SPONSORED
Meet the Jaecoo J7, a new mid-size SUV shaped by the design philosophy “From Classic, Beyond Classic”.
It aims to blend rugged off-road style with refined urban sophistication. And this SHS version – a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) – finished in Lunar Silver nails that balance to a tee.
Jaecoo may be a fresh face in Australia, but it’s part of a familiar name in the automotive world. It sits under the Chery umbrella, China’s largest vehicle exporter, which already offers local buyers Omoda and Tiggo models. The J7 is positioned as a more premium alternative.
Priced from $34,990 drive-away for the petrol variant and topping out at $47,990 for the SHS Summit you see here, the J7 offers a design that mixes sharp lines and SUV proportions that would be right at home on higher-end luxury SUVs.
What’s under the bonnet?
We drove the range-topping SHS version that introduces Jaecoo’s Super Hybrid System, appealing to those who want great fuel-efficiency and a taste of electric driving without fully committing to an EV.
With a claimed electric-only range of up to 106km, it could suit many daily commutes without using petrol, and its WLTP-rated combined range of over 1200km gives it decent long-distance touring potential, too.
CarExpert recently tested this range claim, and we came extremely close to the 1200km figure in real-world conditions. That type of range will see you get from Sydney to Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast without stopping, and having some range left in the tank when you get there.
Under the bonnet, it pairs a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 105kW of power and 215Nm of torque, with a 150kW electric motor and an 18.3kWh battery. It uses a single-speed hybrid transmission, and transitions between electric and petrol power reasonably smoothly.
The J7 SHS is front-wheel drive only for now, but an all-wheel drive version is reportedly on the way, too.
Performance and Charging
Jaecoo claims the J7 SHS will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds, which is about average for a hybrid SUV of this size. Thanks to the electric motor, it feels quicker at low speeds, especially from a standstill.
Fuel consumption is officially around just 1.0L/100km, though real-world results will vary based on driving style and both charging levels and frequency.
AC charging at home is possible at up to 6.6kW, which takes about 160 minutes to take the battery from 25 per cent to full. For quicker top-ups, DC fast-charging at up to 40kW will supply a 30-80 per cent charge in around 20 minutes.
Interior and Tech
Inside, the five-seat J7 SHS is fitted with a large 14.8-inch portrait-style infotainment touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, on a clean dashboard layout.
Most surfaces are soft-touch, and the synthetic leather-trimmed seats are pretty comfortable. The ambient lighting and panoramic sunroof add some visual appeal, while the Sony eight-speaker audio system is a nice inclusion at this price point.
Tech-wise, there’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, though the interface and responsiveness may not match more established brands. All the essential controls are accessed through the touchscreen or steering wheel, with a few physical buttons to operate drive modes.
The J7 SHS can comfortably seat five adults and, while the hybrid battery slightly reduces boot space, the rear seats do fold flat to expand cargo capacity when needed.
Pricing
The J7 SHS Summit is priced at $47,990 drive-away, which undercuts other plug-in hybrid medium SUVs from China and is about $10,000 or more beneath rivals from Japan, and less than half the price of German equivalents.
Jaecoo backs all of its models with an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for the entire vehicle including its high-voltage battery – for all customers, regardless of servicing – and it includes roadside assistance and a capped-price service program for the same duration, which is a strong value proposition.
CarExpert’s Take
The Jaecoo J7 SHS arrives with a very competitive price, solid hybrid capability, and a feature-packed interior.
While it doesn’t push boundaries in terms of performance or refinement, it does provide a super affordable way to step into a distinctive plug-in hybrid medium SUV.
Throw in a solid five-star ANCAP safety rating thanks to eight airbags and 17 advanced driver assistance aids, and the Jaecoo J7 SHS should be an enticing option for buyers who want a safe, efficient and high-tech family SUV – without breaking the bank.
Interested in buying a Jaecoo J7? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
Click the images for the full gallery
MORE: Everything Jaecoo J7