Seven of the shops

Kompaktven - a car, they say, "without wings." Buy it not because they want to, but because they need it. Dreams of youth go somewhere on a distant back seat depressingly mundane reasons - accessibility, usability, security and even moderate operating costs. Fortunately, no one is forcing us to buy impersonal dormitories korobchonki. His Majesty the market gives us the right choice. There is a possibility as just to stand out from the crowd, so there is a possibility that the crowd firmly behind us. On the first role perfectly cope Honda FR-V, the second - Opel Zafira 2.0 Turbo. And how do they cope with the role kompaktven? Honda - a real show-stopper is a bit of sincere curiosity surrounding the attacks. Before the mad Fiat Multipla her far away, but it is FR-V is closest crept to the creation of reckless fantasy of Italian designers. It definitely has that porassmatrivat. Slanting front bears the traces of effort to enter this wide car into the narrow framework of corporate identity. When viewed from the rear focus attention not so much on the unusual dimensions as the S-shaped trunk lid - even her glass has a noticeable bend, which required the use of "janitor" non-standard design. Well, in profile FR-V produces compulsive association with BMW X5. Given that direct borrowing does not occur - except that the rear rack familiar shapes. Perhaps the whole thing in a game of proportions of doors and windows. Zafira in its second generation still carries the obvious imprint of the German technogenic, but sometimes became animated, emotional. The nasal part of a winning look from any angle: especially successful transition pillars cover the wings and then - in large headlamps, chrome bar connected to a powerful facing the radiator. The front bumper is well established - look at the huge mouth air intake and energetic relief skirts, however, the same goes for Honda. On the good taste they say carefully contoured wheel arch extensions, which do not appear to be fanciful, as the focus or the latest S-Class. But behind the Zafira is boring - some perpendiculars. The gray interior opelevskom reigns monumental INDUSTRIAL - monolithic form, sweeping lines. Large knobs and buttons, low-key displays logically fit into the strict atmosphere of the interior. All this smacks of the work on the stone carver, but as a whole looks fairly solid and elegant. Honda is quite different. It is fascinating glossy shine of high-tech gadgets and a bunch of futuristic. Lever manual transmission has risen on the front panel, directly below it - exhaust "hammer", next - a massive retractable cup holder. Spokes Steering decorated ornate silver inserts with flat buttons. But soon, the abundance of small pieces of plastic of various textures checker starts in the eyes. And yet, this multi-colored instrument panel ... originality FR-V then it turns into a conflict with the ergonomics. We have to lift up his right hand high in the search for gearshift, reach for the climate control, each time to look for the button windows. The layout "3 +3" - also on the fan. Three of them closely from the front: even if the child is sitting between adults, it is better to push back. But then lost an average seat back. It, of course, can also move, resulting in the location of seats in the cabin will remind sitroenovsky icon. No wonder there? Opel on the order of logical, thoughtful and intuitive. To begin with, what doorways are wider. Then, it's really seven-seat car - two third-row seats completely full. They are arranged in a single step, with relegated all the way forward average sofa. All in all, as the old car - from the good deed goes unpunished, it is still nothing better than the competitors have not yet invented. Probably the only drawback of this scheme is the ability to fold the second row seats when the cushion in an upright position pressed against the back, and pulls the entire structure to the front seats. In addition, Zafira is well-suited to the carriage of long items, for which the right front seat backrest folds vpered.Zdes it is worth noting that, compared with the previous generation of engines, gearbox lever is located farther from the driver, and manipulate it became much easier. At the same time there is a deterioration - it's stupid Uncommittable switches under the steering wheel and peeped at the Renault Megane II "aviaruchnik." In fact a test drive, we started with Honda, fearing that would then not dimmed her ability against the stunning power of Opel. All came as quite the opposite. Yes, FR-V definitely slower. But what is the level of technical culture! How quality work all the nodes car, how delicately tuned controls! The reactions of the car I would called a "biological" - they are quick as a cat, gentle and intuitive. Engine remarkably flexible and responsive to the slightest shift of the accelerator pedal. Transmission, despite the cable-operated lever switches with ideal clarity. The suspension absorbs without a trace of the microrelief and carefully work out major defects, and on the gentle waves of the machine is not shaken, and the banks remain at acceptable levels. In turns Honda behaves amazingly right: the driver sees the car as a whole, and feels full control over it, enjoying the thorough feedback on the steering wheel. A amorphous soft, at first glance, the seats have been found to reliably hold the body in turns. Miracle that the machine! And what is Opel? The car is equipped with "interactive" chassis IDS (Interactive Driving System), linking together electronically dampers, electro-hydraulic power EHPS, stabilization system ESP Plus, a braking system in cornering and traction system CBC TC Plus. Multiple sensors IDS monitors parameters such as steering wheel and pedals, overloading in various directions, allowing the electronics to adjust the operation of various systems of the machine. In practice, the car proved to be kompaktven sharp, rough, his reaction is not always clear, often nervous and lacking accuracy. Pendant "tighter" than the Honda, more energy-intensive, but too much detail on the body passes a road profile. There is a mode of "sport", activated by front panel button. It sharpens the response of the machine at the wheel, reducing roll, but the stiffness is higher. But the main problem - namely the mismatch of suspensions, which manifests itself in sharp turns or abrupt rebuild "podvilivaniem" rear axle - does not disappear. On the same machine was not like this! And on the "hot" hatchback Vectra GTS 3.2 same IDS chassis configured to convincing. Annoyingly, the more so in direct Zafira infinitely stable and reliable. Motor is strong, no doubt. However, at low speed of the turbine does not appear, and only after reaching the mark "3000" begins a smooth surge of thrust. But after 5000 the engine finally flies into a rage, immediately resting on the stopper. And so - in every gear. Extreme Opel! However, outside of its highways extremity hardly justified. For a family of transport would like something quieter and ponezhnee. For example, a diesel engine. For Honda, too, questions remain. Undoubtedly, model FR-V - sample technical perfection, but as a multipurpose vehicle that kompaktven as bestolkov as Stream. Honda all trying to reinvent the wheel, although in a class of large minivans, has long played with the model of Odyssey, built without frills, according to generally accepted canons. And play well. What do you want? And once again want to do genetic engineering and to bring a viable cross between two species.