Original Asian crossovers – Suzuki, Tata and Daihatsu

The Asian automotive market is remarkable for its size and the variety of models available. Here, you can find cars that people in our country have never even heard of. These vehicles are relatively inexpensive. Budget models can be found in India, as well as in other developing countries.

Asian automakers are actively ramping up production of electric vehicles. The experts at Bex Auto can help you purchase electric cars from South Korea or the United States. We’ll find an option that fits your budget and needs.

Let’s discuss some unique crossovers that are virtually unseen on Ukrainian roads.

Suzuki XL6

You might associate this model name with the Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 crossover, which was on the market until 2009. However, these models have nothing in common. The Suzuki XL6 is a brand-new car from India. And it’s not just about the exterior differences. The XL6 is built on the same platform as the Suzuki Ertiga, also known as the Toyota Rumion. Approximately 200 changes were made to create this unique model. It stands out for its distinctive design. Although, to be honest, it looks rather budget-friendly.

Many buyers aren’t fond of the car’s appearance, but they’re attracted by its low price. This is due to its primary market—India. If prices were to rise, the company wouldn’t be able to compete effectively with local automakers operating in the budget segment.

What’s under the hood? It’s powered by a single 1.5-liter engine. Its power output is 105 horsepower. The same engine is found in the Suzuki Jimny. The manufacturer offers two types of transmissions:

a 5-speed manual;
a 4-speed automatic.

The suspension uses a MacPherson strut setup. It also features a semi-independent suspension. To keep costs down, the model is equipped with drum brakes. The car is front-wheel drive. This decision is also driven by cost considerations. However, the car offers decent off-road capability thanks to its high ground clearance of 20 cm.

Most Indians live in rural areas, so models that are repairable and easy to maintain are highly valued in the Indian auto market. This is exactly what the Suzuki XL6 offers. The model’s interior features are another advantage. It features climate control, a full power package, and a multimedia system with a touchscreen display. It also offers the ability to start the engine remotely. The car has earned its popularity thanks to its spaciousness as well; it seats six.

Tata Safari

The first generation of this crossover was produced by Tata Motors for over 20 years—from 1998 to 2019. It resembled the classic Land Rover. The second generation is radically different from its predecessor. The manufacturers released a frameless vehicle. At first, they even planned to rename the model. However, they decided to keep the name unchanged, fearing that a change would negatively affect the car’s reputation.

The first-generation SUV had a boxy shape, so buyers immediately appreciated the stylish and modern design of the new car. However, the news that the crossover was frameless and front-wheel drive left them slightly disappointed. Despite this, the Tata Safari found its audience—urban residents who appreciated the model’s fuel efficiency and feature set.

The car was developed based on a Land Rover Discovery Sport platform that was simplified for the Indian market. The rear suspension is semi-independent. The crossover’s exterior resembles that of a Mitsubishi. It is available in two versions—six- and seven-seat. It is equipped with a 2-liter turbo-diesel engine, which is the only option available. The model produces 170 “horsepower.” The engine is a licensed copy of Fiat’s Multijet II. This engine has been proven through years of use. There are two transmission options: a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic. The model features a well-equipped interior. It is equipped with side airbags.

Tata Nexon

This car is a good fit for fans of compact crossovers like the Nissan Juke. However, it’s a more budget-friendly option. The car is 3.993 m long, which qualifies it for Indian tax incentives. Visually, it appears more substantial. Like the previous Indian crossovers, the Tata Nexon is front-wheel drive. It offers decent off-road capability thanks to its 20.9 cm ground clearance. The model is not designed for traveling on rough, unpaved terrain.

Under the hood are two turbocharged engines:

a 1.2-liter gasoline engine producing 120 horsepower;
a 1.5-liter diesel engine producing 110 “horses.”

Both a manual and an automatic six-speed transmission are available.

The model features a simple MacPherson strut suspension in the front and a semi-independent suspension in the rear. The manufacturer has provided two types of brakes: disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear.

Despite its affordability, the model boasts a generous list of features. It includes an anti-lock braking system, which makes steering and braking easier. Front airbags are also installed.

Daihatsu Terios

Toyota is the official owner of Daihatsu Motor. The automaker acquired ownership in 2016. The first generation of the Terios crossover was assembled in Japan. However, the second generation is produced exclusively in Malaysia and Indonesia. The model is sold in Asia and the Middle East. It is designed for emerging markets.

The crossover is known by several names, including the Toyota Rush and the Perodua Aruz. The vehicle features a three-row interior that can accommodate six passengers and the driver. In terms of size, it is smaller than the Korean crossover, the Kia Sportage.

The Daihatsu Terios is equipped with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine. It produces 103 horsepower. Two transmission options are available. Buyers can choose between a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic. A small-displacement engine for a car that seats seven people is a rather mediocre solution.

Conclusion

The Asian crossovers we discussed above are unlikely to appear on Ukrainian roads. Despite their affordability, they will most likely not gain popularity among our fellow citizens. Customers in Ukraine typically prefer larger vehicles.

Thinking about buying a vehicle? The experts at Bex Auto are ready to help you. With us, you can purchase:

an excellent SUV;
an electric car;
a passenger car.

We’ll help you buy and deliver any model you like. Our experts will tailor their recommendations to your budget, needs, and preferences. All you need to do is submit a request, and we’ll find a car that meets your specific criteria.

FAQ

We understand your concerns and strive to provide you with the utmost comfort and confidence in the car buying process. For your peace of mind, we provide the following guarantees and measures. Our managers conduct over 8 steps of a thorough vehicle inspection. This includes a video report prior to purchase. This will allow you to find out whether the car was a party to an accident, the number of owners, its service history, the reliability of the seller, etc. All data about the car is provided to the client and, only after its approval, the manager proceeds to the bidding process.

For you, we are ready to make buying a car abroad easy and reliable. We offer you a full range of services, including car selection, paperwork, transportation and customs clearance. Choose the best among new and used cars with our help. We can also help you to restore and repair the imported car.

You save an average of $5,000 or more. Exclusive models and configurations. Transparent history of car operation. With our help you get the car of your dreams in the shortest possible time and with maximum benefit.

We conclude a contract with you, in which all the terms, conditions, deadlines, milestones and payments are spelled out. After signing the contract, the conditions do not change. We inform you about each stage of transportation of your car, provide video reports. All payments are made in stages and sent to the settlement account specified in the contract.

After finding your wishes, the manager sends you several options for the car you applied for in messengers. Before starting cooperation, we sign an agreement with you on the selection of a car and ask you to make a reverse advance payment in national currency equivalent to $ 500. After clarifying and checking the car chosen by the client, we reserve it and buy it in Korea.

After signing the contract for the selection of a car, our company asks you to make a refundable advance payment of $500, which is returned in full before the car is booked. Why is it needed? The Korean market is in great demand not only in Ukraine, but also throughout the world. The best cars are very quickly "taken apart" from sites and auctions. An advance payment is necessary in order to book a car in a timely manner and get the best offer.

For now, Ukrainian ports do not accept cargo, so all our clients' vehicles arrive at the port of Constantia (Romania). Bypassing delays in queues at the border, your vehicle will arrive quickly and without delays.

Car delivery consists of the following components: preparation of export documents and booking a place on a ship (from 2 weeks), land transportation of the car across Korea to the port of departure (up to 3 days), transportation by sea to a European port (from 60 days), delivery from a European port to Ukraine (up to 10 days). In total, delivery takes from 2.5 months.

Yes, it is possible. For example, OTP Bank is ready to provide a loan for the purchase of a car even to clients without official employment - an amount of up to UAH 300,000 can be approved without a certificate of income. The bank considers alternative sources of income and the borrower's credit history. In other cases, if you have an official salary card (especially in PrivatBank), you often do not need to confirm your income - the bank already sees the receipt. In any case, Bex Auto will help you collect the optimal package of documents or get by with a minimum number of them.

As a rule, the decision is made very quickly. Our partners have made the process as efficient as possible: PrivatBank pre-approves the loan a few minutes after submitting the application - you will find out the result almost instantly. OTP Bank in most cases issues the final decision and transfers the money within one day. In general, buying a car on credit through Bex Auto usually takes 1-2 days, including choosing a car, submitting an application and signing the contract.

The conditions vary depending on the bank and the program. OTP Bank does not have a CASCO requirement at all - you save on insurance, the bank does not oblige to insure the collateral, since the loan is actually unsecured. At PrivatBank, CASCO is required as standard for new cars, but with a down payment of 20-30%, insurance is not a mandatory condition (although the bank itself advises to insure the car voluntarily). Oschadbank always requires full CASCO, since it lends new cars with collateral. Thus, the presence of mandatory CASCO depends on the selected program: if you want to avoid insurance costs, consider options with a high down payment or a loan from OTP Bank.

Yes, you can repay your car loan early at any time without any penalties. All Bex Auto partner banks – OTP, Privat and Oschad – do not charge fees for early repayment. If you have the opportunity to repay the remaining loan early (partially or in full), do so without hesitation: the overpayment will be transferred only for the actual term of use of the borrowed funds. No penalties or hidden conditions – you save on interest by repaying the debt early.

Yes, of course. Bex Auto helps you buy a used car on credit as successfully as a new one. In particular, our partner OTP Bank specializes in used car loans - there are no restrictions on the brand, year of manufacture or mileage of the car. Moreover, no collateral or CASCO is required for such transactions, which distinguishes OTP's offer from classic car loans. You can choose a car at a car lot, a car dealership or even from a private seller - the bank will give you money to buy it. We also accompany the execution of the purchase and sale transaction and registration of the car in your name. If you want to import a car from abroad, we will offer a special program for a grace period (the first months without interest) - this allows you to calmly wait for your car and not pay extra.

The South Korean market is very full of diesel cars. The most popular cars among our clients are: Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Santa Fe, Renaut (Samsung) Koleos (QM6), Hyundai Palisade, KIA Carnival, KIA Sorento, BMW 5-Series, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Audi A6, Audi Q7, Volvo XC60, Volvo XC90. Our manager will select the best car option for you according to your wishes.

The most popular electric cars from Korea among our clients are: Hyundai Ioniq 5, KIA EV6, Hyundai Kona, KIA Niro, Hyundai Ioniq 6, KIA EV9, Chevrolet Bolt. Also, the Korean sites are full of imported cars, such as Mercedes EQC, BMW IX, Audi E-Tron, Tesla Model S and others. The biggest advantage of electric cars from Korea is that the charging ports are identical to European ones, so you can quickly charge the car in any situation without any adapters.

Yes, indeed, official dealers have a wide range of Korean cars on the Ukrainian market, but they differ from Korean ones. For example, in Korea, the trim levels are very "rich". For the price that you will buy the maximum trim level from the official dealers, in Korea it will be the basic one. And the fact that in the Korean top trim level it is impossible to even imagine... Engine modifications, for example, Hyundai Tucson in Ukraine is offered only with a 2.0 l petrol engine, or a 1.6 l hybrid, where in Korea you can choose: 1.6 turbo petrol, 2.0 diesel, 1.6 hybrid. Also in Korea, there are many cars that have factory LPG, which is very economical to operate.

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