When you’re looking to buy a new car, you’ll quickly realise (if you haven’t already) that Asian and European cars are dominating the market. Deciding between European cars, which are known for their style and reliability, and Asian brands, which are valued for their affordability, is challenging.
In this article, we will provide an unbiased evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of European and Asian cars to help you determine which one fits your needs and preferences better.
What do we mean by “European” cars?
What car brands do you generally associate with high-performance vehicles? Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, Ferrari, correct? Well, all of these cars originate from Europe. European cars are some of the best-performing cars in the world. They’re known for their power, acceleration, grip, and quality compared to other car brands. This is usually because the parts they choose to make their cars with are of a higher quality and are more expensive. Ensuring that their cars are durable.
Because of their superior quality materials, the performance is also better on all accounts. For instance, European cars have better and more reactive braking systems, ensuring that they stop faster to avoid an accident and offering better safety as well. Whether this is a downside or not is up to you, but they’re also more expensive to purchase because of the premium materials and parts used to manufacture them. Here are some of the most well-known European cars:
- Renault
- Alfa Romeo
- Mercedes Benz
- Volvo
- Audi
- Mini
- Volkswagen
- BMW
- Fiat
What are Asian cars?
Now, Asian car brands have also become fairly popular in many countries, especially because of their affordability and fuel efficiency. In comparison to European cars, Asian cars are a fraction of the price. However, they don’t perform as well in aspects like speed, acceleration, handling, and suspension. That said, they do tend to offer their drivers longevity and are pretty affordable to repair if needed.
One of the most advantageous aspects of Asian cars is that they’re designed to be daily runners. While some brands are entering the luxury market and trying to compete with certain European brands, many of the best-selling Asian cars are, like the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, India’s top-selling car in 2024.
In countries that need more robust vehicles, Toyota has become a favourite for their Utes, which manufactures engines that are often considered indestructible by some. The Toyota Hilux is a good example of this. Some popular Asian car brands include:
- Suzuki
- Toyota
- Kia
- Subaru
- Nissan
- Mazda
- Hyundai
What are the differences between them?
So, on the one hand, we have quality and luxury, and on the other, we have affordability and functionality. So, to figure out which car is best to buy, let’s weigh them up against one another with their pros and cons:
European cars
Here are some of the top benefits of owning a European car:
- Has better acceleration and higher speeds
- The overall driving experience is better
- Made with premium quality materials
- Has great handling capabilities
- Has more robust built-in safety features
- Built to last
As with the good parts, it’s always good to be aware of the downsides of owning a Euro car, which include:
- They are more expensive to purchase and maintain
- Your resale value for these cars will be a fraction of what you pay for it now
- They have a shorter lifespan depending on how they’re driven
Asian cars
Here are some of the best benefits of owning an Asian brand of car:
- More affordable and easier to maintain
- Has a simpler design and lasts longer
- Better suited to daily travel and more attainable
- Parts are widely available
- Decent handling and performance
Here are some of the cons that come with owning an Asian car:
- They aren’t built for speed
- Overall performance doesn’t match European cars
Considering car maintenance
In regards to maintenance, better quality parts are usually designed to have a longer lifespan. However, this depends on how you drive. For instance, both pros and cons suggest that both cars last long. In contrast, because European car parts are made with better materials, you’d expect them to last longer. Which, when driven with care, they can.
But, these cars are also built to perform at a higher level, which means these parts might wear faster too. On the other hand, Asian car parts are also made with decent materials, like Toyota for example. But, if not drive correctly too, these parts can wear and tear much faster as well.
Something else to consider is also the replacement parts used when repairing the vehicles. For a European car service, you’ll want to use OEM parts to ensure that you’re getting the same level of performance from your car. The same goes for Asian vehicles. However, the number of third-party manufacturers for parts that fit Asian vehicles seems to be larger, offering you more options if you’re ever in need.
Final Thoughts
Looking at the pros and cons, in regards to performance and quality, it’s clear that European cars take the trophy. That said, Asian brands like Suzuki have made a huge impact in certain countries because of their performance and affordability. So, in the end, it depends on your personal preferences. For us, getting a European car would be the better choice.