Judith blog

On a regular forest dirt road, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak was remembered for the comfort of the suspension and high ground clearance, and when driving up a hill - for the thrust and huge suspension travels: hanging the wheel is not easy. By the way, pay attention to the springs: a 5-leaf package of springs is used here, but only three and the longest work without load - this seems to be the secret of comfort. And under heavy load - the first package is squeezed and closed on the 4th-5th spring: depending on the version, the Ford Ranger is ready to "take on board" 1024-1197 kg, which is one of the best indicators in the class. And also pay attention to how sensibly the protection from below is made: the off-road package includes engine protection, automatic transmission, "hand-outs". Another example is the high location of the air intake and generator: for the Ford Ranger, a ford depth of up to 800 mm is declared. Here are a couple more numbers: the entry angle is 2...

 The rear section deserves special praise: spacious and comfortable! I'll start from the beginning: the door is not too large in size, but it gives a correct rectangular opening and opens at a very large angle - almost perpendicular to the body. The rear seats greet passengers with excellent spaciousness and a good tilt of the seat back: yes, there are almost passenger conditions for life! All that is missing are ventilation deflectors, but the armrest, cup holders, two sockets, niche-stash under the seat - everything is in place. And the organization of the cargo area is good: the usual protective coating and fastening loops are complemented by an arc with lighting and a rear miracle board. Now I will explain: in general, the rear side of a pickup is a huge piece of steel with dimensions of about 1.5x0.5 meters, inside which a lock is equipped: lifting it is still a pleasure. But in the Ford Ranger Wildtrak pickup, the tailgate is cleverly made: there is a torsion bar that works...

 It is a pity that the black color of the Ford Ranger test car does not allow the special version of Wildtrak to fully manifest itself - it is distinguished by a dark radiator grille, an original bumper with separate niches for fog lights, and numerous “personalized” logos. By all appearances: Ford Ranger Wildtrak is the TOP version in the civilian range of a pickup truck - which is confirmed by a 213-horsepower bi- turbodiesel , which is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The "+/-" buttons on the lever allow you to limit the permissible operating range. By the way: the sport mode in the "automatic" really adds agility - the pickup feels faster both when starting from a standstill and when accelerating on the go. A car accelerates from 0-100 km / h in about 9.4-9.5 seconds - this is a little more than a "passport", but still fast for a pickup: in fact, at the level of an ordinary passenger car.  In addition to dynamics and comfort, the Ford R...

 The outgoing 2019 turned out to be fruitful for pickups: the debuts of absolute novelties, updates to already well-known "players" - for example, the Ford Ranger. Moreover, during the last update, the pickup became “head and shoulders above” itself from the past: a new engine and automatic transmission, advanced equipment, excellent comfort. All the details in the article below - believe me, the Ford Ranger will surprise you.   Positioning  The Ford Ranger Wildtrak pickup first appeared back in 1983 and became the smallest Ford model in the pickup segment in the US market. Interestingly, in the past, during its release, the Ford Ranger even managed to acquire an electric version. Today, the fourth generation of the Ford Ranger pickup is being produced: the car debuted at the end of 2010 and then it had a completely different design, interior, engines. Then the Ford Ranger underwent several updates, during which the exterior and interior changed, and during the last (20...

 Finally, on the morning of the second day, I managed to drive a little on a 2-liter turbo diesel version with a DSG transmission: consider the second optional. Someone talks about more load on the front wheels, but it came in handy when it was required to implement 360 Nm of traction and 150 hp. on a slippery road after a morning rain. Turbodiesel is good both when accelerating from a standstill and when overtaking on the highway. According to the manufacturer, the engine is also good for environmental friendliness: in the exhaust system there was a place for a double SCR catalyst with urea injection. One note: after gasoline engines, I would like the turbodiesel to work quieter. If you believe the numbers, then the turbodiesel is inferior to the gasoline TSI: acceleration from 0-100 km / h in 8.8 seconds and 223 km / h maximum speed. But it felt like - in many situations (exit from the corner, acceleration on the track) seemed faster and more dynamic.  Of the widest range...

The displays take the level of interaction with the driver to a new level: fine tuning capabilities, excellent picture quality, menu detail, comfort in use. There seem to be few touch buttons, but over time you realize that everything you need is always at hand, and the secondary is hidden in the detailed settings. As a result, we get a lot of technologies that are "on board", but do not distract in movement. And now, as in that joke: let's try to take off with all this.  For Europe - a turbo engine eTSI and DSG, for Ukraine - "aspirated" MPI and automatic transmission ...  The first test car I choose is the petrol Volkswagen Golf 8 with a 1.5-liter turbo engine: its output is 150 hp. and 250 Nm is comparable to what we will have. A good motor with the widest working shelf - starts pulling confidently at 2-2.5 thousand rpm, finishes at 5-5.5 thousand. Everything in between is all yours. Once the second gear is stuck in the "mechanics", I somehow ro...

 The interior design has now radically changed: the driver's and passengers' areas are clearly expressed. The first one is highlighted by a black gloss, the second is a multi-colored backlight. The latter creates a full-fledged atmosphere in the cabin: soothes, recharges, invigorates. But even in the traditional "little things" Volkswagen Golf 8 does not miss: "climate" for rear passengers, cool 480-watt audio system (Harman Kardon), lumbar massage for a long journey. Displays deserve special attention.  After all, the Volkswagen Golf 8 received two large color displays in the cabin - and even one more: we are talking about the projection of data on the windshield, which is available for the first time for a model. The first pancake did not come out lumpy - the projection is implemented cool: a clear picture, speed and information "cruise", navigation tips. Although this information can be followed in the old fashioned way - on the instrument pa...

 Calm appearance , bright interior  I don’t understand how we managed to photograph the novelty (all the more, corporate photos are always good), but the fact is that the Volkswagen Golf 8 looks dull in the pictures: a low nose and swollen headlights. But in reality everything is much better! From almost any angle, the new Golf looks dynamic and fit, and its front end is more remembered by the predatory gaze of a confident newcomer, full of strength, than by the fatigue of a 45-year-old who knows life. A horizontal chrome line ties the two headlights together and even extends to the fenders. It looks like this element was not required from a production point of view, but it will surely be memorable and will allow unmistakable identification of the "eighth" Golf. Together with the radiator grille, all this works to visually expand the car: subconsciously perceive the Volkswagen Golf 8 lower and squat.  The rear is absolutely gorgeous: the LED lights have clear graphics,...

 Volkswagen Golf 8: is the last one the best?  I called the last reportage article about the presentation of the Volkswagen Golf 8 "the legend of today." In this phrase, every word was filled with meaning. The Volkswagen Golf hatchback has long become a legend in the market: one of the most popular cars in the world (35 million units sold), one of the most mature (produced since 1974), a real “trendsetter” of the global automotive industry. Yes, I am aware that the FWD compact hatchback format appeared a couple of years before the first Golf. Yes, I am aware that the British tried to rename the popular segment in the "Focus-class", but here it can be called "Octavia-class". But still: on a global scale, taking into account the number of generations and the volume of production, taking into account the debut of innovations in its segment, the Volkswagen Golf hatchback has always been a class leader.  At the same time : the thought does not leave that the...

 Toyota Highlander real fuel consumption and vehicle maintenance  Urban fuel consumption was stable at the mark of 14 liters per 100 km: a lot, but about as much was promised by the passport data. If you drive as smoothly as possible and without traffic jams, you can get a consumption of 12-12.5 liters per 100 km, if you drive dynamically and / or there are a lot of traffic jams, get ready for a consumption of about 15 liters per 100 km. On the highway at a speed of 80-90 km / h, the car consumes about 6.5 liters per 100 km, with an increase in speed to 110-120 km / h, this mark increases to about 8 liters per 100 km of track - which is also very close to the declared passport characteristics.  The general guarantee is three years or 100 thousand kilometers. Service maintenance must be carried out every 15 thousand km or once a year. The minimum cost of maintenance is 2.7-2.8 thousand UAH, extended maintenance is estimated at 8.1-8.2 thousand UAH. Prices are for Toyota...

 A couple of photos of the Elegance version: the general view is the same, the only differences are in details - rims, headlight filling, there is no chrome insert in front. In the cabin, the differences are more noticeable: the seat trim is simpler, there is a lack of wood-like decor, an ordinary roof without a " panorama ". It's a strange feeling: it seems that even the Elegance starter configuration has everything for a normal life on board - but the competitors for $ 50 thousand look better ...  There are two main rivals and they have long been known: the Infiniti QX60 and the Mazda CX-9. Both cars cost around $ 50K, with better trim and feel than Toyota's.  The Infiniti crossover makes a frank bet on ride comfort, offers a hybrid (albeit not particularly economical), although the age of the model is already noticeable in the details - for example, the screen in the dashboard or the lack of data projection on the windshield. In addition, infiniti's standard...

 The multimedia system and auxiliary electronics for the driver have also significantly improved. For example, the cabin is equipped with the Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system, which is already familiar from the RAV4 model: an 8-inch touchscreen display (sorry, the system with a 12.3-inch screen did not reach us), physical controls, support for Android Auto and Apple technologies CarPlay, customizable home page. Yes, unpretentious graphics are still found in the depths of the menu, and the round knobs look very shallow (especially against the background of the “climate” knobs) - you can clearly see that this system was designed for Corolla and RAV4, but not for Highlander. However, there are also some unexpected pleasant bonuses. For example, the car has received a circular view system. But this is not just a right / rear / top view, but something more: the system is able to make a panoramic view before driving - as if the driver walked around the perimeter and considered the whol...

There are plenty of seats in front and back, there are numerous adjustments, ventilation, heating, curtains on the windows. The third row is not free from the problem of high knees, but generally comfortable. The main remarks concern too simple finishing: black and gray scale, in some places there are inexpensive materials. Even in a 7-seater version, the trunk is enough for a couple of bags from the supermarket, and when the rear row of seats is folded, the Toyota Highlander crossover turns into a mini-van. Handyman!  Is there innovation in the Toyota Highlander?  The new generation Toyota Highlander is a V6 engine and "automatic" from the previous generation, plus the base / platform from the Toyota Camry sedan. The new Toyota Highlander is developed on the TNGA GA-K platform (variation for large cars and front or all-wheel drive). But under the hood is the same 3.5-liter 2GR-FKS and 8-speed. Automatic transmission that have already appeared on the last "highlander...

 The new Toyota Highlander is about comfort and silence, not about sharp turns on the verge of a foul. The choice of driving modes hardly affects the general character: in "eco" - the reaction of the motor to the accelerator is slightly smoother, in "sport" - a little sharper and the steering wheel becomes heavier. Although the 3.5-liter V6 and 8-st. Automatic transmission "can", if you ask: acceleration 0-100 km / h in 8.7 seconds - almost at the level of the promises of the passport and, in general, a decent result for a 2-ton colossus with a 7-seater cabin. By the way, about the salon ...  The conversation about the inner world of the car should be divided into two parts. The first is general questions about space and fit. Everything is fine here: a lot of space in the first and second row of seats, enough in the third. The front seats offer huge adjustment ranges and a ventilation system, which is not superfluous for a single leather interior. The s...

 The last generation Toyota Highlander crossover was too "neutral". And what will the new one offer? After all, everything has changed: the platform, design, interior, equipment. As a result - how can the new generation Toyota Highlander model attract buyers now?  Positioning Toyota Highlander  I told the story of the Toyota Highlander model in the last review, and therefore I will only note the main points here. The first generation crossover debuted in 2000 with the main idea - "to become bigger than RAV4". The car was larger in size, received a 7-seater saloon, offered a larger trunk, independent wheel suspension, powerful motors and four-wheel drive. Since then, the world has seen four generations of Toyota Highlander: the "freshest" generation came out in the spring of 2019, a year later the car reached the Ukrainian market - so it became the hero of the review.  The first Toyota Highlander crossover was introduced in 2000 - and with each generati...

 The large 10-inch display (it's an option even on the GT Line) looks cool. However, in terms of functions it is identical to the 7-inch one, at the same time it “squeezes” the buttons for selecting sections (“climate”, audio, telephone) from its sidewalls to the bottom row - and there may be false presses when you touch the keys. But the wide range of settings and a clear picture of the rear-view camera with imitation of a circular view is a plus. The optional leather seat upholstery adds a back massage by default, but only in the lumbar region. The panoramic sunroof is gorgeous by the standards of the class: a huge area (ends right above the heads of the rear passengers), the ability to open-slide. It is a pity that the sun curtain is devoid of an electric drive: the driver or front passenger will bend and get the curtain, oh, how difficult it is. The Full LED headlamps on the GT Line are beautiful to look at and offer automatic low / high beam switching . But globally, they ar...

 In the paragraphs above, I listed only those cars that were found here in the reviews - and then more than a dozen came out. And if you walk through the market as a whole, you will get the second one. Peugeot 2008 has many competitors. But while the car does not cost exorbitant money, it can attract the buyer with the status of a novelty , original design and interior, a wide selection of versions for the engine / gearbox, and quite good equipment.  Peugeot 2008 fuel consumption and vehicle maintenance  A diesel car in the city consumes 6.5-7 liters per 100 km. Taking into account the large number of traffic jams and / or with dynamic driving, the consumption will be about 8 liters per 100 km. With the most smooth ride and no traffic jams, you can get less than 6 liters per 100 km in the city. On the highway, at a speed of 80-90 km / h, fuel consumption is about 4 liters per 100 km, at a speed of 110-120 km / h, you can fit into an indicator of up to 5 liters per 100 ...

 Peugeot 2008 price and its competitors  The car is available to Ukrainian buyers with three engines, different types of transmissions, in three trim levels - in total, we get six options.  The range of the model opens with the Active version: ABS and ESP, cruise control, six airbags, electric power steering, climate control, rear parking sensors, electric windows, electric adjustment and heated mirrors, heated front seats, PNEUMA fabric trim, touch 7 -inch display (Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay), 16-inch ELBORN alloy wheels, tinted glass. This car is available with only one engine and gearbox type: a 1.2-liter petrol engine with 130 hp. and 230 Nm, paired with a 6-st. "Automatic" EAT6. The price of the Peugeot 2008 PureTech 130 S&S automatic transmission-6 Active starts at UAH 579,000. or $ 20.5 thousand The next level is the Allure package, which adds: a rearview camera, front parking sensors, a Peugeot i-Cockpit 3D dashboard, TREX fabric / leather interi...

 ... Starting from the adaptive cruise, continuing with the automatic braking system, ending with the function of monitoring the “blind spots” of the rear-view mirrors (all this equipment depends on the selected version or additionally ordered options). However, I would especially like to mention the lane control system, I’ll say even more precisely - “Lane Positioning Assist”. This system not only monitors the movement within its lane and corrects leaving it, but actively tries to align the car in the center of the lane. As a result, the system allows you to drive gently sloping left / right track deviations, and also compensates , for example, a crosswind. Yes, good road markings are required and you need to keep your hands on the wheel at all times. But all the same, such technology greatly facilitates long trips, gives the driver a little relaxation. And if you add an adaptive cruise with a full stop function, then you get a semi- autonomous entry-level control.  I admi...

 Is there any innovation in the Peugeot 2008?  At first glance , the Peugeot 2008 crossover does not offer anything revolutionary or disruptive for buyers. So, the basis of the car is the CMP platform, which is already known from other models of the PSA Group (for example, the Opel Corsa). In this case, an independent suspension at the front and a semi-independent at the rear are used, the drive is always front-wheel drive (there are no four-wheel drive versions either in Ukraine or in the world). Under the hood are 3-cylinder petrol engines or 4-cylinder diesel engines, all turbocharged. An interesting feature is the Peugeot e-2008 electric car, but it has not yet been announced for Ukraine. By the way, the presence of different versions according to the type of power units - gasoline, diesel , electric - allows the creators to call the CMP platform multi-energy, especially emphasizing that the assembly of different modifications occurs on the same conveyor. Yes, it is neit...

 The red car is the Allure trim and the 130 hp engine (also 1.2-liter and 3-cylinder, also with turbine). Plus 6-st. "Automatic" series EAT6: pay attention - it has a traditional lever, which somewhat changed the design of the central tunnel. And that brings us to talk about the 2008 Peugeot saloon ...  From the good : no more comments on the spaciousness of the cabin! I remember that for the last generation Peugeot 2008 I had comments on the height in the rear. However, the new Peugeot 2008 has become more spacious, albeit a little, but in all directions, and now it offers a fairly spacious interior, both for its class and size. Of course, you will not find any special delights in the back: there are no ventilation deflectors, USB connectors for charging gadgets are present only in the middle configuration and above (in the “base” there is only one USB port for the entire cabin). A similar point applies to the arrangement of the trunk : the correct rectangular shape, a l...