Top 5 best cars to give in 2023

What new car is best for regular trips out of town and out of town if the budget does not exceed 4 million rubles? Here’s the driving rating.

A summer resident without a car has become an endangered species. On the train to the dacha, if you run into it, then you don’t run into it. Likewise – from the cottage.

Naturally, every summer resident thinks about buying a car. We have already found five options on the secondary market. Today we will go through the “primary”.

The conditions are the same: the car must be roomy, reliable, relatively affordable and simple – so as not to lament every scratch. Although, while the body is new, scratches are frustrating on any, even the most budget car …

1. Lada Niva Travel – cross-country ability above all

It’s just that the Niva, which now bears the name Legend, is small. A small trunk, difficult access to the second row of seats … The five-door (long-wheelbase) Niva is not produced, although it can be returned to the assembly line in late 2023 – early 2024. But Lada Niva Travel (former Chevrolet Niva) remains in service. In terms of cross-country ability, it is hardly inferior to the classic Niva, but a little more spacious.

The volume of the luggage compartment is 320 liters, 650 with the rear seats unfolded. The length of the cabin to the back of the front seat is 1330 mm. With a strong desire, you can put two-meter boards. Do not fit – open the fifth door (opens sideways). The main thing is not to forget to fix it and the cargo. Long lengths can also be placed on the roof (up to 100 kg). Often this car can be seen with a trailer. If it is not equipped with brakes, the weight can be 600 kg. With brakes – up to 1200 kg.

The main disadvantage of the car is an outdated, low-power engine (80 hp). The car is equipped with a manual transmission only. According to passport data, Niva Travel consumes 10.2 liters per 100 kilometers in the combined cycle. In reality, much more.

And the reliability of this model is so-so – this is not a secret. Luckily, parts are available.

Prices – from 1,042,900 rubles.

Lada Niva Travel – former Chevrolet Niva. And for decades, its owners have dreamed of a more powerful engine. He would have made the car even more popular.

2. Haval Dargo – comfortable brutality

Haval Dargo has order with power and dynamics. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter engine that develops 192 hp. In combination with a robotic 7-speed gearbox, it is able to accelerate the crossover to 100 km / h in 9 seconds. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle is 8.3 liters per 100 kilometers. Intelligent all-wheel drive with 8 modes. Good geometry. An impressive range of systems that increase comfort and safety. And the appearance, telling us that this car can go even to the ends of the world.

The volume of the luggage compartment is small for a car of this size. This is 333 liters when equipped with a full-fledged spare wheel or 371 liters with a dokatka. With the rear seats folded down – 1342/1404 liters. According to Chinese tradition, the designers sacrificed the volume of the trunk for the sake of a spacious interior.

The mass of the towed trailer (with brakes / without brakes) is 1500/710 kg.

It is too early to talk about the reliability (or unreliability) of the model: Dargo began to be sold in Russia in August 2021. But it has long been clear that this car cannot be called economical, and the sound insulation leaves much to be desired.

Prices – from 2,699,000 rubles.

Haval Dargo is assembled in Tula. They began to officially sell in Russia on June 9, 2022. And this car still arouses curiosity.

Expert opinion

Petr Bakanov, auto expert:

– Dacha is often a family affair, so a country car should be spacious, with a large interior. Not bad when there are roof rails for transporting long items and a tow bar for a trailer.

3. Mitsubishi Outlander – still worthy of attention

Mitsubishi dealers can still find the mid-size Outlander crossover for sale. The model is no longer new, to put it mildly (the third generation was introduced more than 10 years ago, there were restylings in 2014 and 2020). But in terms of its working qualities, it is still an interesting car. First, the Outlander is available in both five- and seven-seater versions. Secondly, it is comfortable in it, and not only on asphalt. Ground clearance reaches 215 mm. And the intelligent all-wheel drive S-AWC has become legendary. The crossover performance of the Outlander is really good.

The volume of the luggage compartment depends on the version. For cars with a two-liter engine, this is 591 liters with the seats unfolded, 1754 with the seats folded. If under the hood 2.4 MIVEC (and four-wheel drive, respectively) – 477/1608 liters. The seats fold into a flat floor, under the trunk floor there is an organizer with compartments for small items. Outlander is convenient for transportation of goods.

If the trailer is equipped with brakes, the Outlander is capable of pulling up to 1600 kg – an excellent indicator.

The car left the assembly line of the Russian Mitsubishi plant in Kaluga for a long time and was the brand’s bestseller in Russia. It is considered quite reliable.

Prices – from 3,289,000 rubles.

If I didn’t have to drive the Mitsubishi Outlander off-road, I wouldn’t believe that this crossover is capable of something serious. But he is capable!

4. GWM Poer KingKong: big!

The Chinese pickup truck, which has just entered the Russian market, attracts attention not only with its name. Firstly, it is really big, as King Kong should be. The overall length of the car is 5641 mm, the length of the body is 1820 mm, its internal width is 1500 mm, the height of the sides is 495 mm. For comparison: a rather large UAZ Pickup has only a higher side, and the width and length of the body are much smaller. The declared load capacity of the KingKong is 975 kg. The rear axle is on springs.

Secondly, this pickup truck has a large double cab, a real “kingsize”, so that the cabin is comfortable not only for the driver and front passenger. GMW Poer KingKong is considered a five-seat.

Thirdly, good permeability. The car is equipped with a two-liter diesel engine with a capacity of 150 hp. or a 190 hp gasoline engine. Maximum torque – 360 Nm at 1800 rpm. Both engines are mated to a 6-speed manual transmission and a Borg Warner transfer case. Four-wheel drive can be connected at speeds up to 80 km / h, lowering row – stopping. According to the manufacturer, the ground clearance is 200 mm, the approach angle is 25°, the exit angle is 22°.

This car can tow a trailer weighing 750 kg if it is not equipped with brakes, and as much as 2250 kg if the trailer is equipped with brakes. And while this is a record figure in our selection.

Prices – from 2,999,000 rubles.

Signature photos of GMW Poer KingKong in an urban environment. But in the city this “beast” is a bit cramped – it needs nature.

5. Kia Sorento – not only for giving

Of course, this midsize crossover is too good to be just a country car. But he can be one of them.

It is roomy. There is not only a five-seater, but also a seven-seater option. The capacity of the luggage compartment behind the backs of the second row, depending on the version, is 705 or 910 liters. And if you fold the backs, you can already get 2155 liters of volume with a flat floor – a little less than in the UAZ Patriot (and that one is amazing in volume).

The car has a good selection of powertrains. Petrol 2.5 Smartsream MPI develops 180 hp. and 232 Nm, diesel 2.2 Smartstream CRDI – 199 hp and 400 Nm, petrol 3.5 Smartstream MPI – 249 hp and 331.5 Nm. The Smartstream 8DCT robotic transmission with two wet clutches helps to avoid overheating during prolonged loads. You can also choose a 6-speed automatic.

The car has a drive mode selector, a full range of modern systems that increase safety and comfort, an advanced multimedia system and the ability to remotely control some of the car’s functions.

Sorento is dynamic. The all-wheel drive version with 3.5 petrol can accelerate to 100 km / h in 8 seconds. With other engines – for 10 with a little. Combined fuel consumption is claimed at 10 liters per 100 kilometers for the most powerful versions and 6.1 liters for the diesel version.

I think he’s handsome.

The Kia Sorento can tow a trailer up to 750 kg if it is not equipped with brakes, up to 2000 kg with the foot parking brake and up to 2500 kg with the electric parking brake. Like this!

Prices – from 3,789,900 rubles. But even with all-wheel drive (Comfort equipment), you can meet 4 million (3,949,900 rubles).

At a rickety hut on six acres, the Kia Sorento will look alien. But he’s unlikely to be there. Although cottages are different …

Outcome

A summer resident on a rydvan is a stereotype from the past. Modern owners of suburban real estate prefer good cars. If building materials are needed in large volumes, they are ordered with delivery, only a few carry bags of potatoes, and several cans of pickles can be delivered home by any car. And when it is comfortable, modern, beautiful, safe, economical and fast at the same time, country trips are more enjoyable.

However, in this selection we have collected cars that can carry not only passengers. You have already noticed it.

“Driving” can also be viewed on YouTube.

Photo: manufacturing companies and “Behind the wheel”