10 embarrassing questions about the Geely Atlas that you were afraid to ask

According to the sales results in 2020, Geely Atlas ranked first among all Chinese cars. During this time, 7311 residents of our country became the owners of the crossover. What are the reasons for the popularity of “Atlas” in recent times? And nine more embarrassing questions about Geely Atlas that you didn't have time to google the answers to.

1 Why did Atlas become so popular?

The high level of crossover sales in the current market is due to many factors. The Geely brand has been advancing by leaps and bounds in recent years, absorbing large companies and even auto giants such as Volvo over and over again. An extensive network of dealer and service centers, high build quality, an extended range of motor-transmission bundles and an affordable price (at a discount you can buy Atlas from 750 thousand conventional units) – all this gave such an effect in total.

2 What level of quality are we talking about?

Many car owners who bought Chinese cars in the early 2000s vowed never to buy a representative of China. But in vain, because the automotive industry of China has stepped far ahead, unlike ours. Since 2019, Geely Atlas has been given an extended warranty in the form of 150,000 kilometers or five years of service. Cars are assembled at the Belarusian enterprise “BELGI” with a high level of localization. And adding to this a galvanized body and an increased thickness of the paintwork by 25 percent specifically for the current market, we get the next components of the success of the Chinese crossover.

3 Okay, persuaded, what about the motors?

Here, many brands will envy the choice of units. If you want a turbo, keep a supercharged 1.8-liter with 184 hp, paired with a six-speed automatic. Adherents of classic atmospheric engines? Here you have a two-liter “atmo” with 139 hp, and a tax-friendly 149-horsepower 2.4-liter engine, and as a box – “mechanics” or “automatic”.

4 What about all-wheel drive?

There is, and not any exclusive, but time-tested American BorgWarner. The all-wheel drive and chassis with settings from the British company MIRA allow the Atlas to behave with dignity both on the classic road surface and in off-road conditions. However, surveys of owners speak for themselves: 90% of motorists like the handling and maneuverability of the Chinese crossover.

5 What is the ground clearance of the Geely Atlas?

Only 190 mm. Alas, for a mid-size five-seater SUV, this is a completely acceptable result. And even though it is slightly higher for the domestic XRay Cross, the Chinese has all-wheel drive, which is more effective in some cases than a couple of centimeters of ground clearance.

6 What about security?

The safety of the “Chinese” has always been in question. But in the case of the Atlas, there will be no problems, since the galvanized body is made of high-strength alloy steel, and the “brains” of the crossover have a huge number of electronic safety assistants in the form of a controlled descent system, parking assistant, frontal collision warning and standard ABS /EBD/ESC.

7 Do Geely Atlas have pillows?

Of course, even four – two front and side airbags, plus curtains. Yes, you will not find knee and inter-row airbags here, and the class of the car “does not allow” them to be placed without compromising the price tag. Recall that Geely Atlas received five stars in crash tests according to the C-NCAP method.

8 We have decided on comfort on the road, but what about the cabin?

There will definitely be no problems with climate control: easily customizable, no frills and with maximum efficiency. Additionally, there are rain and light sensors, a rear-view camera and parking sensors in a circle. The crossover is well prepared for the Russian winter: in addition to heating the side mirrors, the wiper rest area and the glass of the “fifth” door, there is heating for both the front and rear seats. But the steering wheel heating was bypassed, which is extremely offensive and unpleasant in winter conditions.

9 Boast, brag, and, I suppose, everything is analog there?

You are mistaken, because in the top configuration Geely Atlas has a 7-inch digital dashboard with a high level of brightness and ergonomics. Plus, an 8-inch media system with support for connecting smartphones via Bluetooth interface or MirrorLink is always at hand.

10 And the prices are not cheap…

It depends on what you compare it to. If we proceed from the price / quality ratio, then Geely Atlas has the best indicator in its class. In 2021, the new Atlas in the Standard configuration with a two-liter engine will cost the buyer 1.33 million conventional units. The most expensive option is estimated at 1.88 million conventional units. And, alas, the main price increase occurred in 2020 due to the collapse of the ruble. But this did not prevent domestic buyers from buying more than seven thousand crossovers, leaving behind their “classmates” from China.