Lifan Celliya

Key facts at a glance

From the Lifan 520 to the Celliya

The Lifan 520 was the company's first saloon. Shown at the Beijing show in 2006, it used a chassis based on the 1991 Citroën ZX and engines from 65 to 85 kW, including a 1.6 Tritec unit also used in the BMW-era Mini. A five-door hatchback, the 520i, joined the saloon, and the car was sold in several export markets until 2012.

Its successor appeared first as a concept, still called the Lifan 520, at the Guangzhou show in November 2011. The production car was launched as the Lifan 530 at the Shanghai show in April 2013 and went on sale in China in October 2013. Celliya was the name used for the same saloon in export markets. The old 1cars text describes it as a direct replacement for the 520, with a reworked body, a new interior and the same family of engines with some changes.

Observers noted that its design was clearly inspired by the Toyota Vios of that period. The two cars have similar dimensions and an almost identical side profile.

1.5 engine, gearbox and performance

The performance and fuel figures are Lifan's own data quoted by the old 1cars text. With 76 kW, the Celliya is slow by modern standards but adequate in town. The CVT suits city driving; the manual is the simpler and more durable choice. The suspension is conventional: MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear, with front disc and rear drum brakes.

Size, interior and boot

By our calculation, the Celliya is 70 mm shorter than the Lifan 520 but has a 10 mm longer wheelbase, so the overhangs shrank while cabin length grew slightly. The boot of about 472 litres, quoted in the old 1cars text, is generous for a car of this length.

The old 1cars review was less kind about the interior. It found the two-tone dashboard plain and the centre console dull, although the instruments had a modern look and the front panel lines were softer than in the 520. Lifan also promised better sound insulation and door seals.

Running costs

The official combined figure of 6.4 l/100 km makes the Celliya cheap to fuel, and the simple 1.5 engine is easy to service. The bigger costs for an owner today are parts supply and resale value. Lifan stopped making cars under its own name, so body panels and trim can be hard to find outside China. Check what fuel would cost for your mileage with the 1cars fuel cost calculator.

Trims and equipment

The Celliya was sold in two levels of equipment, with the CVT on the higher version. According to the old 1cars text, standard equipment included front airbags, ABS with brake-force distribution, fog lights, air conditioning, electric windows front and rear and a basic MP3 audio system. Higher-strength steel in the body and better materials were among the changes Lifan advertised against the 520.

In China the Lifan 530 started at 51,800 yuan and reached 69,800 yuan at launch. By our conversion at the late-2013 exchange rate, that is about EUR 6,200 to 8,400.

Crash tests and safety: what is known

We found no Euro NCAP or other European crash-test result for the Celliya or the Lifan 530. Front airbags and ABS with EBD were standard, according to the old text; it does not list side airbags or stability control. Buyers who put safety first should choose a car with a published crash-test rating.

Rivals compared: Rio, Logan, Emgrand and Vios

The Celliya's case rests on its low price and its roomy boot. Against established rivals it loses on safety equipment, refinement and long-term parts supply. Put any two of these cars side by side with the 1cars comparison tool.