ZX Landmark SUV test

At the time, we had a good laugh at how poorly this car was assembled and how little comfort it offered. So, the ZX is actually the Tianye. More precisely, the ZhongXing brand belongs to this company along with a Taiwanese firm. And they still produce their pickups, just under a different name – Grand Tiger. Moreover, in China, both Admiral and Tiger are sold. But we'll talk about the pickup later. Right now, our focus is on a classic five-door SUV for five passengers, the Landmark. I emphasize that it's exactly five seats, because in the Celestial Empire, there's also a seven-seat modification.


ON PSEUDOSCIENCES
In China, design is still considered something like a bourgeois pseudoscience. Until recently, ergonomics, coloristics, and that part of the science of production culture responsible for quality also fell into this category, and according to many, even metallurgy and chemistry. At the same time, for about four years now, there's been talk only about the imminent conquest of the global car market by the Chinese... It's unlikely that the Chinese themselves haven't heard these talks, and if they have, they'd probably be in favor, which means it's time to deal with the sciences too. For example, a tall person can sit quite comfortably in the Landmark. Ergonomics – pass. Let's look from below: here and there you can see the hand of a vocational school student with welding, but only here and there. Okay, for technology and quality – pass with a minus. In short, for most disciplines, the grades are at least satisfactory. But the appearance... “Chinese Pajero Sport!” – the guys from our service immediately dubbed the Landmark. And indeed, it looks similar! But the doors are not the same, and the hood is not the same, and these terrible headlights, and the taillights... So where are you, talented Chinese designers? Five thousand years of civilization – and that's it? Can't you do anything besides porcelain?


ON INDECISION
“Hesitation is harmful!” – said one of the action movie heroes, shooting another bad guy. When you drive the Landmark even on smooth asphalt, this phrase takes on a completely different meaning. The SUV's looseness is no less striking than its dynamic characteristics. The car isn't just shaken on bumps – it's swayed from side to side, while large bumps like speed bumps are passed very harshly, and on small ones, it shakes unpleasantly. But the acceleration is frankly pleasing. The engine, which has “Mitsubishi” written in large letters right on the valve cover so no one doubts it, produces 126 hp.

at 5200 rpm and 193 Nm at about 3000 rpm. Its thrust is smooth from the first thousand with a slight surge after four thousand. At the same time, the engine accelerates the relatively light (curb weight just over 1700 kg) SUV confidently and quickly – no more than 16 seconds to 100 km/h. You can pull away from old classic Zhigulis at a traffic light; the main thing is not to hesitate and press the accelerator pedal decisively and to the floor. Fuel consumption then jumps past 15 liters per 100 km.


ON HASTE
In the city, agility and dynamism are most valued. Outside the city – stability and aerodynamics. Off-road – geometry and torque. Here, the Landmark is simply magnificent. Perhaps I've applied such a degree for a Chinese car for the first time, but I must note that the grades of “excellent” for, say, a Range Rover and for our ZX differ somewhat in weight... So, off-road, the Landmark is magnificent. Excellent engine traction, sufficient ground clearance, good geometry are multiplied by the huge gear ratio of the low range. I don't know its exact number; when the request comes from China, I'll inform those interested personally... However, it's a fact that from a car moving at idle in first low, you can get out while it's moving, walk around it at a brisk pace, and get back in. Even on dry sand, I didn't have to raise the revs above 2000, and I could climb slopes up to 30% in third gear, and in second, just crawl. On terrain crests, you need to pay attention to the clearance under the floor, since the longitudinal passability angle is not outstanding – 23 degrees, and the plastic tank is not protected. I was also worried about the spare tire hanging under the rear overhang, reducing the departure angle to 25°. Up front, everything is fine – 32° and a steel crossbeam. From below, the most vulnerable is the rear axle anti-roll bar.


ON TASTE
The Landmark is equipped with an audio system from Siemens VDO. This is a breakthrough. No, seriously! Until now, everything that was installed on all-wheel-drive cars from China went straight to the trash. Trying to turn it on led to a loss of taste for life for an hour and a half. Here, the sound doesn't even annoy. Obviously, it would be nice to add appropriate speakers to the potentially decent head unit, but for an unseasoned listener, it's fine as is. The interior generally turned out well. The high-set seats are quite comfortable, the controls are in place, the three-spoke steering wheel is very good, and the second row is not cramped. The instruments are perfectly readable and quite accurate. The air conditioner, although it makes a lot of noise, blows and cools as it should. What's bad is the barely tolerable smell of phenol, which might not dissipate even after six months.


ON CHANCE
Is this really not a coincidence? A Chinese SUV that doesn't cause universal sadness (except for the smell in the cabin), handles well, is dynamic, quite comfortable, well-equipped, and also inexpensive. Indeed, try to find an SUV with a full electric package, air conditioning, two airbags, and ABS, with a full five-seat cabin, a decent trunk, for 560,000 rubles. Great Wall SUV – weaker, tighter, no airbags; Hover – more expensive; UAZ Patriot – again no airbags, air conditioning for an extra charge, music... The closest among what's currently sold in Russia is the Landwind X6, which is a copy of the Isuzu Rodeo, but it's smaller, tighter, and more expensive. And there are also versions of the Landmark with an automatic transmission and a diesel engine. Maybe this is exactly the option that can win the fierce battle for the Russian market?