Two Toyota Alphard Competitors, Both Clones, Debut in Russia. Let's Examine the Differences Between JAC RF8 and Sollers SP7

A rare situation has emerged in the Russian market: two almost identical cars appeared with only a few weeks difference, and both are assembled at the same plant in Yelabuga. We are talking about the Chinese JAC RF8 and its Russian counterpart, the Sollers SP7. Despite their external similarity, they have two fundamental differences — price and slight nuances in design and equipment. These are the reasons to compare the models and understand what the buyer is overpaying for, and what they are not.

The JAC RF8 is available in a single top-end Flagship configuration priced at 4,800,000 rubles. With a special offer, the price can be reduced by 100,000 rubles. The Sollers SP7 is priced at 4,990,000 rubles — almost 200,000 more expensive. However, the SP7 compensates for this with the brand's expanded financial tools: trade-in and leasing can reduce the final cost by approximately 300,000 rubles. But the base price difference remains, and it is significant.

You won't be able to save on appearance — the differences are minimal, but they exist. The most obvious is the radiator grille: the JAC has vertical chrome slats, while the SP7 has horizontal ones. Ironically, the SP7 was initially also offered with a vertical grille, but the design was reworked before the start of sales. The overall body proportion, optics, doors, and glazing lines are completely identical. This is not surprising: both cars are essentially different versions of the same project.

The situation is the same inside. Layout, panel architecture, screen placement, control set — everything is almost identical. But the RF8 can be ordered with a two-tone interior trim, while the SP7 is currently only available in a monochrome version. Combined color schemes were demonstrated on prototypes of the Russian model, but they have not yet gone into production.

There are even fewer differences in equipment. Both minivans received an impressive set of options: electric drives for the side doors and tailgate, a panoramic roof, folding mirrors with heating and memory function, ventilation and heating of both rows of seats, electric seat adjustments, three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, all-round visibility, heated steering wheel, USB connectors in several rows, and tables on the backs of the front seats. A full set of airbags and curtains is also present in both models.

The only significant difference is the upholstery material: JAC uses eco-leather with leather inserts, while SP7 claims a fully leather interior. Formally, this is the only confirmed technical nuance that could explain the price difference, but in practice, the impact of such a decision is very conditional.

The technical part of the models is identical. The platform is JAC Muse. The dimensions match millimeter to millimeter: length 5215 mm, width 1895 mm, height 1830 mm, wheelbase 3100 mm. The power plant is also the same: a 2-liter Dongan N20TG turbo engine with a capacity of 236–237 hp paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. In China, this engine produces up to 253 hp, but the output has been slightly reduced for Russia. The engine is common — it is used by other local manufacturers, including BAW.

The future of the models is shaping up differently. The JAC RF8 already has a hybrid version with a total power of 422 hp, an electric range of up to 252 km, and a total range of up to 1250 km. This makes the RF8 a potential competitor to even more expensive business vans. Sollers, on the other hand, has focused on another direction — preparing a VIP version of the SP7 with four individual comfort seats, enhanced sound insulation, its own multimedia system, and zonal climate blocks.

The engine is the same for both minivans
Image source Сергей Захаров

The bottom line is simple: the cars are essentially the same, the differences are minimal, and the Chinese "original" is noticeably more affordable. The SP7 is trying to compensate for the higher price with financial programs and a future VIP modification, but at the start of sales, the RF8 turned out to be the most advantageous offer among the two "twins."