I did some autobahning

"Nauraushaun" (nauraushaun12)
09/08/2019 at 06:04 • Filed to: None

And it was excellent. I had 2 separate cars on two separate occasions, a manual Fiesta I took to Nürburg and an auto Toyota CH-R I rented in Belgium.

Here’s what I learned.

I don’t think it’s an ugly car. But it writes checks the power train can’t cash

I !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! when I got it, about how I didn’t love it. It was a bit too modern and a bit too boss y for me. This all changed when I got in the CH-R, an awful hateful car that takes every issue and makes it ten times worse.

The CH-R is a small-ish edgy, S UV. Far more premium than the plucky a Fiesta economy hatch. Except, it’s not. It’s worse, it’s slower, it’s painful to operate. It’s a depressing hybrid in a different skin.

The brakes are grabby and impossible to use consistently or smoothly. The EV mode turns on and off at will. Coupled with the fact that creep doesn’t always work means you can actually forget if the car is on. Everything is mixed signals, inconsistency. The infotainment is confusing and awful, so is the radar c ruise control. Even in eco mode it wants to brake hard way before you arrive at the car in front.

The CVT is unnatural and jarring though maybe better after some getting used to. The idea that the car uses the engines best power range constantly is sort of appealing, even if the sound is not.

By comparison the Fiesta was a dream.

And the final point is this: C H-R topped out at a limited k 184km/hr. The Fiesta went to 210 and wasn’t done pulling.

DISCUSSION (8)

pip bip - choose Corrour > Nauraushaun
09/08/2019 at 06:55

but the lane discipline on them makes you think how bad it is back home

Nauraushaun > pip bip - choose Corrour
09/08/2019 at 07:21

Completely disagree! I’ve never seen worse lane discipline than I saw on the autobahn. I saw slower cars make daring manoeuvres, moving in the path of much faster cars. And then the faster car would just ride the ass of the slower car making it all the more dangerous. I was careful as can be, but I felt like the only one.

I've heard of the legendary lane discipline of the Germans. I was ready for it, I was disappointed.

I jest. Thailand was worse. Only a bit though.

Jetstreamer > Nauraushaun
09/08/2019 at 08:01

That’s mostly an issue on the unlimited parts of the Autobahn. People with fast cars want to go fast but people with regular cars still have the right for an overtake in the left or even left most lane as well. In that case it’s mostly the faster cars’ responsibility to not be an asshole and avoid tailgating .

Lane discipline in general on European highways is a lot, and I mean a loooooot better than what I personally witnessed in various US states while road tripping.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Nauraushaun
09/08/2019 at 10:44

Modern Hondas (cars, the motorcycles are still pretty go od, mostly... ) , w ith the exception of the Civic Si /R and the NSX (which doesn’t really count, bec au se it’s a damn supercar) are just the worst. Even the current Fit is a soulless transportation capsul e now :(

Nauraushaun > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/08/2019 at 14:05

I don’t mean to be rude, but you’re aware that I’m talking about the Toyota CH-R and not the Honda HR-V? :)

Thank God the civic kept some soul.

Nauraushaun > Jetstreamer
09/08/2019 at 14:06

I feel that when you’ve got three or four lanes, making a slooow overtake on the far left one isn’t the answer.

But it’s illegal to overtake on the right so maybe it is. Maybe they should keep a better look over their shoulder.

I can't comment on the US, but I do find it quite good in Aus. Pip may not agree

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Nauraushaun
09/08/2019 at 15:42

Oh god. They're too the same, i cant even tell them apart...

Nauraushaun > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/11/2019 at 02:48

I reckon the Toyota is totally ripping off Honda’s idea.

Funny how the HRV was a quirk back in the 90s but in this SUV soaked world it makes perfect sense