Nissan Teana, Toyota Camry: Russian Basyo
Let not in the basics, that is, the tournament, not the most powerful versions of the cars come together, the fight is expected to be interesting. Indeed, as in sumo, the outcome of the meeting is decided not only by force.
“NISSAN-TEAN”
It stands out extraordinary appearance. Like many Japanese cars created for the domestic market, it is much bolder in the lines than export products. The intermediate version of the configuration – a model with a 2.3 liter engine that we had on the test, is equipped with a 6-cylinder engine with a capacity of 173 hp. – a little more than the opponent, which has only four cylinders.
The Nissan’s commitment to multi-cylinder engines is well known – there was even a two-liter six on the Maxim. “Teana” only in the basic configuration – 4-cylinder 2-liter. The main plus of the “six” is the exceptional smoothness of work, confirmed by a low but well-placed voice at high revs. Unfortunately, the 4-speed hydromechanical “automatic”, featuring a good response and impeccably smooth switching, is unable to do the impossible – to give the “Téane” vehicle dynamics with the latest 6-speed “automatic”. However, the acceleration time to 100 km / h is only slightly more than what was declared, and the difference with Toyota is not great at all. However, fuel consumption is noticeable (on average by 1–1.5 l / 100 km) with the Nissan higher. Subjectively, acceleration after 100 km / h seems slow, which does not quite correspond to the first impression of the car. Not in favor of the perception of the dynamics works excellent insulation “Teany”: no engine, no wheels, no wind in the working speed range is almost inaudible. Only after 160 km / h the background noise in the cabin begins to remind you that it’s time to lift your foot off the gas pedal.
Suspension work flawlessly. They perfectly isolate the driver and passengers from minor irregularities, but when it comes to real Russian potholes, they give up and loudly ask for mercy. The downside is moderate rolls in the corners, a quick reaction of the car to the movement of the wheel, by the way, more acute than that of Toyota. However, there is nothing more to praise the “Teany” steering wheel – it is large in diameter, it is thin in cross section, it is regulated only by the angle of inclination, and even then with an effort not characteristic of a Japanese car. The Premium Premium Nissan is equipped with ESP, so even completely disorderly driver actions are successfully corrected by electronics. If it is turned off, nothing terrible will happen – “Teana” remains very obedient and expresses protest by gently sliding it out of the turn. The steering dampens bumps quite well, but it is not a sample of perfect feedback: even on dry pavement, efforts are too small. There are no complaints about the effectiveness of brakes, but slowing down has to be done more by displacement and not by force on the pedals. Therefore, the intervention of ABS occurs unexpectedly. And the noise and vibration on the pedals are very tangible – the device is clearly not the last generation.
The driver and front passenger is comfortable and pleasant in deep, soft leather seats. Width enough adjustments too. A strongly rounded front edge of the cushion “blurs” its length and it’s difficult to understand how well a long-legged driver will be here. When you turn off the ignition seat slides back – for easy exit.
Luxurious center console looks like bravo. That’s just to understand the series of identical buttons is not so simple – white, that control the audio system, slaughter all the others, and two rows of blacks responsible for the climate, are forced to strain, adjusting the settings.
Behind in this configuration no extra amenities. Passengers “Nissan”, vmymahavshim growth under the door jamb, will be lowish. And for the same tall driver or passenger – and cramped. Low these problems are unknown.
“TOYOTA-KEMRI”
The old Toyota was hard to remember. However, this did not prevent the excellent sales. In this class, an extraordinary appearance is not always dignity – you will not go to a business meeting in a lemon jacket. New “Camry” is quite conservative inside, but outside – much bolder. More beautiful? The answer is a controversial, but more aggressive plastic and silhouette, more like a Lexus, made Camry, if not defiant, then noticeable. However, the interior also attracts attention – what is the cost of finishing the console in the color of the OSAGO policy!
The base 4-cylinder engine is only slightly inferior to the Nissan unit, and even exceeds it in torque, using the “impressive” advantage of 13 cubes of volume. The only thing in which the Toyota motor cannot compete with the Nissan is the “nobility” of noise at high revs. But in a duet with a 5-step “automatic” unit shows slightly better dynamics and significantly lower gas mileage. However, the first will hardly be a noticeable plus. The electronics that control the “automaton” are clearly trying to adapt to the driver, but to say: she can do it easily – not. I could not identify clear criteria for choosing the second or third gear during acceleration to 80 km / h.