Jaecoo 7 SHS PHEV (2024 - )

Jaecoo – who or what that might be, you're probably wondering. Don't lose interest in this article or scroll on just yet because I'll enlighten you: this is the tale of yet another new Chinese SUV, and Jaecoo is a marque that has just landed in the UK, writes Tim Barnes-Clay.

Still with me? Good. You see, we shouldn't assume anything in life - after all, 'when you assume, you make an ass out of you and me', or so the saying goes. What I'm trying to say by assuming is that some car journalists, including myself, get a little jaded with SUVs – especially when car makers tell us how good their new high-riding motor is. You assume the latest 'amazing' model will not be that different from the last SUV that was the 'dog's danglies' – and you accept all the hype with a pinch of salt.

But with Jaecoo, it all feels somewhat different. Different in a positive way. That may be because the Jaecoo team seems so relaxed. It's as though the Chinese marque is keen to get to know the British market – I mean, get to know us properly. The company is eager to listen to what the UK motoring media has to say – and doesn't come across as though it's got it all figured out. It's pretty refreshing to hear an automaker being so candid. Anyway, I should tell you more about the Jaecoo – so here goes.

So, first of all – what's in the name? The brand says the first half of the name is derived from the German word 'jäger' (which means 'hunter'), and the second half is from the English word 'cool'. It might sound like the firm is trying too hard to be 'down with the kids', but Jaecoo - established in 2023 - is part of Chery International, China's leading vehicle exporter for over two decades, so it should know what it's doing. Jaecoo is also a sister brand to Omoda – another new name in our country - but they are two different marques under the ownership of Chery. Got it? Good.

Whether Jaecoo produces long-lastingly cool hunter-gatherer cars remains to be seen. However, we won't have to wait long to form an initial opinion because the first car launched in the UK is the Jaecoo 7. It is offered with petrol or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrains, costing between £29,435 and £35,065. There are two trim levels – Deluxe and Luxury – and the SUV can be had with front - or four-wheel drive. I am testing the Jaecoo 7 SHS PHEV here. It is exclusively front-wheel drive and only available in the Luxury trim level. 
 

The Jaecoo 7 SHS PHEV is a handsome SUV – and one that you wouldn’t kick off your driveway if you were given it as a company car. Its body features sloping lines, and a vertical 'waterfall' front grille catches your attention. On top of this, the lighting system, with split daytime running lights, enhances the SUV's luxury look, and the Jaecoo 7 SUV's aerodynamic flush-fitting door handles offer a hint of its performance. On the rear is where the vehicle is hottest, though. There is a rear light bar stretching the length of the car, which adds to the 7's aggressive appearance. 

The car looks very JLR-like from some angles – Range Rover-esque, even. On closer inspection, the name may be unfamiliar to your neighbours, but explaining what the car is will make a good talking point. It'll also be interesting to see if any badge snobbery emerges.

But, whatever the initial perception of the badge, the 7 is a good-sized vehicle if you have a family – and one that houses lots of tech. The interior fit and finish will impress you. It is not just about appearance; the quality and attention to detail give you a sense of welcome that immediately makes you feel at home. 

As mentioned, the plug-in hybrid is available solely in the Luxury trim, and I reckon it’ll prove popular. Why? Well, imagine stepping into a cabin that already includes a panoramic sunroof to allow sunlight to stream in, complemented by upscale leatherette seats. The opulence of heated and ventilated front seats is pure bliss, especially when you get four seasons in one day - as you can around Cape Town in South Africa, where I drove the car at an international media event.

Regarding technology-friendly features, the Jaecoo 7 doesn’t hold back. You'll appreciate the head-up display positioning valuable information in your line of sight and electric seat controls with four-way lumbar support for long road trips. Furthermore, audiophiles will delight in the eight-speaker Sony sound system, which provides a rich listening experience. An additional feature includes multi-colour interior lighting, creating an inviting atmosphere. 

Convenience and safety are also top priorities, with adaptive cruise control and keyless entry both designed with usability in mind. A panoramic parking camera makes parking simple, too.

And let's not forget the huge touchscreen that is the hub of the infotainment system. With wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connectivity is seamless, and the built-in navigation system means you'll never get lost on the road. The only irritant is that too many features - like regulating the car's temperature and adjusting the wing mirrors - are buried within the touchscreen. Some physical buttons would be far easier to use!

It's a vehicle well worth its looks and feel, highly deserving of its class. Whether you're commuting daily or cruising long distances, the 7 can keep you entertained, comfy, and safe during your trip.
 

The Jaecoo 7 PHEV features a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor, which offer a decent enough drive. However, the front wheels tend to lose grip, especially in the wet, which causes frustrating traction loss and wheelspin on slippery roads. Occasionally, the media drive through South Africa involved roads without tarmac - and it's here that I wished this version of the 7 had four-wheel drive.

The Jaecoo 7's ride quality is occasionally jittery at slower speeds, tending to thud over potholes - and there’s a nervous feel on rougher city roads. The SUV also exhibits body lean, but – in all fairness – that’s typical of bigger vehicles.

Steering is also an area where the Jaecoo 7 could be improved. While it has two modes - a light Normal mode and a heavy Sport mode - it never quite feels attached and gives little feedback, leaving you wanting more connection when driving enthusiastically.

From a performance perspective, the Jaecoo 7's 0-62mph time of 8.5 seconds is more than respectable. The 7’s auto CVT ‘box is fine - and the EV mode, available through an easy switch on the console, gives a quiet and silky driving experience. Alternatively, you can use hybrid mode, which enables the Chinese SUV to switch sensibly between electric and petrol. 
 

The 7 comes with a good amount of space for five-up, although the South African test drive along the country's coastal 'Garden Route' involved just me and my co-driver for most of the time. On occasion, we did carry a photographer in the rear, who reported how comfy the seats were. The front is spacious, with no danger of bumping elbows with your fellow occupant. Indeed, it's so wide that there's room for a refrigerated centre cubby between the seats - handy for cool drinks to refresh you when you're on a long road trip. The Jaecoo also has a good-sized glovebox, and pretty deep door pockets. The SUV's wireless charging pad means you can keep your iPhone or whatever you use stored securely, too.

Back to the rear seats again - and these boast Isofix anchoring points for two child car seats. A third child on a booster would fit in the middle - no problem. Motoring kid-free? Well, three adults will fit just fine - although - as with most cars - a couple of grown-ups will feel more content and less squashed in. The factory-fitted panoramic sunroof makes the cabin feel airy, though - so there's never any danger of feeling claustrophobic - even if you have a dark-coloured interior. Map and phone pockets are part of the deal in the back, too - so if your sat-nav ever goes bonkers, your backseat passengers can hand you an old-school paper map, or if they want to keep their phone out of the way, they can do so.

As for the boot, the Jaecoo 7 SHS has a cargo capacity of 412 litres. That may not mean a lot to you - so in layperson's terms - you'll fit two suitcases, several smaller bags, a load of shopping, some small boxes, or a mix of items like a baby buggy and a couple of swag bags. Kick the rear passengers out, and the rear 60/40 folding seats lay flat - enough to transport some furniture - or the room is good enough for a tip run. Alas, there's no underfloor space. It's handy to have - but not a dealbreaker.
 

Jaecoo’s 7 SHS houses an 18.3 kW battery, providing an all-electric driving range of 56 miles. The SUV has a combined power output of 204 PS and delivers 310 Nm of torque. Additionally, it comes with a 60-litre fuel tank, granting an official range of 745 miles. 

To give you perspective, the driving distance from Cape Town to Johannesburg in South Africa is 882 miles, so while you couldn't complete that journey solely on petrol and electricity, you wouldn’t be that far off. I drove the Jaecoo 7 SHS from Cape Town to the Addo Elephant National Park, which is 488 miles as the crow flies - well under what the 7 is capable of. Additionally, with optimal conditions allowing for fuel economy figures of up to 403 mpg, the Jaecoo 7 becomes even more appealing. 

The vehicle comes with a seven-year warranty covering up to 100,000 miles and an eight-year warranty for the high-voltage battery.
 

With its decent enough dynamics on the road, imposing presence, and technology-packed interior, the Jaecoo 7 may shake up the SUV market.

The brand will, of course, have to fight it out with established rivals like Kia's Sportage, Nissan's Qashqai, and VW's Tiguan first. It must also contend with Chinese EV newcomers like Skywell's BE11. However, Skywell won’t pose much of a threat to Jaecoo. When I brought it up, the brand representatives were rather dismissive of the perceived bargain-basement Skywell name, and it's easy to see why, with Jaecoo wanting to position itself at the higher end of the market. And, while Skywell is an EV-only brand, Jaecoo, remember, markets its 7 in petrol and PHEV forms.

As you will have gathered, Jaecoo is not just competing in the UK market. With its performance and versatile features, the 7 will shine in other parts of the world - from the winding roads of the UK to, as I discovered, South Africa's breathtaking landscapes.

The Jaecoo 7 SHS PHEV is available to buy or lease in the UK now.