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What car should I buy?
Cameron McGavin
February 24, 2011
Natalie wants a family-friendly, prestige-flavoured mid-sizer.
The dilemma:
Natalie is about to start a family and needs another car. She wants something with strong safety, good handling, decent power and a big boot, as well as a child-friendly back seat.
So far she’s considering VW’s Jetta and Volvo’s S40, but wants to know if there’s anything else she should be looking at.
The budget: About $35,000
The shortlist:
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Both the Jetta and S40 are more than worthy prestige options with the safety, performance and on-road nous to satisfy Natalie’s requirements.
Neither, though, is particularly well-endowed when it comes to back-seat space.
That’s not to say they’re not up to the needs of all families. Both have sufficient real estate for a young child, or two at a squeeze.
However, if you’re planning to accommodate adults as well – or you intend to hang onto the car until your children transform into strapping teenagers – they could come up short.
So by all means consider the VW and Volvo. But if you forsee a need for more space, there is an alternative worth checking out.
2007- Ford Mondeo
A Ford might not be everyone’s idea of motoring prestige, but if you can get past the badge you’ll find the European-sourced Mondeo has the goods to put the Jetta and S40 under serious pressure.
It’s much roomier, for a start, with a huge boot whether you go for a sedan, hatch or wagon.
No issues with its safety, on-road abilities or specification, either, while thrifty TDCi diesel and punchy XR5 Turbo petrol versions convincingly address the somewhat mediocre performance of base petrol models.
What do you miss out on relative to the others? Not much. The cabin is functionally hard to fault but the odd bit of scrappy detailing means it lacks a true upmarket feel, while the now-discontinued XR5T couldn’t be had with an auto transmission.
2005- Volkswagen Jetta
The Jetta is essentially a booted version of the Golf small car but its sheer proficiency means it’s a viable alternative to bigger and ostensibly more prestigious options.
What’s to like? Plenty. All of the drivetrains, from the base FSI petrol and Turbo FSI petrol to the TDI diesel, deliver competitive performance and economy for their standing. The VW also drives beautifully, has strong safety credentials and the cabin is classy and comfortable. A big boot is another plus.
Those Golf origins, though, mean the Jetta isn’t especially roomy in the back, though it’s fine by small-car standards. Its conservative looks, too, while utterly professional, aren’t the last word in style.
2004- Volvo S40/V50
Natalie might be keen on the S40 but its cramped back seat and small boot mean it’s not really a natural family hauler.
So maybe its V50 wagon sibling will be a better choice. While essentially the same car, the straighter roofline and more capacious boot deliver a welcome boost to accommodation and practicality, if not the same kind of real estate offered by the Ford.
Elsewhere, you’re looking at the same tasteful cabin ambience, faultless safety, agile handling and flexible petrol/ turbo petrol/diesel five-cylinder engines, as well as handy integrated child-booster seats in the back. But don’t expect the smoothest ride or the quietest diesel option.
Drive recommends:
If Natalie really doesn’t need a car capable of accommodating adults in the back, then the Jetta and S40/V50 are worthy choices.
Of these two, it’s the VW that takes the lead with its brilliant (rather than merely good) drivetrains, more rounded road manners and more spacious back seat and boot.
None of which is to say the Volvo is bad. It’s arguably the more interesting to look at inside and out, while features like those integrated booster seats could well be enough to encourage some buyers to overlook its very slight inferiority.
In the end, though, both the VW and Volvo cede to the Ford when it comes to accumulating the highest points score.
True, a Mondeo is not going to make your neighbours coo but it delivers competitive safety, performance and on-road nous, not to mention a serve of space that won’t be tested by growing bodies. Don't count it out.
转载自DRIVE.COM
http://news.drive.com.au/drive/w ... 20110224-1b63f.html
[ 本帖最后由 西澳瓶鼻海豚 于 28-2-2011 22:44 编辑 ] |
发表于 28-2-2011 22:42:51
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发表于 28-2-2011 22:56:19
