The automotive landscape in Russia is evolving rapidly. What once seemed unlikely—buying a Chinese crossover—has become more common as maintenance and service costs push some buyers toward more affordable, newer alternatives. In this new market reality, options have narrowed, and consumers are reassessing what constitutes a sensible family SUV or a practical daily driver.
Data from the Association of European Businesses confirms this trend. Even among September’s top five best-selling cars—spanning passenger models and sport utility vehicles—Chinese brands Haval and Geely have secured strong positions. This article examines the five Chinese crossovers that broke into the top 15 of September’s SUV rankings, highlighting what these sales figures say about brand perception and consumer affordability in the current climate.
Haval Jolion now sits behind the leading domestic model Niva, with 2313 units sold. This marks a notable performance, representing a 3.3-fold rise versus September 2021 and underscoring how interest in Chinese crossovers is consolidating among broad segments of the Russian market.
The following Chinese models have also emerged as popular choices within the crossover category:
- Geely Coolray – 1341 units (up 25%), positioned at fifth place
- Geely Atlas Pro – 661 units (up 73%), eighth place
- Haval F7 – 491 units (down 55%), tenth place
- Geely Tugella – 439 units (double the prior period), nineteenth place
- Haval F7X – 330 units (down 72%), fifteenth place
With European and Japanese SUVs facing increased pressure, Chinese models are gaining ground. The current competitive landscape is shaped by a handful of remaining domestic and regional players, alongside a limited set of regional brands that continue to vie for attention. In this context, models from the Niva family, the Patriot, and several Korean offerings such as Hyundai Tucson, Santa Fe, Creta, as well as Kia Seltos and Sportage, still present themselves as viable alternatives for buyers seeking a blend of value, capability, and familiarity. The competitive picture for best-selling SUVs in Russia is unlikely to stay static, as price dynamics, service networks, and aftersales support continue to influence buyer decisions.
In practice this means a broader segment of consumers is weighing total ownership costs more carefully. Across many regions, including the vast Russian market, the appeal of Chinese crossovers is driven not only by sticker price but also by ongoing maintenance costs, warranty terms, and perceived reliability. While the top ranks often reflect short-term demand, the longer-term picture hinges on service accessibility, parts availability, and the ability of brands to reassure buyers about long-term ownership experience. The trend toward Chinese labels signals a shift in how value is defined for family SUVs in a market where affordability and practical ownership matter more than ever.
Ultimately, the mix of models in the best-selling charts is likely to continue evolving. Buyers will respond to price stability, the quality of dealer networks, and the confidence they feel in the aftersales support that comes with each brand. The ongoing balance between domestic models, aging imports, and fresher Chinese crossovers will shape the next chapter of Russia’s SUV market, influencing which vehicles appear most often on the road and in the sales tallies as the year plays out. (Source: Association of European Businesses)