New Moskvich Debuts in Moscow 2030 Festival with Seven-Seater JAC SUV Family

The public unveiling of the new Moskvich happened during the festival “Territory of the Future. Moscow 2030,” inaugurated at the Manege exhibition hall beside the Kremlin walls. The vehicle stood at the plant’s display alongside other Moskvich models, including the Moskvich 3 and Moskvich 3e crossovers, as well as the Moskvich 6 liftback.

Beside the car, an interactive exhibit explains one of the pivotal production steps in vehicle assembly: joining the chassis to the body.

As with other Moskvich models, the new seven-seater crossover is produced by Chinese maker JAC under the Moskvich name.

In China, the JAC X8 Plus serves as the counterpart to the Moskvich 8, with sales slated to commence in 2022 under the Sehol X8 Plus badge.

What about dimensions and pricing?

Within the JAC lineup, the X8 Plus is the largest model, measuring 4824 mm in length with a 2830 mm wheelbase. Its cabin accommodates seven across three rows. The Moskvich 8 is expected to be the largest in its own series.

In size, the new Moskvich compares with Geely’s flagship Okavango (length 4860 mm, seven seats) and Chery Tiggo 8 (length 4720 mm, seven seats). While the industry in Russia shifts, older Korean models like Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento—though no longer sold domestically—remain comparable in footprint and equipment levels.

Powering the Moskvich is a 174 hp gasoline turbo engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The cabin features two display screens, including a 12-inch digital instrument cluster.

Standard multimedia options include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a wireless smartphone charger, and a versatile camera system to enhance awareness and safety on the road.

The Moskvich cabin mirrors the original JAC SUV design in many ways, with a two-tone interior, ergonomic seating, an expansive radiator grille, slender headlights spanning the front, and twin daytime running lights beneath them.

Control conveniences include a large central tunnel dial for the transmission, along with keyless entry and a start button for climate control and engine activation.

When is it due for production?

The Moskvich press team indicated that the family crossover would enter production and reach showrooms by the end of 2024. In Russia, it will be offered only in a seven-seater configuration.

Official pricing details have not been disclosed, but industry commentary suggests a target range around 2.5 million rubles.

What’s happening in China?

Meanwhile, the JAC Sehol X8 Plus in China comes with a broader equipment list. Since its market debut, it has been available in a six-seat configuration with individual second-row seats, and in spring 2023 a five-seater variant began production. A 1.5 turbo engine producing 184 hp is offered in domestic specifications, with a conventional six-speed manual transmission as an alternative.

Competitors

In Russia, the seven-seater Geely Okavango is sold in two trim levels—roughly 3.5 to 3.6 million rubles before any discounts. It uses a 2.0-liter turbo engine delivering 200 hp, paired with a seven-speed robotic transmission, and, like the Moskvich 8, is front-wheel drive.

The Okavango features LED headlights, 19-inch wheels, and a broad suite of driver-assist technologies including rollover protection, brake assist, and six airbags. The top configuration adds a lane-change assistant, rear cross-traffic warning, front parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring.

Another contender in the Moskvich lineup is the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max, available in Russia with two engine options. The 1.6 turbo engine variant (186 hp) with a robotic transmission costs around 3.2 million rubles, while a 2.0-liter engine variant (197 hp) pushes the price to about 3.9 million rubles.

The Tiggo’s base equipment includes six airbags, 18-inch wheels, all-around cameras, ABS, a stabilization system, and tire pressure monitoring. The top-end version, priced near 4.2 million rubles, adds nine airbags, 19-inch wheels, and a full lane of electronic aids, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.