The Russian market is overflowing with Chinese crossovers, but there are still few truly large models with a full third row of seats. Against this background, the GAC GS8 looks like almost an unrivaled option: impressive dimensions, 7 seats, a classic gasoline engine, and an automatic transmission. That's why the updated GS8 Dragon attracts so much attention.
The first generation of the GAC GS8 appeared back in 2016 and was officially sold in Russia, but demand for it remained subdued. The situation changed dramatically with the second generation, released in 2022. The vacated market niches and the absence of familiar competitors did their job: in 2024 alone, almost 14,000 of these cars were sold in Russia. In 2025, the model was updated, and the restyling received its own name, Dragon, emphasizing the changed character of the crossover.
Externally, the GAC GS8 Dragon features a more expressive radiator grille, redesigned bumpers, and original 20-inch wheels. The design has become more complex and multifaceted: the body literally consists of sharp lines and planes, creating a solid and massive image. At the same time, fears about aerodynamic noise were not confirmed — at high speed, the body does not cause acoustic discomfort.
The main source of noise turned out to be different — the wheel arches. Their sound insulation leaves much to be desired, which is why sounds from the road penetrate into the cabin. The problem can be solved by installing additional wheel arch liners with sound insulation, which reduce noise levels and simultaneously protect the arches from corrosion and sandblasting. Otherwise, in terms of acoustic comfort, the GS8 makes a pleasant impression for its class.
GAC GS8 is one of the largest crossovers officially presented in Russia. The seven-seater version has a length of 5015 mm and a wheelbase of 2920 mm, which is directly reflected in the spaciousness of the cabin. Inside, you immediately feel the scale of the car, especially in the front row with a massive armrest. For those who do not need the third row, there is a five-seater version, slightly shorter in length.
The driving position is one of the strengths of the model. The driver's seat has a wide range of adjustments, including changing the length of the cushion, and the steering column is easily adjusted to any driver. The multimedia system is adapted for the Russian market, supports Apple CarPlay and works stably, although strange translations are still found in places. The "warm package" is complete: there are heated steering wheel, seats in both rows, mirrors and windshield.
The interior of the GS8 is made of pleasant materials, hard plastic is practically not found. The control of the main functions is partially transferred to physical elements, but climate control and heating still require access to the screen. Special mention should be made of the Alpine audio system, which sounds noticeably better than most competitors from China. The second row is very spacious, the floor is flat, there is its own climate control and sofa adjustments.
The third row cannot be called ideal, but with the second row shifted, adult passengers can be accommodated here. The trunk in the seven-seater configuration holds 181 liters, when the third row is folded it turns into a full-fledged cargo compartment, and when the backs of the second row are removed, its volume reaches 1859 liters. The trunk equipment is rich, but the side panels made of hard plastic are easily scratched.
Under the hood of the GAC GS8 Dragon is a 2.0-liter turbo engine with 231 hp with a cast iron cylinder block. It works in tandem with an 8-speed Aisin automatic transmission, well known from models of other brands. Despite the reliable combination, the dynamics of the heavy crossover are calm: acceleration to 100 km/h takes about 10 seconds. But the suspension is tuned successfully — the car smoothly passes bumps, confidently holds the road and does not provoke aggressive driving, offering a comfortable and measured character.
