Test drive Geely Coolray and Skoda Karoq
Turbo engine, robot and touchscreen - do you think this is about another VAG? But no. It's about Geely Coolray, which claims to be hi-tech. What will the Skoda Karoq oppose, which instead of the DSG received a full-fledged machine gun?
In the class of compact crossovers, a real international conflict is unfolding. For a share in the fastest growing segment of the market, manufacturers from almost all automotive countries are fighting. And some of them even perform with two models.
At the same time, not very eminent manufacturers from the Middle Kingdom are not stopped by serious competition in the class, and they are actively introducing their new models into this segment. The Chinese rely on manufacturability, rich equipment, advanced options and an attractive price list. But will they be able to squeeze out Japanese and European models, which are distinguished by comfort, ergonomics and image? Let's look at the example of the new Geely Coolray and Skoda Karoq.
The Geely brand is one of those Chinese companies that have radically changed their image over the past couple of years. Of course, the “Made in China” label still remains a powerful argument against the purchase in the popular mind. And these cars are not yet sold out in hundreds or even tens of thousands, but they no longer look like black sheep in the traffic flow.
And it was not in vain that I mentioned Geely as the "image maker" of Chinese cars, since it was this company that made the first risky bet and localized the production of its model in one of the countries of the Customs Union. The Atlas crossover, which has been assembled in Belarus since the end of 2017, has certainly not blown up the market, but has already proved its competitiveness. And after him, almost all major players from the Middle Kingdom began to master their own production in Russia with a high degree of localization.
Now a car from China is not perceived as something outlandish. And it becomes quite common to compare them not only with the “Koreans”, but also with the “Japanese” and “Europeans”. And the compact Coolray crossover, due to its saturation with high-tech equipment, aspires to this role like no other.
Probably, only the lazy one did not say that Coolray was created with extensive use of Volvo technology, owned by Geely. But it's not enough to get these technologies - you still need to be able to use them. It is stupid to scold "Coolrey" for the absence of pneumatic stoppers for the hood, not the best seals on the doors or not the best soundproofing. All the same, the car acts in the segment of budget SUVs and does not pretend to be laurels of "premium". But when you have at your disposal a Swedish 1,5-liter turbo engine and a preselective robotic gearbox with two clutches, this should become a serious advantage over the competitors. Especially Korean ones, which do not have supercharged engines in their assets.
It is a pity that the specialists from China did not manage to properly tune this pair. There are no criminal jerks and hesitations when switching the "robot", but it is definitely impossible to call the work of the tandem a well-honed language.
During intensive acceleration, when switching from the first to the second box, there is not enough agility, and it withstands the "MKH" pause. And then, if you do not release the gas, it often dulls at all, getting entangled in the gears.
If you get used to driving carefully, with very uniform accelerations and long decelerations under the gas release, then many of the disadvantages of the power unit can be leveled. Moreover, including such unobvious as high fuel consumption. Still, 10,3-10,7 liters per "hundred" in the combined cycle is too much for a turbo engine and a robot. And even when the driving style becomes calmer, this figure still does not fall below 10 liters.
But otherwise, Geely is so good that it can more than cover these shortcomings. It has a very stylish interior with a pleasant and practical finish, fast and convenient multimedia with a widescreen touchscreen, a productive climate and some indecent number of assistants for a car of this class. That only there is a system of all-round visibility with 3D-modeling of a car in space or a system for monitoring dead zones with cameras.
It is clear that such features are the prerogative of the top-end configuration, but there is a nuance. Competitors, in particular Skoda, do not have such equipment at all. And if there is something similar, then, as a rule, it is offered only for a surcharge. And the price list of all these cars is not as attractive as that of the "Chinese". Isn't that an argument?
From the first minute behind the wheel of the Skoda Karoq, I went down the wrong path. Rather than judging this car with an eye on the main competitors in the class, including the Geely Coolray, I compared it to my personal Tiguan all the time. And, you know, I liked him.
Of course, one cannot compare sound insulation or trim in the cabin - after all, the cars perform in different leagues. But Karoq still feels very noble on the go and is not associated with affordable crossovers like Coolray or, for example, Renault Kaptur.
I was especially pleased with a pair of a turbo engine and a machine gun. In my Tiguan, the engine is combined with the robot, but here is a completely different matter. Yes, the assault rifle lacks the robotic's biting rate of fire, but it doesn't seem to be inhibited either. Switching is fast and to the point. At the same time, the ride is excellent.
According to the figures in the technical characteristics, the Karoq has a slight loss in dynamics compared to the Tiguan, but in fact you do not feel it. Acceleration is no worse than that of its older German brother, so overtaking and changing lanes are easy on Skoda. And on a suburban road, the motor is more than enough traction. At the same time, fuel consumption is quite acceptable - no more than 9 liters per "hundred" even on busy Moscow roads.
On the go, the Karoq is also good: comfortable and quiet. Excessive stiffness of the suspension annoys a little, but this is a payback for good handling. Again, if the wheels are of a smaller diameter, and the tire profile is higher, then this problem will probably disappear.
But what upsets Karoq is the interior design. It is clear that, as in any Skoda, everything here is subordinated to convenience and functionality. Where is without a branded simply clever? Still, I would like to see in such a car a more "lively" and cheerful interior, and not a kingdom of dullness and despondency. Well, again, Skoda multimedia with conventional parking sensors against the background of Geely's advanced media system with all-round visibility looks like a poor relative. It remains to be hoped that the imminent release of the new Karoq trim levels and the emergence of a more modern Bolero system with a touchscreen should correct Skoda's current shortcomings.
| A type | Crossover | Crossover |
| Length / width / height, mm | 4330 / 1800 / 1609 | 4382 / 1841 / 1603 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2600 | 2638 |
| Cargo space, l | 360 | 521 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1415 | 1390 |
| engine's type | Benz. turbocharged | Benz. turbocharged |
| Working volume, cubic meters cm | 1477 | 1395 |
| Max. power, h.p. (at rpm) | 150 / 5500 | 150 / 5000 |
| Max. cool. moment, Nm (at rpm) | 255 / 1500-4500 | 250 / 1500-4000 |
| Drive type, transmission | Front, RCP7 | Front, AKP8 |
| Max. speed km / h | 190 | 199 |
| Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h, s | 8,4 | 8,8 |
| Fuel consumption, l / 100 km | 6,6 | 6,3 |
| Price from, $. | 15 119 | 17 868 |
