This year the mass-market car segment in Russia surpassed the psychological 1 million rubles threshold, and the average transaction amount has climbed as well, with dealers and market analysts noting figures approaching 2 million rubles. For this budget, showrooms typically present compact crossovers and class B+ sedans in mid-range trims. Meanwhile, stock levels have tightened and online listings from manufacturers don’t always reflect what is actually available at dealers.
When selecting a Renault Kaptur with a 1.6-liter engine, a manual gearbox, and front-wheel drive, it is possible to see prices near 2 million rubles. Versions with front-wheel drive paired to a CVT, as well as a diesel Duster, are available. There are occasional discounts of 50–100 thousand rubles offered until August 7, as stated by the director of the Renault Avtorus dealership in Podolsk, near Moscow, to a correspondent for socialbites.ca.
According to him, the Renault crossover is currently on the showroom floor as a single unit, with no immediate arrivals expected for newcomers. He also noted that options like a protective grille or bumper mats could be made a gift when purchasing inside the cabin area.
At the Sim dealer in Moscow, a 2021 Suzuki Vitara base model is offered at a discount. For 1,993,000 rubles the car comes with a manual transmission, front-wheel drive, and some dealer-supplied equipment, including a multimedia system with a rear-view camera.
Prices for the 2022 Suzuki Vitara have edged up by about 80 thousand rubles. The dealership manager suggested final terms could be discussed during a personal visit and mentioned the possibility of gifts such as a set of winter tires.
Current dealer price lists show the Hyundai Creta with a 1.6 engine, manual transmission, and front-wheel drive in the inexpensive Classic package at around 1.9 million rubles. The car includes heated seats and an eight-inch multimedia screen. To hit the stated budget, the official Hyundai Avtomir dealership in Moscow offered a Creta on credit with early payoff and discount savings, with the final price to be announced at the vehicle’s hood in person.
Dealers also warn that the supply of inexpensive Creta variants is limited due to high demand. The base configuration is currently not available but expected closer to mid-August. This equipment remains highly sought after and is projected to be released between August 15 and 21, according to the Hyundai Avantime dealer center in the Moscow Region. In Prime configuration, Creta is priced at about 2.1 million rubles, while a front-wheel drive version runs around 2.3 million rubles.
According to the official Kia website, Moscow dealers have at least 25 Kia Seltos crossovers in the initial Classic configuration, priced around 1.9–2.0 million rubles with a 1.6 engine, manual transmission, and front-wheel drive. However, a field check with one listed dealer revealed only two such cars today, both equipped with additional options and priced substantially higher at roughly 2.4 million rubles.
Nearby, a Kia Rio X Luxe is advertised with a budget of about 2 million rubles, featuring an automatic transmission, heated seats, a steering wheel, and a climate system, along with an eight-inch monitor and smartphone connectivity, according to a sales manager at the Avtogermes showroom.
At the Moscow-based UAZ Torgmash dealership, a Patriot SUV in Lux configuration is offered for around 1.95 million rubles, including alloy wheels, steering wheel controls, and an infotainment system, but with a manual gearbox. The advertised base price for a Patriot with a gun-turret starts at 1.94 million rubles, yet the showroom did not list such an offer today. A representative noted that meeting a 2 million ruble price point will be difficult and that only higher-spec, heavily accessorized Patriot models reach about 3.1 million rubles when on display.
Domestic SUVs in basic configurations can still be found for around 1.6 million rubles in cash. Patriots also qualify for government concessional loan programs, expanding the options for budget-conscious buyers.
At the Klyuchavto headquarters, shoppers can find a Volkswagen Polo with a 1.6 engine, automatic transmission, and a Status package for about 1.8 million rubles, or a similarly outfitted Skoda Rapid and Nissan Terrano, with a manual Kia Soul in the same ballpark. A Soul in the same budget can be found, though often with added features described as necessary for the price. Dealers note that while some cars are still available, new deliveries have slowed, and scarcity tends to drive up prices.
As an alternative to brands that have paused production or delayed new imports, customers are being pointed toward the Chinese crossover Chery Tiggo 4. The official Chery site notes more than 370 Tiggo 4s remain available for online booking in Russia, with the budget 2.2 million rubles covering the initial Comfort configuration with a 113-horsepower engine, manual transmission, and front-wheel drive. In the Geely and Haval lineups, there are no models under 2 million rubles for cash purchases; better terms are generally available through loan options and trade-ins.
only china
The shift toward Chinese brands has been acknowledged by major dealer groups. The supply of Chinese cars continues, and the scarcity of cars and parts is less pronounced than before. A spokesperson for the Avtospetstsentr group noted there are no prerequisites for large price changes for new cars, while summer showroom traffic remains modest. They reported that the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro is accessible through dealers for around 1,955,000 rubles after discounts, and Geely Coolray starts from about 1.8 million rubles.
Now, the availability of cars in the under-2-million category is quite solid, with a wide choice, although prices have stayed fairly stable in recent months. The overall demand for these models remains moderate, mirroring the broader car market pace. Andrey Kamensky, marketing director of the Avilon automobile group, underlines the ongoing presence of Chinese brands in the mix and notes that even with a 2-million-budget, options like Volkswagen Polo, Kia Rio and Cerato, Hyundai Solaris and Creta remain viable. Discounts can still appear on Chinese models in the 1.3-million range when a consumer trades in an old vehicle, Kamensky adds.
Official Avtostat data indicate that new car sales in Russia have continued a modest rise for the third consecutive week. The most recent week saw more than 9,200 vehicles sold, compared with around 7,300 at the start of the month. [Source: market data providers and dealership statements]