Fiat Albea, Chevrolet Aveo, Renault Symbol, Hyundai Accent: workforce. Fiat Albea, Chevrolet Aveo, Renault Symbol, Hyundai Accent: workforce What is better Fiat Albea or Renault Symbol
The Russian automotive market is unique in some way: we are equally willing to consume both new and “resurrected” models especially for us. Moreover, the age difference does not prevent some cars from actively competing with each other. There are many examples of this.
You probably already guessed that we are talking about the budget car segment, where “older” models have recently become quite common, and where design imperfection and technological age are compensated by an extremely attractive price. However, modern cars are also found here. One of the latest such releases was the premiere of a new generation of Renault Symbol, which today will be opposed by the actively claiming to be a fossil - FIAT Albea.
In Russia, this "Italian" (however, as well as his opponent) is sold relatively recently. There are several reasons for its appearance in our showrooms: firstly, the formal absence of the brand in domestic open spaces, and secondly, the adjustment of the sedan production on the conveyor in Naberezhnye Chelny. Yes, yes, this FIAT was the last nail in the coffin of the KAMAZ Oka, one of the most imperfect cars of our time. However, her formal replacement for the role of a technical masterpiece also, to put it mildly, does not pull. The progenitor of Albea is the Fiat Palio, which is already somewhat forgotten, but occasionally still found on European and Russian roads. At one time, he was considered a very good car, but, alas, that was fifteen years ago. And, despite the fact that maestro Giugiaro himself (the founder of the ItalDesign studio) had a hand in turning the Palio into Albea, this sedan today does not look much more modern than the Taganrog Accent or Chevrolet Lanos. Symbol on its background looks much more organic. Although Renault is not based on the latest platform from Clio II, and in technical terms, its current generation has gone literally half a step from its predecessor.
But outwardly, the new Symbol has changed quite a lot. The body has become more proportional and harmonious. The trunk no longer looks “sewn on”, the bumpers have acquired their own architecture, and the “face” of the sedan has become much prettier than that of the ancestor. The car is now somewhat reminiscent of another relatively fresh French model - Renault Sandero, which should soon replace Logan. Tellingly, about three-quarters of all new body panels remained the same. In particular, this applies to the “skeleton”, as well as the traditional drop roof for the model (which once again proves that we still have a restyling product).
Alas, this also means that the claims to comfort and capacity have remained the same. The Symbol's rear riders still have to retract their heads to keep the top of their head from making extremely unwanted contact with the roof lining. The sofa also did not become more spacious - two full-size passengers are an absolute limit for it. There was no more space in front of the knees. On the other hand, where does it come from if the wheelbase of the Symbol has not changed, and the entire increase in length has gone to fine-tuning the bumpers and restyling the trunk. In fairness, let's say that the second row of Albea will also not be able to accept three full-size riders, otherwise traveling in a sedan will be extremely tiring for them. But in the vertical plane, FIAT still has more space.
But the most pleasant thing about the “Italian” is the landing of the front passengers. As befits a real "European", his chairs are quite comfortable, and they can accommodate a person of almost any physique. By the way, this effect is achieved not so much due to the features of the design itself, but due to the texture of the seat filler. On the one hand, the seats are soft enough not to push the passenger's body out, on the other, they are rigid enough not to let him hang out.
In Renault, there are more claims to the front row. In particular, the anatomy of the seats here is not very correct: the back is a bit short, and the pillow does not differ in serious dimensions. In general, a tall driver in the Symbol will not be too comfortable. If we take into account that the steering wheels of both participants in this test are regulated only vertically, then the owner of the “Frenchman” will definitely have to look for a compromise fit.
But Renault is clearly ahead of the opponent in terms of execution. To finish here, as before, there are no special complaints. As for the design, the French, of course, did not make a qualitative step forward - everything is just as simple inside, but in general the interior looks pretty neat. Metal-painted inserts appeared on the front panel, while the cockpit itself (once borrowed from the Clio II) was slightly rethought, especially its upper part, where the new central display now flaunts.
Of course, the interior of FIAT has also changed, the gray nondescript Paleo plastics are a thing of the past. The architecture itself has also changed, but in comparison with the “Frenchman”, the Albea interior still looks much simpler. However, the build quality and finishing materials are also at the proper level.
But the trunk of the "Italian" is worthy of praise without any reservations. What's more, Albea is equipped with the largest cargo area in its class. Its "working" volume is 515 liters, which is almost 10 liters more than the Symbol. It can be increased by another 300 liters by transforming the back of the rear sofa. True, the backrest divided in the proportion of 60:40 is an option, and the “futuristic” shapes of the compartment walls leave much to be desired - problems are likely to arise when loading large items.
The trunk of Symbol before restyling contained 510 liters, after - 4 liters less. On the other hand, the French did not have an urgent need to increase the cargo compartment. There is a more convenient opening, a small loading height, but the main thing is that Renault is equipped with a transforming rear seat back by default. And let only a couple of boxes with IKEA furniture crawl into the vacated space, at least the nominal ability to transport long items in the “combat” arsenal of the basic Symbol is still present.
The "Frenchman" has other advantages. So, its specifications suggest the presence of an automatic transmission, which is not available to the buyer of Albea for any money. FIAT is generally offered in only three versions, with one “box” and a single 1.4-liter 8-valve engine that develops a rather modest 77 hp. and just over 100 Nm of torque. However, they are already achieved at 3,000 rpm, so the car starts quite briskly. However, by 4,000 its fuse fades away, and the driver has to shift gears long before the engine reaches maximum power. Albea accelerates to “hundreds” in 13.5 seconds, which, of course, cannot be called a particularly impressive result. On the other hand, no one expects the swiftness of a racing car from such a car.
In the arsenal of the new Symbol, there is also only one motor. The French abandoned the old 8-valve "four", preferring a 98-horsepower 1.4-liter gasoline engine with two camshafts. However, you should not delude yourself. The main emphasis in this case was not on dynamic performance, but on the notorious fuel economy. This is especially noticeable in versions equipped with automatic transmission. The classic 4-speed "box" Symbol is quite sane, but only in the standard driving mode. It is necessary to squeeze the accelerator a little, and it will begin to be late with switching, and annoy with very noticeable jolts. In addition, the car becomes corny noisy.
The same drawback, however, is also characteristic of the “Italian”, and everything is noisy here: the engine, the transmission, the stones, and the wind. But the FIAT suspension can easily cope with speed bumps, tram paving, and rutting. But the steering wheel seemed "smeared". In Renault, the amplifier is a little heavier, but the “steering wheel” is more accurate and informative. The suspension of the Symbol is frankly stiffer (but not to the point of furiousness), which contributes to more accurate cornering in the absence of strong rolls. The FIAT's directional stability is also on the level, but it falls over much more, and sometimes it seems that the sedan is about to break into a skid.
On the other hand, it is better not to allow critical situations on these cars, since at high speeds the behavior of both sedans becomes almost unpredictable.
Cars now and then strive to get off the trajectory, throwing the “stern” out of the turn. Even the Symbol's suspension feels overly soft and sloppy, and the fascination with speed turns out to be a clear lack of feedback on the steering wheel. In general, movement in such a rhythm no longer seems comfortable ... But in general, it is worth recognizing that in standard situations both cars behave quite confidently, which, in fact, is expected of them.
It remains to say about the prices. The base Albea is offered today for 366,500 rubles, while for the Renault Symbol, sellers will ask for at least 425,600 rubles.
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Made for those who just need to move around the city. At the same time, its owner will not have to blush for his transport.
The Aveo is relatively young and arguably looks more stylish than most class and price competitors. Tasteless optics, rounded contours of the roof and front end, a small spoiler on the edge of the trunk, 15-inch wheels (Star configuration) and a tight fit of body elements bring the Korean-assembled sedan closer to more “authoritative” European and Japanese cars on the market. They don't equate though.
Inside
The interior creates a pleasant impression and looks of high quality. The panels do not emit any extra sounds, and to the touch it gives the impression of a reliable and solid assembly.
There are a lot of familiar details in the Aveo's cabin. For example, the steering wheel is large and unpleasantly thin, with small horn buttons, quickly pressing which in an extreme situation is a real feat. Or the instruments with red needles and pale green backlighting that look the same on Captiva with Epica and Lacetti with Aveo. There are also pleasant features in unification - for example, a radio tape recorder. Here it is the same as on some Saabs and Cadillacs! Although, for Caddy owners, this is not pleasant enough ...
The disadvantages are basically common to all cars costing less than 500,000: the steering wheel lacks length adjustment, the on-board computer lacks information content, and the seats lack tenacity. But the pluses are more significant: nice upholstery, high-quality assembly, a pleasant appearance of the interior, and most importantly, the ability to drive without the discomfort inherent in many budget cars.
In move
Positive. The 1.4-liter engine, even with a gun, does not make you complex because of the dynamics of your own car. After all, 94 hp. per ton with little weight. Aveo accelerates smoothly and confidently up to 140 km / h - unbalanced winter wheels did not allow to go faster. However, miracles do not happen: it is better to overtake on the track with a margin - this engine cannot really be called torquey.
Chevrolet Aveo 1.4 automatic transmissionSpecifications:
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The automatic transmission shifted surprisingly quickly and clearly through four gears, shifting up and down on time and without critical delays. I was also pleased with the fuel consumption: in the urban cycle, the car consumes 10 liters of fuel per 100 km, and if you use the ring road, you can get bored with gas stations.
Suspension and brakes - no revelations. Small irregularities are “voiced” more strongly than we would like, but on badly broken asphalt, you can not be afraid of breakdowns, or even strong rocking of the body. The car goes into a skid quite early, but the slip is easily corrected by the steering wheel and the “gas”.
Total
In our four, this is the newest and most expensive of the participants. Interesting outside and inside the car for the appropriate money. Its exterior and interior design are consistent and will likely appeal to a much larger number of consumers, as will its balance of comfort and ride quality. No wonder Aveo is one of the twenty best-selling models in Russia!
PricesOutside Over the years of sales (since 1999), the heavy-weight strong man of the Turkish assembly Symbol has already become familiar. But it seems that the designers consider their brainchild to be ideal. How else to explain the fact that two restylings (in 2002 and 2006) of the model left plump forms Renault practically untouched...
But, one way or another, the appearance of the Symbol is recognizable, although not too harmonious. No wonder: the current sedan is a converted hatchback, and its proportions are clearly violated! Advice to buyers: take the trouble to order a car on wheels of a larger diameter - otherwise it will be difficult for a car to get rid of the nickname "hut on chicken legs". Outside This car began its career already in 1999. Since 2002, the car received a Taganrog registration, a year later it underwent restyling. Now it is produced only in one body - a sedan.
Outside "World Platform" Fiat Palio spawned many clones around the world. Before us is another one of them. A car on whose narrow shoulders the marketers of Severstal-Avto have shouldered the hardest task of regaining the lost popularity of the entire brand in Russia. And things seem to be going well - production Fiat Albea at the facilities of the Small Car Plant (in Naberezhnye Chelny) is gaining momentum.
It would be naive to look for interesting design finds in the appearance of Albea, but to find them would be a revelation. It looks like a big soap dish - the presence of smooth forms is paramount, there are no hints of fashion. But such a design should be put in defiance, for example, of angular shapes. Hyundai Accent, and then perhaps a "soap opera" from fiat will be able to charm the buyer ... or the buyer? Inside As you know, almost everything is made from oil, including medicines. What to do - our century can be called "synthetic". The Albea salon can be called the same “synthetic” one. Visually, everything is great: the matte front panel looks solid, and the door upholstery is neat and modern. But to the touch, it all turns out to be very “chemical”. And the steering wheel generally began to literally melt in the sun, leaving a touch of plastic dust on my hands. But it’s hard to find fault with the build quality - the interior is assembled to last, without unnecessary “crickets” and gaps. And in the end, you can put a cover on the steering wheel - and the problem will be solved. Landing in Albea is quite acceptable for people up to 180 cm tall, those who were not lucky enough to meet this framework will have to put up with a ceiling hanging over their heads - the car's interior is low. Lower the chair by 5-8 centimeters, and the landing would become more convenient, but - the budget is the budget, and the driver's seat has a microlift fiat only in the most expensive configuration.
The length of the cabin is enough for those sitting behind, but a tall passenger will still have to slide forward a little, otherwise he will inevitably prop his head up on the ceiling. In move Old man 8-valve with a power of 77 hp proved to be not only noisy, but also quite nimble. A mechanical box with extended gear ratios allows you to accelerate without disturbing the shift lever so often, but the engine does not have enough thrust, especially on the “bottoms”. If the motor “thinks” that it should work in second gear, and you turn on third, then your mistake will remain without understanding - the engine will no longer be able to pull the car. But if you don’t experiment and drive smoothly, only the already mentioned noise will remain among the shortcomings. The manual box takes some getting used to - it sticks in with a noticeable effort, and the lever travel is quite large. The steering information is sufficient for a calm driver, but the brake pedals and especially the clutch seem to be “empty”.
The road torn apart by the workers revealed another quality of Albea - where the colleagues walking in front touched asphalt potholes with crankcase protection, fiat passed without problems. Short overhangs and high ground clearance will also help out in the parking lot - the snub-nosed nose of the car imperiously freezes over the insidious curb. Well, cars for "third countries" have their own specifics ... Total Fiat Albea the inside offers more than the outside. And, perhaps, its main drawback lies in the fact that the car was late with access to the rapidly developing Russian market by 5-6 years. Offering the necessary (and quite acceptable) set of consumer qualities, Albea, however, did not become a "trendsetter" in a cheap small class, such as Hyundai Accent. Although, maybe just a little time has passed?
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DRIVE - Affordable Fiat Albea, Peugeot 206 and Renault Symbol sedans
Test Fiat Albea, Peugeot 206, Renault Symbol
Vadim Gagarin, Vlad Klepach, DRIVE. Photo DRIVE.
No, well, why, tell us? What did these three cars do wrong before heaven? Why were they so mutilated? And okay, Fiat Palio or Renault Clio, which in themselves were not the most charming cars. But why did the "baby" 206th need to "sew" this huge ass? Who worked here? Doctor Frankenstein?
But it is we, the buyers, who are to blame for everything. We love sedans so much that we bypass the 206 and Clio for the simple reason that they are hatchbacks. And we are ready to turn a blind eye to the design, just to carry extra centimeters of metal with us. “Well, they asked for it themselves,” the manufacturers answered the market, attaching huge metal “backpacks” to poor cars.
Fiat Albea survived this operation satisfactorily. The car, of course, could be more elegant, but you can’t refuse it in harmony - its only “third volume” has taken root well and does not look like a foreign body. And Peugeot is a handsome man at all. True, as long as you look at it from the front. But from other angles ... Symbol is no more beautiful. More precisely, Renault is even scarier. But he is saved by the fact that, unlike other test participants, he has been sold with us for a long time. And he became so familiar that grumbling about his butt was already tired. Therefore, we will not, especially since such machines are clearly not taken for design.
Our test subjects are worth about 15 thousand dollars, and for this money each of them has air conditioning, front power windows, a pair of airbags, power steering, an on-board computer and, of course, a huge trunk. It seems to be everything that is needed for happiness. Or not? Oh, yes - I want all this economy to move with dignity.
Let's start in alphabetical order - with Fiat. We sit down. Oops! Well, hello, Zhiguli! Uncomplicated interior design, square air vents, tiny mirrors, a simple “sticker” of devices. If on the outside “our” black Albea looks more solid than its rivals, then inside you won’t forget about its budgetary origin. But the on-board computer screen is like on "adult" Fiats. And the steering wheel, although plastic, is quite pleasant to the touch.
Fiat Albea is unlikely to take a place in the museum,
but among the participants in our test, her appearance is the most serious and correct.
The chairs, at first glance, are not bad - with distinct lateral support, pleasant upholstery and adjustable lumbar support. But the profile, despite the presence of adjustable lumbar support (only Fiat has it), is not the best. No matter how we spin it, the back still gets tired.
Peugeot is not far from Albea. The Iranians (after all, it is of Iranian assembly!), It seems, spent the entire strategic stock of Soviet soldiers' overcoats on seat upholstery in the 206 Sedan. Well at least it's not canvas awnings. The seats, of course, will not please either the tenacious embrace of sports "ladles" or the comfort of leather chairs. None, that is, the usual ones.
Despite the increased dimensions, the wheelbase remained unchanged - all the “growth” fell on the sirloin.
Otherwise, the interior of the “Frenchman” sent to the Middle East exile copies the saloon of the 206 with a hatchback body, which is not bad. With the exception of recycled plastic, absolutely everything is made from it. But you can only sin on materials - otherwise there are no complaints about the salon. Convenient pockets in the doors, a giant glove compartment, plenty of space for small items, smart appliances. The steering wheel and gearshift lever deserve special praise - the most comfortable among our trinity.
If the finishing materials were not outrageously cheap, the interior of the Peugeot 206 Sedan would be very good.
Renault after this couple - five minutes to Rolls-Royce. In it, after Fiat and Fawn, the feeling of a car of a slightly higher class does not leave. This, of course, is the merit of the new dashboard from the Clio hatchback (earlier in Symbol it was from the pre-styling Clio). And in general, there are no obvious failures in sheathing and upholstery - there is nothing to complain about. And the power window buttons have finally migrated to a more convenient place on the driver's door. However, no. There is one thing that is annoying, and its name is the instrument panel. It is absolutely unreadable during the day, and the clumsy backlight does not decorate it. But the owner will certainly be pleased to look at the speedometer, which is marked up to 250 km / h.
Renault Symbol recently experienced another restyling. Externally, the car remained almost untouched, all the changes are inside.
Naturally, this speedometer in no way reflects the capabilities of the Symbol, although it drives faster than its competitors. Indeed, “our” Renault had a 16-valve 1.4-liter engine with a capacity of 98 hp, while 8-valve engines of the same volume in Fiat and Peugeot develop 77 and 75 “horses”, respectively. And if they accelerate about the same, then the Symbol easily goes into the lead. And, having gained speed, pleases with a rather comfortable and energy-intensive suspension. It enters the turns confidently, but without fanaticism. The shift lever is very precise and comfortable, although the clutch settings are awkward and take some getting used to. Relatively quiet inside. Regular CD-music is able to satisfy the needs of people without a musical ear - six speakers thump tolerably, and the steering column control panel allows you to keep your hand on the steering wheel.
After restyling, the interior of the Renault Symbol has become much nicer. Separate quality is at a level unattainable for rivals.
In Peugeot, there are two less speakers (there is no sound behind), but the remote control is more convenient. And he can provoke! Yes, yes, despite the frail motor and stupid tires, you can “burn off” on an Iranian sedan. To the best of his ability, of course. A good chassis and good steering settings make the 206 Sedan docile and nimble. His steering wheel is the lightest, but at the same time informative, and the reactions are the most lively. You go into a turn, and it seems that the car weighs half a ton less than it really is. Very light and obedient car, and she rolls the smallest. At the same time, the suspension is, of course, stiffer than that of Renault, but the sound insulation is quite decent. But the gearshift lever here is far from being so accurate, and the reverse gear does not always turn on the first time.
Peugeot 206 Sedan is a very light and pleasant car to drive.
What about Fiat? Buckle up, put in first gear. Oh, wow lever moves! They are huge! And the problem is not only with them. There is no need to talk about some kind of information content - to understand whether the transmission is stuck, you can only "after the fact". And when you turn on the back, you touch the passenger seat cushion with your hand. But, we must pay tribute to Fiatic, with the choice of transmission on it, we never made a mistake. The clutch grabs sharply, but not in the same way as the Symbol. But the reactions of the engine to gas, perhaps even too sharp. You can break the wheels into a slip at low speed with one careless movement! Although the point, of course, is not at all in the monstrous torque of the 8-valve monster motor, but in the inferior Goodyear GT2 tires, which begin to whine and squeak for any reason and even without it.
The Fiat Albea's suspension is a striking combination of softness and stiffness.
In a straight line Albea rides excellently. But he is afraid of turns, especially protracted ones! The car sways and reluctantly registers an arc, every now and then striving to jump off the path. The situation is complicated by a completely “empty” steering wheel. In general, the Fiat Albea suspension is a real know-how of Italians. After all, with all its softness and laxity in corners, it manages to compete with the Subaru Impreza WRX STI. Albea just as hard passes the joints and speed bumps! And on other types of bumps, the car just floats. Amazing.
In addition to the 98-horsepower Symbol, there is also a version with a weaker “eight-valve” with a capacity of 75 hp.
But only Albea has ABS and a brake force distribution system - the rest of the test participants do without them. So if Fiat takes second place in acceleration, then it takes first place in stopping. And the Peugeot 206 (in addition to the lack of ABS) also has a very incomprehensible brake pedal. You press it a little - and nothing happens. You press harder - the car starts to slow down a little bit. And only then, if you press the pedal again, normal acceleration with a minus sign will go. Renault is much better - the pedal is informative, and the moment of blocking is easily predicted, you won’t find fault with it.
The largest trunk is in Fiat Albea, but the opening is not the best. At Peugeot, it is also not at all ideal, and the volume is smaller, but the walls of the “hold” are even. And Renault's trump card is that the trunk opens not only with a key, but also with a button.
But where Fiat can recoup is in cargo-passenger qualities. The amount of space for all sorts of things is gigantic - 515 liters! Just imagine how much you can load there. Symbol (510 l) is not far behind, and its trunk is more comfortable and opens with a button. Peugeot is an outsider here - it has some “pathetic” 402 liters. For all cars, the backs of the rear seats are folded in parts, but the opening is small. So, despite all the expanse, you will most likely have to forget about the transportation of washing machines.
The Fiat's front seats (left) have better lateral support, but the back gets tired on the road. Peugeot (middle) and Renault (right) are about equally comfortable - the back profile is not bad, but they don't hold well. But for the rear passengers, Albea is out of competition, and the 206 Sedan and Symbol are frankly cramped.
Albea also leads in terms of rear space - only in it on the second row of seats you can sit more or less comfortably. Peugeot and Renault are almost the same in this regard, or rather, they are equally bad. There are very few places! Although the Symbol is still a little better - there the roof is not so pressing on the heads of tall passengers and the doorway is a little wider.
Symbol has been roaming our roads for 7 years, so I don’t even want to comment on the design.
So what's the bottom line? The undisputed leader, with the exception of a couple of reservations, is Renault Symbol. It is the most comfortable, with good (in comparison with competitors) finishes and calm, not straining habits. The only pity is that the back is cramped. But Symbol is also the most expensive: in our configuration - with alloy wheels and a 16-valve engine - it costs 402 thousand 500 rubles.
For some reason, one of the prettiest hatchbacks in the class has got a big, big trunk. Is this what the owners of the 206 lacked?
The Peugeot 206 Sedan is more than fifty thousand cheaper, and this is a serious excuse for lagging behind Renault in terms of trim, engine and equipment - after all, in general, the 206 is quite a bit worse. But Peugeot is very recklessly and pleasantly controlled. Not in vain, not in vain he has such predatory headlights!
Black color gives Albea solidity. Although what kind of solidity can we talk about for 15 thousand dollars?
Well, Albea of the Russian assembly receives bronze. In too many disciplines, the machine loses to competitors. Even the fact that she looks more harmonious than everyone else does not save her, you can put tall people back, and stuff an elephant into the trunk. A simple interior, poor driving performance - alas, all this does not match the price. Rather big, by the way: for the tested Comfort package, dealers ask for 374 thousand rubles. Therefore, today we will have to trample on our sense of beauty (or at least not scary) and recommend something that is worse on the face, but kinder inside.
Specifications
| Specifications | Fiat Albea | Peugeot 206 Sedan | Renault Symbol |
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| Body | |||
| Number of doors/seats | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Length, mm | 4186 | 4188 | 4171 |
| Width, mm | 1703 | 1655 | 1639 |
| Height, mm | 1490 | 1452 | 1437 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1120 | 1069 | 1050 |
| Gross weight, kg | 1605 | 1567 | 1500 |
| Trunk volume, l | 515 | 402 | 510 |
| Engine | |||
| A type | Petrol, with distributed injection | Petrol, with distributed injection | |
| Location | Front, transverse | Front, transverse | Front, transverse |
| Number and arrangement of cylinders | 4, in a row | 4, in a row | 4, in a row |
| Number of valves | 8 | 8 | 16 |
| Working volume, cm3 | 1368 | 1361 | 1390 |
| Max. power, hp/rpm-1 | 77/6000 | 75/5500 | 98/6000 |
| Max. torque, Nm/rpm-1 | 115/3000 | 120/3400 | 127/3750 |
| Transmission | |||
| Transmission | Mechanical, five-speed | Mechanical, five-speed | |
| Drive unit | Front | Front | Front |
| Chassis | |||
| Front suspension | Independent, McPherson | Independent, McPherson | Independent, McPherson |
| Rear suspension | semi dependent | Independent, torsion | semi dependent |
| Front brakes | Disc, ventilated | Disc, ventilated | Disc, ventilated |
| Rear brakes | drums | drums | drums |
| Tires | 175/70 R14 | 175/65 R14 | 175/65 R14 |
| Performance characteristics | |||
| Maximum speed, km/h | 162 | 170 | 186 |
| Acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h, s | 13,5 | 14,6 | 11,2 |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km | |||
| urban cycle | 8,2 | 8,8 | 9,9 |
| suburban cycle | 5,0 | 5,0 | 5,4 |
| mixed cycle | 6,2 | 6,4 | 7,0 |
| Fuel tank capacity, l | 48 | 50 | 50 |
| Fuel | AI-95 | AI-95 | AI-95 |
Complete sets of tested cars
| Equipment | Fiat Albea Comfort | Peugeot 206 Sedan XR | Renault Symbol Expression+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price of the basic version, rubles | 315000 | 329000 | 324600 |
| Driver airbag | + | + | + |
| Front passenger airbag | O | + | O |
| Side airbags | - | - | - |
| ABS | O | - | - |
| power steering | + | + | + |
| Air conditioner | O | O | O |
| Height adjustable steering column | + | + | O |
| Leather steering wheel and gearshift lever | - | - | - |
| Heated front seats | - | - | + |
| Fog lights | O | + | O |
| Power and heated exterior mirrors | O | - | O |
| Power windows, front | O | + | O |
| Split folding rear seat | O | + | O |
| CD audio system with steering column | - | + | O |
| Ability to play MP3 discs | - | - | - |
| Trip computer | O | - | + |
| Full size spare tire | + | + | + |
| Alloy wheels | - | - | O |
| The price of the tested car, rubles | 374000 | 350000 | 402500 |
During the period of growth in the Russian automotive market, there was a boom in the appearance of budget cars assembled in our country. Among them are Fiat Albea and Renault Logan, which will be compared in this article.
Met by clothes
On the outside, both cars are polar opposites. Logan has long been known to many city dwellers and even, to some extent, has become a household name. His design seems to have been created not on paper with a pencil, but from a bar with an ax in his hands. Angled shapes, flat surfaces. I remember the well-known advertisement with the slogan “Kvadratish, praktish…”
But there is also a positive aspect of this decision - it is the simplicity of body repair. Many parts after minor damage will be enough to straighten.
In general, the car itself was created from scratch by the Romanian company Dacia. The creators of the sedan adhered to the simplicity of design. For example, the rear-view mirrors are interchangeable between both sides, and the exhaust system consists of a single piece. This made it possible to make it as reliable as possible, open light assembly enterprises and deliver the car to third world countries.
But if Logan is a new model, then Albea is the result of a deep processing of the long-known Paleo and Siena models. The last two, in turn, have an even older predecessor in the face of the Fiat Uno. Therefore, the design has long been worked out and even has interchangeable components to this day.
The design differs in a positive way, because the maestro of automotive design with the surname Giugiaro himself had a hand in its processing. True, many features when looking at previous models are easily guessed, and only the line of headlights and the front end as a whole have been updated.
But design is not the trump card of these cars. It would be better to find out their reliability in technical terms, as well as the amount of costs for consumables and operation in general.
Italian comfort
Having moved to the Fiat salon, you once again positively evaluate it. All controls are located in their places, the buttons have a clear pressure, and the panel itself is made of strict black plastic. Even after long-term operation, the interior is not filled with extraneous sounds of plastic. This is definitely a positive thing.
More surprisingly, the glove box, better known as the glove compartment, will greet you with light. Yes, there is a plafond. The instrument cluster is similar to that of the Grand Punto, and the on-board computer will report speeding within the city. A trifle, but convenient.
The seats have a fairly developed lateral support and a fairly soft back, which adds comfort. The seat cushion is quite hard though. Behind the sofa without headrests in standard and medium configurations, molded for two. Headrests are available only in the maximum version. And then, there will be only two of them. In addition, the absence of a third seat belt speaks against the third passenger here.
french minimalism
Logan's salon is an ode to minimalism. Unlike body shapes, there are smoother lines. The panel plastic is naturally hard. Over time, with careless operation, extraneous sounds may appear. The location of the power window buttons on the center console and the frankly low location of the climate control unit are unusual. But most likely, it just takes some getting used to. But unlike its opponent, the rotary climate knobs are noticeably more convenient here.
The front seats when landing will not cause much impression. Moderately rigid in all areas, almost no lateral support and a minimal set of adjustments. There is nothing to brag about here. But behind it is extremely spacious. The fact that three will be accommodated here is indicated not only by practice, but also by the number of seat belts. The knees of those sitting will not rest on the front seats, and only the central tunnel under the feet of the middle passenger and the absolutely flat back of the rear seat spoil the impression of spaciousness.
Another argument that potential buyers of both cars will definitely consider is the possibility of a luggage compartment.
Both luggage compartments are opened by turning the key in the lock cylinder. Only after restyling Renault received a separate opening button.
Logan has an impressive 510 liters of volume. But the hinges of the lid eat up some space and can rest against the luggage. And to increase the volume, you will have to have a wrench with you. After all, inseparable, in all trim levels, the back of the rear seat is bolted. And in addition, you have to unscrew the body opening amplifier.
The Italian sedan is better adapted to cargo transportation. Already in the middle configuration there is a split seat back, and, starting from the standard, the seat can be folded without any obstacles. In addition, the trunk hinges are immersed in a separate space under the skin and will not damage the cargo and the volume of the trunk itself is 5 liters more than that of Renault. 
Technical side
Under the hood, both cars have 1.4-liter engines. But if Fiat has this only unit, then in the arsenal of the Frenchman there is also an engine with a volume of 1.6 liters, which is better to choose if more power is needed. In addition, it is economical, unlike analogues. But if we discard the issue of power and acceleration dynamics, it will also be economical.
Another advantage of Renault Logan is a large assortment of spare parts. This term means a huge number of analogues - from frankly cheap average quality to components from famous companies. In addition, in almost every major city there is a "dismantling" of Renault cars, where it is easy to pick up some spare parts from used cars.
Fiat is less common in our territory, and it is rather difficult to find used spare parts for it. But there are no problems with new components. Many stores will offer them at affordable prices with short delivery times. But as noted by many owners of this car of the Italian brand, the car is practically trouble-free and rarely surprises during the period of its operation. Apparently, the design worked out over the years shows its advantages.
Both cars are predictable in handling. Accelerating dynamics is not their forte. But for the city traffic, their number of “horses” is enough.
Fiat is better for several reasons
- Acoustic comfort is the main advantage of the Italian sedan in motion. Unlike Logan, in which there is practically no sound insulation, here you can speak quietly and passengers will hear you.
- Smoothness of movement is also on his side. Fiat passengers will not know about any bumps in the road, and high ground clearance will help to drive along a country road without any problems.
- Renault is not happy with such comfort, but its suspension is truly tenacious. There are cases of its service life of more than 100,000 km.
- Another moment causes discomfort for the Frenchman - the vibration from the engine is transmitted to the gear lever. The Italian also sins with this, but here the vibration is transmitted to the steering wheel.
Both cars are prepared for the Russian winter. The Italian has in his arsenal a high-capacity battery, a productive stove and frost-resistant rubber components.
The French sedan is not far behind, as it is equipped similarly. In addition, numerous reviews only confirm this fact.
As a result
Formally, Renault Logan has certain infringements in comfort and ease of use. But most buyers chose it because of its affordable price and maximum prevalence, which guarantees maintainability and ease of subsequent sale.
The Fiat Albea lasts longer in single hands. This fact is confirmed by the small number of ads and reviews on numerous automotive portals. In addition, its reliability is a proven fact. Many owners visit official dealers just for maintenance. And even more do maintenance on their own due to the no less simple design of the car.
