Naturally Aspirated
Posts: 624
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2014 3:37 am
Location: Long Island, New York
Cars: None right now.
Sun Jan 11, 2015 2:52 pm
Re: Car Reviewing
Yay, it's time for a NEW TG1 REVIEW!
Today, we're checking out...
The 2014 Astana City Dweller.
A hatchback that should rival cars like the VW Golf and Baltazar Quark, which recently won our small car test.
---Statistics---
Okay, first impressions. First off, get my eyes off of it. Just, I cannot stand the looks. Sure, it's "simplistic," but I like simple things. But sometimes, simple things can be worse. And here is our prime example right here.
Performance-
The City Dweller has a Inline-4 cylinder engine paired with a 5-speed automatic. Let's cut to the chase: Both are absolute utter CRAP. Actually, the engine is just mediocre. While it is pretty smooth, somehow when I floor it smoke comes out of the exhaust. And it smells terrible, even from the driver's seat. The emissions in this is so high, you could probably be more eco-friendly with a big diesel truck. It's fairly smooth, so it didn't really rumble. But if you stomp on the throttle, you get the sense that the engine is saying "do I have to? Why not later? NOW? Alright, I'll try... Not." It's not responsive at all, and has a mushy accelerator pedal. Talking. This car has a strange yet not strange powerband, if that makes sense. It's fairly smooth and flat, but there are some weird dips. Power seems to be cutoff by RPM, so you must work the engine in order to get any power. But, the truly horrific thing about this car is the transmission. I mean, horrifying. Top gear at 75 MPH converts to 4300 RPM. Yes, I said 4300 RPM. The spacing is also strange and unsuitable for the car. This leads to a 0-60 time of 12.1 lethargic seconds, and a surprisingly high top speed of 124 MPH. It's not even very tame or at all sporty, thanks to the pencil-thin 165/65 tires. Overall, this car has an absolutely terrible powertrain, no matter how you see it.
Ride Comfort-
Somehow, the ride is fine. It's a bit harsh, but it's okay. Until you get to a bump. Astana only had 1 job, and the City Dweller COMPLETELY screws it up with UNBELIEVABLY firm damper settings. Look, I've gone racing, and I wouldn't even have the settings half of what is on the Dweller. Again, it's fairly smooth, but I can't get my mind off of the damper settings. There isn't actually much roll, thanks to the dampers, but wow, those dampers... The tire profile is pretty good. I mean, it does look like you have superswamper tires, but it saves- SOMEWHAT- the suspension settings. The ride is totally ruined by the dampers.
Handling-
You'd expect the City Dweller to be terrible in the corners. And you'd be pretty much correct! The handling is bad. Never mind the suspension, the tires alone kill the car. As skinny long-lasting tires, they pretty much suck. And there's no knowing where you're going, because you don't want to keep on rowing, but you'll just keep on going. In easier terms, it's not tame and you must expect the unexpected. And with what is has, you'd expect it to be light and fun and like an 80's hot hatch. But it just is the complete opposite. Even with RWD, it understeers like crazy. And there's no power to send you into oversteer, even with the tiny tires. There are more driver assists you'd expect from a car like this, so Power Steering, ABS, and Traction Control. It doesn't roll badly at all, surprisingly, but the engine still is not responsive. In the end, the City Dweller does need to stay in the City. Because if it didn't, all hell breaks loose.
Refinement-
The Astana is pretty quiet from the engine, unlike what you'd expect, and there is some sound insulation to back it up. However, unlike the last car I reviewed, the Aspire, it isn't whisper-quiet. It is comparable to, let's say, a Honda Fit or Mazda 2. But don't expect a mini Rolls-Royce. You'd be dissapointed.
Equipment-
Dear lord, here we are at equipment. You already know what I'll say for this. this car is basic. As in, all the equipment is basic. And with how everything feels, it's just very.. Cheap. The dash is made from the same plastic, as I feel it, as a children's toy. There is a decent amount of Driver Assists, as mentioned, but safety equipment is only mediocre. All in all, the Astana isn't any luxury car, and it shows.
Quality-
With the bad quality and lack of equipment, the City Dweller is nothing to brag about. I'll go more depth with the cheapness here. The plastics are from a toy, the fabric feels like sandpaper, and the seats are unsupportive. There is some equipment, but not much. This car is more stripped-out than a Mitsubishi Mirage. And that's not a compliment.
Reliability-
You'd expect the City Dweller to be completely bulletproof, because of its current rubbishness. But, as a matter of fact, it isn't. Well, it is reliable, but one would expect the thing to be twice as reliable as the Aspire we tested. but, no, it's about the same in terms of reliability. A huge letdown for me.
Running Costs-
36.3 MPG is very good. For many cars, 36.3 is a dream. But in a car in this class, 36.3 is... So bad it is shameful. Meanwhile, you have cars in 3-4 size classes larger than this laughing in front of it's damn face. And for such a cheap car, you would also expect the maintenance to be dirt-cheap, but again, it's only fairly average for it's class. This is absolutely horrendous and embarrassing.
Structure-
A standard steel chassis and steel panels make for a decently safe car. Don't expect anything great. There are a few driver assists that help you be safe. However, it's let down by under average safety features. It's not the best, nor is it what you'd expect from a modern-day car.
---Overall---
Pros: Fairly safe, smooth ride until bumps come..
Cons: Every. Thing. ELSE.
Do YOU want a cheap and cheerful car? Then GTFO! Do YOU want one of the worst cars, ever? Than this is an amazing, brilliant, perfect choice for you! Highly unrecommended.
Today, we're checking out...
The 2014 Astana City Dweller.
A hatchback that should rival cars like the VW Golf and Baltazar Quark, which recently won our small car test.
---Statistics---
1.2 liter (1201 CC) inline-4
105 HP @ 7200 RPM
81.3 lb-ft @ 6300 RPM
2689.5 lbs.
36.3 MPG
5-Speed manual gearbox, RWD
0-62 MPH in 12.1 Seconds
Quarter Mile in 18.42 Seconds @ 79 MPH
Okay, first impressions. First off, get my eyes off of it. Just, I cannot stand the looks. Sure, it's "simplistic," but I like simple things. But sometimes, simple things can be worse. And here is our prime example right here.
Performance-
The City Dweller has a Inline-4 cylinder engine paired with a 5-speed automatic. Let's cut to the chase: Both are absolute utter CRAP. Actually, the engine is just mediocre. While it is pretty smooth, somehow when I floor it smoke comes out of the exhaust. And it smells terrible, even from the driver's seat. The emissions in this is so high, you could probably be more eco-friendly with a big diesel truck. It's fairly smooth, so it didn't really rumble. But if you stomp on the throttle, you get the sense that the engine is saying "do I have to? Why not later? NOW? Alright, I'll try... Not." It's not responsive at all, and has a mushy accelerator pedal. Talking. This car has a strange yet not strange powerband, if that makes sense. It's fairly smooth and flat, but there are some weird dips. Power seems to be cutoff by RPM, so you must work the engine in order to get any power. But, the truly horrific thing about this car is the transmission. I mean, horrifying. Top gear at 75 MPH converts to 4300 RPM. Yes, I said 4300 RPM. The spacing is also strange and unsuitable for the car. This leads to a 0-60 time of 12.1 lethargic seconds, and a surprisingly high top speed of 124 MPH. It's not even very tame or at all sporty, thanks to the pencil-thin 165/65 tires. Overall, this car has an absolutely terrible powertrain, no matter how you see it.
Ride Comfort-
Somehow, the ride is fine. It's a bit harsh, but it's okay. Until you get to a bump. Astana only had 1 job, and the City Dweller COMPLETELY screws it up with UNBELIEVABLY firm damper settings. Look, I've gone racing, and I wouldn't even have the settings half of what is on the Dweller. Again, it's fairly smooth, but I can't get my mind off of the damper settings. There isn't actually much roll, thanks to the dampers, but wow, those dampers... The tire profile is pretty good. I mean, it does look like you have superswamper tires, but it saves- SOMEWHAT- the suspension settings. The ride is totally ruined by the dampers.
Handling-
You'd expect the City Dweller to be terrible in the corners. And you'd be pretty much correct! The handling is bad. Never mind the suspension, the tires alone kill the car. As skinny long-lasting tires, they pretty much suck. And there's no knowing where you're going, because you don't want to keep on rowing, but you'll just keep on going. In easier terms, it's not tame and you must expect the unexpected. And with what is has, you'd expect it to be light and fun and like an 80's hot hatch. But it just is the complete opposite. Even with RWD, it understeers like crazy. And there's no power to send you into oversteer, even with the tiny tires. There are more driver assists you'd expect from a car like this, so Power Steering, ABS, and Traction Control. It doesn't roll badly at all, surprisingly, but the engine still is not responsive. In the end, the City Dweller does need to stay in the City. Because if it didn't, all hell breaks loose.
Refinement-
The Astana is pretty quiet from the engine, unlike what you'd expect, and there is some sound insulation to back it up. However, unlike the last car I reviewed, the Aspire, it isn't whisper-quiet. It is comparable to, let's say, a Honda Fit or Mazda 2. But don't expect a mini Rolls-Royce. You'd be dissapointed.
Equipment-
Dear lord, here we are at equipment. You already know what I'll say for this. this car is basic. As in, all the equipment is basic. And with how everything feels, it's just very.. Cheap. The dash is made from the same plastic, as I feel it, as a children's toy. There is a decent amount of Driver Assists, as mentioned, but safety equipment is only mediocre. All in all, the Astana isn't any luxury car, and it shows.
Quality-
With the bad quality and lack of equipment, the City Dweller is nothing to brag about. I'll go more depth with the cheapness here. The plastics are from a toy, the fabric feels like sandpaper, and the seats are unsupportive. There is some equipment, but not much. This car is more stripped-out than a Mitsubishi Mirage. And that's not a compliment.
Reliability-
You'd expect the City Dweller to be completely bulletproof, because of its current rubbishness. But, as a matter of fact, it isn't. Well, it is reliable, but one would expect the thing to be twice as reliable as the Aspire we tested. but, no, it's about the same in terms of reliability. A huge letdown for me.
Running Costs-
36.3 MPG is very good. For many cars, 36.3 is a dream. But in a car in this class, 36.3 is... So bad it is shameful. Meanwhile, you have cars in 3-4 size classes larger than this laughing in front of it's damn face. And for such a cheap car, you would also expect the maintenance to be dirt-cheap, but again, it's only fairly average for it's class. This is absolutely horrendous and embarrassing.
Structure-
A standard steel chassis and steel panels make for a decently safe car. Don't expect anything great. There are a few driver assists that help you be safe. However, it's let down by under average safety features. It's not the best, nor is it what you'd expect from a modern-day car.
---Overall---
Pros: Fairly safe, smooth ride until bumps come..
Cons: Every. Thing. ELSE.
Do YOU want a cheap and cheerful car? Then GTFO! Do YOU want one of the worst cars, ever? Than this is an amazing, brilliant, perfect choice for you! Highly unrecommended.
.
