Test drive Mazda 6 vs Opel Insignia and Peugeot 508: vacation time
Carrying a lot of luggage without sacrificing driving pleasure is most often done with a powerful petrol engine. The comparison of the Mazda 6, the Opel Insignia and the Peugeot 508 shows what could be different. The means by which they achieve this is a diesel engine with a thrust of 400 Nm.
If you were heading on vacation with a diesel van loaded with kids, tents and cooler bags, you must have felt the urge to get more traction and power on the first steep stretch. At least once, do not drag the camper in the right lane with the accelerator pedal pressed against the sheet of metal and without any traction to overtake. At least once, start climbing calmly, not counting on how many low gears you will have to shift. At least once when you finally arrive and get rid of your luggage and passengers, take a ride on the nearby serpentines. Such things.
Nowadays, it would be wrong to say that such cars can only be found in Audi, BMW or Mercedes. Manufacturers such as Mazda, Opel or Peugeot have long offered powerful and therefore fast diesel station wagons at significantly more attractive prices. For example, the recently updated Opel Insignia Sports Tourer, whose biturbodiesel develops 195 hp, is included in the price list for 56 leva, the Mazda 850 Kombi (6 hp) participating in this test can be yours for 175 leva, and for the improved Peugeot 63 SW with 980 hp. price in Germany - 508 euros (in Bulgaria, a 180 hp option is currently offered at a price of 38 000 leva; a more powerful engine corresponding to Euro 163 will appear in the fall along with the restyled version of the model).
Mazda 6 is lightweight and agile
If you're keen on dynamic driving on roads with lots of curves, we can recommend the 1,5-ton Mazda 6. The station wagon turns nimble, stays neutral for a long time when accelerating, and handles a bit like a game. It might be mentioned here that the stock 19-inch tires roll a bit stiffly and the steering could have provided better back-to-road connectivity, but that's unlikely to dampen the warm feelings for the 2,2's station wagon. First of all, they are credited with the sensational biturbodiesel - in combination with a dense transmission with “short” gears, the 4000-liter self-igniting unit not only demonstrates impressively good manners, but also cheerfully picks up speed up to 420 centimeters. minute. With 7,2 Nm, it provides the most powerful traction of any model tested and, despite having the most sporty dynamic performance, satisfies an average fuel consumption of 100 l/14 km. At the same time, the Skyactiv engine with a low compression ratio (0:6) already meets the Euro 508 standard – without complex, expensive and maintenance-requiring additional catalysts, such as the Peugeot 180 SW HDi XNUMX.
Despite its chic design, the 4,80-meter-long Mazda isn't afraid to carry luggage. Trunk volume - 522 liters; thanks to the remote actuation of pre-tensioned springs, the rear seats fold forward, freeing up 1664 liters of cargo space and a flat floor. Passengers also have no reason to complain. They do not have enough space either above their heads or in front of their feet, and in the second row a cozy sofa awaits them.
The only criticism of the Mazda 6 concerns the workmanship.
Additional points are the company's policy regarding the equipment of the Mazda 6. Because the 175 hp diesel engine. available only with the highest level of Ultimate and this makes the model a little more expensive than the rest, the "six" and in the standard version is almost completely equipped: bi-xenon adaptive headlights with an assistant for a long time, air conditioning with automatic air conditioning, leather interior with heated front seats, parking sensors, rear camera view, lane keeping and exit assistants, keyless entry, audio system, etc.
The Japanese woman is criticized only for the quality of performance. For example, doors close with a slight tinny sound, and the front seats are thinly padded. And if you try to detach the carpet in front of the driver's seat, you can rip out the entire carpet.
Opel Insignia gives the impression of being tired and pliable.
In this respect, the Opel Insignia is 11 cm longer and looks much more mature. The doors close and lock with a loud bang, the comfortable and highly recommended AGR seats move well, and the interior looks better than the Mazda overall. In accordance with this impression, the updated Sports Tourer in October 2013 rides much softer, practically does not transfer body defects to the road surface and thus comes into the role of a comfortable car sliding on the road.
However, the shortcomings of the soft settings appear first. Although its steering is now more precise, the estate tilts when changing direction quickly and tends to wobble. Driving fast in a series of turns? You better not try.
The diesel with two turbochargers also has its weak points - indeed 195 hp. and 400 Nm at 1750 rpm sound powerful, but in fact the Euro 5 diesel engine pulls much less spontaneously than the weaker one with 20 hp. Mazda's engine revs reluctantly and at the same time runs more noisily and erratically than competitors' well-mannered powertrains. However, its consumption in the test remains at 7,1 l / 100 km. On a standard auto motor und sport track, for economical driving, its nozzles inject no more than 5,3 liters per 100 km into the cylinders.
One of the reasons the Sports Tourer is tired and pliable is, of course, its relatively large and heavy body. The Opel model is more than ten centimeters longer than the Mazda and Peugeot station wagons and, for example, 191 kg heavier than the Japanese car. Unfortunately, this length is not used. Passengers do not like any noticeable space or a huge trunk.
Owners should be happy with the normal cargo volume for the class between 540 and 1530 liters. It is not possible to release the backrests remotely, but instead you can order a large box under the floor and a practical load securing system (BGN 315). However, those with shorter arms are inconvenienced by a bulky, protruding rear apron.
With a base price of 56 leva, the Insignia with Cosmo equipment is the cheapest model in the test. If you scroll through the price list, you will find tempting, highly recommended extras such as the very well-lit AFL + system, adaptive cruise control with emergency stop function, and newly developed touch navigation and improved map display. However, since none of this is consistently on board, the opportunity for extra points is lost. It will take about BGN 850 to bring the equipment up to the Mazda level. Practical detail from the price list: "Electric socket in the trunk: BGN 10." If you forget to order it when shopping, the drinks in the refrigerated container will heat up quickly.
Peugeot 508 offers the most space
For their part, Allure-equipped Peugeot 508 SW owners can enjoy plenty of chilled food and drinks. As many as four 12-volt outlets can be found in the well-placed 4,81-meter and meticulously crafted station wagon. The only Peugeot model in the test can be equipped with automatic air conditioning for the rear seats (BGN 1068, including blinds for the side windows). It's certainly not a bad idea, especially if you plan to regularly travel during your holidays to warm places. And if it gets too cold, just open the standard panoramic roof and the sun will enter the cabin. Also standard are a small navigation system with automatic emergency call functionality, as well as comfortable, comfortable seats with retractable thigh support. However, driver assistance systems are lacking. You can't even order a tape change assistant. It's good that in return the French model emphasized the best braking distances. 35,3 meters for a full stop at 100 km / h is more than a decent result.
The same can be said about the proposed location. The Peugeot 508 SW has the longest wheelbase (2,82 meters) and the largest standard luggage capacity, making it the best traveler. In addition, the Frenchman is the only one to offer easy-to-read controls, no slow touchscreen, and good visibility in all directions.
However, for 508 Blue HDi 180 in Germany you have to pay 38 euros. Why so expensive? Peugeot only offers its newly developed Euro 000 diesel engine in combination with a newly developed six-speed automatic transmission. It shifts downhill a little more often than it should, but otherwise pairs well with the quiet, quiet diesel engine. As with the Opel, 6 Nm from 2000 rpm is enough power to ride up and down hills with ease, but not enough to follow the lighter 400kg Mazda. The top speed of 146 km/h is also only reached with long acceleration.
Mazda 6 - the undisputed leader
Nothing bad. The soft-tuned 508 prefers coziness and comfort with only short waves on the tarmac, otherwise it can be recommended as a quiet, predictable long-distance runner with understeer who needs to visit the next gas station after more than 1000 kilometers. ... Despite the automatic transmission, the Blue HDi 180 needs less diesel than its two competitors.
In the end, it turned out to be a good tactic. Because while the sporty and deliciously cheap Mazda 6 is the undisputed leader in the tests, the Peugeot 508 comfortably comes in second. The comfortable Opel Insignia suffers from the harshness of its diesel engine. However, all three cars are solid all-rounders that promise a good rest.
Conclusion
1. Mazda 6 Combi Skyaktiv-D 175
487 points
The extremely safe Mazda 6 is well-equipped, delivers a ton of driving pleasure while remaining a practical companion.
2.Peugeot 508 SW HDi 180
470 points
Except for the disharmonious chassis, the robust and spacious 508 SW gets it right. Great, smooth engine.
3. Opel Insignia Sports Tourer 2.0 BiT CDTi
466 points
A noisy and relatively phlegmatic diesel engine, as well as poor equipment, prevent the Insignia from taking second place.
Text: Michael von Meidel
Photo: Hans-Dieter Zeifert
