JAC JS4 and Moskvich-3: two "acrobatic brothers"

The announcement of the new "Moskvich" at first seriously excited the Russians, who have fond memories of the Soviet "Moskvich-412" and partially Russian "Moskvich-2141". However, smiles began to slowly slip from their faces when suspicious similarities between the newcomers and the very budgetary Chinese crossover JAC JS4 became noticeable. Rumor has it that the cars are completely identical, and ours only thought of re-gluing the nameplate on the “Russian” car. Let's figure it out.

Briefly about the crossover JAC JS4

So, JAC JS4 is a Chinese SUV that debuted in its homeland in 2020 under the name Jiayue X4. The development cannot be called new, since the model has essentially become a more expensive and comfortable restyling of the Refine S4 crossover, now removed from the assembly line. For our market, the model received a short JS4 index and, in terms of dimensions, was on a par with Skoda Karoq and Kia Seltos. Few numbers:

✅ length - 4410 mm
✅ width - 1800 mm
✅ height - 1660 mm
✅ clearance - 150 mm
✅ number of seats - 5

The volume of the trunk, taking into account the unfolded rear seats, is 520 liters. If the seats are expanded, it will be possible to “win” another 530 liters, and that total capacity will be 1050 liters.

Engine and transmission

The initial version of the crossover is equipped with a naturally aspirated 1,6-liter engine with a modest 118 hp. With. and with a torque of 6 N * m. As a transmission, a 150-speed manual transmission is used, developed, by the way, by the JAC brand itself. It is interesting that this equipment is extremely rare for sale - the next step is the most popular in our country.


In the middle configuration, known as Luxury, the JAC JS4 crossover is equipped with a 1,5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. A similar engine is installed in the J7 model. In both cars, it produces 136 hp. With. and a torque of 200 N * m. Two transmission options are available at once - either a mechanical MF622D37 or a continuously variable (CVT) Punch VT3S.

The motor at first glance does not impress with its characteristics, but the impression changes immediately when you get behind the wheel. The engine performs best on measured city trips. Its traction is quite enough, there is even a power reserve. The internal combustion engine works almost silently, and the point here is not even in acceptable sound insulation. The variator works clearly, without failures and long "thoughts". As for the manual transmission, everything is already clear with it - as you switch, you drive, there are no special problems.

In terms of consumption, the JAC JS4 with a 1,5-liter turbo engine is very moderate. We must try to spend more than 8 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers in the city. Another big plus is the ability to pour AI-92 without any special consequences. A trifle, but nice, especially considering the price of fuel.

On the highway, the urban power reserve slowly “melts” as the speedometer needle approaches 110 km / h. Further, tension is felt with each overtaking, sometimes there are even doubts whether it will be possible to catch it or not. But isn't the same 110 km/h enough for the track? In addition, with such a high-speed mode, the consumption is barely approaching the mark of 7 liters per 100 km. More than acceptable.

Suspension and handling

You forget almost immediately that a primitive beam is installed in the rear suspension. Fortunately, the Chinese engineers managed to correctly set up the chassis, coupled with the steering mechanism. In this configuration, the JAC S4 is not afraid to ride on frankly poor potholed surfaces.

Surprisingly, on good roads in the city, the crossover feels a little less confident than on bad ones. This is due to the excessive roll of the front and rear suspension. Sometimes, during a sharp turn, the car rolls, it would seem, more than usual, but you get used to it.


You can also drive straight off-road, but do not forget that the JAC S4 in all trim levels is a strictly front-wheel drive crossover with a low ground clearance of only 150 mm.

As for the wheels, all four modifications of the car are installed on 18-inch rims for 225/45 R18 tires. On request, you can put smaller non-standard 215/50 R17.

Salon and equipment options

In the interior of the JAC JS4 crossover, we see a budget, but well-made plastic. It does not look so cheap, it also gives more positive impressions to the touch than bad ones. The upholstery of the seats is combined - eco-leather and black fabric - but the filler is too "pliable", but this is already an amateur. In general, the salon can be rated at a confident 4 with a minus.


There are six airbags installed at once, and there are also side curtains, but only in the Luxury version. In the basic version, the car has only four pillows and a good set of options, including:

✅ steering column height adjustment
✅ air conditioning and rear deflectors
✅ radio with 4 speakers and Bluetooth
✅ Cruise control and Auto-Hold brake option
✅ ABS, EBD, ESC and BOS systems, hill start

In the more expensive Luxury package, the number of pillows increases to six. Appears climate control, leather-trimmed steering wheel and sunroof. The headlights are still halogen. You have to pay extra for the LED ones, as they are only in the Flagship version. There are also automatic windows, a full leather interior, a digital instrument panel and an electric tailgate.

What's missing is steering column reach adjustment. Such a mechanism is simply not provided here, so tall drivers will have a hard time. The instruments on the panel are analog and the simplest, though not antediluvian, are diluted with a modest on-board computer screen. The 10,25-inch touchscreen display on the center console gives the cabin a modern touch.


In the back row, oddly enough, even more comfortable than in the front seats. The backrest has an ergonomic slope, the sofa is quite soft, and there will be free space even after landing tall passengers. A wide armrest extends from the back, which is also convenient.

Is Moskvich 3 different?

No one really wants to hide the Chinese origin of the "Russian" crossover. Auto and the truth are, in a sense, a version of JAC JS4 adapted for Russia. Cars from China are delivered disassembled to the former Renault Russia enterprise, formerly known as AZLK. Here they put a motor, suspension, wheels and a company nameplate in cars. What is most interesting is that the manufacturer of the model is not the original plant, but KAMAZ PJSC.

There are still differences between Moskvich 3 and JAC JS4, albeit very minor ones. In addition to the nameplate, this:

✅ original, but boosted up to 150 hp With. engine
✅ 6-speed manual transmission in addition to the CVT version
✅ multimedia interface localized into Russian
✅ correctly configured Apple CarPlay and Android Auto services
✅ lack of heated front seats (there is in the original)
✅ only one package, while JAC JS4 has four
✅ only two airbags instead of six for JAC JS4
✅ another palette of colors - there are also five of them, but the shades are changed

It turns out that for Moskvich 3, slightly reduced in terms of comfort and safety, we are offered to pay even slightly more than for JAC JS4, which is completely in order with this? The declared price of "our" car starts from 1,97 million rubles, while the "Chinese" can be bought for 1,849 million and more. What to choose from this - everyone will decide for himself, but for many the answer is quite obvious.