What is better - MAZ or KamAZ? Car reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase "a popular domestic truck"? Well, of course - KamAZ. And the first synonym for this famous brand that pops up in my head is MAZ. MAZ and KamAZ are two popular manufacturers and two well-known competitors. And yet, which is better - MAZ or KamAZ? We will look for the answer to this question in this article.

Main truck features

In order to understand which automaker is better, whose trucks are more popular, it is best to turn to the main consumers. After evaluating the set of reviews for each brand, you can easily reach a verdict in a long-standing dispute. And the easiest way to evaluate reviews is to imagine that right now you need a truck model from a well-known manufacturer. Whose car is better, we will buy it.

First of all, you need to decide what KamAZ or MAZ is needed for. Indeed, in each brand there is a large selection of models for their intended purpose. There are ordinary onboardvehicles with different carrying capacities, and there are specialized timber trucks or dump trucks. There are several powerful tractors in each model range and, of course, all-terrain variants with increased cross-country ability.

The next step is to define the selection criteria. Better than what? Let's dwell on such popular and at the same time important settings:

• price;
• reliability and quality;
• price of consumables in service;
• User comfort.

Also, do not forget about the nuances of using a new car and a used car. In each case, there will be a difference between a MAZ or KamAZ car. What to choose for personal use, and what is better to leave and not think, will show a comparative characteristic based on reviews.

A bit of history

For a better study of the issue, which is better - MAZ or KamAZ, let's consider some historical facts. And let's start with the senior truck manufacturer - MAZ.

The first trucks left the assembly line of the Minsk Automobile Plant back in 1947. MAZ-200 managed to become indispensable assistants when a modernized version of the MAZ-500 appeared in 1957. The modified "500s" went into production only in 1965 and were the basic version for a large variety of special equipment. There were both simple dump trucks and tractors, as well as milk trucks and fire trucks. The next time the 500th series was modernized only in 1977. The appeared MAZ had a more modern look for that time, and also carried a durable metal platform on the chassis.

The history of the KamAZ brand began much later. The first 5 trucks were made in 1976. Thus, KamAZ is 19 years younger than MAZ. As you can see, at this stage it is still impossible to answer the question of which is better - MAZ or KamAZ. The entire Soviet Union was included in the production of the enterprise on the Kama. In record time, several complexes for the production of trucks of various modifications with their own research center were built. It was a one-piece production, where everything from the screw to the power unit was produced on site. For 10 years, that is, by 1986, KamAZ fully paid back the funds invested in construction.

MAZ features

Trucks of the well-known company MAZ have proven themselves in the transportation of goods over long distances. Supporters of choosing this car note its great adaptability to highways and good asph alt. Supporting cars note a comfortable cabin and greater reliability of power units. Particularly praised are low-class Euro-2 cars. And this is despite the fact that today in the line of MAZ models there are cars with the Euro-6 class. When answering the question "MAZ or KamAZ - what to choose?" MAZ supporters have no doubts and in defense they cite numerous stories with a long and trouble-free service life of Minsk cars.

Today the company is actively cooperating with the French concern Mann. On the basis of MAZ, several types of cargo vehicles with a cab from Mann are produced. The end result is a comfortable car.corresponding to all European standards, but at a cost much lower than foreign counterparts.

Dignity from KamAZ

KamAZ is, one might say, the most common truck in Russia. The huge production in Naberezhnye Chelny, despite various economic difficulties, is constantly being improved, producing a wide variety of trucks and special equipment. Adherents of KamAZ note excellent cross-country ability and incredible stability when operating in the most severe conditions. High-revving engines show excellent results. This fact is confirmed by the constant victories in the Dakar Rally.

Many motorists who answer the question “Which is better - MAZ or KamAZ (dump truck)?” in favor of KamAZ, know about the merits of the competitor. At the same time, the majority of MAZ supporters confirm the great adaptability of KamAZ to off-road. Snowdrifts on "winter roads", a forest windfall during harvesting, spring thaw or autumn impassability are equally successfully conquered by the imperturbable KamAZ.

Another advantage is a reliable gearbox. Recall that the cars of this brand have an eight-speed gearbox with a divider, due to which the number of gears increases to sixteen. After KamAZ began to actively cooperate with the Mercedes concern, the flagships 5490 and 65206 began to install a power unit from Mercedes, namely the Daimler OM 457LA. At the same time, the flagship KamAZ-5490 also has a Daimler cabin. It is clear that fora new truck of this class will have to pay more than 4 million rubles, but it is still less than a foreign car of this level.

Disadvantages of trucks from KamAZ

When considering what is better - MAZ or KamAZ (dump truck), owner reviews are of great importance. It is important to take into account not only the advantages of each brand, but also their disadvantages. So, what do drivers who have experience driving cars from each brand complain about?

When it comes to KamAZ over 5 years old, many complain about lack of comfort. This is especially true for drivers carrying goods over long distances. In particular, MAZ supporters believe that KamAZ is not intended for long-distance travel. The next main drawback is weak spare parts and engine problems. Again, this applies to used cars. Whereas for MAZ, on the contrary, it is believed that they made the engine once and forgot about it.

MAZ problems

Both brands include owner recommendations to keep powertrains from overheating. In principle, any diesel does not tolerate this well. At KamAZ, the YaMZ 238 engine is most praised, even comparing it with a Kalashnikov assault rifle. That is, the same reliable and trouble-free.

MAZ trucks often complain about the box. And this applies to both the Minsk version and the German ZF. The latter also "bites" in cost.

And yet, what is better - MAZ or KamAZ (dump truck)? Reviews of the owners diverge approximately equally. And in general, MAZ is considered more powerful and high-torque, designed to transport largecargo over long distances. Given that the reviews relate mainly to used cars, we understand that today the picture can change constantly. After all, both KamAZ and MAZ are developing and producing new cars.

Whose tractor is better

To better understand the advantages and disadvantages, let's take one car from each brand in the same class and compare. Tractors will be the first to compare. And since modern tractors imply a seat-coupling connection, these will be seat tractors. From KamAZ, we will consider the KamAZ-65806 car with a hitch load of up to 23225 kg, and from MAZ - MAZ-643019-8429 with approximately the same load - 23000 kg.

Interestingly, both variants have a Mercedes engine. MAZ has 435 hp OM501LA, and KamAZ has 428 hp OM457LA. A similar situation with the 16-speed gearbox from ZF. The maximum speed of the Kama tractor is 90 km/h, and the Minsk tractor is 100 km/h. On the other hand, KamAZ has two fuel tanks of 300 liters each versus one such tank for MAZ.

In general, very similar cars are obtained. The only thing is that KamAZ will have to pay more for Euro-5 than MAZ for Euro-4. Therefore, to the question "Which is better - MAZ or KamAZ (tractor)?" it will not be possible to answer unambiguously.

Which dump truck to choose

In the category of dump trucks, it is best to consider the top new items that carry the maximum weight. KamAZ has a suitable four-axle 33-ton truck capable of taking 25 cubes at a time - this is KamAZ-65801. The car is equipped with a turbocharged dieselCummins, 11.8 liter with 440 hp. The dump truck is equipped with a 16-speed ZF gearbox.

An opponent from MAZ can provide a dump truck MAZ-6516V9-480-000 in response. This truck takes up to 21 cubic meters of payload with a total weight of up to 26,900 kg. A YaMZ 651.10 turbodiesel with a capacity of 412 "horses" is installed on the car. There is also a 12-speed gearbox with single plate clutch. Vehicle speed is forcibly limited to 85 km/h.

As can be seen from the description, the question of which is better - MAZ or KamAZ, the reviews do not give a categorical answer. The only thing that can be noticed is that KamAZ has a more powerful machine with the declared body volume. At the same time, MAZ cars are less expensive.

10 ton flatbed truck

And what about simple flatbed trucks? MAZ has a suitable model for 10 tons. This is MAZ-5340V5-8420-000. This is a simple 4-wheel truck with a YaMZ-536.10 turbocharged diesel engine. The engine belongs to the Euro-4 class and has 310 hp. with a volume of 6.65 liters. Mechanical nine-speed transmission from ZF and drum brakes. Vehicle speed limit is 85 km/h.

KAMAZ has something to say to its old opponent. This is the top model KAMAZ-65207 with a Mercedes engine. 401 horsepower, a 16-speed ZF gearbox and a modern cab open up new horizons in the world of truckscars. On board, you can load 16 tons of payload with a total volume of 48.4 m3. The car is equipped with disc brakes both at the front and on 4 wheels at the rear.

Of the advantages of MAZ, only the price is here. After all, 5340V5 can be purchased for about 3 million, while KamAZ-65207 costs twice as much. Therefore, our question is “Which is better - MAZ or KamAZ, capable of taking 10 tons on board?” there is a simple answer. MAZ is cheaper when buying a new configuration.

Shortcut and timber trucks

Often, trucks are required for specific jobs, such as hauling timber. Consider what domestic manufacturers can offer for these purposes. Here, MAZ offers a good option - MAZ-6312V9-426-012. This short log truck is capable of transporting cargo with a length of more than seven meters and a total weight of 20,800 kg. The modern YaMZ 651.10 engine has a capacity of 412 “horses” and a service life of 1 million km before overhaul.

Variant from KamAZ - KamAZ-658600. This road train can carry long loads up to 6 meters with a total weight of 11 tons. Of the good additions, there is a manipulator and four-wheel drive on all three axles. And again, the answer to the question of which is better - MAZ or KamAZ (timber carrier) remains open. After all, someone will need more cross-country ability, and someone will need more space.

Special equipment from well-known brands

Among the MAZ lineup there are a lot of interesting vehicles. There are truck cranes, and concrete mixers, and buses, and garbage trucks. Of particular interest is the all-wheel drive tractor MAZ-6425X9-433-000. This truckequipped with a 420-horsepower YaMZ 6585.10 engine and a 9-speed gearbox from the Yaroslavl plant. There is a large cabin with a berth. The total weight of the transported cargo reaches 21 tons.

The model range of KamAZ is no less wide. Here you can find buses, truck cranes, concrete mixers and garbage trucks. Simple chassis are also available for sale, which you can independently complete with any additional equipment. Which is better - MAZ or KamAZ, the photo of which is available above? As you can see, there is no gain in terms of assortment and breadth of the model range.

Conclusion

When choosing the best truck, you have to face a lot of questions related to the selection criteria, the applicability of the car and just personal preferences. Reviews of car owners who have experience in driving vehicles of both brands correlate approximately 50x50. Therefore, the question that we love so much, which is better - MAZ or KamAZ, remains open.