While Russians overpay for cars due to exchange rates, recycling fees, VAT and logistics, residents of Moldova live in a parallel reality. You can become the owner of a brand new Kia Picanto there for only 860 thousand rubles (€ 10.3 thousand). For comparison: in Russia only used Chinese “golf classes” are sold for that kind of money. Read more about the range of the Moldovan car market in the report of Motor magazine.
Kia Picanto
Kia
Kia Picanto: a city shell for pennies
In the small Kia Picanto hatchback with a liter 66-horsepower engine and “mechanics”, already in the basic Drive version there is a full set of airbags (including for the driver’s knees) and an accident prevention system in the hidden area. And an 8-inch media system with navigation and air updates is a standard option even for the cheapest version.
Dacia Logan
Dacia
Dacia Logan: Romanian Logan with a choice of boxes
The global Dacia Logan sedan (also the former Renault Logan) in Moldova costs from 1.1 million rubles (€ 13 thousand). And the main difference from what we could have: not only gasoline and manual transmission are available, but also diesel and gas, and for a 100-horsepower turbo engine – a CVT (Russians only dreamed of this). True, for this money there is no multimedia – two speakers and a smartphone holder.
Hyundai i20
Hyundai
Hyundai i20: Getz successor with turbo
The hatchback, which has successfully replaced Solaris in our country, is sold in Moldova in the third generation of Turkish assembly. Price – 1.1 million rubles (€ 14 thousand). For this money – a 1.0-liter turbo three-cylinder with 100 hp. and 6-speed manual transmission. And for an additional fee – a 7-speed “robot” with two clutches. Even the base has an auto-braking system, although the air conditioning is simple and the wheels are stamped.
Skoda Fabia
Skoda
Skoda Fabia: fourth generation for 1.2 million
Fabia left Russia back in 2015, giving way to Rapidu. But in Moldova, Skoda offers the current fourth series (2021) from 1.2 million rubles (€ 14.5 thousand). Motor – 80 hp, gearbox – 5-speed manual. The base includes a virtual tidy, an 8-inch screen, auto braking and even a package for bad roads: increased ground clearance and crankcase protection.
Geely Coolray
Geely
Geely Coolray: the most powerful and richest
A crossover with a 174-horsepower engine (the most in the selection up to 1.6 million rubles) costs in Moldova from 1.2 million rubles ($16.9 thousand). Already in the database: start button, eco-leather, LED optics. And in Russia, a similar restyled Coolray in the “Exclusive” version asks for at least 2.9 million rubles. Overpayment – 2.5 times.
Toyota Yaris Cross
Toyota
Toyota Yaris Cross: hybrid SUV for 1.6 million
The most expensive, but also the most technologically advanced. A subcompact crossover (like Nissan Juke) with a length of 4.18 m. It has a 1.5 HEV hybrid installation (116 hp combined): 3-cylinder naturally aspirated with 91 hp. + 80-horsepower electric motor + electromechanical variator. The Live version for 1.6 million rubles ($22.4 thousand) has climate control, stabilization, a 9-inch screen, but a fabric interior and steel wheels.
