In the Russian market, the JAC JS3 appears as a simple and even honest way to switch to a new foreign car without exceeding the psychological limit of 2 million rubles. The car doesn't pretend to be premium, doesn't try to play with design for the sake of design, and remains a straightforward "budget car." But it's worth looking deeper — and it becomes clear why affordability has become its main marketing weapon. The model has been around for more than a decade, has undergone several restylings, and has returned to Russia under the name JS3 with minimal changes. Behind the new body kit, two-tiered optics, and pseudo-crossover stance lies a design that has aged slowly but surely.
The interior is a paradox: it's simple, but not wretched. The JS3 still has many physical buttons, even a cigarette lighter, and the multimedia lives a separate life — slow, pale, but supports CarPlay and Android Auto, which is rare for this class. Ergonomics, alas, are disappointing: the seats are not heated, the adjustment range is narrow, and the fit is ultimately a compromise. However, the rear row is unexpectedly spacious, with normal cup holders and wide doors. The trunk is also good — the nominal 600 liters really feel like 600, although the high sill and step when folding the seats complicate loading long items. In terms of practicality, the JS3 is holding up well, but the feeling of the design's age doesn't go away — from the texture of the plastic to the control logic.
The technology is another area where JAC shows its essence. The 109 hp naturally aspirated engine honestly does what it can, but paired with a CVT, it turns into a source of loud attempts to accelerate. Acceleration to hundreds takes about 12 seconds, and any more active action requires patience. At the same time, the car is economical, especially in the city, where consumption consistently stays below eight liters — nice for daily routes. But outside the metropolis, the picture changes: the body catches side winds, the suspension sways, and the noise from the tires and engine becomes a background. Handling is predictable when driving calmly, but in maneuvers, the JS3 willingly leans and throws up the inner wheel, and the stabilization works sharply, as if hedging in advance.
It's all the more surprising that the car reveals itself better with unhurried handling. In the city, it is comfortable, compact, absorbs bumps with energy, and brakes confidently. Excellent visibility helps in parking lots, and the lack of need to "think for the gearbox" helps in traffic jams. But the crossover quickly runs up against the rigid limits of its capabilities: the highway, wind, rut — all this is not its element. The 17 cm ground clearance also reveals that we have more of a hatchback on heels than a full-fledged SUV. And there are no "all-terrain" options, including heated seats, here.
In terms of equipment, the JAC JS3 is again honest: it only gives what it promises. Eco-leather, climate control, cruise control, camera, six speakers, dual-airbag safety — everything is exactly within the price range. And the limitations are just as obvious: no sunroof, no power drives, no rich trim levels. Another part of the equation is the cost of ownership: insurance payments, maintenance, and tax add up to a significant but not critical amount, and fuel consumption keeps the budget under control.
As a result, the JS3 turns out to be a car that doesn't try to impress, doesn't claim leadership, and doesn't hide its age. Yes, it won't offer unexpected driving brightness, benchmark silence, or full adaptation to Russian conditions. But it has two strong arguments: a spacious interior and the lowest price among foreign cars. And if the buyer doesn't initially consider Lada, but wants a new "foreign" car for the minimum money, the JAC JS3 really becomes an option. Not a discovery, not a successful compromise, but an honest offer against the backdrop of a rapidly rising market.
