Chinese SUVs in Russia

The content of the article:

• Auto industry in China - facts
• The best Chinese SUVs in Russia
• Advantages and disadvantages of SUVs from the PRC

Some 10 years ago, the phrase "Chinese car industry" caused surprise and a slight smile, but today the situation has changed dramatically.

If we analyze the statistics of search queries, it turns out that many of our compatriots are interested in Chinese cars much more than the products of Korean, European and Japanese automakers. And there is a simple explanation for this - with the weakening of the domestic currency, cars from the Middle Kingdom were able to offer not only a good price / quality ratio, but also an impressive list of standard and optional equipment.

However, even despite this, there are those who believe that the Chinese auto industry is not capable of creating really high-quality cars, and the main reason for this opinion is the lack of information.

Auto industry in China - facts

Here are some facts to help you look at the Chinese car industry from a different angle:

1. China is the world's largest car manufacturer. More than 22 million cars are assembled in the country annually, while in the USA this figure is two times lower, and in Russia it is 11 times lower.
2. The Chinese brand Changan appeared in 1862, 41 years earlier than Ford was founded, 64 years earlier than Mercedes and 75 years earlier than Toyota.
3. Every Chinese car manufacturer has a partnership with at least one European, American or Japanese car brand. So, the Brilliance company has a strategic partnership with the BMW brand, and Geely - with four at once - Ford, Suzuki, Peugeot and Citroen.
4. Until 2010, Chinese cars failed miserably in almost all known crash tests, but already in 2013 the Qoros 3 model was awarded the title of the safest car of the year.

The best Chinese SUVs in Russia

Today, the Chinese car market in the Russian Federation is represented by a large number of manufacturers, but only a few of them are in greatest demand among the Russian consumer. Among them are brands such as: Great Wall (Hover), Lifan, Zotye, Chery and Dongfeng.
The most popular and well-recommended Chinese SUVs in Russia are:

Chery tiggo 5

This car is very popular among Russians, which is facilitated by a bright and modern appearance, a high-quality interior, a wide range of standard and optional equipment and, of course, cost. So, today the price of a car starts at 899.9 thousand rubles. for which the buyer receives:

• immobilizer;
• ABS and EBD systems;
• rear parking sensors;
• frontal airbags;
• power windows for all doors;
• central locking;
• trip computer;
• air conditioning;
• multimedia center with 8 ”monitor and Bluetooth;
• interior mirror with anti-reflective coating;
• ISOFIX fasteners;
• light alloy wheels R17.

As a power plant, a 2-liter gasoline engine with 136 hp is available for the car. and a peak torque of 182 Nm. A pair of it can be a 5-speed "mechanics" or a continuously variable CVT variator.

Haval H9

The Haval H9 is an all-wheel drive SUV, which is only slightly inferior in size to the Toyota Prado model, and in terms of equipment - to the Lexus models. Its arsenal includes an attractive and fairly modern appearance, a roomy and high-quality interior, a frame body structure, high-torque engines and four-wheel drive.

The minimum price for a car in Russia is 2.532 million rubles, while the car offers the widest list of equipment:

• 18 ”alloy wheels;
• bi-xenon head optics;
• electric sunroof;
• rain sensors;
• fog lights;
• keyless entry function;
• 3-zone climate control;
• heated seats 1 and 2 rows;
• trip computer with 7 "monitor;
• media center with 7 "screen;
• Infinity speaker system with 10 speakers;
• front and side airbags;
• LCA, ESP, EBD, ABS, TPMS, BAS, HDC, EPB and TCS systems;
• Cruise control;
• lane change information system;
• alarm and much more.

The line of power units is represented by a 2-liter 245-horsepower gasoline engine and a 190-horsepower diesel engine of the same volume. Regardless of the type of fuel consumed, the power plant is coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Lifan X60

This car has an attractive appearance, a good level of equipment and an affordable cost. Unlike its main competitor Chery Tiggo 5, the car is equipped exclusively with front-wheel drive, but it can also offer a choice between a manual transmission and a variator.

The minimum price for Lifan X60 is 769.9 thousand for which the buyer will receive:

• ABS and EBD systems;
• ISOFIX fasteners;
• heated exterior mirrors;
• power windows for front and rear doors;
• audio system;
• electric headlight corrector;
• DRL;
• alarm and much more.

Great wall hover h3

Another representative of the Great Wall brand is the H3 model, which has a pleasant appearance, a roomy and spacious interior, a rich level of equipment and excellent off-road qualities.

Today a car can be bought at a price of 769 thousand for which the buyer will receive:

• light alloy wheels R17;
• multi-wheel;
• ABS and EBD;
• immobilizer and central locking;
• heated seats in the first row;
• 5-door electric drive;
• media center;
• rear view camera;
• power windows for all doors;
• parking radar and more.

The car is set in motion by means of a 2-liter petrol engine, available in two boosts - for 116 and 150 hp. A couple of the power plant is a manual gearbox.

Emgrand x7

The five leaders are closed by the stylish crossover Emgrand X7, which offers its customers a roomy and high-quality interior, a wide range of modern technologies, high-torque engines and a high level of safety.

The list of standard vehicle equipment includes:

• ABS, TPMS and EBD system;
• immobilizer;
• frontal airbags;
• exchange rate stability system;
• assistant when slowing down, moving downhill;
• climate control;
• audio system with Bluetooth;
• heated front seats;
• system of automatic switching on of headlights;
• parking LED lights;
• light alloy wheels, etc.

The price of Emgrand X7 starts at 989.9 thousand rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages of SUVs from the PRC

Like any other automaker, Chinese SUVs have advantages and disadvantages. So, among their advantages include:

• cost - in this parameter, the Chinese greatly surpass their Korean, European and Japanese opponents, although recently the Chinese are not afraid to raise the price tag on their cars;
• proven components and assemblies - most components and assemblies are made under the license of top world manufacturers, although in 9 out of 10 cases we are talking about old developments of world brands;
• rich equipment - here the Chinese decided to follow in the footsteps of the Koreans, offering their customers even more equipment;
• attractive design - Gone are the days when the Chinese were mindlessly copying. Today, they increasingly use the services of world-renowned design ateliers such as Pininfarina and ItalDesign;
• constructive simplicity.

But the list of shortcomings includes:

• not the most productive and economical engines - most Chinese SUVs use Toyota and Mitsubishi power plants, although we are talking about engines 5-7 years old, which cannot boast of high efficiency;
• mediocre quality of metal - there is a shortage of good metal in China, therefore, when creating cars, the Chinese actively use all kinds of alloys, which are not always of high quality;
• saving on finishing materials - in comparison with the first cars, the Chinese have made a colossal step forward, but most of their models still do not reach the level of the same Koreans;
• image of "budget" cars.

Conclusion

The current generation of Chinese SUVs presented in Russia can already compete with most Korean and even European models, so there is no doubt that after another 5-7 years the Chinese will be perceived as “full-fledged” car manufacturers.