Small Loadmaster With A Lot Of Space
Small Loadmaster With A Lot Of Space

Video: Small Loadmaster With A Lot Of Space

Video: Small Loadmaster With A Lot Of Space
Video: loadmaster mrbulletfeeder 2024, March
Anonim

Station wagons in the compact class are the exception. The small load masters are not only extremely practical.

Anyone who buys a compact class car receives a complete vehicle. Whether in the city or on a big tour, alone or with the family: a lower middle-class car can do almost anything, and most of it is good. It only reaches its limits with larger transport tasks - unless you choose one of the station wagons.

Compared to the middle class, the station wagon in the compact class is more of a marginal phenomenon. Just under every third model is sold with a large cargo space - in the Passat league, Insignia and Co., the ratio is exactly the opposite. The fact that the station wagon cannot really assert itself in Germany's most popular class is due on the one hand to the strong competition from compact SUVs and vans, and on the other hand to the still pale image. While the mid-range Avant, Touring and T models are successfully sold as lifestyle vices, their compact relatives still have the image of the practical, but staid craftsman's car. Wrongly, as a selection of particularly interesting models shows.

The space miracle: Skoda Octavia Combi

Even if the Skoda Octavia Combi with a length of 4.57 meters already scratches the middle class, it is based on a compact technology platform (VW Golf) - and is priced in that way. The entry-level version with the 59 kW / 80 PS 1.4-liter gasoline engine is 16,640 euros. Admittedly, if you use the impressive 1620 liters maximum load volume, the weak four-cylinder quickly reaches its limits.

But the Czechs have enough alternatives in their program. The range extends to a 125 kW / 170 PS diesel and a 147 kW / 200 PS petrol engine. There is also a modern double clutch transmission and even a LPG version on request. Bargain hunters could also speculate on the upcoming generation change for the Octavia in mid-2013 and negotiate a fair discount for the discontinued model from dealers.

The lifestyle station wagon: Opel Astra Sports Tourer

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The Opel Astra Sports Tourer shows that the vehicle length is not directly related to the cargo volume. At 4.70 meters in length, the Rüsselsheimer only holds 1550 liters - at most mediocre. A large amount of space is not the main objective of the Astra either - it focuses more on the chic line and thus joins the family of currently very popular lifestyle station wagons. In fact, it is probably one of the most formally coherent models in its class.

It also scores points with a wide - almost confusing - range of engines. From the small four-cylinder petrol engine with 74 kW / 100 PS to turbo engines with a maximum of 132 kW / 180 PS to an extensive diesel range with 70 kW / 95 PS to 121 kW / 165 PS, everything is included. Including a modern LPG turbo with 103 kW / 140 PS. No less than 21 variants are in the price list, which starts at 18,870 euros.

The flexible one: Peugeot 308 SW

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The Peugeot 308 SW offers more than the classic station wagon program - the compact French is almost a van. At least if you choose a model from the highest equipment line "Allure" (from 23,100 euros). Then there are three individual seats in the rear instead of a classic bench, which can be removed separately. Either you leave them all in the garage or you mount one or two of the armchairs on the rails provided in the trunk.

In the first case, the SW offers an unrivaled cargo volume of 1736 liters (more than the Skoda, which however remains a five-seater), in the second case a big plus in freedom of movement for the rear passengers. In addition, there is a third bench in the option list, which turns the five-seater into a seven-seater. The engine range for the Allure versions includes two petrol and three diesels with 88 kW / 122 PS to 120 kW / 163 PS. In the basic version without the flexible seats, the 308 SW costs from 18,400 euros (72 kW / 98 PS).

The inexpensive one: Kia Ceed SW

Prices for the Kia Ceed SW start at 15,690 euros
Prices for the Kia Ceed SW start at 15,690 euros

Even as a sedan, the Kia Ceed is one of the particularly affordable models. The station wagon is almost a bargain with a list price of 15,690 euros and a seven-year guarantee. However: As is so often the case, it is a lure price. The corresponding model is poorly equipped and can hardly be upgraded even for an additional fee. Most customers go straight for the higher equipment line, pay 17,490 euros, but then have the most important extras already on board and still have a cheap car. With a 74 kW / 100 PS strong 1.4-liter petrol engine, the station wagon is also properly motorized.

The sportsman: Ford Focus Tournament

Great chassis are a Ford specialty. This also applies to a more utility-oriented model such as the Focus Tournament, where dynamism and comfort form a happy relationship. Agile and precise, but always smooth, it circles around the curves so that even boring errands can be attractive. In addition, there is an exact gearshift and stable brakes. And there is also the matching engine for the chassis: a 2.0 liter turbo gasoline engine with 184 kW / 250 PS, which gives the Focus the traditional nickname "ST".

But there are also interesting engines in the bread and butter segment, such as the one-liter turbo with 74 kW / 100 hp and a standard consumption of 4.9 liters. Overall, the Ford covers a broad spectrum of customer requirements: there is a choice of 18 engine versions, nine of which are diesel and one LPG. Prices start at 17,250 euros.

The bestseller: VW Golf Variant

The VW Golf Variant is the most complete compact class station wagon
The VW Golf Variant is the most complete compact class station wagon

VW has in the meantime treated the Golf Variant a bit neglected, but the station wagon has been back in the program without interruption since 2007. The current model is still based on the Golf VI, but will be replaced in the coming year. That is how long you can rely on the tried and tested qualities, which include good space, clean workmanship and problem-free operation.

The Variant can hardly distance the competition in any single criterion, but overall it offers the most sophisticated and complete package. Last but not least, this includes the optional all-wheel drive. There are a total of six petrol and three diesel versions with 59 kW / 80 PS to 118 kW / 160 PS. Disadvantage: Even the weakest model already costs 18,950 euros.

The new starter: Chevrolet Cruze Station Wagon

Chevrolet Cruze station wagon
Chevrolet Cruze station wagon

The Chevrolet Cruze Station Wagon is still fresh from the dealer. Like the four- and five-door sedan, the station wagon is knitted according to a tried and tested recipe. Under the hood is a lot of technology from the corporate brother Astra, but the art of omitting equipment options and engine selection means that the Chevy is much cheaper than its closest relative.

The list prices start at 15,990 euros, but rise to 17,590 euros if you want reasonable equipment - hardly more than the also very cheap Kia station wagon, even if there is only a three-year guarantee. The drive range (91 kW / 124 PS to 120 kW / 163 PS) mostly offers home cooking, but also a lively 1.4-liter turbo gasoline engine with 103 kW / 140 PS from sister company Opel. (SP-X)

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