The Chinese car market offers dozens of electric vehicles, and choosing the right one is no easy task. Independent importer representative Nazar Ponomarev examined four electric crossovers and explained what to look for when buying. His list includes the Toyota bZ3X, BYD Yuan UP, Leapmotor A10, and Qiyuan Q05, according to infohub.kz.
The largest and most powerful SUV in the selection was the Toyota bZ3X at $21,800 (nearly 10 million tenge). Its electric motor produces 204 hp, and a 58 kWh battery provides 520 km of range. The crossover features a spacious interior, a panoramic roof, 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control, and a Yamaha audio system.
However, the car has a drawback: the infotainment system operates in Chinese, and according to Ponomarev, localizing it for Russian will be more difficult and expensive than for competitors. Another downside is the small trunk.
The BYD Yuan UP turned out to be the most affordable option in the selection, but the low price comes with a basic trim. The base version is equipped with a 95 hp electric motor and a battery offering a claimed 400 km of range. Yet it costs just $15,500, roughly 7.1 million tenge. At official dealers, the price for the Yuan UP starts at 10 million tenge.
Even the base model includes 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control, and other assistants. The interior is fully upholstered in faux leather, and the infotainment system operates in English.
The Leapmotor A10 has a 122 hp motor and a 53 kWh battery with a claimed CLTC range of 500 km. The top version includes 360-degree cameras, a lidar, a panoramic roof, heated seats and steering wheel, and 12 speakers. The price starts at $14,700 (≈6.7 million tenge).
The model's main drawback is the lack of a heat pump. Ponomarev considers this a serious disadvantage for operation in cold climates, since in winter, without it, more battery energy will be spent on heating the cabin, reducing range.
The dealer's favorite was the Qiyuan Q05 from Changan. After the facelift, the compact SUV retained its 163 hp electric motor and 52 kWh battery, with a claimed range of 506 km. The car costs $18,500, which in tenge is just under 8.5 million.
The Q05, however, has a heat pump, wireless charging, a panoramic roof, heated seats, 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control, and infotainment that can be localized for Russian. According to Ponomarev, it is the combination of equipment, performance, and price that makes the Q05 the most balanced option among the four.
It is important to note that private importers usually quote prices excluding delivery, customs clearance, recycling fees, seller's commission, and vehicle registration. The final cost of the car can increase by 40–50%.
Earlier, Kursiv Auto discussed the main nuance of the rivalry between electric vehicles and internal combustion engine cars.