Geely Monjaro has been present in Russia for exactly two years, but it seems like an eternity, because it has long become a familiar part of the flow. And interest in it does not weaken: almost 48 thousand cars were sold in 2024 - the seventh result in the ranking of the main hits of the market. Moreover, in the top 10, Monjaro is the most expensive.

And it's not just that the Geely flagship is good in itself. In the segment of crossovers slightly larger than average, it has almost no direct competitors combining high power, all-wheel drive, good equipment and a finish close to premium. More precisely, there were none until the Jaecoo J8 appeared - also the flagship of its brand. And also, as follows from the company presentations, standing halfway to premium.

The status of Jaecoo is beyond doubt: a large, noticeable car, and also with fashionable retractable door handles. But instead of the restrained elegance that the younger J7 pleases with, the flagship with its huge hood and massive radiator grille has a heaviness and external ponderousness. Even the 20-inch wheels, which seem small in the drawn arches, do not help.

The green suede interior is a privilege of the top version. The rest will also have suede, but black. Ergonomics are generally in order, the landing is closer to a passenger car, there are enough ranges of adjustments for the seats and steering wheel

Another eternal problem is the lack of Android Auto. Since last year, Apple Carplay has appeared in Monjaro, and it is proposed to connect other phones either via CarbitLink or using an external repeater device with its own operating system, which is not bad, but overall - a crutch. Be that as it may, it is time to update the crossover's media system. It seems that the menu has a clear structure, but the graphics seem stale, and the abbreviations of terms look unpresentable. Well, the third passenger screen is still useless - it will come in handy only if the person sitting on the right decides to change the volume or temperature for his seat.

The interior of the J8 does not offer anything fundamentally new, but it looks fresh and pleases with deflectors adjustable in all directions. The controls are as touch-sensitive as possible

Which would you choose: Monjaro or J8?