in the end we get everything the same, only in a new body. In this light, it makes no sense to spend money on a car that in a couple of years will look completely ridiculous, while significantly reducing the price.

Skoda Rapid, on the contrary, is designed with the expectation that vehicles will be used for a long time. Everything is thought out to the smallest detail, from the convenience of the driver himself, to the maximum comfort of passengers. It can be quite confidently assumed that the Czechs have adopted the Ford Focus success story and want to implement it in their segment.

The car is completely original, albeit not the most spectacular, but reliable and practical. It really can be called a budget sports car. The only significant drawback is the cost. If Solaris and Rio in a complete set really cost about 15,000 USD, then Rapid - 20,000 USD. Such a solid difference is due to the type of engine and additional electronics. Decide for yourself which is better, but in this review, the first place belongs to Skoda.

Today we understand the question not about “who is new”, but “who is on a proven old one”: proven by years of service, a huge number of tests, the heroes of thousands of sales and a million shares - Skoda Rapid and, of course, the blockbuster Kia Rio.

Some are not inclined to compare these two cars specifically - someone talks about the Volkswagen Polo, others put the creditors' favorite Hyundai Solaris in this row, and someone even had a choice between Lada Kalina or Vesta (we, of course, without complaints and don't mind at all.)

Today we will talk about an almost purebred European and a prominent representative of the South Korean auto industry - Skoda Rapid and Kia Rio.

Objectively, there are much more historical similarities now, but price policy confirms this fact rather than opposes it.

And many bloggers call this similarity “folk”: when two cars are in the same price segment, people themselves form a kind of line of similar cars. Just in case, we recall that you can also compare Volkswagen Polo, Solaris. Sign up for a test drive now!

Despite the fact that in this time of crisis, changing exchange rates and other factors, it is difficult to compare prices, we will all try. Let's say right away that in terms of price, the Kia Rio has its own trump card: the basic package includes all the interesting features, while with the Skoda Rapid you have to spend money.

And the countdown here will not go for a couple of thousand at all (the new Czech will come out about 40 thousand more expensive for the same functionality). An important fact is also the Skoda Rapid: a test drive showed that Rapid, under minimal conditions, is almost completely absent.

As a result, the motor is quite audible. By the way, the difference between Kia Rio and Solaris is about 100 thousand, and between the domestic auto industry it is more than 200 at all.

In terms of maintenance, both cars will please their owners. The prices for spare parts are quite loyal, as, indeed, maintenance from the dealer. The test for gasoline consumption will also please: both the Kia Rio and the Rapid have a maximum speed of 9 liters, and in the city - up to 7 per 100 km / h.

However, numerous tests show that Rapid has a slightly higher consumption. A test drive will show you that too. Be sure to try different driving styles to get an idea of ​​how much gas is wasted.

Important! As a spare wheel, the Skoda Rapid has a full-size wheel, a stamped disk, while the Rio sedan has a full-size wheel and casting. Another feature is the Rio has self-cleaning seats. This is evidenced by the label "Krintex".

In the standard version of Kia, regardless of the automatic or mechanic, it is equipped with 6 airbags, against 2 in Rapid. Another safety note: the top-of-the-line Skoda Rapid has brake discs both front and rear, which brings it closer to the Octavia and certainly makes it better. And a test drive will prove it to you!

Europeans are big lovers of comfort and in this sense they are the best of the best. That is why the Skoda Rapid is much larger and, in this sense, better than the rather small Kia Rio.

In Rapid, it is convenient for both passengers and the driver: behind there are large niches, cup holders (even in minimal configurations) and, of course, space; steering column adjustable in height, and the steering wheel can be made closer to you - set up a comfortable departure.

Kia Rio cannot boast of this: the rear windows do not go down to the end (due to the lack of niches), and the steering wheel is not fully adjustable. When you come for a test drive, be sure to try all these mechanisms to choose the best options.

Someone might say that the length is not such an indicator, however, almost 100 mm give a slight head start to the Skoda Rapid (4483 versus 4370 mm), about the same difference in the wheelbase (2602 mm versus 2570 mm). There is a lot of space under the hood: everything is very conveniently located and there is a lot of free space.

We also include the body here: after all, the opportunity to purchase a liftback for many became one of the decisive factors in the choice. The Kia Rio sedan is available in only two body types - hatchback and sedan.

For lovers long trips we inform you: Skoda trunk Rapid has a volume like that of a sedan (530 liters), and when the rear seat backs are folded, it more than doubles (to 1470 liters).

For comparison: a Korean will please you with a trunk of 500 liters when choosing a sedan and 389 liters if we are talking about a hatchback (1050 liters with the rear seat unfolded). Volkswagen Polo and Solaris have a trunk closer to Kia.

In addition, the Kia Rio has a fairly simple trunk mounting system - arc brackets. They literally “devour” free space and the sedan immediately becomes less attractive!

And this despite the fact that the creators of the Skoda Rapid kept a place for a spare tire at the bottom and a special place for tools, without compromising the main space. So the luggage test drive was European: it turned out to be more spacious, which makes it better than the Kia Rio.

First place award for fitness for Russian roads in this race receives Kia sedan Rio: the Korean was provided with a good height, which, of course, saves from pits and bumps. But if you pay extra, then Skoda can be adapted to our roads by increasing the clearance and replacing it with softer shock absorbers immediately upon purchase.

Rio weight - from 1115 to 1151 kg, against 1135 for the Skoda Rapid. Depends on modification. The volume of the gas tank is also different 43 for Kia Rio vs 50 Skoda Rapid.

Interior and exterior

At the beginning of the paragraph about the dimensions of the car, we talked about the interior - we praised the Rapid and pecked the Kia Rio immensely. Many agree that in the case of design, the Kia Rio became the winner: a combination of aggressiveness and classics, an ergonomic dashboard and a stylish panel, which at the same time is not as cosmic as a Chevrolet, everything is available and the moment of complete adaptation to the car comes quite quickly .

At the same time, everything is restrained and simple in Skoda Rapid, but, it is worth noting, this is Europeans themselves. Including the often cited Polo. The Hyundai Solaris is just closer to the Kia Rio, and we think you understand why.

The plastic of both cars is quite hard - what can I say: the budget!

Interesting! The exterior of the Kia Rio is also more daring, bright, sometimes aggressive, chrome inserts, quite accent lines, a classic tiger nose grille.

Skoda Rapid in this regard is still firmly on its own: the usual restrained forms, eclecticism, softness, a classic radiator grille with chrome inserts, large rectangular headlights, there are “ribs” inherent in all Skodas on the hood, this model already has a new concern logo , and also Rapid has the inscription "Skoda" on the left side of the body.

The best comment is "Simlply Clever". All this you will feel only if you pass a test drive. This is how you can determine who is better.

They talked about the price, they said about the interior and exterior… What did they forget about? Of course, about the most important thing - the technical stuffing. Experienced people will ask “Is there a noticeable difference in this price segment?”. We will say yes, and we will be right.

The most running engine in Russia in 2015 is 1.6. In this case, the power of both cars is approximately the same, but if you look deeper, you can notice the difference in forcing power. This affects the peculiar aggressiveness of the engine: the Rio sedan accelerates faster, rides faster (we note, including on the machine).

Kia has a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic. Skoda Rapid has a six-speed, but for a fee. You can also take an automatic.

Also, I would not want to forget about the presence of a 1.4 TSI turbo engine in Rapid, which, according to eyewitnesses, “tears everyone away.” 125 horses at 5000 rpm, up to 100 km / h in 9 seconds, and a top speed of just over 200 km / h. However, many do not like the DSG transmission, and for obvious reasons: it is expensive and difficult to maintain.

In itself, the movement of two cars is different. If you change from the Rio sedan to the Rapid liftback, you will surely feel that the steering wheel is clumsy, “cotton”.

And this is noticeable both on the mechanics and on the machine. However, at speed, this difference is then felt - the car behaves clearly, there is no need to constantly taxi. As many owners of Rio note, driving at speeds above 120 km / h becomes uncomfortable.

Interesting! By the way, in many ways, Skoda's excellent handling is due to the increase in the wheelbase. This decision of the concern's engineers really had an effect and turned Skoda into a real tank.

Nevertheless, on a country road, you still won’t notice much difference: again, the notorious budget. By the way, we are looking forward to the results of sales in 2016.

Conclusion

So we imagine how a consultant loomed over you, who for three hours drove you from one car to another. In fact, choosing here is quite simple. Try to answer a few questions:

1. Who will be your main passengers?
2. Should a stroller fit in the trunk?
3. How much do you plan to drive?
4. How aggressively do you drive?
5. Where will the car drive most often - the highway or the city?

If you answered “family, children, of course, I should, about 10 years old, I am calm, like a boa constrictor, mostly the city, and with my family out of town,” then it remains only to ask if you have to add 50 thousand to Skoda Rapid. If the answers were alternative, the Kia Rio sedan. A frisky machine, a responsive engine - all this will make the car ideal for connoisseurs of speed.

Of course, our test is very subjective: best qualities everyone has their own, but after two test drives there were just such feelings. Skoda Rapid is a family car. Do not forget that no matter what car you buy, who you invite for a ride and what you put in the trunk, remember: the most important thing on the road is safety.

Popular middle-class cars "Volkswagen Polo" and "Hyundai Solaris" are approximately equal in performance and price. Of course, there are differences between them, but they are insignificant. Buyers who are just choosing a car of an average price level often look specifically at these models and cannot understand which is better: Polo or Solaris. For some reason, these models are very fond of Russian consumer. Let's try to figure out which of these sedans is better, analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.

Price

Price is one of the main selection or comparison criteria. The basic configurations of these cars cost about the same. In particular, the Volkswagen Polo in the initial Trendline configuration (1.6 MT) costs 461,000 rubles. "Solaris" in the Classic configuration (1.4 MT) will cost 459,000 rudders.

However, there are some differences, which we indicate in the table below.

The difference in the cost of basic configurations reaches only 2000 rubles, which is not much. "Polo" is more expensive, but at the same time he gets a stronger engine with increased torque and better acceleration dynamics. However, "Solaris" can be refueled even with 92nd gasoline, and its fuel consumption is slightly lower. But at the same time, the "Hyundai Solaris" in the basic configuration does not even have rear door locks and steering wheel adjustment for reach. It is also worth noting that the Polo uses electric windows that have already become classic, and the Solaris has conventional mechanical handles. So judge which is better: Solaris or Volkswagen Polo.

Price per automatic box

For comparison, here are the prices at which these cars with automatic transmission are sold:

1. Volkswagen Polo in the Comfortline configuration (1.6 AT) will cost 590,000 rubles.
2. Hyundai Solaris in the configuration (1.4 AT) will cost only 494,000 rubles.

Consequently, the minimum price for the Polo automatic transmission is almost 100,000 rubles higher, and this is a very big difference. Of course, the box itself is more modern and 6-speed, and the car kit includes heated seats, mirrors, power mirrors and a head unit, but the difference still remains big. In addition, for 590,000 rubles, Hyundai offers the buyer more options than Volkswagen.

Appearance

In appearance, the cars are completely different and differ in styles. In particular, "Polo" is implemented with strict German features, which by modern standards seem very boring. But even taking into account the fact that the Germans had to save on everything when creating this car, they created a nice budget car. The Koreans also implemented a good and cheap car, but at the same time they managed to put it in a stylish youth body.

Of course, it is difficult to single out the winner in appearance, because everyone has different tastes. Someone may not like the smooth, strict lines (like the Polo), and someone will clearly not be delighted with all these body bulges that are ubiquitous in all cars of the Korean concern Hyundai.

By the way, according to the drivers of both cars, the dimensions are difficult to feel at first, and you need to get used to the car. This is due to the fact that neither the front nor the back is visible from the cabin, although the mirrors in both cases are quite good and comfortable.

Salon

Speaking about which is better: Volkswagen Polo or Hyundai Solaris, you also need to keep in mind the interior of these cars. Both are done well, but the interior of the "Korean" is more interesting and made in a youthful way. In Volkswagen, the Germans tried to maintain a strict style, and they succeeded. As for the controls, they are all in their places. Some users note the convenient control of optics in Solaris, which is located on the left handle, while in Polo it is taken out separately.

The front seats are comfortable in both cases, but there is more space in the Korean car. But as soon as you move into the back seat, you immediately feel that there are more places in the Polo. There are many complaints about the Solaris from tall people who are on rear seats rest their heads on the ceiling. If they transfer to the Polo, they do not experience such discomfort. Therefore, if you think that it is better: "Polo" or "Solaris", and at the same time you have high friends, then a similar argument will be in favor of the German brand.

Behavior on the road

Many owners complain that the behavior of Solaris at high speed leaves much to be desired. Due to under-tuned suspension steering poorly controllable. The company is trying to solve this problem by changing the rear springs and damping the struts, but so far this problem still exists.

"Volkswagen Polo" behaves a little better on the track. Even at high speed, it handles well, the suspension responds well to pits. Therefore, if you plan to often use the car for long trips, then it is better to stop at the Volkswagen.

Motors

As we already know, the basic equipment of the Polo car includes a 1.6-liter power unit. There are no other options. But Solaris is more interesting in this regard. The buyer has a choice between two power plants:

1. Standard 107-horsepower engine with a volume of 1.4 liters.
2. High power unit (123 horsepower) with a volume of 1.6 liters.

And although the Solaris uses an automatic four-speed transmission, it is more dynamic and comfortable than a 6-speed automatic transmission at Volkswagen. Concerning mechanical boxes gears, there are practically no differences.

Well, we can note the lower consumption of the Korean car, which is an advantage, although small. And this despite the fact that the Solaris engine successfully works with AI 92 gasoline, while it is obligatory to fill in Volkswagen only. However, the difference in price between them is 1-2 rubles.

What is good about Solaris?

This sedan stands out with the following positive points:

1. Lower fuel consumption.
2. Unpretentiousness to gasoline.
3. Independent rear spring suspension (in the "Polo" it is semi-independent).
4. More stylish by today's standards appearance car.
5. Modern and stylish salon. Although many people like the strict features of the Volkswagen.
6. More space up front.
7. Lower price of the basic configuration. The choice of several types of engines within the same configuration.

Benefits of "Polo"

The car of the German concern also boasts its advantages:

1. More powerful motor.
2. More space in the back (less in the front).
3. Availability of disc brakes rear wheels(Solaris has drums).
4. The presence of rear power windows even in the basic configuration.
5. Standard sound system.
6. The best behavior on the track when driving at high speed.
7. The 6-speed automatic should be better in theory, but it doesn't give the car any advantage over the 4-speed in the Solaris.

Based on these features of cars, buyers have to think which is better: Polo or Solaris.

Other aspects

In theory, the car of the German concern, due to its high popularity, should sell better, however, due to low fuel consumption, it is the “Korean” that is in the lead in sales. Particularly pleased with the 5-year from Hyundai (Volkswagen only offers a three-year warranty).

As for comfort, both cars are in the same class, so comparing the level of comfort is at least illogical. None of the cars in question is much superior to the other in any way, both are practically equal.

Also on various forums you can find out that Solaris has the potential for chip tuning. That is, you can programmatically improve the characteristics of this model. By itself, this car is youthful. "Polo" - for business people who do not rush ahead of everyone at traffic lights and are not going to carry out any tuning.

Conclusion

And even after comparisons, it is not obvious which is better: "Polo" or "Solaris". These cars are too equal in many respects. The differences between them are insignificant, despite completely different approaches to the implementation of the exterior. In general, in terms of reliability and operation, both cars collect positive feedback from the owners, so we can safely recommend any of them for purchase.

By the way, there are other models of this price category. Alternatively, you can compare other cars and determine which is better: Rio, Solaris, Polo, etc. It doesn't have to be limited to just these two cars.

Talk about budget sedans always interesting. True, the concept budget car in Russia today has become sharply deformed. If earlier Korean cars almost all belonged to this segment, today only a few can be called classic economical purchases. And even relatively cheap cars have become a real luxury for many potential buyers. So what to talk about incredibly advantageous price offers even in budget class do not have to. Today we will take a look at folk cars, which have become leaders in sales among foreign cars, and sometimes take away palms even from Russian cheap cars. The reason for this is a well-thought-out design, timely design updates and a very high-quality assembly.

For the most part, budget cars for Russia are assembled at Russian factories, but the quality still remains high. Automatic assembly processes, quality control and the value of the brand name do their job. Today we will talk about the legendary three best-selling cars in the class of B-segment sedans. These are Hyundai Solaris, KIA Rio and Volkswagen Polo Sedan. Today, these machines represent the sales elite of the Russian market. Each model has experienced a number of upgrades and received incredible sales opportunities. It is on these reference vehicles that we determine the main features of competitive transport. Such opportunities give us the most complete picture of all the competition in the market. It is worth remembering that Solaris has repeatedly become the absolute winner in sales, and today this car does not lose the first place in sales.

Hyundai Solaris - a Korean breakthrough for a Russian person

Under the name Solaris, the car is sold only in the CIS countries. All over the world, the typewriter is known as Accent, and its popularity is rather dubious. But in Russia, they managed to make a great car out of this very attractive sedan with excellent performance and a good price tag for the mass market. The Korean sedan has a great design in the latest reincarnation. The machine is of interest to a potential buyer with such features:

• advanced appearance, which has become not an echo of the past, but a real new development from Hyundai with excellent parameters, lines and modern style of all details;
• surprisingly modern and beautiful interior with good materials, excellent driving experience and no problems with the build quality and layout of the elements;
• engines of 1.4 and 1.6 liters with a potential of 107 and 123 horsepower, respectively, mechanical and automatic boxes - there is a choice for every potential buyer;
• there are enough complete sets to buy both the simplest version of equipment for little money, and to choose the de facto elite content for your new car;
• the base cost of Hyundai Solaris is 623,000 rubles, in the most attractive configuration, the car will cost 830,000 rubles, which is very good compared to rivals.

Korean inexpensive sedan significantly increased in price, but competitors have increased their price tags. It is difficult to say which sides are the advantages of this car. But it will be even more difficult to find flaws in it. This is a machine that has become one of the most best solutions on the market and received its well-deserved popularity in full. Today it is the best-selling B-class sedan in Russia with the prospect of further growth.

KIA Rio - classmate and brother of Solaris

In Korea, the second-largest KIA concern works in close collaboration with Hyundai, so virtually all the technical aspects of this concern are taken from its older brother. In the budget class, the Rio machine is presented today in a unique appearance, and this is the main difference between the car and Solaris. However, the popularity of KIA Rio is somewhat lower for a number of reasons. But first, let's look at the main advantages of a car:

• the design is unique, it was created a long time ago, and since then the appearance of the car has only been improved, today KIA looks quite modern and very interesting;
• comfort reigns in the cabin and even more expensive furnishings than the Korean counterpart, here you will see excellent black materials and excellent filling with interior technologies;
• the technical part is represented by the same power units on 1.4 and 1.6 liters with the same potential and the same gearboxes, there are no differences in technology;
• the ride on Rio seems a little more comfortable, there are practically no changes in the base and suspension, but a little more softness can be felt if you look closely;
• the base price of the car is 630,000 rubles, and the most expensive version goes beyond 900,000, in top version KIA offers more options than you might imagine.

The machine is designed for urban traffic, it is very well controlled, it creates excellent comfort and excellent operating conditions. This car can be safely called a breakthrough for the company, even if many technical details remain from Solaris. The car is independent and can be considered as one of the most tangible competitors for the bestseller in the class. And this is an important advantage of the car over rivals.

Volkswagen Polo Sedan - European-Russian alternative

Polo Sedan is produced in Russia, it is supplied today only to neighboring countries. But the machine retained the appearance and features of a true German. Look at the design of the updated version. It has all the attributes of a real and classic german car. Ascetic calmness and self-confidence, excellent sports lines and high-quality optics. Let's talk more about the benefits of Volkswagen:

• classic appearance creates a number of important advantages for the buyer, there are many interesting design solutions that delight the buyer even after years of operation;
• in the cabin there is simply the splendor of the modern German style, the materials are not the softest, but their layout turned out to be quite successful, the machine feels great;
• under the hood there is a traditional aspirated from the Germans, assembled in Kaluga, 1.6 MPI for 90 and 110 horses with automatic and mechanics, as well as 1.4 TSI for 125 forces with mechanics or a DSG robot;
• the comfort of the trip is provided by a thoughtful and simple German suspension, everything in the car indicates simplicity and affordability, but not at the expense of quality and comfort;
• the base cost of 580,000 rubles makes the car even more interesting for the buyer, but a very good equipment will cost almost 900,000 rubles without add-ons.

If you are looking for a simple and economical car without frills with a German character, buy the basic version and get the most out of your trip. It will be cheaper than Korean sedans and will create great travel opportunities for you. An excellent price becomes an important advantage of buying a Volkswagen Polo Sedan, but this car also has its drawbacks. It is worth reading the reviews before giving your hard-earned money for a German.

Are there other alternatives in the compact sedan market?

This is one of the richest markets among all automotive segments in Russia, so there are actually a lot of competitors here. There are dozens of cars that are worthy of your attention. Price ranges, of course, have not been pleasing for a long time, but today buyers are paying more and more attention directly to technology, operating advantages, dynamics and ride comfort. So we can consider such representatives of the class:

• CitroenC-Elyssee- a very interesting French sedan in terms of configuration and technology, but its cost of 735,000 rubles makes you forget about buying such a car, however, in comparison with the configurations, it does not go beyond the reasonable;
• FordFiestasedan- a chic representative of the class for 623,000 rubles with an excellent modern design, very good technical data and virtually no flaws, the assembly will also please you with quality;
• NissanAlmera- another representative of the class, this time from Japan, a fairly large and comfortable car with good performance, the cost of the base is 611,000 rubles, but popularity is still in question;
• CheryBonus- a wonderful Chinese version for 570,000 rubles, a very comfortable, fairly high-quality and practical car with the best equipment for your money, the quality of implementation is very decent.

You can also remember Geely Emgrand 7 with the promised breakthrough in the quality of all units. Despite the larger body, this car retained the necessary price range. However, Chinese cars until they enter into real competition with Koreans, Japanese and Europeans. But the domestic Lada Vesta perfectly composes and completes the circle of rivalry for this segment. However, Russian cars always go aloof with us. We offer you to look at the review and comparison of the two cars presented above:

Summing up

No matter how many more cars appear in this segment, Solaris, Rio and Polo Sedan seem to be clear leaders without parsing qualities and potentialities. It is worth paying attention to these cars as urban vehicles with the most worthy opportunities in terms of quality and comfort. Of course, for constant movement on the highway, you will want to purchase a heavier and more confident vehicle. But for universal purposes, these machines will help you complete all tasks simply and inexpensively. You will not have to spend a fortune to buy a car, there will be no need for huge maintenance costs.

Polo Sedan turned out to be one of the most available options in this case, but the Koreans were somewhat surprised by the rise in value above the market level. It is for these reasons that popularity has subsided a little, but still remained at the border of the highest sales in the segment. Rivals are actively catching up with this top three, creating real chances for a change in leaders as early as next year. It all depends on the decent quality of updates. So far, there is no information on the reformation of these models. But new items will soon appear. And which of the above cars would you choose for personal use?

As Comrade Ogurtsov from Carnival Night said, “A huge amount of work has been done, I am satisfied with the team, but further, comrades, this will not work.” Indeed, with the change of generation, Solaris sales collapsed by a quarter! Was the absolute leader - and rolled down to fourth place. As we expected in (ЗР, No. 5, 2017), Rio of the previous generation immediately picked up the fallen banner: it increased sales by 17% and became a leader. It is cheaper, so the people reached out.

What about the new Rio? Grow up and rise in price. We took version 1.6 with an automatic and in the maximum Premium version - this Rio is offered for 989,900 rubles. A similarly equipped Solaris is even more expensive: 1,035,900 rubles. But invited by us for the test updated Rapid 1.4 DSG in the maximum Style version easily took this bar: for a car with a lot of options like bi-xenon headlights, you have to pay 1,144,100 rubles. Three years ago, for that kind of money, you could take a well-equipped Octavia ...

Classical and rock and roll

All three cars represent the mass budget segment, but this did not affect the chassis settings. They know how to play checkers, and it's not just about taxis. As in the case of Hyundai, I had a chance to work on fine-tuning the chassis new Rio. And if in the design and some little things you can still find differences between them, then in the settings of the chassis they are absolute twins, and the tires determine the scanty difference in sensations. The developers initially wanted to give the Kia Rio a more sporty disposition. But porridge can still be spoiled with butter. Therefore, in the end, it was reasonable to leave the same driving settings as Hyundai, since the new Solaris in terms of handling approached almost the class standard.

So Rio, with the change of generation, made a huge leap towards the stability of relations between rear suspension and body, especially on. It was enough to put rear shock absorbers vertically, and there was no trace of the former wagging of the stern. The sedan willingly dives into the arc, and the electric power steering supplies the steering wheel, albeit synthetic, but timely weight. Like the Solaris, the Kia's steering wheel is slightly overweight at zero, but that doesn't spoil the overall impression.

Skoda is also not a miss! In a protracted turn, it does not hold on to the trajectory for a “budget” for a long time. In the limit, it recklessly shows a tendency to oversteer, which, as expected, turns into a skid, it is worth turning the steering wheel sharply. Rapid also disables the stabilization system. Although it works well, preventing entry into dangerous corners when the wheels break.

On a straight line, Skoda is stable, it does not react at all to a side wind and a track. Kia and Hyundai require periodic course corrections, but they have sharper reactions to the steering wheel. Despite the nuances, the handling of all cars is reliable. What the mass consumer needs!

Traction armament has always been strong point Rio. The situation has not changed even now: the 123-horsepower engine of the Gamma series, paired with a proven six-speed hydraulic mechanics, is enough for everyday driving. But for “shooting” the pedal needs to be pressed more actively, because the peak of the torque has sat down at almost 5000 rpm, and at the bottoms the engine frankly sleeps. Fortunately, the machine switches quickly, subtly feeling the moment - both time and traction.

Solaris has the same box, but it was as if she had not been informed of quick wits. The ride is reminiscent of Linkin Park songs: a calm verse explodes on acceleration with a screaming engine chorus. The machine flatly refuses to downshift until you press the pedal to the floor. Moreover, this damping cannot be cured - there is no sport mode. But Solaris stops more delicately, allowing the slowdown to be finely dosed. The Rio drive is tuned sharper and already in the initial phase creates a decent pressure in the hydraulic system. As a result, you have to get used to a gentle pedal in order to avoid "peck" when braking.

The braking distance of the Skoda is a little longer, but you can’t refuse the informativeness of the pedal. But with its power-to-weight ratio, Rapid makes everyone firewood. If Rio and Solaris just accelerate well, then Rapid's dynamics are almost a reference for the class. And the point is not only in the maximum acceleration, but also in the convenience of controlling the accelerating dynamics.

The Korean Gamma engine sings at very high notes, and the Skoda TSI feels confident throughout the entire rev range, since two hundred Newton meters of torque are available almost from the very bottom. The classic "six-shot" automatic machines of the "Asians" are powerless in front of the DSG preselective, which "shoots" seven gears from two shafts at once. As a result, Rapid is able to quickly dissolve Solaris with Rio in their small mirrors. But will the DSG last as long without repair as conventional machines live? Question!

Shake quietly!

Whether you like it or not, the Rapid must be brought down in front of the potholes: the suspension works harshly on the rebound. Skoda is not particularly ceremonious with road trifles - you feel all the joints! Rio and Solaris treat such flaws more noblely. But if the suspension works confidently on the rebound, then catching a blow on the compression stroke is easy. Therefore, in front of speed bumps and similar hard bumps, it is better to slow down. Of course, all three machines cannot be classified as bone shakers, but before such masters of digestion terrible roads like Lada Vesta and Renault Logan, they are far away.

The Skoda turbo engine is much quieter than the younger aspirated 1.6 with 110 hp, but its voice is the soloist in the general background noise at low and medium speeds. And when the speedometer needle passes over 100 km / h, aerodynamic noise comes to the fore, especially strong in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe mirrors. However, they are not annoying. Road noise also does not exceed an unpleasant threshold at any speed and surface. What can not be said about Solaris.

The bottom of the Hyundai is treated with additional noise, but the rumble from the tires is the same as in frankly budget cars. Okay, let's put it down to the fact that we have Solaris from the first batches that did not undergo additional processing of the rear wheel arches. But how to explain the vibrations on Idling with the fan and A/C compressor on? The steering wheel, the driver's seat and the gearbox selector at these moments reduce convulsions.

Surprisingly, there are no such problems in Rio. Although, having opened the hoods, we were convinced that visually the engines were shaking the same way. However, only a subtle itch reaches the Kia's controls. Could it be the engine mounts? But they, judging by catalog number, the same. This was confirmed by the factory workers. Wonders!

The Kia is also imperfect, but definitely better: the bottom and rear wheel arches have been processed from birth. The result is "on the ears."

Crossroads

Related Rio and Solaris did not become absolute twins. Solaris slows down better and has a better face. Kia has a more competently tuned box, lower vibration level. However, the differences are so insignificant that we gave the cars the same ratings.

However, something tells that Kia will perform brighter in the market. The base Solaris is cheaper, but inferior in terms of equipment. So, Rio is supplied with air conditioning by default - for many this is a weighty argument. And the most popular version with a gun and the average version of Comfort is almost 30 thousand cheaper.

Rapid to them in terms of sales - to drive and not catch up. And the fact that in today's fight he emerged victorious hardly helps. It's not about the price at all. After all, if you abandon the options, the price tag will drop to the Korean level. At the same time, Rapid has an excellent engine, a fast gearbox and spacious salon. Everything is with him! So why are Rio and Solaris more popular? Apparently, the Koreans know some special secrets of playing market checkers, which have long turned into chess.

The editors express their gratitude to the LCD "Ecodolie" for their help in organizing the shooting

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