After the September-October storm, when it seemed that all cars with more than 160 hp were disappearing from the accessible zone, the market entered a new stage — not panic, but cold analysis. The utilization fee restrictions have reversed the usual import picture, but the choice still remains. Now — from Japan, Korea and China, albeit in a truncated, but still viable form.
In the Japanese direction, the list of models with 1.3–1.8 liter "atmospheric" engines remains familiar: Wish, Stepwgn, Fit, Corolla, Fielder. Of the full-size minivans, now only the Honda Stepwgn is actually the only non-sanctioned and completely "preferential" one. Toyota Voxy/Noah, as well as Delica D:5, formally fit into the limits, but are subject to sanctions, which complicates import and increases the price.
Right-hand drive "Germans" — Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C/CLA continue to be in demand at auctions, but only versions with basic engines and front-wheel drive remain "passing". However, more and more buyers are switching to left-hand drive: Korean and Chinese alternatives often cost comparably, and the legend of "Japanese quality" no longer looks like a decisive factor. Of the Eastern sedans, Mazda Atenza, Axela and budget right-hand drive configurations of German brands remain in the black, but in the Far East they still retain their positions.
The Korean direction has decreased — powerful Palisade, Mohave, Sportage and Sorento have dropped out of the game. But Elantra, K3, as well as Mistra remain available in basic modifications. Hyundai Sonata no longer fits into the "preferential" category — except for the gas version, which is extremely rare.
In China, the choice is wide and understandable for left-hand drive: Emgrand, Eado Plus, BAIC U5 cover the budget up to 2.5 million rubles, and Empow, Lamore, Preface, Arrizo 8 and Bestune B70 are a class higher. Japanese brands are also represented: Corolla/Levin with engines up to 120 hp, a modest Yaris L and Honda Civic of Chinese modifications. Nissan has a spacious Altima and a budget Sylphy, and Mazda has a "three" and a "six" with 116-horsepower versions of engines.
Europeans look attractive, if only because of the nameplate: Volkswagen offers a wide range from Jetta to Passat/Magotan at 1.4 TSI, Skoda — Rapid, Octavia and Superb, Audi — A3 and rare elongated A4. Mercedes gives A- and CLA-Class with a 1.3-liter engine, BMW — series 1/2, as well as a "three", especially popular in the 320Li version. German engines have a huge tuning potential: 1.4 TSI is easily flashed to 180–190 hp, M282/264 — to 160–184, and B48 in the 318i version turns into 250 hp for only 30 thousand rubles — almost a business sedan for the price of a top Lada Vesta.
In the crossover sector, Subaru Forester and XV with atmospheric 154-horsepower engines, as well as Mazda CX-5 and more compact CX-30 and CX-50 (only front-wheel drive) remain "preferential". Nissan has the old Qashqai and X-Trail with an atmospheric 2.0. Honda Vezel and Kia KX1 are more like raised hatchbacks, but formally they pass. From the full-fledged segment, the Seltos of Chinese assembly and rare diesel Sportage of the "past generation" will be of interest. Hyundai has iX25/Creta and iX35, but the latter is morally outdated. European crossovers are limited to 1.4 TSI: Tharu, T-Roc, Tacqua, as well as Audi Q2/Q3, BMW X1/X2 and Mercedes GLA/GLB.
The "gray" Chinese import has suffered the most: Coolray, Geely, UNI-T and UNI-K are more powerful than 160 hp and completely fall out of the category. Of the electric vehicles, only the most compact ones remain, such as the BYD Seagull — a worthy alternative to the Nissan Leaf for 1.5–1.8 million rubles. In the "heavy luxury" segment, the stakes are different: Zeekr 9X is becoming more expensive by 2.7–2.8 million, but in this segment a price tag of 8–12 million per car is already the norm. For Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Range Rover, an increase of a million or two is not critical at all.
Some players are already looking towards Kyrgyzstan and Belarus, where the utilization fee is not growing so dramatically. Through Kyrgyzstan, for example, you can clear Monjaro almost twice as cheap. But schemes with powers of attorney and numbers of another country have long been under the close attention of the tax authorities and customs — additional charges after a couple of years are quite realistic.
In parallel, the practice of "car dealerships on order" may return: legal entities will be able to recover VAT, and the utilization fee for them and for individuals will be equalized. However, only those brands that remain on the list of the Ministry of Industry and Trade — Toyota, Honda, Mercedes, BMW — will be allowed to bring. Zeekr or LiXiang will no longer fall under this scheme.
