Jaecoo 8 Executive (2026 - )

The Jaecoo 8 SHS-P arrives in the UK aiming to shake up the large SUV market with generous equipment, a premium feel and a price that undercuts many established foes, writes our motoring journalist Tim Barnes-Clay. 

Sitting above the Jaecoo 7 in the marque’s line-up, the Chinese-made flagship is designed for families who want comfort, technology and presence without venturing into overtly luxury-brand territory. 

The Jaecoo 8 is available in both six-seat and seven-seat configurations, offering two distinct personalities within a single model. It caters to larger families, professional drivers, and everyone in between. The starting price for the seven-seat 8 SHS-P Luxury is £45,500 OTR, while the six-seat Executive, tested here, is £47,500.

Having driven the Executive version on poorly patched-up British tarmac, it's clear Jaecoo (which, by the way, is part of Chery Automobile) has focused on refinement and value rather than outright sportiness. The result is a composed, comfortable SUV that feels like it's from anywhere other than China. It actually feels rather European.

Powered by Chery’s advanced Super Hybrid System (SHS), the Jaecoo 8 pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit with electric motors and a 34kWh battery, along with a three-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The car produces up to 428PS, with acceleration reaching 62mph in 5.8 seconds.

The Jaecoo 8 isn't trying to be a performance SUV, and that's not ‘slagging off’ language – not by any stretch of the imagination. Instead, it majors on comfort, refinement and easy-going progress. Something very welcome in this increasingly stressful world.

The suspension deals well with Britain's often ‘challenging’ road surfaces, making light work of potholes without becoming floaty. Motorway cruising is particularly impressive, with low wind and road disturbance, ensuring long-distance travel is a joy rather than a chore.

The steering isn't that sharp; it's a bit too light, but it's accurate enough not to be a dealbreaker, while body control remains ‘on the money’ through bends despite the Chinese car's large size. It never feels especially agile, yet it doesn't rain on your confidence, thanks to its predictable responses.

Poke is smooth rather than pant-wettingly urgent – and that’s absolutely fine. There is more than enough performance for overtaking and joining fast-flowing traffic, although petrolheads might wish for even more punch. For most motorists, however, the stress-free nature of the powertrain suits the car's character perfectly.

There is a brass-necked confidence to the Jaecoo 8's design. Its broad grille, upright stance, hidden door handles and clean body lines give it an expensive look, while slim LED lighting and tasteful detailing prevent it from appearing overstyled and chavvy. 

Inside, the Jaecoo 8 in Executive guise hits you around the chops with its plush look. Soft-touch materials cover most of the cabin; the Nappa leather seats – coloured in an orangey, almost 1970s, retro tan on my car - feel supportive over long journeys, and the overall fit and finish is better than you might expect at this price point.

Technology is another strong suit. The main seats boast massage functions, complemented by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Cooled wireless charging pads, dual crisp and responsive 12.3-inch displays, and a Sony 14-speaker sound system, which includes a pair of headrest speakers, create a complete package. 

The wireless smartphone connectivity works seamlessly, while features such as the panoramic roof and heated and ventilated front seats give the model a genuinely upmarket feel. Indeed, the Jaecoo 8 Executive takes comfort even further by ushering in a zero-gravity front passenger seat, which features a 123-degree adjustable angle, extended legroom, and a dedicated "Boss Button" for passenger-side control, enhancing comfort on every journey.

However, passenger safety is arguably far more crucial than comfort. Therefore, the Jaecoo 8 houses no less than 10 airbags and up to 19 advanced driver assistance systems. The tech includes Front Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Additionally, the body structure comprises up to 85% high-strength steel, providing further peace of mind.

The Jaecoo 8 is built for families. Put it this way, it has more than enough room to swing a cat - and squabbling siblings will be able to sit far apart if things kick off. 

The front seats provide an elevated driving position with excellent visibility, while second-row passengers enjoy princely legroom and headroom. The third row is best suited to rugrats or occasional adult use, but having extra seats available adds welcome flexibility. 

Fold all the rear chairs away, and the boot becomes usefully large - extending up to 2,021 litres - making the Jaecoo 8 well suited to staycations, dashes to the airport, trips to the tip, or family-sized shopping trips.

Storage throughout the cabin has been thoughtfully considered, with a glut of cubbies, sizeable door bins and even practical charging solutions to keep the children (and adult passengers) entertained.

The SUV's driving range of more than 700 miles is sufficient to make a round trip from Land's End in Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands on a single fuel and charging run. The vehicle also provides an all-electric driving range of up to 83 miles, which can help you drive with zero emissions every day. In addition, the DC charging rate of up to 40 kW makes it possible to charge from 30% to 80% in 20 minutes. 

The Jaecoo 8 will do 543.0 mpg (WLTP combined) with a fully charged battery, or around 50.5 mpg when it's depleted. Meanwhile, a thoroughly comprehensive manufacturer warranty of seven years or 100,000 miles will help keep ownership costs attractive. If that’s not enough, insurance and servicing are competitive compared with many similarly sized premium SUVs.

If you're looking to get a fully loaded car with more tech and room - and efficiency - than you can shake a stick at without stretching to a German whip, the price of this car makes utter sense. 

The Jaecoo 8 doesn't reinvent the large SUV; instead, the Chinese ride delivers exactly what many family buyers want: comfort, a heap of space, stacks of technology and a sumptuous ambience at a price that won't mean you have to ditch the mortgage and live in the car. 

Okay, the Jaecoo can't quite match the pinsharp handling of many premium European legacy brands - and it won't titillate drivers who want to thrash it into a bend. And, yes, sure – it’s big, so parking it in a multistory car park has its challenges. Yet, its premium vibe, practicality and well-specced cabin make it a walk-in-the-park to recommend. 

If you're hunting for a six - or seven-seat SUV that offers a whole lot of car for your hard-earned cash - then the Jaecoo 8 needs to be on your shopping list. Don’t just check it out online - make the effort to take a gander at the 8 in a Jaecoo dealership. It really does look and feel rather good in the flesh.