Earlier than you ask, the identify of Chery’s premium model, Jaecoo, is derived from the German phrase ‘jager‘, that means ‘hunter‘, suggesting journey and exploration, together with ‘cool‘, implying fashion and modernity – at the very least that’s the advertising and marketing spin.
The Jaecoo J7 mid-sized SUV embodies this on the design entrance. It’s tastefully distinctive and there’s no scarcity of stylistic accents that look to have been impressed by the full-fat Vary Rover, at the very least from the rear three-quarter view.
Jaecoo’s waterfall grille blends superbly with the stacked LED headlights and slim daytime working lights. Even at first look, there’s an air of desirability with the J7 based mostly purely on the design and the profile of the automobile itself.
It’s a smart-looking little bit of equipment from any angle, boasting extra design options like flush door-handles.
That’s a degree of distinction to its sister model Chery, which in just some brief years has already constructed up an enviable status for unbeatable worth for cash on the extra inexpensive finish of the small and mid-size SUV segments with its Tiggo 4, Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 mannequin vary.
Whereas we acquired to pattern the entry-level 2WD variations of J7 – named Core and Monitor – Jaecoo is ready to widen its providing by introducing AWD and plug-in hybrid variants to the native lineup in March/April this yr.
How does the Jaecoo J7 examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Jaecoo J7 towards equally sized autos.
Jaecoo
J7
How a lot does the Jaecoo J7 price?
Jaecoo gained’t launch pricing till J7’s official launch subsequent month.
Nonetheless, the Chinese language model has indicated a place to begin between $35,000-$40,000 (drive-away) for the bottom 2WD Core and slightly extra for the Monitor.
That’s solely a smidge over the top-spec Tiggo 7 Professional Particular Version+ ($33,990 drive-away).
To see how the Jaecoo J7 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
What’s the Jaecoo J7 like on the within?
The cabin of the J7 is an apparent visible step up from Chery merchandise, due to extra attention-grabbing supplies and a higher emphasis on design and know-how.
It has a extra premium feel and look in comparison with the most recent Tiggo 7 Professional – however not by an enormous margin, to be completely trustworthy, and that’s a shoutout to the latter.
Identical to its fashionable exterior, there are parts inside that draw inspiration from luxurious SUVs with off-road functionality.
There are rugged-looking metallic-look door openers and seize handles signifying the J7’s ‘Journey’ and ‘Exploration’ spirit, making it each attention-grabbing and enticing on the identical time.
Tender-touch supplies are just about in every single place, whereas arduous plastics are stored to a minimal and largely beneath eye degree.
The Jaecoo will get exceptionally snug leatherette-trimmed seats with thick cushioning and glorious bolstering, making it an satisfying automobile to drive even on twisty stretches of street.
The driving force particularly sinks nicely into these pews, which supply armchair-like consolation, whereas the driving place itself reveals a commanding view all spherical.
Forward of the motive force there’s a premium really feel to the sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, behind which is a good-size (10.25-inch) digital instrument cluster that’s simply customisable and modifications with totally different drive modes.
Entrance and centre is a big 13.2-inch tablet-style infotainment touchscreen that’s high-resolution and has less-confusing ADAS controls than we’ve come to anticipate in new vehicles lately. The result’s it’s simple to show off security capabilities you are feeling you don’t want.
There’s an impressive-looking shifter with an built-in ‘handbook’ button on the facet that’s stated to be impressed by fighter jets. Simply forward is a devoted area for as much as two smartphones, in addition to a 50W wi-fi telephone charger within the higher-spec Monitor variant.
Furthermore, there’s a ton of area for keys, tablets and different odds and ends each underneath the centre console and within the massive (and cooled) storage bin.
At 4.5 metres in size, the J7 is on the smaller finish of the mid-size SUV phase, but it surely nonetheless gives loads of passenger area in each seat rows, with room for these within the rear to place their RM Williams boots correctly underneath the entrance pews.
As we’ve come to anticipate from the Chery Group, there’s a stack of premium options on board, even within the base Core variant.
There are powered entrance seats, in addition to a set of auxiliary controls on the entrance passenger seat to permit different occupants to electrically modify stated seat for simpler rear passenger ingress and egress – it’s surprisingly useful.
Passive entry and begin, together with auto walk-away locking, is one other extremely handy commonplace function often present in luxurious fashions.
The highest-spec Monitor provides a bunch of big-ticket treats like an influence tailgate, powered youngster security locks for the rear doorways, heated entrance seats, dual-zone local weather management, ambient lighting, and a very good eight-speaker Sony sound system.
Out again, boot area is an honest 574 litres with the rear seats up, increasing to 1472 litres when folded. Nonetheless, there’s an unavoidable lip to take care of, which could be a tad inconvenient when lugging round longer objects.
| Dimensions | Jaecoo J7 2WD |
|---|---|
| Size | 4500mm |
| Width | 1865mm |
| Top | 1680mm |
| Wheelbase | 2672mm |
| Cargo capability | 574-1472 litres* |
*Based mostly on specs within the Chinese language market, the place the Jaecoo J7 is offered because the Chery Tansuo 06
To see how the Jaecoo J7 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Full powertrain particulars for the Australian-market Jaecoo J7 gained’t be accessible till the launch of the complete vary of variants in late March/April, so we’ve included all the pieces presently recognized.
| Specs | Jaecoo J7 |
|---|---|
| Engine sort | 1.6L 4cyl turbo-petrol |
| Energy | 137kW @ 5500rpm |
| Torque | 275Nm @ 2000-4000rpm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch auto – moist sort |
| Drive sort | FWD or AWD |
| Gasoline financial system (claimed) | 7.0L/100km |
| CO2 emissions | 163g/km |
Successfully, it’s the identical 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine used within the Tiggo 7 Professional.
It’s paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission which has been specifically calibrated for added punch and smoothness within the extra premium J7.
To see how the Jaecoo J7 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
How does the Jaecoo J7 drive?
Opposite to some opinions, we’ve come to anticipate good issues from Chery’s 1.6-litre turbo 4, thanks primarily to the Tiggo 7 Professional, but it surely works even higher within the J7.
It’s reassuringly punchy out of the blocks, offering additional confidence when pulling away from busy junctions, however settles right into a clean cruise as soon as in control.
It feels barely extra refined than within the Tiggo 7 Professional too, as if the ratios of the transmission have been higher calibrated.
There are three drive modes accessible by way of the rotary selector on the console: Eco, Regular and Sport. The latter doesn’t appear to do a lot past maintain the decrease gears a bit longer, so we’d suggest ‘Regular’ for day by day driving duties.
It’s shocking how nicely it pulls. Should you’re clean in your throttle software, energy supply is properly linear and really snug, but additionally satisfying sufficient.
The steering is comfortably mild and responsive, however could possibly be tuned for a extra pure really feel when cornering. It’s no biggie, nevertheless, given the phase this automobile might be competing in.
Furthermore, the J7 is splendidly simple to manoeuvre in tight spots due to its high-res 360-degree digicam.
The street loop on our comparatively transient first drive supplied up some fairly poor sections of street, and but suspension compliance and normal journey consolation was commendable for its damping and consistency.
However right here’s the factor: when pushed slightly more durable in Sport mode, physique management remained nicely managed even by means of the tight stuff.
The identical may be stated of the dual-clutch transmission when pushed in Sport. Hardly ever was it caught out, and it all the time appeared to pick out the appropriate gear throughout extra spirited driving.
Certainly, all the key driving controls (engine, transmission, steering and brakes) operated in sync to ship a extra refined driving expertise than I’d have envisaged for a well-equipped mid-sized SUV priced from underneath $40,000.
To see how the Jaecoo J7 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
What do you get?
Two J7 variants have been detailed for Australia to date – the Core 2WD and Monitor 2WD.
2025 Jaecoo J7 Core 2WD gear highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- House-saver spare wheel
- Computerized LED headlights
- Computerized high-beam
- LED daytime working lights
- LED tail-lights
- Energy-folding facet mirrors
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto – wi-fi, wired
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Clever voice management
- 6-speaker sound system
- Leatherette upholstery
- Premium steering wheel
- 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
- 4-way power-adjustable passenger seat
- Auto-locking (stroll away)
- Distant begin with air-conditioning temperature reminiscence
Jaecoo J7 Monitor 2WD provides:
- Energy tailgate
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Acoustic glass windscreen
- Heated entrance seats
- Illuminated self-importance mirrors
- Customisable ambient lighting
- 8-speaker Sony-branded sound system
- Wi-fi telephone charger
- Twin-zone local weather management
To see how the Jaecoo J7 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
Colors
5 exterior paint colors might be supplied in Australia.
Accessible finishes embody:
- Arctic White
- Forest Inexperienced
- Lunar Silver
- Ocean Blue
- Carbon Black
To see how the Jaecoo J7 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
Is the Jaecoo J7 secure?
The Jaecoo J7 is but to be crash-tested by ANCAP or its sister organisation Euro NCAP, nevertheless, you would anticipate the J7 to get the identical five-star ANCAP security ranking as different Chery fashions.
Customary security gear consists of:
- 7 airbags
- Driver, entrance passenger
- Entrance facet
- Aspect curtain
- Entrance centre
- Ahead collision warning
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Lane-keep help
- Adaptive cruise management
- Built-in cruise help
- Visitors jam help
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic help
- Reversing digicam
- Rear parking sensors
- Velocity restrict recognition
- Driver monitoring system
- Tyre strain monitor
J7 Monitor 2WD provides:
- Driver’s knee airbag
- Entrance parking sensors
- Encompass-view cameras
To see how the Jaecoo J7 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
How a lot does the Jaecoo J7 price to run?
Jaecoo has but to substantiate servicing and guarantee particulars for Australia, although we’d anticipate the Chery subsidiary to reflect its sister model’s seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee protection.
To see how the Jaecoo J7 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
CarExpert’s Tackle the Jaecoo J7
If the powers that be at Chery Australia get the pricing proper for the Jaecoo J7 vary, it might simply develop into one among its best-selling fashions.
For its engineering and design alone, by no means thoughts the host of ordinary creature comforts on board, it has the makings of being a powerful vendor within the booming and hotly-contested mid-sized SUV phase Down Underneath.
Whereas pricing and aftersales are the remaining items of the puzzle, there’s little trigger for grievance right here, and we’re eager to get behind the wheel of the AWD and PHEV variations which are additionally headed to Australia.
Considering shopping for a Jaecoo J7? Get in contact with one among CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
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