We always liked compact city cars - they are simultaneously modest, affordable and charming. And managing them is usually much more interesting than annoying crossovers who are replacing them.
But it’s too early to complain about them. The B-segment in Europe is quite alive-and, as the five best-selling cars of the third year, are super-mini-marks- polo , Clio and fiesta .
Today we compare the watches with two new candidates for glory in this class: Suzuki Swift of the fourth generation and completely changed Citroen C3.
Design
This is probably the most important factor for customers, and you will not be surprised that we tend to give preference to the French.
C3 stole the appearance of a larger C4 Cactus, which has both fans and enemies, but no one denies that it is at least different from others.
And we can order the famous Airbumps - polyurethane capsules, which simultaneously give the car a more peppy appearance and protect it from crazy small city scratches. Even if the plastic is damaged, the replacement of the entire panel will cost you only 40 leftists, not meeting with modern vampires, car malarials.
C3 also gives you many opportunities to play with flowers - on the panel, on mirrors, on the roof.
Against this background, the new Swift looks more modest. He retained the character of the older generation with a sloping roof and the rear racks, which create the impression that it soars in the air. The rear doors with hidden handles are a good solution, we also like the smiling radiator grille. But in general, this Suzuki is similar to any other Suzuki - it can be called pretty, but not beautiful.
engines
The Japanese eased our life with their choice - Swift is only two bikes. The atmospheric base is one- and two-Benzine, economical, but slightly sleepy. We recommend our test Boosterjet - a three -cylinder turbo -Benzine liter of volume, which is incomparably cheerful and maneuverable. You can order both with the so -called soft hybrid system, and with all -wheel drive. If you do not need a pen, choose between the variator, in despair, and a 6-speed automatic from Aisin, which is quite decent.
in citroen the choice is between 1.2 gasoline and 1.6 diesel, but with different power. Avoid elementary atmospheric gasoline at all costs, which is powerless as an extra -parliamentary opposition.
We are testing a version with a turbocharged and a capacity of 110 horsepower, which is also not particularly rage, but still allows a smooth overtaking. The good news is that the robotic gearbox of Peugeot-Citroen is a crime against the joy of life-finally disappeared, and now you can get the same 6-speed Japanese machine, which Swift.
on the road
The old generation of Suzuki was one of the most funny drivers of Supermini, and we are glad to tell you that this has not changed. Swift is straightforward, enthusiastically changing the direction and seems surprisingly light, which is a very good reason: it is really light. The basic car weighs only 840 kilograms - almost 300 less than that of the current Opel Corsa. Our test weighs 875 kg. This explains both the dynamics and the fact that this is one of the very few cars, the real cost of which is close to the in the brochure. In our case, a little more than 5 percent in a mixed cycle.
C3 is not a completely fat guy in his segment, and yet he adds two hundred pounds to the sensed weights. But the dynamics here was never the main goal of the French - they tried to make the car comfortable and relaxing without pumping adrenaline.
inside
This Citroen approach is also manifested in the interior - in the usual wide chairs that we really like on Cactus, and in many other fresh solutions. A curious novelty - a video recorder built into the car, which in the case of an accident can automatically return 30 seconds ago and provide you with evidence. In addition, you can make funny selfies. Almost all functions are controlled using a 7-inch touch screen, which contributes to a clear appearance of the dashboard, but not very convenient on the road.
In Suzuki, we secretly hoped to see the fresh design from IGNIS, but instead we got bored with Baleno - with hard plastic and 50 shades of gray. As for compensation, everything is simple and intuitively clear.
Practicality
C3 became five centimeters longer than the previous generation, which gives a decent space for the rear passengers and a 300-liter trunk.
swift for a whole span, which is not very noticeable in the cabin - the space is approximately t
