Inexpensive SUV - myth or reality?

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

Not so long ago, the concept of "SUV" was in no way associated with the adjective "inexpensive". However, in the face of a tough struggle for a client, manufacturers from year to year are forced to resort to methods, a way to reduce the cost of the final product, and therefore win the competition.

Often such measures are taken to the detriment of the quality of the car, sometimes quite compromise options are obtained (such a golden mean). What is he, a modern low-cost SUV, waiting for his success, or is this segment doomed to failure? To understand this almost rhetorical question, let's look at a few specific examples.

Renault Duster

Relatively inexpensive SUV, and perhaps one of the most attractive cars in its class. Produced since 2010, supplied with engines: gasoline, diesel, gas-gasoline. Transmission options: 5 and 6-speed manual, 4-speed automatic. Drive: all-wheel drive or only front-wheel drive. Perhaps the Renault Duster is notlooks just as intimidating as its more powerful counterparts, but the Romanian-French manufacturer must be given credit - elegant lines, solid appearance and technical characteristics, as well as a rather rich equipment - all this makes the car the leader in demand in its price category. In addition, Duster has a solid ground clearance, which, combined with all-wheel drive and a relatively low weight, gives additional trump cards when driving off-road. Interior trim materials are not the most expensive, which, however, is understandable. The interior itself is spacious and practical, the same goes for the trunk. The price of the car is about 16.5 thousand USD.

Chery Tiggo

Possibly the cheapest SUV to look out for. Everyone knows about the Chinese love to copy. It seems that Chery Tiggo is another copy of the closest Japanese "brother", but the copy is more or less high quality. This concerns not only the appearance, the interior and “stuffing” also imitate the analog from Toyota. Among the shortcomings, one can single out a small, as for such a car, trunk and a cramped back seat - it will be clearly uncomfortable for the three of us to sit here. Well, safety, of course, is one common scourge for all Chinese cars. You don’t want to subconsciously accelerate to more than 130 km in this car. 4 types of engines are available for Tiggo, front or all-wheel drive, transmission - robot or mechanics. In general, the impressions about the car are not bad. Chery Tiggo is an inexpensive SUV that fully justifies its price - from 15thousand USD.

Chevrolet Niva

Very popular car on domestic roads. Inexpensive reliable SUV, without any significant “bells and whistles”, but also without serious complaints. High ground clearance (200 mm.), Short overhangs and a small mass of the Niva allow her to successfully deal with off-road, which is really important in our country. The engine for the Chevrolet Niva is gasoline (1.7 liters, 80 hp). Among the shortcomings, we highlight not the highest build quality, and therefore, over time, noise and rattling may appear during the ride.

So, returning to the question at the beginning of the article, we can draw a quite obvious conclusion - it is advisable to purchase an inexpensive SUV only if it is necessary to use it for its intended purpose, i.e. for driving on bad roads.