In January 2025, the 2024 Caral Jolion Crossover emerged as the most popular Chinese-made model in Russia, according to Autonomy of the Day, with reference to Auto.ru Business. The ranking was derived from telephone monitoring and observations of low-mileage cars advertised for sale as new, offering a clear glimpse into consumer interest and market trends. This snapshot underscores the growing appeal of Chinese brands in the Russian automotive landscape, where price points, feature sets, and warranty considerations weigh heavily in buying decisions.
Omoda held second place in the year’s tally for 2022 models, while Mahal M6 Crossover appeared third in demand. Jetour Dashing in its 2022 variant took fourth, and in fifth place, the Tiggo 7 Pro Max 2024 and the Tiggo 4 2024 Crossovers shared prominence. The spread across these models highlights strong interest in compact and mid-size crossovers from Chinese producers, signaling a broad cross-section of buyers weighing performance, comfort, and value.
The January top 10 list also featured the 2024 GAC GS3, Changan Uni-S/CS55 Plus 2024, the Omoda S5 2023, and the 2023 Chergo 4 Pro, completing a diverse lineup that spans different price tiers and body styles. This mix demonstrates the competitiveness of Chinese brands in Russia, where buyers compare design, technology, reliability, and total cost of ownership when evaluating options.
Earlier, the KnownMore study indicated that more than one in three Russians planned to buy a car in 2025. The leading motivation was the desire for a newer vehicle with advanced features, with respondents indicating an average planned expenditure around 2 million rubles. This points to a willingness to upgrade and invest in modern equipment, suggesting ongoing momentum for brands that offer modern technology at accessible price points.
The second most cited reason was a planned replacement of an old car with a new one, noted in about 23% of cases. Many respondents also admitted they would either invest in repairing an aging vehicle or decide to purchase a new model, roughly 17% of respondents. These findings reflect pragmatic choices as households balance reliability, maintenance costs, and the appeal of newer technology before making a purchase.
Without taking test drives into account, about 15% of participants planned to buy a car, indicating openness to online browsing, warranty-backed offers, and flexible buying arrangements. Among the most desired body styles, SUVs and crossovers dominated interest at 46%, followed by sedans at 28% and wagons at 25%. The average planned spend among respondents hovered around 2.03 million rubles, illustrating a sizable segment seeking a blend of modern features and affordable ownership costs in a single package.
Earlier, industry experts noted the average price of a new car in Russia, setting a market context for these consumer choices. The evolving price landscape, combined with rising interest in Chinese brands, points to a shift in how Russians evaluate ownership costs, long-term service commitments, and overall value when selecting a vehicle.