People's representatives. Hyundai Solaris vs Renault Sandero. Hyundai Solaris and Renault Sandero Stepway: the agony of choice. Beautiful or smart Sandero Stepway or Solaris

The budget segment of cars in Russia is in great demand. To be convinced of this, just go outside and look at the cars passing by, which for the most part belong to the affordable B-class. You can especially often see such representatives of the class as Renault Sandero or Hyundai Solaris. These two cars have already become people's favorites.. But still, which car is better? Let's figure it out. To do this, you need to test and analyze these two cars.

Exterior

The first thing you notice when meeting with is the characteristic predatory silhouette of the front of the car, and the large sixteen-inch rims in more expensive trim levels they perfectly emphasize its design.

The same cannot be said about Renault Sandero. Unlike Solaris, it does not have such a memorable silhouette, and maximum size There are only fifteen wheels. Its design is more conservative and is clearly not aimed at standing out in any way from the traffic flow, unlike its Korean rival, which will attract attention in any situation.

Even the hatchback version of the Solaris is a little longer, not to mention the sedan, which is 300 millimeters longer than the Sandero, which has a very positive effect on the amount of free space inside the car.

Salon

Like the exterior, the interior of the Hyundai Solaris is made in a good sporty style. The first thing that catches your eye is the instrument panel with a design that is atypical for a budget class car. On the center console, which is not overloaded with unnecessary buttons, there is a very ordinary CD radio. It also contains a climate control and radio control module, which is a positive factor.

The interior trim on this car is only fabric, but depending on the trim level individual elements leather can be used. The Solaris seat is very comfortable; thanks to the adjustments of the seats and steering wheel, you can achieve the most comfortable placement.

The rear of the Solaris is not very spacious, there is not enough headroom, and the knees of tall passengers will clearly rest on the front seats. Pockets in the rear doors, in which you can put a small bottle, are provided regardless of the configuration.

As for the Renault Sandero, its interior design is significantly inferior to the Korean one. Like the car's exterior, the interior is very conservative, however, it has everything you need. On the center console there is only a radio, a pair of air ducts, a climate control unit and electric windows. The interior is upholstered in fabric. The plastic is the same as on Solaris - hard and cheap.

As for the landing, it is not as comfortable as on Solaris. However, seat and steering wheel adjustments are present. There is even less space in the back than the Korean, due to the not so long body.

Trunk

Due to the fact that Solaris has a longer body, its trunk volume is 30% larger and amounts to 470 liters, while the Sandero has only 320. But it is worth considering that the Korean is still a sedan, and the Sandero is a hatchback . If we compare the Frenchman with the Solaris hatchback, which is less popular in our latitudes, then the trunk volume of the Korean is still 50 liters more.

I want to buy a relatively inexpensive and reliable family car. Please advise what to choose, which model to pay attention to?

Comparative characteristics of cars

Many car manufacturers offer a variety of off-road versions of their own urban hatchbacks. And since the competition in the auto world is simply fantastic, we can see real masterpieces of ingenuity and resourcefulness. Let's compare class B hatchbacks: Renault Sandero or Hyundai Solaris.

The latter was developed by Korean engineers specifically for Russia and appeared on the market at the beginning of 2011. This model immediately became the most popular car of the year. Renault Sandero, the brainchild of French car designers, was released a little earlier. Many car enthusiasts immediately classified both models as the best family cars, the price of which exceeds 500 thousand rubles. The car's data convincingly proves that hatchbacks can also be popular in Russia. But who offers customers more comfort - the French or the Koreans?

If the task is to purchase exactly family car, then the safety requirements immediately increase. After all, you have to carry not only your precious self, but also your wife and children, father-in-law and parents. Such a car simply must meet all safety and reliability standards, that is, at least have ABS and two airbags.

For a family, you need a “B” class car, equipped with a lot of the usual comfortable bells and whistles: air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, etc. The lack of such systems is a limitation for many very good cars, since they have a much more modest basic configuration. What set of options will be optimal for a five-door hatchback?

Which car has more useful features?

Hyundai Solaris is assembled at one of the car factories in St. Petersburg. The car is presented in five trim levels, for each of which you can order additional options. The car has quite large trunk and good design. Solaris is comfortable and well soundproofed. With different engine sizes of 1.4 and 1.6 liters, the model is sold at the same price! The warranty on Hyundai Solaris is 5 years or 150 thousand km. The basic package, for example, the Optima version includes:

• two airbags;
• stabilization system (ABS);
• air conditioner;
• heated seats;
• heated side mirrors;
• parking sensors.

Renault Sandero is a comfortable family and country car, in which it is comfortable to move both in the city and outside it. Compact, cozy, roomy - perfect car for active married couples who love freedom of movement and traveling with children. It is created for those who value maximum comfort without sacrificing safety. Gasoline engine It is produced in two versions - with a volume of 1.4 or 1.6 liters. Maximum speed auto – up to 140 and 160 km/h, respectively. Sandero is quite economical, “accepts” 92 gasoline, consuming approximately 6 liters per 100 km. IN basic configuration the model is equipped with:

• on-board computer;
• power steering;
• stabilization system (ABS).

The gearbox is a five-speed manual. Renault Sandero is a derivative of the famous and popular Logan, which has absorbed all its advantages. It is reliable (car enthusiasts especially praise the suspension), high ground clearance indicates sufficient cross-country ability, and the already voluminous trunk becomes even larger if the rear seats are folded.

These two budget cars eloquently prove that not only sedans can be desirable and popular in Russia. But who is able to offer customers more benefits for their money - the French or the Koreans?

Here, but not all now

Solaris, produced near St. Petersburg, also has a very representative team, but, as a rule, only the most expensive and powerful copies can be bought off the wheels. Well, for those who do not want to overpay for a 1.6-liter engine, decorative inserts in the interior and alloy wheels, but prefer a “Classic” priced at up to half a million, sellers suggest waiting six months or taking the car of some “refusenik”. If you want a car that has everything you need, but nothing unnecessary - wait. In this, Sandero-Stepway and Solaris are very similar. What about everything else?

Youth won

Looking at the interior of a French hatchback, you very soon come to the conclusion that this is exactly how a car for a driving school should be designed. You need to have extraordinary vandal talents to damage the stone plastic of the dashboard, break solid ventilation deflectors or dirty the dark gray fabric of the upholstery. The Stepway finish is an example of indestructible strength. The simple-looking instruments are easy to read, and you can’t miss the hefty power window keys. And yet, we rated the interior of the Renault only as a C, and the main reason for this is a number of significant miscalculations in ergonomics, and not at all the budget finishing and the holy simplicity of the interior. Perhaps a short driver will praise the seat cushion, which is set quite high. However, I, a man 185 cm tall, wanted to lower the seat lower so that I could see the road and not the sun visor without slouching. But the “Frenchman,” alas, does not have such an opportunity. And the range of longitudinal adjustment is very limited. Finally, the car is still equipped with a very inconvenient air conditioning remote control, driven into the very bottom of the center console and standard radio with microscopic buttons.

Solaris also has its own cockroaches. In particular, we did not like the modest-sized glove box, devoid of any finishing, and the “blind”, non-illuminated power window buttons. But in terms of the location of controls and ease of entry, the younger Hyundai, which is not even two years old, is much friendlier to the driver. The seats boast not only greater adjustment ranges, but also a better profile. The standard “music” looks stylish and is as easy as possible to use, command post The air conditioner is located exactly where it should be - exactly above the gear lever.

Layout features

The Stepway sofa has enough space for two large adults. Passengers up to 190 cm tall will not support the backs of the front seats pushed back all the way with their knees, or the ceiling with the tops of their heads. True, the vertical, chair-like seating position does not provide adequate comfort on a long trip, and contact with the hard armrests on the doors is not very pleasant.

The Solaris wheelbase is slightly smaller, but the Korean car seemed more hospitable. Plus two and a half centimeters in the legs and exactly the same increase in space above the head. In addition, an absolutely flat floor does not create any obstacles for the third passenger, but most importantly, thanks to the lower-set pillow and the backrest reclined to a greater angle, it is simply more comfortable to sit on the Hyundai sofa.

Standard set

“Stepway” and “Solaris” are real accelerators in the supermini class, thanks to which they have very spacious trunks, approximately equal in volume. Large travel suitcases fit into both hatchbacks without any problems, leaving room for bags and bags.

To transport long and large items in Renault and Hyundai, you can fold either the back of the sofa or one of its parts. However, things did not go beyond the standard set of household amenities: we did not find any special organizers or trays for tools and various small items in the cars. The folded backs of the sofas form high steps on the trunk floor. Finally, luggage has to be lifted to a considerable height during loading. The distance from the ground to the top edge of the bumper in Solaris is 74 cm, while its rival is another 3 cm more.

About precision of execution

The only 84-horsepower Renault engine is not at all dead, as it might seem in absentia. The seasoned 8-valve engine pulls quite confidently from just one and a half thousand revolutions, and its operating range extends to 5500 rpm. However, there’s not much point in spinning the old K7M until it’s red. Very “long” clutch that grabs at the very top, big moves unclear gearboxes eat up a lot of time during the switching process, during which the engine speed drops from the peak of power. What’s worse is that the “stretchiness” of the gearbox and clutch not only reduces the dynamics, but also significantly interferes with being active in the city - for example, when starting from a traffic light and when changing lanes from one lane to another. But there are no complaints about the Stepway brakes: despite the rear drum mechanisms, the French car slows down reliably and predictably.

Solaris also has perfect brakes. And in general it dynamic characteristics we rated it higher. Let the base 107-horsepower engine, as well as its more powerful 1.6-liter brother, love to “spin”, and up to 2000 rpm it carries without much enthusiasm. But the settings of the clutch and gearbox provide more convenient traction control than in Renault. In addition, when overtaking on the highway, you feel that the Solaris is more powerful and accelerates more easily. The only thing we frankly didn’t like was the too close location of the first and third gears in the box. During hasty starts, you sometimes mistakenly switch to a higher gear.

The main thing is reliability

Frankly speaking, the Solaris chassis is not conducive to fast and assertive driving. The hatchback, despite its later appearance, behaves on the road in exactly the same way as the sedan we have already tested. Up to 90 km/h, the “Korean” is very flexible. It clearly reacts to commands from the steering wheel, confidently stays in a high-speed arc and does not roll too much in slow turns. But if you accelerate faster, you get the impression that you are driving on asphalt generously sprinkled with sand.

The information content of the steering wheel is significantly reduced, the body begins to dance at the slightest irregularities, and this is really annoying. As a result, if the road is not perfectly smooth, it is easier to slow down rather than fight the car. Moreover, ESP does not help much to keep Hyundai in check. The stabilization system works with a slight delay and also cuts off traction for a couple of seconds, making it impossible to pull the car with gas.

ESP is not included in Renault's equipment, but even without its participation it is easier to find a common language with the Frenchman. The Stepway lacks refined driving manners: its steering lacks transparency and responsiveness, and its high ground clearance reduces cornering stability. However, as the speed increases, you do not lose touch with the car, fully understanding how it will behave in a critical situation (for example, when the front axle is demolished) and how to deal with it.

There is something to work on

The ability of the Renault suspension to absorb bumps and potholes on our roads painlessly for itself and its passengers will be the envy of most SUVs. In addition, 175 mm “under the keel” allows you not to pay much attention to the terrain. Alas, this is where Stepway’s virtues associated with the concept of comfort end. Already from 3000 rpm, the hoarse growl of the engine becomes intrusive; when you reach 80 km/h, the brake pedal becomes itchy, and the angular body and large mirrors begin to howl in the oncoming air flow. The noise insulation of the underbody and wheel arches can easily be called disgusting: already at a hundred on the speedometer, the tires scream so loudly that they can compete with the 15-watt speakers of the audio system.

However, “Solaris” cannot be called quiet. Its engine is also a big fan of growling. high speed. The noise from the wheels in the Hyundai cabin is slightly less than in the Renault, and the suspension, although not afraid of our potholes, is still inferior to the French one in energy intensity. But in a Korean car neither the steering wheel nor the pedals vibrate. As a result, noise and vibration completely cover the advantages of the Sandero suspension.

Restricted Security Mode

Maximum and at the same time unique possible quantity The Russian Stepway has two airbags. With such a modest set, the hatch earned only three stars in the EuroNCAP tests. And although the dummies were not too seriously injured in a frontal collision (experts noted only the risk of injuring their hips and knees from plastic fragments of the front panel), the consequences of a side impact turned out to be much more dire for the “driver” and “passenger”.

"Solaris", aka "Accent", was beaten in the laboratory of the American Insurance Institute road safety and ultimately gave it a “good” rating - the maximum by the standards of this establishment. 6 air bags, including side and window ones, contributed to this achievement to a certain extent. Unfortunately, the database of the Russian Solaris only includes a couple of airbags, and a full inflatable set can be obtained starting with the Style package for an additional payment of 29,500 rubles or as standard equipment in the even more expensive Dynamic with a 1.6-liter engine .

Up to half a million

The Stepway base includes not only ABS, a pair of airbags, heated seats and front windows: minimal living wage flavored with air conditioning, MP3 radio, metallic and even alloy wheels. For 462,000 rubles this is a very generous offer!

The basic version of Solaris is cheaper - from 443,000 rubles, but it is poorer - just enough for air conditioning and a winter package. At the same time, Hyundai tempts with a more powerful engine, sybaritic things like a leather steering wheel and useful features in the form of parking sensors. However, having pulled yourself together, you can purchase an optimally equipped hatchback for 487,000 rubles. Obviously, it is somewhat more expensive than its rival, but the “Korean” has a slightly cheaper scheduled service. Its maintenance for 60,000 km costs 27,791 rubles, while Renault will require 32,476 rubles.

WE DECIDED:
Purchase budget car always involves compromises. However, what we were ready to forgive five years ago for the popular “Logan”, today on “Stepway” is perceived as an obvious misunderstanding. Ergonomics are far from ideal, and sound insulation is almost non-existent. However, there would be no other car that would combine acceptable handling and dynamics. spacious salon, spacious trunk, a high, almost impenetrable suspension, you can’t buy it for 462,000 rubles these days.
However, by sacrificing a little controllability and the energy intensity of the suspension, you can purchase an even more spacious Solaris. And even if it is a little more expensive and in some ways inferior to Renault, but overall it is more intelligent and correct. Just enough to win today's test.

On the streets of every city you can find a myriad of Solaris and Sanderos. This is due to the fact that they are affordable and loved by car enthusiasts. To compare which is better than the Hyundai Solaris or Renault Sandero, it is necessary to take a closer look at both of these cars.

Appearance

Acquaintance with a car always begins with an assessment of its external data. In this regard, Hyundai has a clear advantage - it has a stylish body with recognizable lines. Renault has a more conservative exterior; it is not designed to stand out in traffic.

If the design is for you great value, then it is better to give preference to Solaris. At the same time, Renault has important advantage– hatchback body height. In the back row, passengers feel more comfortable, but their knees may rest on the front row seats, since the Renault body is shorter.

Salon and trunk

The Korean car also leads in terms of interior performance; it has a sporty style and a sense of engineering taste. The center console is not overloaded with buttons; in the center of it is a simple CD radio. Regardless of the configuration, you will receive mainly fabric interior, which is more expensive options has leather inserts. Renault Sandero's interior does not have attractive details.

In both cars, the main parts of the interior are made of cheap plastic, and rear seating is not very comfortable. For drivers of both cars, useful bonuses are provided in the form of adjustable steering wheel and seats.

As for trunk volume, Solaris is again in the lead, which is not surprising, because its body is longer. This helped the Korean get a trunk with a volume of 50 liters more. At the same time, the trunk of a French car is more convenient for storing things; the compartment has the correct shape

Specifications

Depending on the configuration, both cars have several engine options with mechanical or automatic transmissions. Maximum power power plant Solaris – 123 horsepower, while Sandero’s figures are more modest - only 102 “horses”. The unit from the French automobile industry has quite decent traction, which allows you not to notice the lack of power.

If we compare the suspensions, both cars have a traditional MacPherson strut at the front and a simple beam at the rear. At the same time, the Korean has it softer and has good performance in terms of energy consumption, but does not have the best effect on controllability.

Solaris sway on potholes and skids are common. Renault took the pendant from Logan, and it was popularly called “impenetrable.” The French adapted it perfectly to Russian conditions.

The ground clearance for these cars is the same, but Solaris has a lower crankcase protection, which is not a good help for off-road driving. It is very easy to sit on the belly of a Hyundai in winter; this car is designed for use in more civilized conditions. The Renault Sandero Stepway option is suitable for those who often drive around country roads, goes outdoors almost every weekend, regardless of the weather. This modification is full-fledged SUV.

Price and features of choice

If cost comes first for you, then Renault is much cheaper than Hyundai. It can be purchased at a price from 380 to 515 thousand rubles, depending on the configuration, while the Korean will cost from 536 to 702 thousand rubles. Both manufacturers have plenty to choose from; the equipment can be basic or equipped with all additional options. Many car enthusiasts take the most simple cars, and then they equip them with everything necessary, which sometimes costs a little less than assembly from the factory.

Despite the fact that these cars belong to the same class, they have very different characters. Solaris is a typical city dweller, while Sandero is more suitable for outdoor trips. The Korean is more athletic appearance, he goes well on the trails and expressways, while it drives best on those roads where there are no sharp turns, since handling is not its strong point. At the same time, you will be noticed on any street thanks to its stylish design.

Cars produced by the Renault and Hyundai concerns are very popular in Russia. Renault focuses on inexpensive, practical and reliable cars, average price of which 600 thousand rubles. The Hyundai company produces cars of various price categories, from the budget Solaris to the executive Equus, so the average cost of their products is 900 thousand rubles. Both concerns have created a large network of dealer and service centers. In terms of reliability, French and Korean cars are the same and, with proper care, can run up to 200 thousand kilometers without major repairs.

Which car is more convenient?

The French car is noticeably taller and wider, although slightly shorter, thanks to this, people of large stature or large build feel noticeably more comfortable in it. This is especially noticeable on rear seats. Tall people (over 180 cm) who find themselves in the rear seats of Solaris have to bow their heads. There are no such problems in the Sandero's cabin, but people of the same height rear seats you have to tuck your knees tightly - the shorter length of the body affects it. In addition, the trunk volume of a Korean car is noticeably larger, so the Hyundai Solaris is more suitable for the role of a family car - mom and dad can comfortably sit in the front, and 2-3 children can sit in the back without any problems.

Interior

Despite the fact that both cars belong to the class of inexpensive (budget) cars, the interior of the Korean is more friendly and sporty. The French borrowed most of interior design of Sandero's predecessor, Renault Logan. Cheap plastic everywhere, the same as on Logan (and, out of habit, extremely unpleasant to the touch). The interior plastic of a Korean car looks less rough and does not create a feeling of clumsiness. The Sandero horn lever is located under the steering wheel on the left side, which causes a lot of inconvenience at first. After all, most drivers are accustomed to the fact that the horn button should be in the middle of the steering wheel. Another minus of Sandero is the extremely inconveniently located handles for headlight range control and mirror control. All other interior instruments of the French and Korean are conveniently located and easy to reach, so it is not surprising that some people like the sporty and modern interior of the Solaris, while others prefer the classic interior of the Sandero. The fabric upholstery of both cars is of the same quality, however, the interior of some Solaris trim levels is partially covered in leather. This increases the price of the car, but creates the feeling of driving a more expensive and prestigious car.

Exterior

Both cars have the style typical of modern crossovers. At the same time, the Frenchman’s body is made in a classic style, with smooth, calm contours. The Korean body creates a feeling of sportiness of constant tension, readiness to break loose and rush somewhere into the distance. Looking at these cars, you can’t help but wonder what the designers wanted to achieve? The body contours of the Solaris are noticeably more sporty and aggressive, and the radiator grilles look alien, as if designed for a quiet, calm car and somewhat reminiscent of funny faces from Asian animated cartoons. The Sandero radiator grille is also in dissonance with the calm body, creating a feeling of aggressiveness and uncompromisingness. Therefore, it is not possible to determine which car is more beautiful due to the contradictions in their appearance. But, given the low price of these cars, it is difficult to expect a beautiful and harmonious exterior.

Motors

The most noticeable difference between these cars is in the engines. In a Korean car it costs enough modern engine with intake phase regulator camshaft, and the Frenchman got the now legendary “K” series lower engine, which was installed on many other Renault models. With very modest power characteristics, it impresses with its reliability and survivability. According to technical documentation, its service life before overhaul or replacement is 400 thousand kilometers. According to reviews from Renault Logan owners, at least a third of such engines cover 500 thousand kilometers before repair or replacement, and some last up to 700 thousand kilometers. The Korean engine is noticeably weaker in this regard and rarely exceeds the 300 thousand kilometer mark.

Behavior on the road

In terms of acceleration dynamics in pedal to the metal mode, Renault Sandero is much inferior to its competitor. Korean engines, even small ones, are noticeably more powerful than French engines. However, in city traffic conditions no difference is felt between the cars. But on the track, when overtaking, the more powerful Solaris engine allows you to feel more confident. The Sandero's steering wheel is stiffer, so you'll have to get used to it. Sandero's hydraulic booster allows you to easily turn the steering wheel with one finger, even if the car is stationary. When driving on a flat road, the Solaris suspension provides more comfortable conditions due to increased rigidity. But, as soon as you drive off smooth asphalt or concrete, you immediately understand why the suspension that is installed on Logan/Sandero is called legendary. It effectively absorbs shock from uneven roads, providing a smoother ride. In terms of reliability, both suspensions are the same and require replacement of silent blocks after 50-100 thousand kilometers, depending on operating conditions. In terms of fuel consumption, Sandero is slightly inferior to Solaris, but the difference is small. Both cars run on 92 gasoline without problems.

What to choose Renault Sandero and Hyundai Solaris

Summarizing all the information, we can draw the following conclusions:

1. Renault Sandero is bought by those who are primarily interested in:

• reliability;
• practicality;
• small price.

1. Hyundai Solaris is purchased by those who are primarily interested in:

• speed;
• beautiful appearance;
• comfortable lounge.