Jaecoo is aiming to establish itself as a premium brand — however, not at a high cost.
The Chery A spin-off has recently made its debut in Australia with its inaugural model, the J7 , which will be accessible through a network of up to 40 specific Omoda-Jaecoo dealers, as Chery’s Omoda 5 and E5 Models also lead to a spin-off.
However, as illustrated by the J7, when Chery executives claim it’s a 'premium' brand, they mean it within the scope of Chery’s standards. Therefore, instead of competing with Lexus and Mercedes-Benz , Jaecoo Will just be a refined iteration of what Cherry provides.
・ Jaecoo J7 2025 review: An early look at this Aussie test drive
・ Equipped with advanced features and competitive pricing, the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, and Mitsubishi Outlander will face competition from the upcoming 2025 Jaecoon J7 when it launches in Australia, featuring a confirmed plug-in hybrid variant.
・ China's response to the Range Rover Sport set for an Australian debut: Chery's upscale subsidiary will introduce a luxurious, off-road capable SUV with a plug-in hybrid engine Down Under next year.
With this objective in mind, the J7 series will squarely target the core market. mid-size SUV market , designed to attract buyers away from competitors like Toyota RAV4 , Mazda CX-5 , BYD Sealion 6 And more. The J7 lineup will initially include four models: the 2WD Core, 2WD Track, AWD Ridge, and SHS Summit, each available with two powertrain options.
The lineup will start at merely $34,990 drive-away for the 2WD Core model and $37,990 drive-away for the 2WD Track variant. Both of these versions are equipped with a 137kW/275Nm engine. a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine connected with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox driving the front wheels.
The All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) Ridge starts at $42,990 and features the same 1.6-litre engine, delivering identical performance while driving all four wheels of course. four wheels .
At the top of the lineup is the SHS Summit, with prices starting at $47,990 drive-away. SHS signifies Super Hybrid System, which is Jaecoo’s term for their hybrid technology. plug-in hybrid powertrain The SHS pairs a 105kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine with a 150kW electric motor, coupled with a single-speed gearbox that powers the front wheels.
The SHS has a 18.3kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery To drive the electric motor, it offers an advertised 90 kilometers of all-electric range. This enables the J7 SHS to attain a stated fuel consumption rate of merely 1.0 liter per 100 kilometers, with the manufacturer asserting a potential maximum distance of up to 1200 kilometers theoretically. driving range on a single tank/charge.
Jaecoo is introducing an extended warranty period surpassing Chery’s seven-year cover, offering an eight-year warranty for the J7 model, along with eight years of protection. capped-price servicing and roadside assistance .
The standard features of the J7 Core come with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 13.2-inch infotainment screen that supports wireless technology. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto The Track edition includes a powered rear gate, forward parking sensors, a 360-degree panoramic camera system, heated front seating, mood lighting, independent temperature regulation, along with additional features. wireless smartphone charger along with an eight-speaker Sony audio setup.
Upgrading to the AWD Ridge version adds torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, 19-inch alloy wheels, a complete-sized spare tire, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, an integrated dashboard camera, and a 14.8-inch infotainment screen.
The SHS Summit closely aligns with the specifications of the Ridge, yet it features distinctive 19-inch 'aero' alloy wheels, a heads-up display, and perforated synthetic leather seats.
Every model comes with 'Hello Jaecoo,' the brand’s voice-activated assistant.
Safety throughout the range includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) , adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning Notably, the 2WD Core model comes with seven airbags; however, the Track, Ridge, and SHS versions include an extra driver’s knee airbag.
The Jaecoo J7 has not undergone crash testing yet. ANCAP However, Cherry’s earlier models have been awarded five-star ratings, so achieving anything lower would be quite unexpected, considering the premium status of the brand.
By the close of 2025, Jaecoo plans to introduce the bigger J8 SUV, and it’s rumored that the more compact J5 SUV might also join their growing fleet at Omoda-Jaecoo dealerships.