With such a budget, there remains a wide selection of cars available for ordering abroad and falling under a preferential recycling fee rate. This budget includes, in particular, the new Nissan Qashqai from the Chinese market, the compact crossover Kia KX1 and Seltos, sequential hybrids Changan Qiyuan and a number of used models from the Volkswagen concern.
Nissan Qashqai
The second generation of the Nissan Qashqai crossover continues to be produced in China at a joint venture between Dongfeng and Nissan. Until 2022, this crossover was produced in Russia at the company’s plant in St. Petersburg.
Nissan Qashqai Glory
Nissan
Externally, this Qashqai differs from the European version in the design of the front end – after the next restyling, it became more massive and is somewhat reminiscent of the fourth generation Hyundai Tucson. Under the hood is a naturally-aspirated 2.0 engine with 140 hp, which is familiar to Russian buyers, and is paired with a CVT. Suppliers offer to bring such cars to Russia at a price of 2.3-2.5 million rubles. The engine power allows an individual to pay a symbolic disposal fee of 3.4 thousand rubles for such a car.
Volkswagen Tharu XR
Volkswagen Tharu XR is produced by the SAIC-Volkswagen joint venture and is aimed at a youth audience. The length of the crossover is 4355 mm, the wheelbase is 2651 mm. Crossovers with two powertrain options are relevant for import into Russia.
Volkswagen Tharu XR
Volkswagen
The base one is equipped with a 1.5 naturally aspirated engine with a power of 110 hp, which is paired with a hydromechanical six-speed automatic transmission. Such cars are offered in Russia at a price of 2-2.5 million rubles. The modification with a 1.5 turbo engine with 160 hp is also eligible for preferential recycling tax for private import. and a seven-speed DSG “robot”, but this Tharu XR goes beyond the budget of 2.5 million rubles.
Renault Arkana
You can also bring the new Renault Arkana from the Chinese market, which is built on the same platform as the Nissan Qashqai. A car with a 1.3 turbo engine with 143 hp. and a hybrid transmission fits into the budget of approximately 2.2 million rubles. Firms specializing in alternative import of cars promise to deliver such cars to order from China in 20-45 days.
Renault Arkana
Renault
In fact, the Arkana, relevant for 2026 in China, is a car similar to what is offered in South Korea under the Samsung brand.
Kia KX1
The Kia KX1 crossover, which is also known on the Chinese market as the Kia Pegas, will also be supplied to Russia through unofficial channels in 2026 and will fit into a budget of less than 2 million rubles. The car is built on the same platform as the Kia Rio. Under the hood is a naturally aspirated 1.4-liter engine producing 100 hp, which is paired with a CVT. The car has front-wheel drive. Such a car will cost a buyer in Russia about 1.8 million rubles.
Kia Stonic (KX1)
Kia
The main intrigue is the price. In the Far East, where the main supply channels are concentrated, for the KX1 in the Fun Edition configuration they ask from 1.42 million rubles, in Moscow and St. Petersburg – 1.7-2 million rubles.
Changan Qiyuan
Changan Qiyuan A06 is a sequential hybrid that suppliers offer to bring to Russia at a price slightly above 2.5 million rubles. With a length of 4885 mm and a wheelbase of 2922 mm, it belongs to the size class D, this sedan is larger than the Toyota Camry.
Changan Qiyuan A06
Changan
At the same time, the car can travel 240 km on electricity, and taking into account the 60 liter gas tank, the total range is 2120 km. The power of the power plant is 150 hp. Equipment includes heated and ventilated front and rear seats, 18-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control, and three-zone climate control.
Used cars
After the abolition of the preferential recycling fee for cars more powerful than 160 hp. The volume of imported cars from abroad has decreased significantly, but there are still many popular options that are not subject to the protective tariff, explains Dmitry Rogov, the founder of the RogovMobil company (which supplies cars from China and South Korea) to Motor magazine.
“To buy a car from abroad, 2.5 million rubles is a good budget, the exchange rate is holding, and there are still quite a lot of options. If we talk about used cars, these will mainly be cars from the Chinese market, for example, a Volkswagen Golf with a 1.4 turbo engine and a “robot”. Also, the Jetta sedan or the compact crossover Volkswagen T-Roc with a 2.0-liter diesel engine fits into this budget,” Rogov listed in an interview with Motor magazine.
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen 
Kia Seltos
Kia 
Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai 
Volkswagen T-Roc
Volkswagen 
Kia K5
Kia
According to him, these will be cars aged 3-4 years, with a mileage of 30-40 thousand km in the maximum configuration or close to it. Among the cars of Korean brands, Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5 sedans, imported from South Korea in basic configuration with a mileage of 60-70 thousand km, fit into this budget, he added.
“The budget is 2.5 million rubles and the power limit is up to 160 hp. Hyundai Avante, Kia K3 in the maximum configuration are also included, you can bring the new Kia Seltos from China – there is real variety there,” Rogov concluded.
