Thursday, January 17, 2013

Small Cars in Saudi Arabia

Small cars in Saudi Arabia seem a misfit. The country is designed for big and fast cars. In major cities the roads are generally wide, multi-lane, one-way and in good condition. Owning and keeping big cars is not as expensive as in some South Asian countries. Cheap petrol does the main trick. Big cars rule here. Especially the Saudis are fond of big cars such Yukon, Armada, Prado, Pajero, TrailBlazer, Crown Victoria and so on. In sedan versions, the Grand Marquis, Crown Victoria, Camry, Caprice, Sonata are seen all around.
saudi car gmc yukon
GMC Yukon (length over 5100 mm)
saudi car nissan armada
another monster Nissan Armada (length over 5200 mm)

saudi car toyota camry
Toyota Camry rules in KSA (length 4805 mm)
Chevrolet Caprice - a big luxury (length over 5100 mm)
saudi car ford crown victoria
Ford Crown Victoria, an all time favorite (length over 5300 mm)

Small hatchback type of cars have usually been used by restaurants for delivery purposes. Such cars are painted with respective restaurants' labels and logos. However, off late, hatchbacks are slowly making their way as private cars.

Kia Picanto

This cute looking 5-door hatchback is from Kia Motors. Has a humble 1.0L or 1.2L engine. The length of car is about 3595 mm. In Saudi Arabia, Al-Jabr is the agency that sells Kia cars. In last couple of years, Kia cars have made good sale in KSA. Picanto is spotted often, along with sedan models of Rio and Cerato:-
Kia Picanto
Kia Picanto
Kia Picanto white
Kia Picanto

Toyota Yaris (HB)

abdul latif jameel saudi toyota logo
The sedan version of Toyota Yaris is very popular in Saudi Arabia, especially among the expatriate community. However, Abdul Latif Jameel (which is the authorized Toyota cars agency in KSA) has also been selling the hatchback model of Yaris. It has 1.5L engine which is quite powerful for this size. The length is 3825 mm. The automatic model is being sold for around SAR 60,000.
Toyota Yaris hatchback saudi arabia
Toyota Yaris HB. image source toyota.com.sa

Toyota Yaris hatchback 2009 saudi arabia
Toyota Yaris HB

Suzuki Alto

Suzuki Alto has been the prime choice as delivery vehicle for restaurants. But recently many expatriates (and even Saudis) have also begun running it as private car. It has a decent 1.0L engine and overall body length of about 3500 mm.
Suzuki Alto Saudi Arabia new
Suzuki Alto

Suzuki Alto 2012 saudi arabia
Suzuki Alto 2012

Hyundai i10

 This stylish hatchback car is not very common but still exists as private car in Saudi Arabia. Rather, the Accent is getting more and more popular due to new sporty design and features. The i10 hatchback has a length of around 3565 mm and equipped with 1.1L engine.
Hyundai i10
Hyundai i10


Daihatsu Sirion

The cute looking Daihatsu Sirion is a compact five door hatchback. Length is around 3600 mm and houses a smart 1.3 L engine. Abdul Latif Jameel is the agency to buy the Daihatsu cars from in KSA.

daihatsu sirion saudi
Daihatsu Sirion
Daihatsu Sirion rear view Saudi
Daihatsu Sirion rear view

Citroen C4

Citroen C4 offers a pleasant change of shape for hatchback cars. And seriously this French car does not seem compact and has got an attractive and sophisticated design. It fits a powerful 1.4L or 1.6L engine. Its larger than other hatchbacks listed above with a length of about 4329 mm. Perhaps its "younger sister" C3 would have been a better choice as a small hatchback. Bakhashab Group is the authorized dealer for Citroen vehicles in Saudi Arabia.
Citroen C4 2006
Cintroen C4

Suzuki Swift

Suzuki Swift can be spotted often on Saudi roads. It is equipped with a robust 1.4L engine and has a length of 3850 mm.
Suzuki Swift in Saudi Arabia
Suzuki Swift
Suzuki Swift side view Saudi Arabia
Suzuki Swift side view

Peugeot 206

This car is also owned by those who have got taste for Peugeot luxury. The 206 model is not being produced any more. Peugeot 206 has 1.4L or 1.6L engine. The length of the car is around 4000 mm.
Peogeot 206 Saudi car
Peogeot 206 image souce wikipedia
peogeot 206 view saudi car
Peogeot 206 another view