Need a solid hatchback up to 30 thousand euros

 

Dmitry Marin. Age: 41. Occupation: travel agency director. Drives: Nissan X-Trail. Wants: a second car for family trips. Budget: up to €30,000

My Nissan X-Trail suits me completely. But my wife finds it uncomfortable. She just doesn't like SUVs, what can you do! The principle of "you'll get used to it and grow to love it" that I followed when buying the X-Trail didn't work. Now I have to pay for it by buying a second car

Ford Mondeo 2.3 PFI
Chosen because: I've always liked previous Mondeo models, but I haven't had a chance to drive the updated car yet.

Skoda Octavia 2.0 FSI
Chosen because: I have experience with long-term operation of the previous version. Besides, my wife likes the car.

Mazda6 2.0
Chosen because: it's one of the most beautiful and modern cars in its class.


Requirements for the car

IMAGE
Of course, I want the car to look nice, especially since I'm buying it for my wife. Nevertheless, for me, image is still secondary when choosing a car. I'll try to convince my wife of that too.

STYLE
When choosing a car, I stick to European or Japanese styles.

RIDE QUALITIES
Acceleration dynamics and ride smoothness matter most. An automatic transmission is a must.

FUEL ECONOMY
It doesn't matter much.

INTERIOR
I'd like there to be some zest, but at the same time, I'd prefer to avoid an abundance of trendy futuristic solutions.

EQUIPMENT
I prefer the car to come from the factory in maximum trim, since I absolutely don't accept any interference with the finished design.

The level of development of the global automotive industry has reached such heights that the difference between a very good car and just a good one sometimes lies in subtle but pleasant details. It's these that allow you to drive calmly and comfortably. After all, wherever you go, nerves and traffic jams don't add positivity. Since the car is being bought at my wife's insistence, who categorically refuses to get behind the wheel, comfort in the front passenger seat is equally important, as is the presence of plenty of cup holders, glasses holders, shelves, and other "nice touches." And, of course, a spacious trunk... When heading to the "family estate," my wife will always find something to fill the trunk to the brim. And I don't need to get scolded because some box "didn't fit again." That's why I chose a hatchback. Station wagons seem too bulky, and sedans lose out in capacity.

 

I'll admit honestly, my wife leans toward the Skoda Octavia — we already had such a car, and we both remember it fondly. But before making the final choice, I'd like to evaluate all possible options and compare the "Czech" with its closest competitors.

Traveling the world, I've tried a huge number of rental cars. However, mid-size hatchbacks among them were rare. And in general, I've noticed that in recent years more and more automakers are abandoning such body styles. The choice in this market segment isn't too big, but it exists. So let's go!

Ford Mondeo

STYLE
The car doesn't suit me in terms of style. I have no complaints about the exterior, but the interior clearly clashes with my ideas.

RIDE QUALITIES
The car is very stable and handles well, but it's so heavy that even the 2.3-liter engine isn't enough to provide decent dynamics.

INTERIOR
Excessive mixing of styles and an overabundance of shiny details are too harsh on the eyes.

FUEL ECONOMY
9.3 liters per 100 km. But for me, it's absolutely unimportant.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT
Base equipment doesn't bother me much. I have a firm stance: if you take a car, it should be fully equipped. If you don't have enough money, it's better to take a smaller car but with maximum equipment.


Advantages and disadvantages

+ Perfect instrument panel, expressive appearance, informative controls.
- Weak dynamics, garish interior, uncomfortable driver's seat.

Specifications

Make and model - Ford Mondeo 2.3 PFI
Dimensions - 4778x1886x1500 mm
Engine - petrol, 2261 cm3, 161 hp/6500 rpm
Transmission - automatic, 6-speed
Dynamics - 207 km/h; 10.5 s to 100 km/h

The exterior fully matches the brand's image. But the interior, frankly, disappointed. There's an excessive mixing of styles. Personally, it's harsh on my eyes. Gray plastic, metal inserts, panels styled like black wood... There's too much of all that. Moreover, a huge number of shiny details distracts attention. And it's not about my prejudice against "Americans" — the Mondeo's cabin resembles a European one more. At least the center console, finished in matte metal, is extremely functional. Unlike the shiny inserts on the steering wheel, it doesn't irritate at all. The instrument panel with a color monitor in the middle is very informative and admirable. Perhaps, it's the best instrument panel I've seen.

Driving impressions are mixed. On one hand, the car is very heavy, so acceleration dynamics can hardly be called impressive. But handling is good. Thanks to a small turning radius, the Mondeo is convenient for parking and maneuvering in the city. Although, despite the large mirrors, rear visibility leaves much to be desired. Overall, driving the Ford is quite pleasant, but sitting is uncomfortable. No matter how I adjusted the seat, after half an hour of driving my lower back starts to hurt.

What else can I say? The automatic climate control system and the start button with remote central locking are very convenient: you just walk away from the car, and it locks itself. The sound quality is decent, though I'm not an audiophile, and it's not a key factor for me. There's enough legroom for rear passengers, but the ceiling is a bit low. Also, the flat rear window makes the trunk seem smaller. Since the car is bought mainly for my wife, who spends all her time in the right front seat, the tiny glove box and the lack of "nice touches" typical of American cars, like a dozen pull-out cup holders, glasses holders, and the like, are disappointing. I don't want to get scolded by my wife over such trifles.

Mazda6

STYLE
The most stylish car of all!

RIDE QUALITIES
Very impressive! Excellent dynamics and handling, superb transmission settings.

INTERIOR
The instrument panel design is taken from the 50s and complemented with futuristic lighting. The contrast between classic and surrealism, in my opinion, is too sharp and therefore somewhat irritating.

FUEL ECONOMY
7.7 liters per 100 km.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT
I was frankly surprised that such a necessary option as power seats is only available in the most expensive
trim. And it's completely impossible to equip the car with a factory navigation system in Russia.


Advantages and disadvantages

+ Good factory audio system, modern dynamic design, excellent ride qualities.
- Too bright instruments, not the most spacious trunk.

Specifications

Make and model - Mazda6 2.0
Dimensions - 4755x1795x1440 mm
Engine - petrol, 1999 cc, 147 hp/6500 rpm
Transmission - automatic, 5-speed
Dynamics - 202 km/h; 11.1 s to 100 km/h

Among all participants in this comparison, the "six" is the undisputed leader in design, both outside and inside. There are plenty of nice touches here: a document box is hidden in the steering column arch, the sun visors have automatic mirror illumination, and there are cupholders for every taste. But, as in the Ford, I am really annoyed by the insert on the steering wheel styled to look like metal. And also this futuristic blue-orange instrument panel is not to my taste. The instruments look too colorful; they distract from the road. The "wood" inserts are also not impressive. True, in the Mazda they look much more appropriate than in the Mondeo and no longer cause such rejection.

In terms of ease of reading information from the instruments and the logic of controls on the center console, the Mazda loses to the Ford. But the visibility of the "six" is noticeably better than that of the Mondeo. The plastic in the cabin feels nicer than that of the competitor. Overall, in terms of finish quality, the Mazda surpasses both other cars. The seats are upholstered in surprisingly soft leather. But I don't like the velour inserts on the seats: they will get dirty quickly.

The automatic selector is made in the American style - with a "snake" pattern. I am used to the classic straight pattern, but I am sure that you can quickly get used to this one too. But the handbrake, located to the right of the gear selector, is surprising. It is clear that the layout is designed for right-hand drive, but for us it could have been placed in the usual place. The folding table for rear passengers is too small - it is more like a giant cupholder. But there is plenty of legroom in the back. Despite the quite modest dimensions, I have plenty of space in the cabin. As for the luggage that we constantly carry to the dacha and back, a huge amount of things fits in the trunk. And special thanks for the trunk opening button. This is especially helpful in slush when you don't want to get dirty. Press the button - the lid opens slightly. There is also a soft-close: you don't need to slam the lid, just apply force and it will close by itself. By feel, the "six" is much lighter than the Mondeo. Therefore, even with a smaller engine, the Mazda drives briskly and smoothly. It holds the road more confidently and steers more sharply.

Skoda Octavia

STYLE
The style is consistent, but it is somewhat old-fashioned, and therefore a bit boring.

DRIVING QUALITIES
In terms of dynamics and ride smoothness, it is the most worthy car of the three. Although, perhaps, it's because I feel the Octavia better than the other two cars.

INTERIOR
I would like more expensive plastic. The too-cheap panels contrast with the expensive leather upholstery for 55,500 rubles.

FUEL ECONOMY
8.3 liters per 100 km.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT
In principle, you can do without leather upholstery, but I would like to see electric seat adjustment in any trim level.

Advantages and disadvantages

+ Excellent dynamics, spacious trunk.
- Weak standard audio system, little space for rear passengers, outdated exterior.

Technical specifications

Make and model - Skoda Octavia 2.0 FSI
Dimensions - 4572x1769x1462 mm
Engine - petrol, 1984 cc, 150 hp/6000 rpm
Transmission - automatic, 6-speed
Dynamics - 210 km/h; 10.1 s to 100 km/h

In terms of appearance, the Skoda is the most archaic of all, and that is a minus. The interior is also simpler than the Ford's, not to mention the Mazda. But there is no mixing of styles in the interior. Although there is a fly in the ointment here too: expensive leather seats sharply dissonate with cheap plastic. The rear-view mirrors are noticeably smaller than the Ford's. The adjustments are less convenient, but the visibility is much better than that of the competitors.

 

 As for the instrument panel, the Ford gives the Skoda a hundred points ahead. The center console of the "Czech" is simpler and less functional, but visually it irritates much less. In the Octavia, the silver inserts only add zest to the interior. The glovebox is the most spacious, there is a place for bottles, there are cupholders, and the glasses case with a lift is pleasing. The seats are more comfortable... In short, despite the smaller dimensions, my wife will be more comfortable in this car than in the previous two. But in the back, on the contrary, it is a bit cramped, and the center table has no cupholders. That is another minus. But the Octavia's trunk is simply fabulous. Compared to the competitors, there is much more room for creativity when loading it.
My wife initially wanted a Skoda. And, having compared the Octavia with the Mazda6 and Ford Mondeo, I agree that her choice was correct. The Czech car suits her better than the others. You can't fool a woman's heart! As for myself, the interior and exterior of the Mazda are certainly tempting... But I don't want to step on the same rake a second time and repeat the story with the Nissan X-Trail. Moreover, deep down I understand: appearance, fashionable now, becomes less relevant in a year, and classics are always in fashion.

My choice

The Ford drops out immediately. The Skoda and Mazda remain. In terms of exterior, I like the "six" more, and its interior is also more modern and livelier. In terms of handling, they are almost equal. Well, maybe half a point in favor of the Octavia. And although the "Japanese" is good, still, to my wife's delight, I will choose the "Czech". Despite the smaller dimensions, the Skoda has the most solid trunk. But the main thing is that everything here is designed so that a woman can comfortably "live" in the front passenger seat. A spacious glovebox, plenty of cupholders, shelves... there is even a glasses case. All this will certainly appeal to a woman, as will the comfortable passenger seat. The only disappointment is the rather weak standard audio system. In the Mazda, the acoustics are an order of magnitude better.

Editor's choice

It seems that Dmitry's decision is largely predetermined by his wife's preferences and the positive experience of long-term operation of the Octavia. However, the editorial choice this time is radically different from the opinion of our hero. So, the Ford is certainly heavy, but it looks much more modern than the Skoda. And the Mondeo's 2.3-liter engine is quite enough to stay roughly on the same level as its rivals in terms of dynamic characteristics. At least, the Ford is definitely not inferior to the Japanese car in acceleration dynamics. However, in total, in our opinion, it is the Mazda that showed itself slightly better than its competitors in this test.