Paraphrasing the words of a famous character in a literary work: economy class cars are not a luxury, they are an inexpensive but rather reliable means of transportation. Reasonable price of cars of this category makes them extremely popular all over the world, including in Russia. To maintain the reputation of the brand and attract new customers, low-cost car manufacturers are trying to monitor the quality of the product and offer convenient and safe cars to the market. We offer you a list of cars of economy class, which led the ranking of sales in Russia in 2013.

Budget cars are very relevant today.

Some statistics

The research company Research.TechArt conducted in May 2013 an analysis of the Russian car market, in particular, the market of economy-class cars. According to the results of the research, it turned out that by the beginning of 2013, there were about 294 cars for every thousand Russians.

Most of the car market of Russia is occupied by passenger cars, among them about 40% fall to the share of economy-class vehicles. From this category, SUVs, sedans and subcompacts from various manufacturers are most in demand.

Video about sales of low-cost Chinese cars:

How are cars classified in Russia and abroad?

Low-cost cars are the best-selling, and the reason is quite simple. The number of buyers in any country who are ready to buy a car at an affordable price exceeds the number of car enthusiasts who can part with a round sum for a four-wheeled vehicle. The second reason is the difficult times of the crisis, which pushed the automakers to diversify their range with inexpensive models in an effort to keep the buyer. Today in the market of cheap cars you can find cars from brands that have not previously dropped below the middle class.

Choosing the best option that will combine affordable prices with an acceptable level of reliability and safety, you need to pay attention to the difference in the classification system. In today's Russian car market, they use “European” and “generally accepted” classifications. They do not depend on each other and are capable of confusing the inexperienced motorist.

• The “European” car classification system divides cars into classes, which are designated by letters of the Latin alphabet. Representatives of classes A, B, C and some models from category D can boast of low cost. Class "A" includes compact subcompacts that are convenient for getting around the city. Most often, they are bought by women, attracted by the cozy salon, the nice appearance of the car and the ease of operation. Cars of classes "B" and "C" differ from each other in size, engine size and filling. They are more expensive than a small car, but not by much.
• In the "generally accepted" classification, the category "economy" includes cars from classes "C" and "D", and the second is not so much.

An example of cars of different classes

Hit parade of inexpensive cars

The most popular car is the one that is bought by the general population, recommending it to your friends and acquaintances. Today in Russia there is a fairly large selection of cars at a reasonable price, combining a stylish design and reliability. We have compiled for you a rating of economy class cars no older than two years, which were popular among Russians in 2013. It includes cars in two price categories: "up to 200,000 rubles" and "200,000 - 300,000 rubles." The rating did not get offers from the automotive industry of the Russian Federation.

The price category “up to 200,000 rubles” offers customers the following models:

• Daewoo Nexia among Russians is considered an alternative to VAZ cars. This model has the largest market of spare parts, besides, in every service this car is known thoroughly to the last screw. Nexia fully justifies the funds that the owner invests in it, and honestly work them out for miles of roads.

  

  The appearance of the car Daewoo Nexia

• Chevrolet Spark. This is perhaps the most reliable of all the representatives of this category - according to the results of the Euro NCAP tests, he received four stars out of 5 possible. The advantages in addition to the affordable price should include a stylish sporty look, as well as small dimensions, making it easy to find a parking place. It is not recommended to over-exploit this model, since the nodes of its mechanisms are not designed for heavy loads.

  

  Chevrolet Spark - economical car

• In 2013, the Chinese trinity Lifan Smily, Chery Bonus and Geely MK took pretty strong positions in the Russian car market. These models attract buyers with modern design and low prices - both for cars and spare parts for them.

  

  Lifan Smily - the popular "Chinese"

• Our low-cost car rating in the category “up to 200,000 rubles” will be completed by Daewoo Lanos, which from 2002 to 2004 was called Chevrolet Lanos, and since 2004 it has been named ZAZ Chance. By design, this model has similarities with the Daewoo Nexia and has similar disadvantages and advantages.

  

  ZAZ Chance or ZAZ Chance

The price category "200 000 - 300 000 rubles" includes:

• Renault Logan is the best option among economy class cars worth up to 300 thousand rubles. According to statistics, it is the most popular among low-cost passenger cars in the middle zone of the Russian Federation. The car attracts buyers with an adequate price, spacious interior, good design and affordable low-cost parts.

  

  Popular in Russia Renault Logan

• Chevrolet Lacetti. The car has a rather high level of comfort and safety. Its advantages include a roomy trunk, a spacious interior and a station wagon. Among the shortcomings, like other low-cost models, there are minor breakdowns that require a visit to the service center.

  

  Chevrolet Lacetti - practical car

• Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107 have a lot in common: low price, compact size, stylish design, common platform and participation in the development of specialists from Toyota. These maneuverable compact machines are perfectly adapted to urban labyrinths. They have not so many disadvantages: a small salon and the lack of luggage space.

  

  Citroen C1 - subcompact convenient cars

• Fiat Albea was developed by Italian experts for Eastern Europe and Latin America, where he began to enjoy high demand. This allowed the company to expand the market and present the model to the court of Russian motorists. Albea caught on our roads, he is loved for a comfortable lounge, a fairly large trunk and almost the lowest fuel consumption among the cars in this category. It is necessary to operate the car carefully, as it is rather difficult to find spare parts for it.

  

  Subcompact car "Fiat Albea"

• The gallery of inexpensive Chinese will complete our review: Geely MK Cross, Lifan Solano, Vortex Estin, Chery Very and Haima 3. Their value in the Russian market does not exceed 300 thousand rubles. Among the advantages are a fairly high-quality assembly, modern design, comfortable salons, spacious luggage compartments and cheap parts.

  

  Haima 3 - passenger car from China

Choosing an inexpensive model, you should pay attention to its specifications and read the reviews of experienced motorists. This will help make the right decision and buy a car that will serve you and your family for a very long time.