“Moskvich 6” emerged as the priciest model from the capital’s auto factory featuring an internal combustion engine. The front-wheel-drive liftback is powered by a 1.5-liter turbo engine producing 136 horsepower, paired with a turbocharged transmission. The entry configuration, priced at 2.6 million rubles, includes air conditioning, manually adjustable seats, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, a multimedia system with a 10-inch display that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and LED headlights.
For an additional 200 thousand rubles, buyers can opt for climate control, a digital instrument cluster, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, and a comprehensive 360-degree camera system. Sales were planned to commence by the end of October 2023.
chinese alternatives
Statistics show that Russians with a budget around 3 million rubles lean toward crossovers rather than sedans and liftbacks. The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro is the most popular foreign car in Russia in 2023, listed at about 2.9–3 million rubles. It features a 1.5-liter turbo engine delivering 147 horsepower, with equipment that includes dual-zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof.
Geely Coolray, another Russia best seller, arrived in its second generation this autumn. It can be bought with premium options at prices comparable to the Moskvich 6, including a panoramic roof, digital instrument panel, a spoiler, and many features such as blind-spot monitoring and traffic sign recognition.
Indeed, the market for the Moskvich 6 bears a wide range of choices in Russia. According to Andrey Kamensky, marketing director of Avilon AG, when discounts are considered, a Chery Arrizo 8 sedan (1.6-liter, 186 horsepower) can be obtained for the same money, a rival to the Toyota Camry. In the D-class segment, Russians can also access the Changan Lamore, which offers a stronger engine than the Moskvich 6 and a large multimedia display, among other perks.
The lineup of alternatives includes the futuristic Jetour Dashing crossover, the Omoda S5/S5 GT models, the Changan CS35 Plus and CS55 Plus crossovers, as well as the GAC GS5 and FAW B70 sedan, among others, all within the same budget range. Kamensky lists these options.
What’s on the secondary market?
Classified ads show buyers with budgets near 2.8 million rubles a variety of recently used European and Japanese models. Examples include BMW X1 and X2 crossovers, Volkswagen Tiguan and Passat, Skoda Octavia, Toyota Camry, Mazda CX-5, and more. These vehicles are typically from 2020 and newer, often still under dealer warranty, with mileage around 30,000–60,000 kilometers. Dealers interviewed for socialbites.ca indicate that three-year-old Korean crossovers with rich equipment can also be found for about 2.8 million rubles.
In the secondary market, a budget up to 2.8 million rubles can still secure options like the Kia Sorento Luxe, Kia Sportage Comfort, and Hyundai Santa Fe Premium Comfort from Avilon’s inventory, according to Andrey Kamensky. Vladimir Zhelobov, head of used car sales at Avtodom and the AutoSpetsCenter Group, notes that the company currently holds more than 250 used cars priced up to 2.8 million rubles, with a broad mix from Audi, BMW, and Chery, among others.
Lada Vesta
Dmitry Rogov, founder of RogovMobil, a car delivery specialist, offers a candid take. He does not favor Moskvich, and he hints that JAC remains one of the most affordable Chinese brands. Proponents argue that the new liftback is covered by a warranty, which reassures many buyers about spare parts and maintenance.
Rogov notes that, for the same money, buyers could opt for cars that are 3–5 years old in good condition with solid equipment, including Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5 imported from South Korea. He also mentions that for 2.8 million rubles one can order the Chinese Changan UNI-V with a hybrid powertrain or a two-liter engine, though customs clearance within the customs union introduces some risks.
As for alternatives to the Moskvich 6, some observers believe Russia still benefits from a strong option in the Lada Vesta, which can be priced around 2 million rubles in its top configuration. In practical terms, this is a car that tends to perform reliably over time.
Industry insiders suggest that while Chinese automakers like Chery and Jetour push to capture market share, Moskvich targets corporate buyers and fleets tied to government decisions, including taxi operators that may need to acquire such vehicles. A representative notes that the typical Russian consumer does not seem to require this type of car.
The discussion also touches on localization challenges with JAC; nonetheless, the reality is that Russian buyers often expect higher quality at a similar price point, making the Moskvich 6 a divisive choice for a segment with varied demands.