Qoros 3 City SUV Is the Perfect Chinese Car for Europeans at Geneva 2015

We like Qoros above all the other Chinese automakers because they've managed to figure out what buyers in Europe want: quality and decent design. They've already made a name for themselves by producing one of the safest saloons ever tested by Euro NCAP. But for the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, they really have outdone themselves with the 3 City SUV, a model that ticks all our boxes… twice.

It's inspired by the Cross Hybrid Concept they showed in the year 2013, when the company was still in its infancy. The 3 SUV vigorously attacks the fastest growing car market in Europe with a package that's at home in the urban and outdoors environments.
The model was first shown in late 2014 at the Guangzhou International Auto Show in China and went on sale locally in China. Now it's ready for the European market and we took a very serious look at the design on the Geneva Motor Show floor.

What does it doe?

Far from being a copycat, the 3 City SUV has a sporty design that might even make Audi or Mercedes jealous. A masculine front end, rakish roof and dual exhaust tips integrated into a large diffuser skirt are just some of the major highlights.
Only one engine option is available, a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol 4-cylinder making 156 hp and 210 Nm (155 lb-ft) of torque for the front wheels to use via a six-speed manual gearbox or a dual-clutch automatic option. Fuel economy is claimed to be rated at 6.8 l/100km (34.5 US mpg) with the manual and 6.9 l/100km (34 US mpg) with the auto, according to the NEDC cycle.
As for performance, 0 to 100 km/h takes a relatively relaxed 10.1 seconds. Top speed is 208 km/h (129 mph).

What does it compete with?

The Qoros 3 City SUV is 4,452mm (175.2 inches) long, 1,854mm (73 inches) wide and 1,504mm (59.2 inches) tall. The 3 City SUV starts at around £15,000 in China but it's unclear how this will translate to local pricing, especially considering many trim levels exist. No exact launch date has been set yet, but European dealerships should be established by 2016.
We think its size and price make this a Nissan Qashqai rival for Juke money. But the styling is like a jacked up hatchback, similar to the Volvo V40 Cross Country, Mercedes GLA and outgoing BMW X1.

Qoros 3 City SUV Live Photos - photo gallery