The content of the article:
- Quality Chinese cars in Ukraine
Starting from 2018, the Chinese auto industry is gradually recapturing the positions it lost a year earlier in the Ukrainian market.
This is not to say that Ukrainian drivers do not like cars from the Middle Kingdom at all, the new Cherie and Lifan have their own fans, but most motorists prefer to buy an old "German" than a new "Chinese". After reviewing hundreds of reviews, listening to professional repairmen at service stations and testing a dozen new models, it is interesting to figure out if there are good Chinese cars in Ukraine.
It turns out there is. Even big skeptics cannot but admit that cars from the PRC are getting better every year. And although there are still plenty of poor-quality assemblies, creaking seats, crumbling undercarriages, China can provide the world market with several full-fledged complete sets, which are no worse than Renault or Opel.
And the evidence of these words is simple statistics. In September 2019, 149 Chery and 31 Haval cars were sold in Ukraine, the brands respectively took the 16th and 27th places in the thirty best-selling cars in Ukraine.
Our top-7 of really good "Chinese" includes cars of different price segments, which, according to the reviews of drivers and locksmiths, are worthy of the "good" rating. And although the Chinese manufacturer is still far from Volvo in terms of safety and quality of the body (by the way, the company sold only 89 of its cars in September) and to Iifiniti - in terms of dynamics and quality of chassis, engineers from the Middle Kingdom have room to grow and what they are striving for.
Quality Chinese cars in Ukraine
Haval H6 Blue Label
This front-wheel drive crossover conquers the Ukrainian market not only for its price. Although the cost of a beautiful SUV is quite acceptable, four configurations are sold in showrooms with prices ranging from $ 22,500 to $ 25,000.
Ukrainian drivers have been familiar with the equipment since 2017, and in two years the model received a minimum number of negative reviews and good ratings from the owners.
The concept premiered at the Guangzhou Auto Show. The model received the Blue Label prefix, which should show the young audience that this is not just a crossover, but a sports version of the Haval H6.
The model received slight changes in the exterior, in general, the Blue Label repeats the forms of the familiar Hawal. A sports crossover is being built on a similar platform and has the same wheelbase of 2680 mm as the H6.
The interior design practically does not differ from the interior of the previous "red" version. Drivers note that the 12.3-inch virtual dashboard and 8-inch multimedia not only look good, but work well as well.
It has a crossover and an advanced passive safety system: six airbags, keyless entry, warning sensors, etc. Starting from the basic configuration, the car has climate control, start from a button, and a rear view camera. This is where the list of electronic assistants ends, and to operate the Haval H6 Blue Label, the driver will need driving experience.
The power unit is represented by a single petrol turbocharged engine with a volume of 1.5 liters and a capacity of 150 hp. with. You can choose from a layout with a 6-speed "mechanics" and a 7-speed "robot".
Haval H9
Many are surprised and, probably, most of all, the company's engineers are in splendid bewilderment when they learn that Ukrainian drivers are buying a complete set of Haval H9 as an alternative and replacement for the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUV.
The reasons are obvious: the price of the "Chinese" is lower, some of the equipment parameters of the H9 are better, and the Haval H9 is hijacked several times less often. Although the price of an SUV is not that small - the car costs $ 39,000 in the base, the most advanced version will cost $ 52,000.
A restyled version of the seven-seater K3 class SUV was presented in the spring of 2017, the model arrived at the country's car dealerships a few months later, and by 2018 it had begun to enjoy its well-deserved popularity. Still, the Chinese tried to make the flagship model not only well, but very well.
The interior trim is made of high-quality material, eco-leather was used for the seats, the pillar panels are made of durable but soft plastic.
The overall interior design has not undergone significant changes compared to the previous generation. The only difference is that the control buttons and switches are assembled into a single unit and located on the central tunnel.
The list of SUV equipment has become much wider and corresponds to more expensive models. Already in the base there are six airbags, rear-view cameras and sensors for tracking "blind spots", climate control for 3 modes, a lane tracking system.
In the most aggressive and expensive configuration, there is a panoramic roof, the interior is trimmed with Nappa leather, the seats are not only adjustable in 7 modes, but also offer a massage option.
The power unit of the SUV is now equipped with a 2-liter diesel engine with a capacity of 190 liters. At the same time, there remains a gasoline unit from the previous generation with a capacity of 245 liters. The box is represented by a classic "robot" from ZF with 8 gears.
Drivers note that with all the ease of control and good equipment, the motor on the Hawal N9 is clearly low-powered. This is well felt when driving at full load - already at a speed of 80 km / h, the SUV does not provide an opportunity for fast overtaking.
On bad roads, the 2.7-ton flagship delivers good handling and dynamics thanks to quality and well-tuned suspensions. There are no kicks and races, drivers note comfort and convenience. Hawal has an honest four-wheel drive and high ground clearance.
Chery tiggo 8
The Chery lineup is represented on the Ukrainian market by crossovers, sedans and hatchbacks, the 2018 sales of the Tiggo 8 with a minimum price of $ 19,000 were in the lead in 2019. For a more advanced version, the price is not much higher - the most stuffed configuration is sold in Ukraine for $ 22,000.
The front-wheel drive crossover debuted at the Beijing Auto Show in April 2018 and is considered the flagship model in the Tiggo lineup. And, as befits a leader, the 2018 Tiggo is in no way inferior to Renault, but because of the price it does not rise above 15th place in the rating.
The Tiggo 8 was built on the E1X platform from its older "brothers", but for dimensions of 4700x1880x1746 the platform had to be somewhat "stretched".
The front of the crossover is equipped with MacPherson struts, while the rear multi-link system minimizes swinging. The 2018 model is distinguished by an enlarged grille, fenders diverging from the headlights and horizontal stripes of fog lights. Despite the decent height, the low glazing gives the crossover dynamics and grace.
The drivers also noted the convenient design of the front control panel. Tracking and control systems are conveniently arranged, a 9-inch touch screen of the multimedia complex is combined with an air deflector and an emergency button.
The power unit is represented by the only option of a gasoline unit - this is a one and a half liter turbocharged engine with a capacity of 147 hp, known from the last generation. and a moment of 210 Nm. The engine is aggregated either by a 6-speed "mechanics", or by a "robot" for two clutches.
Chery arrizo gx
For the Chery brand, 2018 has become more than successful in the Ukrainian market. The second model of the company, the Chery Arrizo GX sedan, became the sales leader among all representatives of the Chinese car industry. The premiere show of the model took place in the fall of 2018 at the Chengdu Auto Show, in December the equipment was already on sale from authorized dealers.
Despite the fact that the manufacturer has set a modest budget price for its model, Chery Arrizo GX boasts a high level of equipment that deserves more premium configurations: six airbags, keyless access, three-zone climate control, visibility and control of "blind spots" , radar cruise control.
Surprisingly, the interior is trimmed with genuine leather and very good quality plastic panels.
The engine line is represented by one and a half-liter turbo engine with a capacity of 147 liters, familiar from the Amulet. Chery's engineers use this engine on almost all of their configurations, but in the case of the Arrizo GX, the transmission layout involves a new variator with nine fixed gears.
Lifan X80
The next three models can be safely called good cars, but sales of these configurations in Ukraine are minimal. For example, Lifan X80 has been purchased by only 53 motorists since the beginning of 2019. And the point here is too great disappointment that the public received after the loud presentation of this failed Toyota Highlander killer.
The premiere display of the seven-seater K1 class SUV took place in 2016 at the famous Asian Motor Show in Guangzhou.
The strict front part of the body, impressive dimensions made it possible to consider that Lifan is a worthy competitor to European and Japanese models.
Unfortunately, hopes were only partially justified. The body on the SUV was made of poor iron, and the powertrain was clearly insufficient for the 2.5-ton giant. And although by 2018, many problems with the equipment were removed, the glory of a practical, but unreliable car for the Lifan 80 remained.
The interior of the SUV is quite comfortable - according to the drivers, four tall men are comfortably accommodated here. High-quality upholstery material, installation of control buttons close to the driver allows comfortable control. The list of equipment includes: climate control, starting the engine with a button, tracking system "blind spots" and all-round visibility, cruise control, etc.
The gasoline engine can be considered the benchmark for fuel economy. The two-liter 192-horsepower unit of its own design Lifan consumes 9 liters in the combined cycle, the maximum speed is 180 km / h.
Great wall wingle 7
The Great Wall pickup truck deserves a place in the ranking of high-quality and reliable Chinese cars. The 2019 configuration costs $ 25,000 on the Ukrainian market, which is a very good price for such a model.
An all-wheel drive pickup truck has been on sale in the country since the summer of 2019 and has not yet managed to gain an army of fans, but those drivers who were not afraid and purchased a model for work note low fuel consumption, excellent handling and high-quality durable suspension.
Wingle 7 received a more elegant appearance and its own style. This was facilitated by a beautiful radiator grille and LED headlights, which give an even and stable high beam.
The Wingle 7 remains the longest pickup in the class, with dimensions of 5395x1800x1760 indicating that this model has a spacious cab and is designed primarily for the transport of heavy loads. The maximum lifting capacity is 2000 kg.
It drives the stylish Great Wall "old", but time-tested 2-liter turbocharged diesel engine with a capacity of 140 liters. and a torque of 320 Nm. The pair is paired with a single manual transmission with 6 gears.
The pickup is equipped with all-wheel drive with a BorgWarner transfer case for 2 modes: working only rear axle, the load is transferred to both axles, the power ratio depends on the condition of the road surface.
JAC S3
The compact crossover JAC S3 completes the rating of good cars from China, the model was facelifted in China in 2017. The price of JAC S3 is only $ 14,000, which allowed the crossover to become a full-fledged competitor for the "European" Renault Duster at a price of $ 13,000 and the Great Wall Haval H2 for $ 17,000.
In appearance, the 2017 JAC has become slightly lower than its predecessor, while both the ground clearance of 20 cm and the wheelbase of 2560 mm remain the same.
The headlamps now overlap with the grille, and the fog lights are hidden in deep triangular front bumper pockets.
The owners also note the stylish interior of the cabin - the chairs are upholstered with high-quality materials, plastic panels and door cladding "almost" do not creak and "almost" do not break. The engine range is represented by two gasoline units with a volume of 1.5 and 1.6 liters. The output of the motors is small - up to 116 liters. with., in a pair is only a mechanical six-speed mechanics.
Conclusion
These were all Chinese cars that were rated good or very good. There is every reason to believe that in a couple of years with such an attitude towards production, the next "Chinese" will already be called "first-class" and "super first-class".
