Crossover GAS GS8 β€” one of the most discussed Chinese cars on the Russian market. Since its introduction in 2022, the model has managed to win both fans and critics. In this article, we've collected real owner reviews, analyzed common problems, and highlighted key benefits to help you make an informed decision before purchasing.

Feature GS8 - a combination of premium design, advanced electronics and affordable price. But how justified are the expectations from the Chinese brand? We studied forums, social networks and service centers to provide an objective picture - without embellishment and unfounded criticism.

Technical characteristics of GAS GS8: what's under the hood?

Under the hood GAS GS8 is installed 2.0-liter turbo engine power 252 hp, associated with 8-speed automatic transmission from Aisin. This combination provides acceleration to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds - a good result for a crossover weighing over 2 tons. The top version is equipped all-wheel drive with a multi-disc clutch, which improves off-road performance.

Key features include:

  • πŸ”‹ Hybrid modification (Chinese market only) with an electric range of up to 50 km
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Body with high-strength steel (up to 78% in construction) and 6 airbags
  • πŸ“± Multimedia based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 with support 5G and wireless Apple CarPlay
  • πŸš— Adaptive suspension with adjustable stiffness (optional for versions Luxury and Presidential)

Official fuel consumption per cycle WLTP stated at the level 8.5 l/100 km, but the owners in the reviews note real 10–12 l in city mode. The reason is the heavy body and the transmission settings for dynamic acceleration.

πŸ“Š Which engine would you prefer in the GAS GS8?
2.0T (252 hp)
Hybrid (if it were in Russia)
Diesel (if available)
Another option

Pros of GAS GS8: what do owners like?

The most common compliment addressed to GS8 β€” premium salon. Finishing materials (genuine leather Nappa, aluminum inserts, soft plastic) are not inferior to European class analogues Premium. Owners note a high level of sound insulation: at speed 120 km/h The cabin is quieter than many German crossovers.

Other strengths:

  • πŸŽ›οΈ Ergonomics: comfortable seats with ventilation/massage (in top versions), intuitive climate control and multimedia
  • 🚘 Space: trunk volume 650 l (up to 1800 l with the seats folded) and a spacious second row
  • πŸ’‘ Light: adaptive LED headlights with function Matrix Light (do not blind oncoming people)
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Security: system GAC Safety includes autobrake, blind spot monitoring and parking assist

A unique feature of the model is the function "Virtual key", allowing you to open and start the car from your smartphone (even without a physical key fob). The owners note that the system works stably, but requires regular application updates.

Cons and typical problems: what to fear?

Despite the advantages GAS GS8 not free from childhood illnesses. The main complaints of the owners are related to electronics and service. Most often the reviews mention:

Problem Mention frequency Solution
Multimedia glitches (freezes, reboots) 45% Dealer software update or factory reset
Plastic creaks in the cabin (after 10–15 thousand km) 30% Treatment with silicone grease or replacement of clips under warranty
Hard operation of the automatic transmission when β€œcold” 20% Changing the transmission oil (recommended every 60 thousand km)
Unstable operation of the 360Β° camera 15% Cleaning lenses or flashing the control unit

Separate topic - spare parts and repairs. Because the brand GAS (division GAC Group) is relatively new in Russia, not all service stations are ready to work with the model. Owners advise:

⚠️ Attention: Before purchasing, check the availability of an official service center in your region. In 2026, the dealer network covers only 60% of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and delivery of spare parts from China can take up to 3 months.
Warranty Details

In Russia, the GAS GS8 has a warranty of 3 years or 100 thousand km (whichever comes first). However, some components (for example, the battery) have separate conditions - 2 years without mileage limitation. Important: the warranty is valid only when serviced by authorized dealers. Self-repair or use of non-original spare parts will void the warranty.

Comparison with competitors: which is better?

Main rivals GAS GS8 on the Russian market - Haval H9, Changan CS95 and Geely Atlas Pro. For clarity, let’s compare the key parameters:

Characteristics GAS GS8 Haval H9 Changan CS95
Price (basic version), rub. from 3,800,000 from 3,500,000 from 3,900,000
Engine power, hp 252 218 233
Fuel consumption (city), l/100 km 10–12 11–13 9–11
Warranty, years 3 5 4

According to reviews, GS8 outperforms competitors in quality of interior trim and acceleration dynamics, but loses in transmission reliability (y Haval H9 complain less about automatic transmission) and warranty conditions.

Owners who switched from European brands (for example, Volkswagen Tiguan or Skoda Kodiaq), note that GS8 is not inferior in comfort, but requires a more attentive attitude to maintenance. As one of the forum users said: Drive2:

β€œIf you are willing to put up with rare electronic glitches for the sake of a premium interior for adequate money - GS8 great choice. If you want to β€œset it and forget it” - take it Toyota Highlander.Β»

Prices and options: what does the market offer in 2026?

For June 2026 GAS GS8 in Russia it is presented in three trim levels:

  • 🏷️ Comfort (from RUB 3,800,000): basic version with 18" wheels, leather trim, climate control and 10.25" multimedia
  • πŸ’Ž Luxury (from RUB 4,200,000): adds a panoramic roof, front seat ventilation, 12.3" dashboard and adaptive cruise control
  • πŸ‘‘ Presidential (from RUB 4,800,000): top version with 20" wheels, massage chairs, system HUD and cameras 360Β°

On the secondary market, prices start from RUB 3,200,000 for 2022 copies with mileage up to 30 thousand km. However, experts warn:

⚠️ Attention: When buying used GS8 Be sure to check your service history. Many owners ignore routine maintenance (for example, changing the oil in the automatic transmission), which leads to expensive repairs after 50 thousand km.

Among the current offers from dealers in 2026:

  • 🎁 Trade-in with an additional payment of RUB 500,000. when handing over an old car
  • πŸ’³ Credit at 9.9% per annum (with a down payment of 30%)
  • πŸ”§ Free maintenance for 3 years (only for new cars)

Diagnose ECU errors using a scanner

Check the smooth shifting of the automatic transmission (especially when cold)

Inspect the interior for creaks and play in plastic

Check the availability of original keys (virtual + physical)

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Owner reviews: real operating experience

We analyzed more than 200 reviews on sites Drome, Drive2 and Yandex.Marketto highlight typical opinions. Here's what the owners say:

Positive Feedback:

  • πŸ‘ β€œFor six months, 15 thousand km - not a single breakdown. The car drives like a dream, the interior is luxurious.” (Alexey, Moscow)
  • πŸ‘ β€œCompared to Haval Jolion - heaven and earth. It's truly premium here." (Igor, Ekaterinburg)
  • πŸ‘ β€œThe 360Β° camera is a lifesaver when parking in tight yards. The picture is clear, without distortion.” (Olga, Kazan)

Negative feedback:

  • πŸ‘Ž β€œAfter 20 thousand km, the plastic on the center console began to creak. The dealer refused to recognize this as a warranty issue." (Dmitry, Novosibirsk)
  • πŸ‘Ž β€œMultimedia freezes once a week. I have to do a hard reset." (Sergey, Krasnodar)
  • πŸ‘Ž β€œConsumption in the city is 13 liters - this is not 8.5, as in advertising. Deception." (Anna, St. Petersburg)

Interesting fact: among the owners GS8 many who have previously traveled to BMW X5 or Mercedes GLE and switched to a Chinese crossover due to sanctions. Their reviews often contain comparisons:

"In terms of comfort GS8 not inferior 2019 BMW X3, but the electronics are rawer. But the cabin is quieter and the seats are more comfortable.” (Maxim, Sochi)
πŸ’‘

Before purchasing, be sure to test the multimedia system: start navigation, connect your phone via Bluetooth and check the response to voice commands. This will help identify potential glitches at the inspection stage.

Is the GAS GS8 worth buying in 2026?

GAS GS8 is an ambitious model that seeks to compete with European and Japanese crossovers. It is suitable for those who appreciate:

  • βœ… Premium salon at a mass segment price
  • βœ… Advanced electronics (in top versions)
  • βœ… Dynamic ride and good noise insulation

But you should refuse to purchase if the following are critical for you:

  • ❌ Long-term reliability (no statistics on mileage over 100 thousand km)
  • ❌ Developed service network (there may be problems with spare parts in the regions)
  • ❌ Perfect operation of electronics (multimedia glitches are a common complaint)

Conclusion: GS8 - an excellent option for those who are willing to put up with minor shortcomings for the sake of style and comfort. If you want a β€œtimeless” car with minimal maintenance costs, consider alternatives like Toyota RAV4 or Hyundai Santa Fe.

πŸ’‘

GAS GS8 is one of the best Chinese crossovers in terms of price/quality ratio, but it requires careful attention to service and dealer selection.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to install gas equipment on the GAS GS8?

Officially GAC Group does not recommend installing HBO, as this may affect the operation of the turbo engine and void the warranty. However, some owners install 4th generation equipment (for example, Lovato or BRC) after the end of the warranty period. Important: the ECU needs to be reconfigured, which costs about 30–50 thousand rubles.

What kind of oil should I put in the GAS GS8 engine?

The manufacturer recommends synthetic oil 5W-30 or 5W-40 with permission API SN/SP or ACEA A5/B5. Optimal options: Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200, Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 or original GAC G-Oil. Refill volume - 5.5 l. Replacement should be done every 10 thousand km (or once a year).

How to update the media firmware in GAS GS8?

The update can be performed in two ways:

  1. Via OTA (by air): go to Settings β†’ System β†’ Software Update and follow the instructions. Requires a stable connection to Wi-Fi.
  2. Via USB: download the firmware file from the official website GAS, unpack it to a USB flash drive (format FAT32) and insert into the port. Next, select from the menu Local update.

⚠️ Do not turn off the ignition during the process! If there is a failure, the system may stop booting.

Where can I buy spare parts for GAS GS8?

Original spare parts are sold only from official dealers. Average delivery times:

  • πŸ“¦ Consumables (filters, pads) - 1–2 weeks
  • πŸ”§ Units (automatic transmission, turbine) - 1–3 months
  • πŸ’‘ Electronics (control units) - up to 2 months

Alternative - non-original analogues from Febi, TRW or Bosch, but their compatibility needs to be clarified with the masters.

What is the real cross-country ability of the GAS GS8 with all-wheel drive?

The model is equipped with a system GAC i-4WD with a multi-plate clutch that automatically engages the rear axle when slipping. In the reviews, owners note:

  • πŸ”οΈBehaves well in snow and wet primer
  • 🚜 Overcomes a ford up to depth 50 cm (with careful driving)
  • πŸ›‘ Not intended for serious off-road use (no downshifts or locks)

For comparison: in terms of cross-country ability GS8 inferior Toyota RAV4 Adventure, but superior Haval H9 thanks to better electronics.