Cheaper than Creta by 400 thousand rubles, but there is leather, touchscreen and navigation - the new Lifan X50 of 2022

2023 Author: Charles Youmans | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-20 18:41

Lifan X50 is one of the main long-livers of the Russian car market among the models of Chinese manufacturers. For the first time, this cross was shown by the developer back in 2014, during an auto show in Beijing. From the point of view of the technical capabilities and dimensions of the car, it can be considered a hatchback with increased ground clearance, although the manufacturer himself refers the model to the number of SUV representatives. The model debuted on the Russian market in 2015, and at the moment the Lifan X50 2022 is available in four variations, the price of which ranges from 689.9 to 794.9 thousand rubles. The main competitors of the Chinese SUV are Hyundai Creta, Renault Sandero Stepway, as well as the domestic Lada XRay.

Specifications

If we talk about the Chinese model itself, then the Lifan X50 of 2022 did not receive a new body, in comparison with the SUV of the previous model year. There have been no changes with the available trim levels of the cross, as well as its technical characteristics. Considering the fact that the manufacturer has not offered any innovations for its crossover for quite a long time, it can be assumed that the car will leave the Russian market in the near future. All current prices for the Lifan X50, as well as its photos, are available in this review.

The power parameters of the "Chinese" do not differ in significant variability. In all trim levels, the crossover is available with a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine producing 103 horsepower. The torque for this installation is 133 N * m. Despite the modest characteristics of the engine, the manufacturer recommends refueling it exclusively with AI-95 gasoline. The only one front drive is also provided for the Lifan X50. The choice is provided exclusively for the transmission of the SUV, which in the basic version is represented by a mechanical "five-step", and in the top modifications a variator gearbox is offered.

The crossover is also not surprising with any technical superpowers. Its front suspension is based on MacPherson struts, and the rear is a semi-independent torsion bar. Considering the decent age of the car, it was quite unexpected that the manufacturer decided to install disc brakes for all the wheels of the SUV. As for the dimensions of the Lifan X50, they are quite modest. The dimensions of the cross body are 4100x1722x1540 mm. The center distance, which determined the small dimensions of the car, also cannot be called outstanding - 2550 mm. The weight of the Chinese SUV is 1150 kg, the fuel tank can accommodate 42 liters of gasoline, and the trunk dimensions range from 280 to 1480 kg.

Options and prices

As noted above, the Chinese model is available on the Russian market in four versions.

Comfort

This version is basic and is estimated at 689.9 thousand rubles. For this money, the Russian buyer will receive a car that assumes the following possibilities:

• power steering wheel;
• 15-inch aluminum wheels;
• main optics with halogen lights, and auxiliary and rear lights - LED;
• rear foglights;
• side mirrors with electric drive, heating and built-in direction indicators;
• electric tailgate;
• rear window heating and cleaning system;
• roof rails;
• steering wheel with adjustment of its vertical position;
• leather trim;
• armrest;
• central locking;
• set of power windows;
• front airbags;
• a range of electronic assistants, including anti-lock, traction control and vehicle stability control;
• air conditioner;
• audio system;
• trunk curtain;
• on-board computer;
• full-fledged "spare wheel".

Comfort Off-road

The SUV in this version is estimated at 714, 9 thousand rubles. If we compare the off-road version of the model and the standard version of the Comfort, then the differences between them here are rather visual. On the body of the cross, in the Off-road variation, an off-road body kit, a number of decorative elements with chrome trim, and footrests appeared. In terms of other additions, the ERA-GLONASS system can be noted here.

Luxury

The price for this version of the SUV is 729.9 thousand rubles. For this money, the manufacturer offered the 2022 Lifan X50 with the following parameters and services:

• built-in hatch;
• the ability to control the individual functionality of the car using the buttons on the steering wheel;
• heated front seats;
• rear parking sensor;
• digital display for multimedia system;
• navigator;
• Rear View Camera.

Luxury off-road

The most expensive version of the Chinese cross, the price of which starts at 754, 9 thousand rubles. In this case, there are no fundamental differences from the standard Luxury version, the car received all the same visual differences as in the similar version for the Comfort version.

Options and prices (summary table)

#	Equipment	Model years	Cost, rub.	Drive unit	Transmission	Engine, cc cm	Acceleration from 0 to 100, s	Max. speed, km / h	Combined fuel consumption in l / 100 km
1	1.5 MT Comfort	03. 2017 -	689 900	Front	MT-5	1497	11	170	6, 3
2	1.5 MT Comfort Off-road	03. 2017 -	714 900	Front	MT-5	1497	11	170	6, 3
3	1.5 MT Luxury	03. 2017 -	729 900	Front	MT-5	1497	11	170	6, 3
4	1.5 MT Luxury Off-road	03. 2017 -	754 900	Front	MT-5	1497	11	170	6, 3
5	1.5 MT Comfort	2015 - 2017	583 900	Front	MT-5	1497	11	170	6, 3
6	1.5 MT Comfort Off-road	2015 - 2017	604 900	Front	MT-5	1497	11	170	6, 3
7	1.5 MT Luxury	2015 - 2017	622 900	Front	MT-5	1497	11	170	6, 3
8	1.5 MT Luxury Off-road	2015 - 2017	645 900	Front	MT-5	1497	11	170	6, 3
9	1.5 CVT Luxury	03. 2017 -	769 900	Front	Variable speed drive	1497	11	160	6, 5
10	1.5 CVT Luxury Off-road	03. 2017 -	794 900	Front	Variable speed drive	1497	11	160	6, 5
11	1.5 CVT Luxury	2015 - 2017	663 900	Front	Variable speed drive	1497	11	160	6, 5
12	1.5 CVT Luxury Off-road	2015 - 2017	685 900	Front	Variable speed drive	1497	11	160	6, 5

* - information on prices is for reference only. Check with your local dealer for the exact cost.

Safety

Considering the fact that this model was introduced to the market about 7 years ago, when the representatives of the Chinese car industry clearly lacked stars from the skies, such a cross cannot be called super-reliable. Of course, such basic safety elements as belts and front airbags are present in the 2022 Lifan X50 configuration, but the car is almost completely devoid of electronic assistants that would help in controlling the SUV in a difficult situation on the road, and would also help to avoid accidents.

Handling and off-road performance

As for controllability, here the Chinese cross demonstrates quite impressive capabilities, despite the cheapness and venerable age for this generation. It responds very clearly to any movement of the steering wheel and confidently adheres to the trajectory in long corners.

Of course, there is no need to talk about any serious off-road capabilities of the car. It does not have any of those characteristics that would allow the driver to drive the Lifan X50 off-road. The car is a typical urban cross-hatch and Lifan X50 owners cannot count on anything more serious.

Advantages and disadvantages

If we consider the characteristics of a Chinese car as a whole, then its advantages include:

• Affordable price.
• Decent level of equipment.
• Easy to maintain.

If we talk about its shortcomings, then these include:

• Outdated vehicle specifications and design.
• Almost complete lack of variability in characteristics.
• Low level of safety, which provides cross for its passengers.

Design

This characteristic of the "Chinese" is his weak point. The crossover is frankly outdated and unable to compete with more modern rivals. The car has a rounded, smooth shape, in which you cannot find modern aggressive notes and some uniqueness. One of the most modern and correct solutions that the manufacturer used in his SUV was to install a plastic body kit that protects it from damage and corrosion.

A similar characteristic can be given to the interior of the car, made without any frills and modern solutions. All available functionality of the Chinese model is controlled by systems that are in the immediate vicinity of the driver. The SUV is not endowed with either a multimedia touchscreen display, or a mass of electronic assistants, the activation of which requires additional keys and other control systems.

Sales start

As already noted in this review, the cross has been sold in Russia since 2015. Recently, the sales of the model have significantly decreased, but so far the manufacturer has not abandoned the sale of the car.

Competitors

All the most compact cars close in size to the SUV segment can be considered a competitor to the Lifan X50 in 2022. These include Hyundai Creta, Renault Sandero Stepway, KIA Rio X, and Lada XRay.