Budget crossovers 2022 in Russia

2022 has been an extremely challenging year for the Russian automotive market. Prices are rising, parts shortages are getting worse every day, logistics is a problem, and, to top it all off, purchasing power is falling – all of this is taking its toll on the automotive industry. However, the market for new cars should not cease to exist, just in such conditions there are big changes - low-class cars come to the fore.

Therefore, the editors of GT-News.ru decided to compile a list of inexpensive crossovers of the 2022 model year that can be bought in Russia. Usually in such collections we publish prices from official dealers, but this time we didn’t — they quickly lose their meaning. By the way, the concept of “budget crossovers” is now significantly expanded, that is, crossovers that used to be budget ones are now unlikely to be considered as such.

Renault Duster

Europe's most popular budget crossover is in danger of retaining its lead in 2022 as Russia recently experienced a generational change. The compact SUV Renault Duster has become more comfortable and safer, with a more status exterior and more advanced interior equipment. In Russia, Duster is offered in various configurations, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models are available, as well as diesel and gasoline versions.

lada niva travel

The updated Lada Niva Travel (former Chevrolet Niva) is available from February 2021 in two basic versions - regular and off-road. The car features a significantly redesigned body with a completely new front end and impressive "off-road" plastic body kits around the perimeter. Under the hood is an 80-horsepower 1,7-liter engine, and in the chassis there is a classic all-wheel drive system, a “gearbox” and a central differential lock, which provide the Russian SUV with exceptional cross-country ability.

lada niva legend

"Classic".

In recent years, the successor to the Lada Niva 4 × 4 has been selling well outside of Russia, although outwardly it is an almost complete copy of the Soviet VAZ-2121. The model still has three- and five-door versions, a 1,7-liter gasoline engine and a manual transmission, and the outdated design and spartan interior of the Lada Niva Legend compensate for the car's affordability and excellent off-road performance. Good cross-country ability is provided by permanent all-wheel drive and its classic set of auxiliary functions. Lada Niva Legend is considered not only a budget crossover, but also a serious SUV that has no competitors in this price segment.

Renault Arkana: fashionable and inexpensive

For the new 2022 season, the French Renault Arkana coupe gets a chrome body kit and an extended list of equipment that becomes available in expensive trim levels. There are no technical changes: the model range remains with atmospheric or turbo engine, manual transmission and CVT, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The number of available model trim levels has reached 16, where the cheapest one costs 1,33 million rubles, which is still significantly cheaper than the closest competitors Haval F7x and Geely Tugella.

Lada X-Ray: not quite a crossover

The Russian hatchback, based on the Renault Sandero platform, continues to be an excellent competitor to the latter: in 2021, they sold almost the same number of cars in Russia: 22 units each. At the same time, the AvtoVAZ version is more affordable and has a decent 000-horsepower engine, soft independent suspension and a 106-liter trunk. In the maximum configuration, Lada XRay is not much inferior to its budget-class competitors, since thanks to paid “bells and whistles” it can get decent equipment.

Renault kaptur

Unlike Europe, where the new generation Captur has been on sale for a long time, Russian drivers are offered a more modestly refreshed version of the Renault Kaptur crossover by the 2022 model year, which they decided to technically unify with the Arkana crossover coupe. The car will receive an update soon, but it will not change the platform or "technology", and is nothing more than external improvements and an expanded list of equipment. But even this can help the model return to the top 20 best-selling cars in Russia.

 

Hyundai creta

Updated Creta

After the recent Hyundai Creta design update, which gave the car a new "face", the Koreans doubted the success of this decision and began to prepare another restyling. In 2022, it will be possible to evaluate its work in some export markets, but in Russia the current version will remain on sale. With 68 vehicles sold in 000 and 2021th in the Top 4, unusual bodywork was no reason not to buy this practical and affordable crossover.

Kia seltos

The budget modification of the Kia Seltos has been on sale in Russia since March 2020, so the updates in the new model year were very modest: a new logo and the HBA high beam control system. The Korean SUV still boasts a wide range of options with different transmissions, gearboxes and engines, and in the maximum configuration the crossover gets a lot of advanced high-tech comfort and safety options.

Kia Soul: not so budget anymore

Last fall, the 2022 Kia Soul crossover went on sale in Russia. Dealers have prepared 12 variants of the crossover with different engines and transmissions, where the "top" version received a 1.6 T-GDI engine with 200 hp. A distinctive feature of the model remains its unusual body in the style of "stiletto", but thanks to restyling, it looks much more stylish and modern than before.

Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai new generation.

The global update of the Nissan Qashqai took place at the beginning of 2021, and along with a redesigned exterior, the European line of crossovers has completely switched to hybrid powertrains. In Russia, cars of the previous, second generation with their own line of engines remain in circulation. The advantages of this version include the deep Russian localization of assembly and a large-scale program for adapting the car to our operating conditions, which was carried out in 2019. During 2022, deliveries of the new third generation of the Japanese crossover Nissan Qashqai should begin on the Russian market.

Nissan Terrano: Duster's twin

Nissan Terrano 2022 in Russia is presented in the third generation version, combined with the Renault Duster crossover. The car is assembled in St. Petersburg, but sales of this model continue to fall. The reason for this is the lack of a major update and actually maintaining the appearance of the 2016 version. At the same time, this model is positioned higher than the already modernized Frenchman, which affects the price, but, unfortunately, is not confirmed by a more progressive level of equipment.

Citroen C3 Aircross

The recent restyling of the Citroen C3 Aircross has made moderate changes to the exterior of the car and has not affected the “technics” at all, so the SUV remains on sale with the same set of powertrains and transmissions. The interior features more advanced multimedia and new seats. For the price, the “Frenchman” remains one of the most expensive in its class, but this can be explained by a decent level of equipment and many options that allow you to change the design of the exterior and interior.

Haval Jolion

Haval Jolion is a Chinese budget crossover that entered the Russian market last year. It comes to us with front and all-wheel drive, as well as a 1,5-liter turbo engine (143 hp and 210 hp).

We have prepared a separate page for all Chinese crossovers in Russia for the 2022 model year.