The content of the article:
- Which Chinese car should you buy?
The sales volumes clearly demonstrate the growing confidence of Russian drivers in Chinese cars. About the best representatives of the Chinese car industry - in our rating.
Which Chinese car should you buy?
The myths about the fragility of Chinese models have long been dispelled, because now, in terms of reliability and quality, they are gradually catching up with European and American cars.
Partly thanks for this should be the mutually beneficial cooperation of Chinese manufacturers with eminent colleagues - BMW, Nissan and other "masters" of the global automotive industry.
Russians prefer Chinese brands for three main reasons:
- the cost, which is by far more affordable than that of the European or Japanese car industry;
- quality that grows with each new model;
- fame that has already spread across all continents.
Among the most popular brands among domestic motorists are the following:
Popular brands of "Chinese" in Russia
Geely
In the photo: Emgrand EC7
In 2018, the Chinese company was ranked 18th in the ranking of the most valuable car brands, selling 1.2 million of its models worldwide.
In the coming years, the Geely team promises to produce three dozen completely new vehicles, including not only the usual sedans and crossovers, but also full-fledged SUVs and family minivans.
This company took up the automotive industry only in 2001, and the first export model was the Emgrand EC 7 of the 2012 model.
The car immediately attracted the attention of those who like "more and cheaper", providing a steady demand both among private consumers and among taxi stations. A version with a 1.5-liter 98-horsepower and 1.8-liter 126-horsepower gasoline engines entered the Russian market, as well as a 5-speed manual transmission or CVT. In terms of dimensions, the model corresponded to the D segment, was well equipped and very attractive for its value.
Although this model did not become a bestseller, it pleases with a not recognizable, but pleasant appearance with an elegant body, side stamping and lensed optics.
Emgrand EC surprises with a strikingly large interior, where it is convenient even for large and tall people, as well as a luggage compartment of 680 liters. In addition, the owners noted excellent noise insulation, driving performance and high liquidity in the secondary market, which made the car a favorite of many motorists.
In 2019, the Atlas crossover seized the palm, becoming the most popular Chinese car among Russians.
Its immense popularity can be explained by a good 1.8-liter 184-horsepower turbocharged engine, an expressive modern body, excellent security systems and technical stuffing at a relatively affordable cost of 1.4 million rubles.
Since its launch in 2016, Atlas, or Geely Bo Yue as it is known to the rest of the world, has never tired of improving itself, including getting an innovative Global Key user interface.
It's safe to say that Geely's latest models are an entirely new, high-tech China.
Chery
In the photo: Chery Tiggo 5
Cars of this brand have long been familiar to Russian consumers, who speak of a technical level and comfort that is in no way inferior to other brands.
The renowned research agency J.D. Power annually notes the steady growth of the popularity of this automaker, which in the past year alone has climbed 26 lines at once. Thank you for the growing interest in crossovers that are reliable and functional. The same agency claims the absolute leadership of the Tiggo models in several segments at once, including among compact SUVs.
Tiggo models have more than a decade of history, but it is the latest generation that has become the most iconic for the company.
Each vehicle's exterior can be praised for a unique, necessarily contemporary design that will appeal to drivers of all ages. Tiggo3 received an interesting design of the tailgate, which opens not traditionally upwards, but to the side. And the spare wheel located on it harmoniously complements the overall design.
The Tiggo 2, Tiggo 3 and Tiggo 5 modifications differ significantly from each other, but provide the most suitable conditions for each driver. Any of them provides from 6 to 8 body colors and from 4 to 6 configuration options.
The technical stuffing for Chinese crossovers was created by the world's best manufacturers:
- reliable braking systems from Bosch;
- body technology from the German Bentler;
- conditioners from American Delphi;
- airbags and seat belts from Swedish Autoliv;
- keyless access system from the French Valeo.
The choice of powertrains is no less attractive: 106-horsepower on the Tiggo 2, 1226-horsepower on the Tiggo 3, 136-horsepower on the Tiggo 5. All of them have Euro 5 class fuel injection technology, providing a balance of confident power and economy. And in the work on the suspension, the Chinese engineers were assisted by British colleagues specializing in the creation of sports cars.
Finally, these crossovers stand out not only for their harsh suspension, attractive exterior and ergonomic interior, but also for their modest appetite for fuel.
So, Tiggo 2, depending on the transmission, will require about 6 liters in combined mode, Tiggo 3 in the city consumes 7.4 liters, and Tiggo 5 - just over 8 liters in mixed mode.
Lifan
In the photo: Lifan Murman
When this brand entered the Russian market in the early 2000s, it proved itself not in the best way, having a catastrophic number of shortcomings.
But the manufacturer, despite his youth, was ready for constructive criticism and actively learned from his mistakes. When the domestic car market went through a crisis in 2016, falling 11%, the Chinese became the leader in sales, increasing them by 15%.
It was on these cars, which acquired a decent interior quality and modern equipment, that those motorists who preferred used foreign cars began to change.
The updated models proved to be very resistant to local winters thanks to the anti-corrosion treatment of the body. This indisputable advantage was clearly confirmed by the rally to Murmansk with the participation of some Lifan cars, which proved to be excellent off-road, at extremely low temperatures, in a blizzard and strong wind.
The reliability of Lifan Solano was tested in the field by the owners of taxi companies, which withstood hundreds of thousands of kilometers non-stop with not the best service.
He showed the Chinese manufacturer and commendable rationality in the assembly, using spare parts from Japanese and European cars. Any details and assemblies are not only not unique, but also easily accessible due to the construction of huge warehouses in Russia.
The flagship X80 crossover with European looks has become popular due to its affordable prices and excellent quality. Aggressive appearance with stylish optics and a huge grille is so solid that it can be attributed to the premium class.
Simple and inexpensive materials have been chosen for the spacious interior, and the luggage compartment provides 580 liters, which turns into 1200 liters with the rows of seats folded.
Under the hood, engineers have placed a gasoline 2-liter 192-horsepower engine, aggregated with a 6-speed robotic or mechanical transmission, which together require 8 liters of gasoline in the combined cycle.
At a cost of 900 thousand rubles for the basic configuration, the latest modification of the popular crossover seems to be an ideal choice for city trips and country trips without overcoming serious off-road conditions.
Lifan also has real representatives of the business class - for example, the Murman sedan, which has incorporated the latest technical achievements in the field of automotive development, elements of modern design and thoughtful security systems.
The model really got all the best that the automotive industry has to offer, for which it was nicknamed "the citizen of the world."
Noble appearance, spacious 5-seater salon, upholstered in leather, rich minimum equipment, consisting of an on-board computer, multifunction steering wheel, 6 modes on the seats, climate control, electric windows and mirrors, parking sensors, ABS, EBD, ESP and other pleasant options.
Lifan eloquently makes it clear that it does not plan to lose its leadership position in the Russian car market, repeatedly being awarded the Car of the Year award in Russia.
Conclusion
It should be admitted that Chinese automakers are becoming serious rivals to eminent brands with worldwide fame and long history. They are developing rapidly, never ceasing to improve, actively developing the latest technologies and constantly improving the quality of service. All this makes the Chinese car industry in demand all over the world.
