In these challenging times, it surprises me, but it's a pleasant surprise: more and more new cars are entering the Ukrainian automotive market. And so it is this time: three well-known models, each of which has undergone an update procedure, each of which has already received a Ukrainian price tag. By the way, each of these cars starts at about the same price - a little over a million hryvnias. What do they offer for this money? And what do they offer at all?
Hyundai Tucson: new interior, new engine
As is usually the case with intermediate updates in the middle of the life cycle: the Hyundai Tucson crossover received a new grille, changed the shape of the headlights, added new wheels and body colors, and introduced more modern systems and technologies...
However, in the case of the Hyundai Tucson, the most important changes have taken place inside! And this is a double statement. Firstly, the car has a new interior in the style of the Hyundai Sonata: two displays combined into one horizontal panel, a separate climate control unit with touch switches, a new steering wheel and an automatic transmission lever underneath.
Secondly, it is worth noting the appearance of a new 2.5 GDI gasoline engine in the Hyundai Tucson range, which produces 190 hp of power and is paired with an 8-speed automatic and exclusively all-wheel drive. This is a great option for those buyers who want more power but don't want to choose a hybrid. However, such a 2.5-liter Hyundai Tucson is available only in the maximum configuration - at a price of UAH 1.68 million or almost $41 thousand.
But nothing prevents you from taking any other variant of the Hyundai Tucson: a 2-liter gasoline engine, an economical 1.6-liter turbodiesel engine, a powerful 235-horsepower hybrid, front or all-wheel drive, four trim levels - a total of 15 variants of the Hyundai Tucson crossover! And thanks to this, it is possible to form an attractive starting price, even for the simplest version of the car: from UAH 1.14 million or about $28 thousand.
Nissan Qashqai: more design!
Similar updates were made to another popular crossover. I would even say more - in the case of Nissan Qashqai, it is the design changes that have become the key and most noticeable: a wide grille, visually hidden headlights, a modified front bumper, updated headlights, and much more. As if trying to emphasize the importance of the design changes, the Nissan Qashqai crossover received a new additional special N-Design version, which features a fully painted bumper with a black line insert, original 20-inch alloy wheels, and combined interior trim.
In terms of equipment, the Nissan Qashqai N-Design crossover occupies the "pre-TOP" position: it already has a panoramic roof, two-tone body paint, matrix headlights; only BOSE audio and massage seats are missing to reach the maximum version. That's why the price is appropriate - considerable, but not maximum: the Nissan Qashqai N-Design costs from 1.56 million UAH or $38 thousand.
Although the base version of the Nissan Qashqai crossover will, of course, be cheaper: from UAH 1.125 million or about $27.5 thousand. Buyers can choose a 1.33-liter turbo engine (140-158 hp) with MHEV hybrid technology, manual or automatic transmission, front or all-wheel drive; plus a separate electrified Nissan Qashqai e-POWER, which offers much more power (190 hp), but only front-wheel drive. However, in any case, there is plenty to choose from!
Volkswagen Golf: a combination of classic and modern
There is no doubt that the Volkswagen Golf hatchback is a true "classic" and one of the best sellers on the European car market. And it's trying to keep the spotlight on itself with another batch of updates: the most important change on the outside is the new IQ.Light adaptive smart headlights, and the most important change on the inside is the appearance of an enlarged 12.9-inch display.
Moreover, the latter is present even in the starting equipment of the Volkswagen Golf Life car offered on the Ukrainian market; along with a digital instrument panel, climate control, adaptive cruise, heated steering wheel and front seats, a rearview camera, etc.
The next version of the Volkswagen Golf Style adds three-zone climate control, interior lighting in 30 colors, several safety and driver assistance systems, and seats with power adjustments and massage. Finally, the maximum version of the Volkswagen Golf R-Line additionally features its own R-style bumpers, original 17-inch wheels, seats with integrated headrests, and a system for selecting driving profiles. However, the powertrain and transmission are unchanged for all versions of the updated Volkswagen Golf: 1.4 TSI gasoline engine with a capacity of 150 hp, automatic 8-speed gearbox, front-wheel drive. The starting price of Volkswagen Golf in Ukraine starts from UAH 1.18 million or almost $29 thousand.
In conclusion, I hope that new cars will continue to arrive in Ukraine at such an impressive pace. And I hope that soon I will be able to tell you about them not only in general terms, but also in the format of a full review and test drive. Stay tuned!