Is there a Chinese analogue of the Land Cruiser 200: a cruiser for the poor

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Published: 07/26/2018

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As you know, Chinese manufacturers love to copy the creations of famous brands from all over the world. Everything has its own analogues: from watches to mobile phones. But is there a Chinese clone of the Land Cruiser 200 ? This is what we will talk about now.

• Features of Yueli SUV
• Model appearance
• What will we see when we look into the salon?
• Main technical characteristics
• Model cost
• Analogue 100 Kruzak
• What do we end up with?

Features of Yueli SUV

Not long ago, the rather little-known Chinese brand Hengtian Auto decided to start producing a full-size SUV. In principle, the idea itself is quite good, because there are enough people in the world who prefer to drive impressive cars with excellent cross-country ability. But the design features, as well as the appearance of the model, were illegally borrowed from another Asian brand - Toyota. As a result, a so-so Chinese Land Cruiser appeared .

Cool video review of the Chinese Land Cruiser 200:

Model appearance

If you look at the creation of Hengtian Auto, you definitely won’t find 10 differences when comparing it with the more famous Toyota. The car is just as formidable, impressive and presentable. Almost no changes were made in terms of design. The only thing is that the radiator grille is slightly different, so it’s very easy to confuse the Chinese analogue of the Land Cruiser with the original model. For people who don’t know much about vehicle brands, such cars look completely identical. The silhouette, lighting fixtures, rear and side views - everything here is clearly copied from the Kruzak.

Its huge dimensions add additional massiveness to the car. Most likely, the length of the vehicle will reach more than 5 m. Thus, we will get a real giant that will stand out from all other cars.

What will we see when we look into the salon?

At the same time, the Chinese Land Cruiser 200 inside is quite different from its counterpart . Hengtian Auto claims that the interior design was developed entirely in-house. Well, maybe that's true. At the same time, the basic architecture is, in principle, quite similar. But this is not strange, because the designers had the task of copying the appearance of the famous Japanese creation. So, if they didn't completely borrow certain trim elements, they were definitely inspired by them.

It will also be interesting to read: Seven-seat crossovers and SUVs for large families

At the same time, the Chinese Kruzak is quite far behind in terms of interior decor. Probably everyone understands the reason for this. The Japanese car is a representative of SUVs from the premium segment. The very possibility that it has an almost exact analogue should be due to the fact that the cost of the original car is quite high, while people with more modest incomes want to have such an impressive car. As a result, if the appearance of the model should more or less correspond to the famous brainchild of Toyota, then you can save some money on the interior decoration. After all, everyone will enjoy the exterior, but only a few will look into the interior.

Thus, the Chinese copy of the Land Cruiser 200 looks a little poorer. But this does not mean that everything here is done anyhow. No, the interior of the vehicle is quite stylish and original. But everything is done relatively simply, without any unnecessary frills. One of the main differences is the ability to optionally install a huge touch screen on the dashboard. Using this monitor, you can monitor and control all major vehicle systems.

In principle, the inside of the car is quite spacious - Yueli SUV in this regard is a real SUV.

There is enough space for both the driver and front passenger, as well as for the people in the back. The seats, as the manufacturer claims, are quite comfortable and soft.

Inside, everything is done in gray and beige tones. Perhaps some will consider this design somewhat boring, but for many, the calm design is the standard. The steering wheel is very massive - just enough to make driving the SUV easy and comfortable.

Despite the fact that the Chinese copy of the Land Cruiser was supposed to appear on the market at the end of 2021, at the moment it has not yet gone on general sale. Thus, more information about the external design of the model is still unknown. However, from the photos available on the Internet, it is clear that the car should turn out to be quite good.

It will also be interesting to read: Pajero Sport fuel consumption is not very high, like for an SUV

Advantages and disadvantages of the Prado analogue

Low quality Toyota Prado analogues (Dadi Shuttle, Hengtian L4600) have one advantage - low price. In other respects, the cars are inferior to the original.

The higher quality Haval H9 has more advantages:

• comfortable interior;
• a multifunctional trunk with a power outlet and pockets for small items, which is in no way inferior to the Toyota Prado;
• comfortable seats upholstered in leather;
• silent interior due to well-fitted interior elements.

Disadvantages of the Chinese copy:

• after 50,000 km, a beating appears when braking;
• lower quality of materials used in car assembly;
• noticeable vibration from the engine;
• over time, rust appears at the junction of parts with paint;
• interruptions in the operation of the multimedia system.

The Chinese Land Cruiser has more disadvantages than advantages. Price is the only thing that forces a motorist to choose a fake.

Main technical characteristics

Well, if everything is more or less clear with the design, then it is still unknown exactly what parameters the Chinese Land Cruiser will have. At the same time, it is doubtful that a brand without a special name will create anything super progressive.

At the moment, there are several options for what power units this car will be equipped with. Basically, it is believed that the car will come with a 3-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine, as well as a 4.0-liter eight-cylinder gasoline engine. Another version is that the company will purchase a 2.4-liter 160-horsepower engine from the Mitsubishi brand.

Most likely, the engine of the Chinese Land Cruiser 200 will be paired with a six-speed manual transmission (it can be seen in the photo of the car’s interior) or an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It is difficult to say what will happen as a result of such a combination, but judging by its competitors, the car should turn out quite good in terms of dynamics and cross-country ability.

Which Chinese car factories copied the Land Cruiser Prado

An analogue of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado began to be produced in 2006. Almost simultaneously, having come up with a model name that was different from the original, the following companies began creating an analogue:

• Dadi Shuttle;
• Hengtian L4600;
• Trumpchi GS8;
• BAW Land King;
• Haval H9.

Despite the fact that these cars should be characterized by increased safety, it is difficult to find positive reviews about Chinese analogues. SUVs from China are very similar to Japanese Toyota only in appearance and differ in an order of magnitude lower price, but at the same time the quality of workmanship of almost all parts is very poor. That is why production of Dadi Shuttle ended after just a year. The model simply could not withstand the wrath of car owners, who were ready to unleash all the dogs on the manufacturer.

Attention! The BAW Land King is considered an interesting analogue of Toyota. This brand came closest to the Prado, however, it was still very far from ideal. The car has a torsion bar suspension at the front and a spring suspension at the rear.

The SUV comes with three versions of gasoline engines:

• 2.4 liters;
• 2.7 liters;
• 3.4 liters.

Despite the fact that this is an SUV, it is paired with only a four-speed automatic transmission, which does not allow the car to compete with the original from which it was copied.

However, the BAW Land King ceased production in 2009, and today such a car can only be found for sale on the secondary market.

Reference! Meanwhile, in 2021, designers from BAW decided to repeat the experience of copying its Japanese counterpart. The car received new headlights, fenders and a hood, under which a 150-horsepower engine is installed.

Model cost

There is no official data on the cost of the vehicle yet. At the same time, if we take into account the pricing policy of other Chinese automakers, we can say that this car can be purchased for around 15-20 thousand US dollars. Basically, that's a lot less than what you would have to pay for the original model. But what will the quality be? Without driving a Yueli SUV, you won’t be able to find out the answer to this question.

Chinese Kruzak took the “wrong road”: first test drive of Roewe RX8

Yokozuna, named Land Cruiser 200, is no longer young, but he won’t let anyone down in his dohyo (sumo ring). Therefore, of course, there is no point in seriously believing that the Chinese newcomer will be able to push him outside the circle at least once. However, we must admit that it was not in vain that he donned a smart mawashi: something about Roewe looks very promising.

Fat but serious

In this class, appearance is almost half the success: at least, no one will buy a large SUV from us if it does not scare away cars from the left lane with its appearance. In this regard, the RX8 tries to maintain a balance, not going into pure “Asian” style, but also not trying to look like one of its own in the European crowd. Simple lines, thick stripes of chrome and the right accents like arches made of unpainted plastic and roof rails - the resulting cocktail can be served in any country.

Beneath the serious exterior lies what you'd expect to see: a ladder frame and a solid rear axle. True, there are no air springs, like the same Land Cruiser - the suspension is spring. But on the other hand, thank you for not having springs: after all, the original technical basis for the RX8 was a pickup truck. The story here is simple, but long: the Roewe brand, which rests on the Rover company bought by the Chinese from the British, belongs to the SAIC concern - and it also owns the Maxus brand, under which in the recent past the T60 pickup truck and then the D90 SUV were released. Actually, the pickup platform was substituted under the D90, simultaneously replacing the utilitarian springs with more comfortable springs. Well, the Roewe RX8 received the same basis, although it lost 10 centimeters in the length of the wheelbase.

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The all-wheel drive here is not permanent: unlike the notorious “200” with a Torsen differential, there is a multi-plate clutch that delivers about 40% of the torque to the front axle. But the 4L key, which we will soon see in the cabin, is “honest” and means not only forced closure of the clutch, but also a downshift with a gear ratio of 2.48. The Eaton differential in the rear axle also works diligently for off-road performance, closing when the difference in wheel speeds exceeds 120 rpm. Taking into account all this arsenal, the Roewe's maximum climb angle is 31.5 degrees - despite the fact that, for example, its fellow countryman, the Haval H9, has this parameter of 24.5 degrees. However, those who are not interested in all this off-road tripe can save several tens of kilograms and thousands of yuan: the base drive of the RX8 is rear-wheel drive. And this hints at a more “premium-urban” positioning of the car.

The power unit Roewe inherited from its brothers only confirms these conclusions. Of course, there is no diesel here - in Europe they managed to fall out of love with it, but in China they never really loved it. However, there cannot be a large displacement here: Chinese tax burdens, as we remember, forced the installation of a 1.5-liter engine in the seven-seater Chery Tiggo 8 . In the RX8, things are a little better: its longitudinally mounted engine with the index 20L4E has a “full-weight” 2 liters, a turbine and direct injection, which gives an output of 224 hp. and 360 Nm of torque. Which for a car weighing nearly two tons (the manufacturer is tactfully silent about the exact figures)… is relatively sufficient. But paired with the engine is a classic 6-speed Aisin hydromechanical automatic transmission.

Tchotchkes and chips

We sit down in the cabin - and from the shine of all-diode optics we move on to the Mercedes-style sparkle of silver keys. The organization of the interior space is also made with an eye on the best representatives of the class that we are familiar with: simple panel architecture, a good combination of brown leather and light wood, and hefty screens on the main “working” places.

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The instrument panel, by the way, is arranged quite ingeniously: analog scales cut along the chord are drawn on a color display that occupies the space between them, and on these electronic arcs are indicators for fuel level and coolant temperature. The display, by the way, is larger than that of other multimedia systems: 7 inches, and the graphics and resolution are quite decent. But the main “TV” is still located on the front panel: it is a 10.1-inch touchscreen, which controls most of the car’s functionality. Including, unfortunately, the climate. The physical keys under the screen serve as the main navigation through the menu, and then you have to navigate with your fingers on the display.

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The more pleasant news is that in terms of assembly and tactile sensations, the interior is quite consistent with its appearance. The keys do not move under your fingers, soft plastics with imitation stitching coexist with “fake” but elegant wood, and the responses of the touchscreen do not allow you to be distracted while working with it. Perhaps the only thing that was somewhat surprising was the need to manually adjust the steering wheel in two planes, despite the fact that the equipment of the test car was clearly one of the richest. And the inscription “Health air”, proudly stamped on the air ionizer deflector, hidden near the center armrest, brought a smile. Nevertheless, some subtleties of translating “conceptual” hieroglyphic writing into a mercilessly alphabetic language still remain invincible for the Chinese.

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But they were able to defeat many in terms of equipment. In addition to traditional “luxury” options such as leather upholstery, electric drives and a panoramic roof, Roewe also offers a completely modern set of active safety systems: there is adaptive cruise with a frontal collision prevention function, lane keeping, and all-round visibility... In addition, the rear row has heating and a 220-volt socket, the steering wheel is also heated, and on the front panel you can find a platform for wireless charging of smartphones. Quite so, I must say!

We don't go where we need to go

Despite the fact that there was not much time to get acquainted with the car in a static state, we managed to do this - but, unfortunately, we did not drive it where you expected to see it: we only had a race track and two short laps at our disposal. Therefore, there was no need to remember about “4L” on the drive mode selection dial, as well as about turning off the stabilization system. We switch to Sport and roll out to places where the RX8 will never go again in its life.

I don’t want to repeat myself once again, but the first impressions behind the wheel are suspiciously similar to those of a Cruiser. The same raised seating position (and even higher at the rear: thanks to the frame), the same large steering wheel, the same vibration of the large hood at idle... Pressing the pedal only enhances the similarity: the Toyota diesel is leisurely and quite economical in delivering traction in a straight line, and the local A “small-capacity” gasoline engine simply cannot provide outstanding dynamics. However, it reaches its peak torque at about 2.5 thousand rpm, and can maintain a normal pace without giving the feeling that the car is clearly lacking it. At the same time, the sound of the engine at high speeds is clearly audible in the cabin, but not too intrusive. Its joint work with the automatic transmission is also pleasing: the power unit feels like a single whole, without kicks or failures both during acceleration and braking.

We reach the “snake”, marked by cones, and slowly tumble into the first bend. The steering wheel here, of course, is not the shortest, but you don’t have to “handle” it on the shifts; one interception is enough. We were pleased with the rolls: they are quite moderate and do not cause inconvenience, so in fast turns the “limiter” is not they, but the drift of the front axle.

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However, the most interesting thing about the RX8 was not this - but how it behaves on a bad road. In the absence of real off-road conditions, I had to cheat, spending the entire second lap on the curbs. And this, perhaps, became the main disappointment in Roewe. We also noted interior vibration and a less-than-ideal ability to filter out road debris in the Land Cruiser – but here this dislike for the “comb” manifests itself even more strongly. The seats vibrate, especially the empty rear ones, the steering wheel shakes in your hands, and the interior is filled with a low-frequency hum, interspersed with individual overtones. The hum, of course, is not deafening - but, for example, speaking without raising your voice will no longer be comfortable. Perhaps the situation would have been better on the “basic” 18-inch 60-profile wheels, but our test car was shod with top-end 20-inch Michelin wheels measuring 255/50.

In general, the main thing in this car, apparently, remains not the ground clearance of 202 mm, the declared fording depth of 80 centimeters and the multi-plate front clutch, but three rows of seats, a panoramic roof and a maximum volume of cargo space of 2,178 liters with the seats folded down. And the fact that, according to the manufacturer, fuel consumption even for the all-wheel drive version does not exceed 10 liters per hundred, which, taking into account the not very spacious 70-liter tank, is of great interest in its veracity.

Will the path be right?

In Chinese, the name of the Roewe brand is pronounced “rongwei”, which in English is identical to the phrase “wrong way” - that is, “wrong way”, or even “passage prohibited” or “wrong method”. This funny coincidence should definitely not be taken as a “sign from above”: in 2021, cars under the Roewe brand sold over 350,000 units in the home market. So all that remains is to wait and find out when the “passage allowed” sign will appear on the way to Russia for the RX8.

In this sense, it is worth looking much more closely at prices. In China, the basic seven-seat, but rear-wheel drive RX8 costs 168,800 yuan – that is, approximately 1.7 million rubles. The richest all-wheel drive version will cost the Chinese buyer 228,800 yuan – that is, 2.3 million rubles, although there is also an “intergalactic” package for 251,800 yuan. In Russia, for example, Toyota Fortuner and Haval H9 play in the “frame-seven-seater” league at a similar cost - but they are slightly smaller in size. The notorious Land Cruiser, having almost identical dimensions (the wheelbase, for example, is identical to the nearest millimeter - 2,850 mm), is twice as expensive. So the question of what would happen if the Roewe RX8 were in Russian showrooms remains quite interesting.

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Analogue 100 Kruzak

But not only the two hundredth model received its copy, there is also a Chinese Land Cruiser 100 . The Fuqi 6500 model with hinged doors completely copied the lights from the more popular Japanese vehicle. And the door trim here is clearly borrowed - you don’t have to be a professional to understand that they are identical. The side windows also closely resemble the original. In addition, there are a lot of other similar elements between these cars.

It will also be interesting to read: Toyota SUVs: model range and characteristics

Clones of other popular models from the Toyota brand are also produced. After all, there will always be people who want to benefit from the creations of others. And the products from the famous Japanese concern are really worthy of being copied and inherited.

What do we end up with?

So, the Chinese are making copies of more popular cars from Japan, there is no doubt about it. At the same time, the main similarity appears in the exterior of the cars, where they can be almost completely identical. Looking under the hood or inside the car, we will see a new and original car. At the same time, the characteristics of Chinese models, as a rule, lag far behind the originals.

On the other hand, this allows you to purchase a stylish vehicle with recognizable features at a very reasonable cost. But does it make sense to save on quality? Well, it's up to you to decide.

Video review of the Chinese analogue of the Land Cruiser 200:

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Differences from the original

Despite the close similarity of the Hengtian L4600 with the Japanese Toyota SUV, there are still fundamental differences between these models:

• The cost of the Chinese Land Cruiser 200 makes it affordable for people with average earnings.
• In the appearance of the Chinese jeep, similar to the Land Cruiser 200, the radiator grille is borrowed from the Japanese Prado. This is noticeable to people who understand vehicle models.
• The Chinese Kruzak 200 is slightly larger than the original.
• The interior decoration of the jeep is the result of the work of Hengtian Automobile designers. This solution allowed the developers to save money during the production of the car. In comparison with the original, the interior looks simple and without frills.
• In terms of technical characteristics, the Chinese clone of the Land Cruiser 200 is significantly inferior to the real Cruiser. Inside the SUV is a motor made in the Middle Kingdom. The engine capacity is 4.6 liters. Hence the conclusion - the power of such a car is significantly less than the original one.

The differences of the Kruzak from China made it possible to present it on the market at a price acceptable for people with low incomes, but who want to get around in a large and impressive SUV.