Chery, the Chinese automaker that currently offers only crossovers in Russia, is examining an expansion of its local lineup with sedans. The company indicated it is evaluating the Arrizo sedan family as part of ongoing market research in Russia.
“We are conducting market research on the Arrizo sedan range. Yes, we want to introduce a sedan in Russia,” officials stated in a press briefing from Chery’s Russian office.
One potential model under consideration is the flagship Arrizo 8, which is slated to go on sale in China this fall. Earlier reports pointed to Arrizo 8 as a possible competitor in Russia for models such as the Kia Cerato, Hyundai Elantra, and Toyota Camry. Price expectations for Arrizo 8 in Russia are varied, with estimates ranging from roughly 2.6 million to 4.4 million rubles.
The Arrizo 8 is designed to face well-known contenders and will launch in China in September, with order books opening in late August. In its home market, the model is anticipated to be priced around 106–129 thousand yuan (approximately 1–1.2 million rubles).
In terms of dimensions, the Arrizo 8 sits slightly shorter than the Camry, with a length of 4780 mm, about 105 mm less than the Japanese sedan. The wheelbase is closely matched, and cabin space mostly depends on it. The Arrizo 8 features a compact wheelbase, just 35 mm shorter than the current Camry generation. Inside, it offers a digital instrument cluster, a large media display, ten airbags, a panoramic roof, a projection screen, and a fatigue-detection system with facial recognition capabilities.
Initial equipment for the base Arrizo 8 includes a 1.5-liter gasoline turbo engine producing around 156 horsepower, with a more powerful 1.6-liter turbo delivering roughly 197 horsepower. A 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission accompanies the powertrain.
What other sedans does Chery have?
Among the Arrizo lineup, a more compact model, Arrizo 6, is also part of the brand’s exports and is available domestically as the GX variant. Its price is reported to be in the range of roughly 86,000 to 130,000 yuan (approximately 768,000 to 1.2 million rubles). The Arrizo 6 is equipped with a 147-horsepower 1.5-liter turbo engine and a CVT, with German engineering input on chassis tuning, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a 7-inch instrument cluster display. Other similar models in the family, including Arrizo 5 Plus and Arrizo 5 Pro, feature compressed natural gas variants and share comparable styling.
Plans to bring the Arrizo 6 to Russia were revisited recently, with observers noting that in the current market environment there appears to be a niche for Arrizo 8 and other Chinese compact models due to limited alternatives.
Analysts indicate a noticeable gap between entry-level Lada Granta offerings and larger crossovers, suggesting opportunities for hatchbacks and C-class sedans from Chinese manufacturers in the near term. One automotive market commentator highlighted that the lack of intermediate options could drive interest in new arrivals like Arrizo 8 if pricing and availability align with buyer expectations.
There is a belief that Chery should consider bringing at least a small shipment of Arrizo 8 to Russia to gauge consumer reaction. Estimates for the price in Russia place Arrizo 8 in a range around 2.5–2.8 million rubles, depending on trims and local considerations.
Another point of discussion centers on the Arrizo 6: pricing around 1.7–2 million rubles could make it attractive to a broad segment of buyers, with the potential to secure solid demand in the Russian market.