Preview Kia ProCeed vs Toyota C-HR

Kia calls the ProCeed a fashionable definition of shooting brake, and Toyota considers the C-HR a coupe with a high seating position, but both have the same goal of surprising. We are looking for an answer to the question, which option copes with this better

If you try to compare these two cars in terms of consumer qualities, it will quickly become clear that they are uneven to each other. Therefore, their direct comparison, if not a farce, certainly does not have any serious practical meaning. But there is at least one parameter that still unites these two non-standard cars: similar price. And also the presence of the wow factor, which, however, each of the manufacturers interprets in its own way.

Let's be honest: People considering buying a car first look at all the options in the budget they have. And only then they begin to look closely at specific models. Moreover, even at the final stage of decision-making, candidate cars are not always close to each other in characteristics.

Seven or eight years ago, a practical family man could easily choose between the Nisan Note compact van and the Opel Astra H sedan, which with the Family prefix was still produced at the Kaliningrad Avtotor. Both of these models at that time fit into the same budget. It was quite normal to compare similarly priced configurations and count the number of USB ports in cars, without thinking about body type, horsepower or number of gears.

The crisis has not changed the selection criteria, but progress has made it even greater. Today, even non-trivial-looking cars can be perfectly suited for the role of an everyday car for a small family and can be sold for quite reasonable money.

Toyota is offered in Russia in three fixed trim levels. But there is a feeling that the basic version with a 1,2-liter "four" and mechanics for $ 16. does not exist in nature. Therefore, "live" cars from dealers can be found only in the second Hot configuration for $ 597. or in the third top version Cool for $ 21.

Moreover, these machines differ from each other not only in equipment, but also in power plants. So, on the Hot version, a two-liter aspirated engine with a return of 150 horsepower is working under the hood. And the top-end Cool is equipped with a 1,2-liter turbo engine with 115 horsepower. At the same time, this configuration has an all-wheel drive system, which is not available in Hot, even for an extra charge.

Unlike the C-HR, the Korean shooting brake is available in front-wheel drive only. However, the power plants of the two fixed configurations of the model are also different. The younger version of the GT Line for $ 20. equipped with the latest 946-liter turbo engine with 1,4 horsepower. And the charged GT variant costs $ 140. equipped with a 26-liter supercharged engine with a capacity of 067 forces.

It is clear that if you have 2 million rubles, the choice is much easier to make. If you love speed and drive, take a Kia. Well, if dynamics and power are not fundamental, and four-wheel drive would not be superfluous, then there is a direct road to a Toyota dealer. But in the case of intermediate versions, everything is not so simple, and here you can already look closely at the equipment and comfort.

For the convenience of the interior, Kia seems to be a more interesting option. Here and the trunk is more voluminous, and a little more space in the back. But the roof is so low that when you land on the second row, hitting your head against it is as easy as shelling pears. And on the sofa itself, the dark ceiling “presses” so strongly from above that the feeling of spaciousness in the legs somehow dissolves by itself.

At Toyota, everything is more practical. The C-HR seems to be not just a crossover, but a coupe-crossover. However, there are no problems with landing. The ceiling overhead also hangs low, but not so depressing. The legs are cramped, but due to the more vertical fit, this has practically no effect on convenience. Well, the child seat will hardly fit into both the first and the second car.

Driving habits? We have already noted the refinement of the chassis and refined handling of the C-HR. But still they considered the Japanese in the context of conditional classmates. But even now, even against the backdrop of a squat station wagon with maximally clamped suspensions, Toyota not only does not get lost, but still seems like a gambling car.

The ProCeed rides like a hot hatch should. The top-end GT feels like a fast and assembled car. The initial GT-line doesn't disappoint, though. He dials the first “hundred” in 9,4 seconds. It could be faster, but there is not so much traction here, and it is not available from the very bottom. At the same time, the "robot" at ProCeed works almost exemplary. The box switches almost without delays and failures, and where it is necessary to accelerate, it easily drops a couple of steps down, instantly following the gas pedal.

The Korean is noticeably tougher than the Japanese. The suspension works out minor irregularities nervously. Almost nothing is transferred to the steering wheel - the steering wheel with a tight effort, like a monolith, lies in the hands. But the fifth point very often feels the micro-profile of the roadway.

Of course, these settings have their obvious advantages. For example, on large waves of asphalt, the car almost does not suffer from longitudinal swing, and on arcs it perfectly resists lateral rolls. But the overall chassis balance of the Kia is still inferior to Toyota. Driving the C-HR is not less fun, but much more comfort.

However, as we mentioned at the beginning, the main task of these machines is to surprise. And those who remember the Frankfurt ProCeed concept will notice that the production car has completely different proportions: a small prestige distance (the distance between the front axle and the windshield), an elongated front and shortened rear overhangs, a reduced wheelbase, a high bonnet.

Of course, all these decisions are caused by the design features and the stricter passive safety requirements. But it was they who changed the silhouette of the ProCeed. Yes, it still has a lot of cool solutions, and thanks to them, it stands out in the gray stream. But that audacity and impetuosity, which were in the guise of the concept, is no longer in the production car.

As for the C-HR, it is very good in proportion, but overloaded with an incredible amount of detail in the exterior. Although in the banal competition "who will collect the most views in the stream" ProCeed turns out to be the leader. Largely due to its resemblance to the expensive Porsche Panamera Sport Tourismo and generally much richer look.

But if there is a desire to really catch the glances of upstream neighbors, then it is worth stopping by a MINI dealer. There you will definitely find an equally interesting crossover, and perhaps the most interesting station wagon on the market. And for about the same money that they ask for a Kia ProCeed or Toyota C-HR.

Toyota CHR
A type	Crossover	Universal
dimensions (length, width, height), mm	4360/1795/1565	4605/1800/1437
Wheelbase, mm	2640	2650
Cargo space, l	297	590
Curb weight, kg	1420	1325
engine's type	Gasoline R4	Petrol R4, turbo
Working volume, cubic meters cm	1987	1359
Max. power, l. with. (at rpm)	148/6000	140/6000
Max. cool. moment, Nm (at rpm)	189/3800	242 / 1500-3200
Drive type, transmission	CVT, front	RKP7, front
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h, s	10,9	9,4
Max. speed km / h	195	205
Fuel consumption (mixed cycle), l per 100 km	6,9	6,1
Price from, $.	21 692	20 946