What interested small car? In the category of utility are several body types. VW Polo, Skoda Fabia Combi, Honda Jazz and Kia Venga are the best example. Which is better?

In their first two generations, the Honda Jazz always He had offered something always the usual vehicles B segment, of passenger cars. Now, Honda presents the Jazz III as larger and more flexible yet, but within this category is really the ideal vehicle? Is it really a very roomy small car, a shorter than usual family or a minivan low-rise? To check We have assembled three different cars and they represent the best of its kind: Come Kia, Skoda Fabia and VW Polo. In passing, we will find out which of the four concepts is the best. In all cases, of course, interesting and modern gasoline engines low power.

We could repeat once again the story already cansina how “strollers” have been perfected over the years until becoming a full car, but better than the facts speak for themselves. So we have four great small cars: One more Modularity even a larger Mercedes Class B (Kia Come); another with a larger trunk than the Audi A4 Avant (Skoda Fabia); other than accelerates faster than the first Volkswagen Golf GTI (The VW Polo 1.0 TSI); and another last with both legroom in the rear seats as the giant Volvo XC90 (The new Honda Jazz). Let’s meet them!

Honda Jazz 1.3 i-VTEC: the cheapest

Three generations and 15 years, the Honda Jazz bet on a different concept to the rest. It is designed around a very special idea: a rear seats that fold to form a completely flat load surface and some benches that fold up like a cinema seat. Thus, the Honda Jazz 2001 of only 3.85 meters long, had a big space and, above all, a luggage compartment from 380 to 1,323 liters. Now in its third generation, with 354/1314 liters, something has been lost cargo volume, although the outer length has increased 15 centimeters. The reason is that, to meet crash safety standards, the new Honda Jazz needed a stronger front. To enhance its modularity, the technical They have reassembling the tank under the front seats, a good idea until you sit on them: too high and with a thin padding that reduces grip and comfort.

However, this Honda Jazz is very well served in comfort equipment. And it has a system emergency braking and reliable reader speed limits. But has no highlights and therefore does not offer much by between 13,400 and 17.00 euros it costs discounted, depending on their levels of finish. Is the cheapest car comparison and eagerness to save note: behind the fuel cap, for example, missing paint; the handle of the tailgate is folded when opened and to say the least, the interior plastic Honda Jazz are part of the reason that weighs little. With the number of buttons bearing the steering wheel, it takes a while to learn to handle everything, but, except for the system menus infotainment, no major complications.

Finally, the time comes yes to put the new Honda Jazz launched. Technicians boast a more direct steering response, but have greatly improved their slowness and driving pleasure. Jazz, move, move, and when touched, even takes curves with some dignity, but its naturally aspirated gasoline engine 1.3-liter and 102 hp will not pull out of trouble when you’re in a hurry. In return, This Honda is very thrifty, with consumption during the tests you have 1.4 l / 100 km lower than the Kia Venga actual spending, for example, it does not have an engine to shoot rockets. This virtue compensates for the lack of power (only suitable for city driving) and the tendency to rumble motor, which is associated with a gearbox six-speed transmission with good relations. Despite its 102 hp, not much to slow, paragraph where not particularly outstanding.

Apparently, the Honda Jazz III takes not too many points in this comparison (and do not help their suspension rebounds), but, nevertheless, its price allows you to scale positions in section cost, and get get a place on the podium, very close second.

Kia Venga 1.6 CVVT: the oldest

He Kia Venga, meanwhile, it takes many years traveling and our roads. Since we are happy with the phenomenon of “pleasure in each function,” a term that refers psychological “the feeling of pleasure when a trained movement is executed”. Kia Venga in all works in a simple and uncomplicated: from radio to the computer, through the folding rear seat, with longitudinal displacement and tilt adjustment or modification of the height of the trunk floor. Alone annoying one thing: safety equipment, an unacceptable shortage. Remains unchanged since 2010 … and that already at that time had more deficiencies than supply.

Therefore, the Kia Venga has the same problem today than some other Kia: once designed, manufactured and again almost unchanged until its withdrawal. When released, they are more or less at the level of its rivals, but then no longer move, and while the others move, they stay behind.

Already underway, the suspension of the Kia Venga has long been reacting badly to small uneven surface, and worse if there are potholes. His direction is lacking sensitivity and continue turning a deaf ear to the roar of the engine. It is well equipped, but the end is so delayed in comparison engine for 1.6 liter four-cylinder, also atmospheric and 125 hp. City responds in a homogeneous manner, but without a turbocharger to help him breathe, you have to use all their gear to move in a more or less decent way road.

I take curves you are not given quite right to this Kia Venga, is somewhat awkward and just faster with the gasoline engine also 1.4 liter, 90 hp and 700 euros less. With real consumption of 7.9 l / 100 km on average, this Kia Venga spends more than its rivals. The most important purchase argument are his seven-year warranty, because price (from 16,500 euros, including discounts) Is not the cheapest. If Kia had modernized his car would not have been the last of this comparison as indeed it has been.

Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI BMT: small Golf

To know precisely modernize the secret of success of the Volkswagen Polo from 40 years ago. As in the previous four generations, the VW Polo V (manufactured since 2009), is the younger brother of the Golf …. It is rather a small Golf. With the significant improvements made in 2014 in systems infotainment and chassis, the Polo is now also available with a new engine turbo 1.0 TSI only three cylinders. Makes 95 hp finish BlueMotion.

With almost the same as the maximum torque four-cylinder 1.2 TSI 110 hp leading the Skoda Fabia Combi here (Which can also carry the Volkswagen Polo in other finishes), the three-cylinder 1.0 TSI of the Polo should have almost a similar thrust and, above all, consuming less. But no. Reaching 20 mkg at 2000 rpm, Polo engine was somewhat weak, with a huge slow the turbo compared with the 1.2 TSI of the Skoda Fabia Combi. After these revolutions, and pulls strongly with typical roll of the three cylinders, but still reacts with some delay to the accelerator. With regard to benefits in itself, is almost level as well as the Skoda. Of the more than 0.5 l / 100 km savings that promise to official data, in our tests have actually been only 0.2 l / 100 km … despite the Skoda Fabia is significantly larger. The only advantage is its greater autonomy Polo, about 680 km, only about 20 more than the Skoda.

And if the Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI and finds it difficult to cope with a normal Skoda Fabia, opposite the station wagon Combi, it is even worse. The VW loses points for its trunk, much smaller, and the lower inner space. The advantage that gives its suspension, balanced and accurate, the weak loses its brakes. And there is little difference in terms of management, multimedia system and safe manning (all the VW group), Pole must conform end with second. Why Nor it is cheaper: you find already from 16,500 euros, discount included.

Skoda Fabia Combi 1.2 TSI: the large family

You can not say that we lack enthusiasm for dream cars. And if someone you like, we can sing the goodness of any car bells until it is impossible not to buy it. But for once we want to be wise, and we have to admit: actually, We would recommend the Skoda Fabia Combi everyone. It is as big as the first Volkswagen Passat, which no one remembers how small. In the Skoda Fabia Combi fits all necessary equipment holiday for a family of four and, unlike what happens in the VW Polo and the Honda Jazz, There is also the family itself. Has a good level of finish, it is easy to drive and moves with confidence and also is quite quickie.

This very good result in the Skoda Fabia Combi is partly due to the rigidity of chassis, and possibly also to a more balanced distribution of weight (in the VW Polo, to 62 percent of the weight falls on the front axle, and the Skoda is reduced to 59). In any case, This Fabia goes through curves even more agility, precision and stability the Polo, and even more verve also slows and forcefulness.

Moreover, the Skoda Fabia Combi combines especially well with the four-cylinder turbo 1.2 TSI 110 hp. The small disadvantage of not excessive torque, makes up easily to distribute very uniformly from low speeds, up laps with the same diligence and always maintaining the restraint. With its 6.8 l / 100 km actual consumption, hardly consumes more than the VW Polo 1.0 TSI in practice, which is only 18 kilos lighter. We insist on their excellent brakes and its many ingenious details such as phone holders or parking tickets, small dustbin and always handy ice scraper at the top of the tank. You know what the motto “Simply Clever”. In addition, its price (between 15,400 and 16,300 euros, after discount) And, despite their rather austere equipment we have therefore already a winner. This shows that is not the Skoda Fabia Combi is the most original in terms of small cars idea, but certainly yes we It seems now the best.

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