Buying a Solaris KRX: what kind of car is this and what makes it interesting

The modern car market is full of new names, but many people are looking for familiar looks and names. The Solaris KRX combines both: behind the name is a recognisable crossover-hatchback profile with a long-standing reputation. And crucially, after all these years, it remains just as relevant. How does it manage it?

What lies behind the name Solaris KRX, and what makes this car so special?

At first glance at the Solaris KRX, its heritage is easy to read. The name Solaris clearly hints at Korean roots, and in the model name KRX it's easy to spot the Kia Rio X, confirmed by both the familiar looks and the logo on the steering wheel. This hatchback is like an old friend that needs no lengthy introduction.

Perfection requires no change

No fundamental changes were made to the model during its transformation into the Solaris KRX. It's still the same hatchback on the familiar Korean platform, with front-wheel drive and a generous ground clearance of 190-195 mm depending on wheel size. Ground clearance matters doubly here, because this isn't just a hatchback but a crossover-hatchback with cladding made of unpainted plastic, so it's fair to expect it to handle – if not off-road feats – then at least the ability to pull off onto a dirt road without catching the underside on the first stone. And the KRX meets those expectations one hundred per cent.

The powertrain is also unchanged, and that too is a big plus. The KRX offers just one engine – the 1.6-litre G4FC. It delights with a set of reliable and efficient solutions: a chain-driven timing system, multi-point fuel injection, variable valve timing on both camshafts, and the ability to happily run on 92-octane petrol. Over the years of production, the engine has been refined, with attention paid to the catalytic converters in particular: improved cooling has helped stabilise their service life. The result is an engine that is now virtually flawless, with a reliability margin good for hundreds of thousands of kilometres.

There are two gearboxes to choose from – a manual and an automatic, both with six gears. Both have proven themselves to be extremely reliable. On the Solaris KRX this makes particular sense: the car's 1.2-tonne weight and 151 Nm of torque don't overstress the transmission, so the gearboxes last a long time.

The KRX's suspension is unchanged: MacPherson struts at the front and a semi-independent torsion beam at the rear, which likewise promises a long service life and easy maintenance. The rear brakes, meanwhile, can be chosen: base versions get drums, while more expensive trims get disc mechanisms. Incidentally, there's an extra argument in favour of the pricier versions – the ground clearance. If you plan to drive on poor roads, it's worth considering the top specification with 195/60 R16 wheels, which give 195 mm of clearance instead of 190. Yes, 5 mm isn't much, but sometimes it's precisely those few millimetres that make the difference.

Another important advantage of the Solaris KRX in Russia is that it was designed – not merely adapted – for our conditions, roads and climate. The body is, of course, galvanised and additionally treated with anti-gravel coatings, while the hidden cavities receive wax treatment. Seams and joints are thoroughly sealed to keep moisture out of places where it could collect and cause corrosion.

A balanced range of trims and generous equipment

This careful approach is also felt in how the trim levels are put together. Even the base version comes with absolutely all the key features you need to feel you're driving a modern, up-to-date car. Air conditioning, a full set of electric windows (with one-touch on the driver's side), steering wheel adjustment for reach and rake, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector, heated front seats, heated steering wheel and heated door mirrors, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and a suite of the most important active safety systems. In other words, even the entry-level trim is put together so that the buyer doesn't feel they've been short-changed anywhere, or forced to pay extra for important options.

As the price rises, the list of pleasant extras grows. The windscreen, washer jets and rear seats gain heating, parking sensors and a reversing camera appear at the rear, the air conditioning gives way to climate control, the multimedia system gets an 8-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, cruise control buttons appear on the steering wheel, the daytime running lights become LED, and the rear brakes become discs. Importantly, the choice of gearbox isn't restricted by trim level: the automatic transmission is available in both mid-range and entry-level versions.

As for the top specification, it can delight with useful functions and pleasant indulgences. For example, the headlights here are LED with cornering lights, and there's a shark-fin antenna on the roof – a sure-fire way to spot the most fully equipped KRX. The interior is trimmed in artificial leather, and the instrument panel features a colour display. Keyless entry, built-in navigation and front parking sensors also appear in this version, while the driver is treated to electrically adjustable lumbar support.

Peace of mind for years to come

Buyers of 'analogue' cars like the Solaris KRX value not only reliability, reputation and simplicity, but also a sense of confidence in the car. And that confidence is built from several important factors. First and foremost, of course, is the warranty: with Solaris it's 3 years or 100,000 kilometres. Another important element is the detailed parts catalogues and the wide choice of components. A new car owner under warranty won't need that, of course, but when the time comes to sell, it's precisely that technical transparency that becomes one of the main tools for preserving a high residual value.

How much do confidence and comfort cost?

Now that it's clear the Solaris KRX is exactly the familiar car that many people are looking for in today's murky market, it remains to clarify how much the confidence of owning one costs. Like its other qualities, the price remains a strong point. The KRX starts at 2,335,000 roubles with the manual gearbox, and 2,535,000 with the automatic. Unsurprisingly, many buyers are choosing the proven crossover-hatchback over yet another new crossover without years of reputation behind it. In today's new car market, reliability and stability are valued more highly than ever.