What is the difference between National 5 and National 6 when buying a car?
3 Answers
The differences between National 5 and National 6 when buying a car are as follows: 1. Price difference: National 6 cars are generally more expensive than National 5 cars, mainly because automakers need to comply with policy implementation by submitting applications to relevant departments and conducting various pollution tests, which increases costs and consequently raises the vehicle price. Additionally, National 6 vehicles are equipped with more configurations compared to National 5 to reduce environmental pollution. 2. Access restrictions: With the implementation of the National 6 policy, vehicles that do not meet the emission standards will face certain driving restrictions. Typically, National 5 or below vehicles may be directly prohibited from road use due to non-compliance with emission requirements. Therefore, many National 5 vehicle owners switch to National 6 cars to ensure normal road usage.
I did in-depth research on the differences between China V and China VI standards when I changed my car. China VI is the latest emission standard, which is much stricter than China V. Simply put, China VI has significantly lower limits—for example, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions are reduced by more than half. It also includes devices like particulate filters to more effectively reduce pollution. Buying a China V car might save you a few thousand yuan, but in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, you can't get a new license plate for it, and it might depreciate faster when reselling. In the long run, China VI cars hold their value better and require higher-quality gasoline. Driving feels the same, but they contribute more to environmental protection. I recommend going straight for a China VI car to avoid future hassles.
When my family and I were choosing a car, we prioritized the differences between China 5 and China 6 emission standards. China 5 stock vehicles often come with significant discounts, which can save money, but they are not suitable for registration in all areas. For example, first-tier cities restrict new China 5 vehicles from being driven on the road. The China 6 standard emits fewer pollutants, which is better for the environment, and the driving performance and fuel consumption are basically the same. In the future, China 6 vehicles will be easier to sell in the used car market, and maintenance costs are similar. After weighing the options, we decided to buy a China 6 vehicle to avoid policy risks. It was slightly more expensive but gave us peace of mind.
