Latest news with #JaecooJ7
7NEWS
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
2025 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro SE+ review
When the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro launched back in August 2023, it came across as pretty decent value for money in a highly competitive part of the market. Now? It's unbelievable what you're getting for your money. That's down to the fact the brand has slashed thousands of bucks off the asking price, with the start point now below $30k drive-away. That's unprecedented in the mid-size SUV segment, and it positions the Tiggo 7 Pro SE as Australia's most affordable family SUV. This one isn't the $30k car – but it's still incredibly affordable for this SE+ version, which has a number of extra features for an extra few grand. Read on and you'll see whether there's more to it than just a low price and lots of spec in this review. How much does the Chery Tiggo 7 cost? The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro was already decent value for money, but the recent reductions to its price have helped it appear in a totally different light in the highly competitive mid-size SUV segment. With a new entry-level Pro SE offering a heap of tech and spec for less than 30 grand, and this SE+ adding some of the niceties you'd like for a price you'll still love, there's a lot to like when it comes to the 'cost versus kit' metric. What is the Chery Tiggo 7 like on the inside? There's a degree of 'rinse and repeat' for the interiors of Chery's Tiggo lineup, but thankfully that hasn't led to things feeling tired or worse-for-wear. In fact, for those trading in a pre-loved SUV from the 2000s, it'll feel like a big step forward in a lot of ways. With a mix of materials and different finishes inside, it has a perceived level of quality to it that goes beyond the price point. There are soft padded bits where they should be, comfortable seats, a leather-lined steering wheel and gearshifter, and if you spend the extra cash to get into the SE+ you also score a huge glass sunroof and heated front seats, but strangely there's no auto-dimming rear-view mirror. The amenities are covered, with a wireless phone charger, a couple of USB ports, and decent storage including a pair of big cupholders, big bottle holders in the doors, a decent glovebox, and a large, cooled centre console bin. There's even a little bag hook near the glovebox. Of course it has the twin 12.3-inch screen display setup that has become commonplace for some brands, and while they're bright and colourful, some newer models have better usability (including the related Jaecoo J7). The media screen is the central control system for most things, though thankfully there is a bar below with fan and temperature adjustability, which is better than having to do it all through the touch panel. It's just a bit hard to see the controls, particularly in direct light. You also have to go through the screen for a lot of stuff relating to the controls for the advanced safety tech, including turning off the lane keeping system and driver monitoring camera, if they don't behave how you'd like them to. More on that later, but what is most annoying about the safety controls is that you have shortcuts (swipe from the right edge towards the left) for some elements, but not all (including the driver distraction monitor, which would be great to be able to quickly turn off). I connected with wireless Apple CarPlay during my time with this car and had no major issues or faults, and the driver info screen is pretty decent too, with some key metrics like fuel use and speedo on show. The steering wheel has a decent array of buttons and controls, though they can be prone to fingerprints, and there's a stalk on the side for your indicators – the right side! There's also a volume dial and a couple of buttons down near the shifter – and that gear selector takes a little bit of learning, because it's not a traditional T-bar auto. It's an e-shifter, so you just need to pull the selector down for drive or push it up for reverse, rather than push the button in on the side (that is the manual mode button). I hated it the first time I drove the Tiggo 7, and I still didn't like it this time. Second-row space in the Tiggo 7 Pro is excellent – far more spacious and family-friendly than in plenty of other medium sized SUVs. At 182cm or 6'0' tall and with the driver's seat set for me, I had inches of knee room, heaps of toe room and loads of head room, with a decent view out the window too, which will keep little ones happy. My almost-four-year-old daughter commented that she could see a lot more cars from the back than usual. It has ISOFIX child seat anchor points in the window seats and three top-tethers, and the doors open pretty wide for loading in the little ones, too. There are decent door pockets, map pockets on the seatbacks, directional air vents with a small storage space below (and USB-A port) and a drop-down armrest with cupholders. Seat comfort is good, and the floor is flattish, so you can fit three adults across if you needed to. The boot is another plus for this car, with a decent 356-litre capacity to the top of the seatbacks, which is enough to fit a family-of-three's worth of weekend luggage with a bit of room to spare. There are two flip-down shopping bag hooks and a bright LED light, plus a 12V outlet. Best of all, there's a full-size spare wheel under the boot floor. To see how the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What's under the bonnet? The Tiggo 7 Pro lineup is simpler now, with the brand having dropped the all-wheel drive model to make space for the more rugged Jaecoo J7 lineup. As with that model though, the Tiggo 7 Pro has a punchy petrol engine – but this SUV is now exclusively available in front-wheel drive form. It is worth pointing out that while those outputs are competitive for the class, there are some considerations you need to keep in mind about this SUV. Firstly, the weight capacity. It has a maximum gross vehicle weight of just 1895kg, meaning a payload of only 416kg. That's lower than most in the segment, and means you'll need to be careful about overloading it. And it doesn't have any towing capacity or capability, either. That's unusual for a mid-size SUV, many of which are capable of hauling up to 750kg unbraked and 2000kg braked. Hmmm. The official combined fuel use number is 7.0L/100km and on my test – which included urban, highway, freeway, commuting and the same stuff you might do in a Tiggo 7 – I saw 7.8L/100km. To see how the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How does the Chery Tiggo 7 drive? If you're expecting a Volkswagen Tiguan- or Toyota RAV4-like drive experience, don't. It's not quite that good in terms of overall well-roundedness. It isn't as quick to react, nor as natural feeling as those rivals in terms of the drive experience. It's not a disaster, but it's certainly not going to scratch the enthusiast itch. It is fine in a lot of ways, though – ride comfort is pretty good, and it exhibits reasonably good body control over lumps and bumps too. The steering is reasonably good, with a decent action and responsiveness to it, but the tyres – Atlas A51 rubber in 225/55/18 spec – just don't quite cut it, meaning that you can feel like you're not as connected to the steering response as you should be. The powertrain is okay in some instances, but in others it can feel a little clumsy. That's partly down to the dual-clutch auto gearbox feeling hesitant at lower speeds, with some engine lag also exacerbating a delayed response, and the front tyres can squeal when you're taking away from a standstill, with even more drama when it's wet outside. If you're impatient (like me) you might find it to be frustrating, and there's also a level of remoteness when it comes to the pedal action… the brake isn't as trusty as some other vehicles, and there's a doughy nature to the throttle too. But the safety systems might be the deal-breaker here, because – like many other new vehicles – you need to turn them off every time you restart the car, if you don't like the way they me, the driver monitoring camera system still gets it wrong more than it gets it right, with incessant chiming to alert the driver to their state of distraction… which, in turn, is just another distraction. I was looking straight at the road ahead of me and on multiple occasions the system said I was distracted. Yes, clearly distracted by the job of actually driving! There is also the emergency lane-keeping tech which isn't as good as in some rivals, with a pushy action that needs to be switched off each time you get back in, if you don't like it. At least the surround-view camera – standard in the SE+ – is a great bit of safety kit, offering a terrific view and a selection of camera options for you to see around the car. So there's room for improvement, but for those who just want a brand-new car with a host of tech, it might still be a goer. To see how the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What do you get? The revised Tiggo 7 Pro range is split into two grades. 2025 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro SE equipment highlights: 18-inch alloy wheels (machine finish) 225/55 R18 tyres Full-size spare Tyre pressure monitoring Reflector LED headlights Automatic headlights Automatic high-beam LED tail-lights Rain-sensing wipers Heated, power-adjustable exterior mirrors Proximity entry with push-button start, walk-away auto locking 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system Wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto Satellite navigation 8-speaker Sony sound system Leatherette upholstery 6-way power driver's seat 60:40 split/fold rear seats 'Premium' steering wheel Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment Dual-zone climate control Rear air vents Front, cargo bay LED interior lights Tiggo 7 Pro SE+ adds: 18-inch alloy wheels (black) Power-folding exterior mirrors Panoramic sunroof with powered sunshade Power tailgate Heated front seats 50W wireless phone charger Frameless rear-view mirror Multi-colour ambient lighting Cargo blind Rear LED interior light Surround-view camera system To see how the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Is the Chery Tiggo 7 safe? The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2023. Standard safety equipment includes: Autonomous emergency braking Blind-spot monitoring Driver attention monitoring Lane-keep assist Emergency lane-keep assist Adaptive cruise control Traffic Jam Assist Integrated Cruise Assist Rear cross-traffic assist Safe exit warning Speed limit assist Front, front-side, curtain, front-centre and driver's knee airbags Reversing camera Front and rear parking sensors The SE+ adds: Surround-view camera To see how the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How much does the Chery Tiggo 7 cost to run? Chery Australia backs its models with a comprehensive seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for private buyers, but commercial customers have a cap on the kays (150,000km). There is up to seven years of roadside assistance if you service within the Chery network – you get one year free, then they top it up for you when you go back in for maintenance. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. There is a seven-year capped-price servicing program too, with the first five services capped at $289 each, with the sixth priced at $386.09 and seventh at $320.84 – meaning an annual average service cost of about $307. To see how the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool CarExpert's Take on the Chery Tiggo 7 There is no denying the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro SE+ is a bargain family-friendly SUV. The price is a big plus, and it has a heap of standard gear that other better-known brands charge $20k extra for. Of course there is some compromise that comes with that, and it's not the most enjoyable thing to drive. But for those who need an everyday conveyance, and are maybe trading in a 10- or 15-year-old SUV, it's going to feel like the deal of a lifetime. Interested in buying a Chery Tiggo 7 Pro? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Pros Packed with kit Spacious and comfortable Seven-year warranty Cons Annoying safety tech Not the greatest to drive Tyres aren't great Top Line Specs
The Advertiser
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit review: Long range test
In a world where electric and hybrid technology is reshaping the way we travel, bold claims are everywhere. And few are as ambitious as Jaecoo's promise that its new 2025 J7 SHS Summit mid-size hybrid SUV can deliver up to 1200km of real-world driving range. So, we decided to put the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) medium SUV to the ultimate test on an iconic Aussie road trip; from the tragically hip inner-city streets of Surry Hills in Sydney, starting with a coffee at the famous Bourke Street Bakery, all the way to the outback town of… well, Bourke. That's an easy 759km one-way drive through Sydney's urban jungle and onto its congested freeways, before traversing across the Blue Mountains to Lithgow and then meandering through the fertile farming areas around Mudgee, Dubbo and Nyngan, and finally heading directly north-west to Bourke along one of the straightest, most remote stretches of road on the planet. The Jaecoo should easily make it Bourke without stopping and, with a claimed electric-only range of 90km from its 18.3kWh battery, get us out of town before using a drop of fuel. The challenge is, then, how far will it get us back from Bourke before needing to be refuelled or recharged. The J7 SHS Summit is Jaecoo's flagship model, blending rugged off-road styling with modern electrification. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Even before you open the doors, the J7 looks right at home on leafy inner-city Sydney streets. Its chunky stance, bold grille and slimline LED headlights, complete with a chequered pattern, and floating roofline give off baby Range Rover vibes. Inside, the cabin is classy, with a simple T-shaped relationship between the dashboard and centre console that is fused with good quality materials. Such materials include chrome trim highlights and a twin digital screen configuration that incorporates a 10.25-inch instrument cluster with a portrait-style 14.8-inch infotainment display. The heated and ventilated front seats are comfortable and offer plenty of adjustment, and there's both reach and rake movement for the three-spoke steering wheel that makes it easy to find the optimum driving position. Thankfully, there's two cupholders in the centre console for the double-shot lattes from the bakery that I needed to kickstart this road trip, and dual phone pads at the front of the centre console – the left one offering wireless charging. The final task before hitting the road is to connect my phone to the infotainment system, which is a simple task and provides access to wireless smartphone mirroring. Perfect. Under the bonnet sits a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 105kW of power and 215Nm of torque, paired with a 150kW/310Nm electric motor and a 18.3kWh battery pack. Together, they deliver impressive combined maximum outputs of 255kW and 525Nm, driving the front wheels through an intelligent single-speed hybrid transmission that can shift seamlessly between pure electric, hybrid, or petrol-powered driving. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Now, with a few less litres than a full tank and the battery charge that indicates we have 1116km of range, it's time to hit the road and get out of Sydney on a cool autumn morning. As I engage drive on the column-mounted gear shifter and then start rolling, I am immediately alarmed by an odd noise from outside the window that sounds like I've run over something. I stop and open the door to check but can't see anything obvious. It happens again the moment I move off, and then I realise it's the sound of the motorised pop-out door handles retracting backwards into the body. Let me tell you, it doesn't sound right. And, even after driving the Jaecoo for a week, it was a shock each time. Anyway, with the EV mode engaged, first impressions of how the J7 drives are extremely positive, as it effortlessly glides through the chaos of Sydney's tangled inner-city streets on battery power alone. The electric motor feels punchy and responsive, and the single-speed transmission is seamless in delivering its power to the road. It can induce a bit of tugging on the wheel under heavy acceleration, but I'm conscious of limiting my heavy right foot to maximise the battery's range. Another oddity is the distorted view through the central rear-view mirror. With a heavy convex on its glass, you see a lot more of the rear seats than you normally would and, subsequently, any traffic behind you appears much further away than it probably is. It seems weird at first, but becomes more natural over time. And it's undoubtedly a good thing for families that often carry small kids in the back, as the driver can easily see more of them without having to swing around and take their eyes off the road. The J7 continues to draw on its battery as we hit the freeway and feels just as relaxed at highway speeds as it does around town. The petrol engine only starts to chime in as we begin to ascend into the Blue Mountains. With the battery set to maintain a minimum 25km of range (you can adjust the percentage in the energy settings), we achieved more than 65km of mixed driving conditions in pure EV mode. We could have got more – and closer to its claimed maximum of 90km – but I wanted to see how the remainder of the trip would pan out with a mixture of petrol and electric power, and not just rely on the internal combustion engine alone. Considering that most Australians drive less than 40km on their daily commute, the Jaecoo J7 certainly offers the everyday benefits of an electric vehicle without the negatives of range anxiety. It's barely perceptible when the engine does kick into life. In fact, the Jaecoo J7 is remarkably quiet at highway speeds, even on coarse country roads. And it's pretty comfortable too. The suspension can get a little slappy on corrugations, and the steering is overly light and lacks feedback, but for the most part it rides nicely and feels surefooted through the bends. The steep descent down Mount Victoria recouped a good portion of energy and refilled almost a quarter of battery's capacity thanks to the regenerative braking capability, which – even in its highest setting – feels smoother than many other rivals. The active lane keeping assistance, however, is a little overzealous, constantly tugging at the wheel at the sight of a white line. The adaptive cruise control also doesn't like bends and will slow the car a little too dramatically. And the driver monitoring system incessantly bings and bongs the moment you glance at the infotainment screen. Thankfully, the former and latter can be deactivated through the driving menu on the main screen. But you have to do this each time you start the car. The drive westward saw the J7 settle comfortably into highway mode. The plush seats, large panoramic sunroof and decent Sony audio system made the cabin a pleasant place to spend hours on the road. We rolled into Dubbo – the halfway point – to refuel ourselves at the Pastoral Hotel on Talbragar Street (the steak sandwich was delicious, by the way), but the Jaecoo's petrol gauge had barely moved and we still had more than three quarters of a tank. Impressive. It wasn't until we were deep into outback NSW, on the lonely road between Nyngan (with its Big Bogan statue proudly on display in the main street) and Bourke, with nothing but red dirt and herds of feral goats on the sides of the road for company, that we began watching the range more carefully. Bourke came into sight well before the J7 showed any real signs of concern. Arriving at one of Australia's most remote EV chargers (yes, Bourke has a charging station now — and it's powered by a clever combination of solar and battery storage), we still had just over a quarter of tank of fuel and an estimated range of more than 300km until empty. With a quick top-up of the battery, I figured we could easily match – if not beat – Jaecoo's claimed 1200km range. However, after spending the night at the quaint Darling River Motel and dinner at the Port of Bourke hotel, we woke up to a massive desert storm brewing on the horizon. The black sky provided a dramatic backdrop against the scorched red earth, and it soon started to bucket down, which not only slowed our speed to below the posted limit but created a headwind and more drag on the drivetrain, which ultimately had a negative impact on our challenge. The rain chased us all the way back to the outskirts of Dubbo before the fuel warning light came on, forcing us to stop there again to refuel – this time for both me and the car. Still, we had covered a total of 1128km before the car needed a drink, which is impressively close to the promised 1200km — especially considering the sub-standard real-world conditions, including elevation changes, headwinds, and a car loaded with gear. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool There are a total of four Jaecoo J7 variants available. 2025 Jaecoo J7 Core 2WD equipment highlights: J7 Track 2WD highlights: J7 Ridge AWD highlights: J7 SHS Summit adds: If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool The Jaecoo J7 PHEV was recently awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2025 testing. Standard safety features include: J7 Track 2WD adds: J7 Ridge AWD and SHS Summit add: If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool The Jaecoo J7 has a strong ownership promise from a new brand. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Given that most of our drive involved sitting at highway speeds — conditions where hybrids traditionally struggle compared to pure petrol engines — the result is nothing short of remarkable. Beyond the numbers, the J7 SHS Summit impressed us with its refinement. The ride quality was excellent, the cabin was whisper-quiet even on rougher surfaces, and the real-world tech worked without fuss. At $47,990 drive-away, the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit is one of the most affordable plug-in hybrids available in Australia at the moment. And, unlike some its Chinese rivals, it delivers on more than just value for money. For starters, it proves that plug-ins can offer the best of both worlds – being an everyday electric car and a long-distance, cross-country cruiser – and surprises with an impressive level of standard equipment, quality and overall refinement. It definitely feels more at home in Bourke Street than it does in Bourke. But it will certainly get you there – and beyond – without stopping. Interested in buying a Jaecoo J7? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers hereMORE: Everything Jaecoo J7 Content originally sourced from: In a world where electric and hybrid technology is reshaping the way we travel, bold claims are everywhere. And few are as ambitious as Jaecoo's promise that its new 2025 J7 SHS Summit mid-size hybrid SUV can deliver up to 1200km of real-world driving range. So, we decided to put the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) medium SUV to the ultimate test on an iconic Aussie road trip; from the tragically hip inner-city streets of Surry Hills in Sydney, starting with a coffee at the famous Bourke Street Bakery, all the way to the outback town of… well, Bourke. That's an easy 759km one-way drive through Sydney's urban jungle and onto its congested freeways, before traversing across the Blue Mountains to Lithgow and then meandering through the fertile farming areas around Mudgee, Dubbo and Nyngan, and finally heading directly north-west to Bourke along one of the straightest, most remote stretches of road on the planet. The Jaecoo should easily make it Bourke without stopping and, with a claimed electric-only range of 90km from its 18.3kWh battery, get us out of town before using a drop of fuel. The challenge is, then, how far will it get us back from Bourke before needing to be refuelled or recharged. The J7 SHS Summit is Jaecoo's flagship model, blending rugged off-road styling with modern electrification. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Even before you open the doors, the J7 looks right at home on leafy inner-city Sydney streets. Its chunky stance, bold grille and slimline LED headlights, complete with a chequered pattern, and floating roofline give off baby Range Rover vibes. Inside, the cabin is classy, with a simple T-shaped relationship between the dashboard and centre console that is fused with good quality materials. Such materials include chrome trim highlights and a twin digital screen configuration that incorporates a 10.25-inch instrument cluster with a portrait-style 14.8-inch infotainment display. The heated and ventilated front seats are comfortable and offer plenty of adjustment, and there's both reach and rake movement for the three-spoke steering wheel that makes it easy to find the optimum driving position. Thankfully, there's two cupholders in the centre console for the double-shot lattes from the bakery that I needed to kickstart this road trip, and dual phone pads at the front of the centre console – the left one offering wireless charging. The final task before hitting the road is to connect my phone to the infotainment system, which is a simple task and provides access to wireless smartphone mirroring. Perfect. Under the bonnet sits a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 105kW of power and 215Nm of torque, paired with a 150kW/310Nm electric motor and a 18.3kWh battery pack. Together, they deliver impressive combined maximum outputs of 255kW and 525Nm, driving the front wheels through an intelligent single-speed hybrid transmission that can shift seamlessly between pure electric, hybrid, or petrol-powered driving. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Now, with a few less litres than a full tank and the battery charge that indicates we have 1116km of range, it's time to hit the road and get out of Sydney on a cool autumn morning. As I engage drive on the column-mounted gear shifter and then start rolling, I am immediately alarmed by an odd noise from outside the window that sounds like I've run over something. I stop and open the door to check but can't see anything obvious. It happens again the moment I move off, and then I realise it's the sound of the motorised pop-out door handles retracting backwards into the body. Let me tell you, it doesn't sound right. And, even after driving the Jaecoo for a week, it was a shock each time. Anyway, with the EV mode engaged, first impressions of how the J7 drives are extremely positive, as it effortlessly glides through the chaos of Sydney's tangled inner-city streets on battery power alone. The electric motor feels punchy and responsive, and the single-speed transmission is seamless in delivering its power to the road. It can induce a bit of tugging on the wheel under heavy acceleration, but I'm conscious of limiting my heavy right foot to maximise the battery's range. Another oddity is the distorted view through the central rear-view mirror. With a heavy convex on its glass, you see a lot more of the rear seats than you normally would and, subsequently, any traffic behind you appears much further away than it probably is. It seems weird at first, but becomes more natural over time. And it's undoubtedly a good thing for families that often carry small kids in the back, as the driver can easily see more of them without having to swing around and take their eyes off the road. The J7 continues to draw on its battery as we hit the freeway and feels just as relaxed at highway speeds as it does around town. The petrol engine only starts to chime in as we begin to ascend into the Blue Mountains. With the battery set to maintain a minimum 25km of range (you can adjust the percentage in the energy settings), we achieved more than 65km of mixed driving conditions in pure EV mode. We could have got more – and closer to its claimed maximum of 90km – but I wanted to see how the remainder of the trip would pan out with a mixture of petrol and electric power, and not just rely on the internal combustion engine alone. Considering that most Australians drive less than 40km on their daily commute, the Jaecoo J7 certainly offers the everyday benefits of an electric vehicle without the negatives of range anxiety. It's barely perceptible when the engine does kick into life. In fact, the Jaecoo J7 is remarkably quiet at highway speeds, even on coarse country roads. And it's pretty comfortable too. The suspension can get a little slappy on corrugations, and the steering is overly light and lacks feedback, but for the most part it rides nicely and feels surefooted through the bends. The steep descent down Mount Victoria recouped a good portion of energy and refilled almost a quarter of battery's capacity thanks to the regenerative braking capability, which – even in its highest setting – feels smoother than many other rivals. The active lane keeping assistance, however, is a little overzealous, constantly tugging at the wheel at the sight of a white line. The adaptive cruise control also doesn't like bends and will slow the car a little too dramatically. And the driver monitoring system incessantly bings and bongs the moment you glance at the infotainment screen. Thankfully, the former and latter can be deactivated through the driving menu on the main screen. But you have to do this each time you start the car. The drive westward saw the J7 settle comfortably into highway mode. The plush seats, large panoramic sunroof and decent Sony audio system made the cabin a pleasant place to spend hours on the road. We rolled into Dubbo – the halfway point – to refuel ourselves at the Pastoral Hotel on Talbragar Street (the steak sandwich was delicious, by the way), but the Jaecoo's petrol gauge had barely moved and we still had more than three quarters of a tank. Impressive. It wasn't until we were deep into outback NSW, on the lonely road between Nyngan (with its Big Bogan statue proudly on display in the main street) and Bourke, with nothing but red dirt and herds of feral goats on the sides of the road for company, that we began watching the range more carefully. Bourke came into sight well before the J7 showed any real signs of concern. Arriving at one of Australia's most remote EV chargers (yes, Bourke has a charging station now — and it's powered by a clever combination of solar and battery storage), we still had just over a quarter of tank of fuel and an estimated range of more than 300km until empty. With a quick top-up of the battery, I figured we could easily match – if not beat – Jaecoo's claimed 1200km range. However, after spending the night at the quaint Darling River Motel and dinner at the Port of Bourke hotel, we woke up to a massive desert storm brewing on the horizon. The black sky provided a dramatic backdrop against the scorched red earth, and it soon started to bucket down, which not only slowed our speed to below the posted limit but created a headwind and more drag on the drivetrain, which ultimately had a negative impact on our challenge. The rain chased us all the way back to the outskirts of Dubbo before the fuel warning light came on, forcing us to stop there again to refuel – this time for both me and the car. Still, we had covered a total of 1128km before the car needed a drink, which is impressively close to the promised 1200km — especially considering the sub-standard real-world conditions, including elevation changes, headwinds, and a car loaded with gear. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool There are a total of four Jaecoo J7 variants available. 2025 Jaecoo J7 Core 2WD equipment highlights: J7 Track 2WD highlights: J7 Ridge AWD highlights: J7 SHS Summit adds: If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool The Jaecoo J7 PHEV was recently awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2025 testing. Standard safety features include: J7 Track 2WD adds: J7 Ridge AWD and SHS Summit add: If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool The Jaecoo J7 has a strong ownership promise from a new brand. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Given that most of our drive involved sitting at highway speeds — conditions where hybrids traditionally struggle compared to pure petrol engines — the result is nothing short of remarkable. Beyond the numbers, the J7 SHS Summit impressed us with its refinement. The ride quality was excellent, the cabin was whisper-quiet even on rougher surfaces, and the real-world tech worked without fuss. At $47,990 drive-away, the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit is one of the most affordable plug-in hybrids available in Australia at the moment. And, unlike some its Chinese rivals, it delivers on more than just value for money. For starters, it proves that plug-ins can offer the best of both worlds – being an everyday electric car and a long-distance, cross-country cruiser – and surprises with an impressive level of standard equipment, quality and overall refinement. It definitely feels more at home in Bourke Street than it does in Bourke. But it will certainly get you there – and beyond – without stopping. Interested in buying a Jaecoo J7? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers hereMORE: Everything Jaecoo J7 Content originally sourced from: In a world where electric and hybrid technology is reshaping the way we travel, bold claims are everywhere. And few are as ambitious as Jaecoo's promise that its new 2025 J7 SHS Summit mid-size hybrid SUV can deliver up to 1200km of real-world driving range. So, we decided to put the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) medium SUV to the ultimate test on an iconic Aussie road trip; from the tragically hip inner-city streets of Surry Hills in Sydney, starting with a coffee at the famous Bourke Street Bakery, all the way to the outback town of… well, Bourke. That's an easy 759km one-way drive through Sydney's urban jungle and onto its congested freeways, before traversing across the Blue Mountains to Lithgow and then meandering through the fertile farming areas around Mudgee, Dubbo and Nyngan, and finally heading directly north-west to Bourke along one of the straightest, most remote stretches of road on the planet. The Jaecoo should easily make it Bourke without stopping and, with a claimed electric-only range of 90km from its 18.3kWh battery, get us out of town before using a drop of fuel. The challenge is, then, how far will it get us back from Bourke before needing to be refuelled or recharged. The J7 SHS Summit is Jaecoo's flagship model, blending rugged off-road styling with modern electrification. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Even before you open the doors, the J7 looks right at home on leafy inner-city Sydney streets. Its chunky stance, bold grille and slimline LED headlights, complete with a chequered pattern, and floating roofline give off baby Range Rover vibes. Inside, the cabin is classy, with a simple T-shaped relationship between the dashboard and centre console that is fused with good quality materials. Such materials include chrome trim highlights and a twin digital screen configuration that incorporates a 10.25-inch instrument cluster with a portrait-style 14.8-inch infotainment display. The heated and ventilated front seats are comfortable and offer plenty of adjustment, and there's both reach and rake movement for the three-spoke steering wheel that makes it easy to find the optimum driving position. Thankfully, there's two cupholders in the centre console for the double-shot lattes from the bakery that I needed to kickstart this road trip, and dual phone pads at the front of the centre console – the left one offering wireless charging. The final task before hitting the road is to connect my phone to the infotainment system, which is a simple task and provides access to wireless smartphone mirroring. Perfect. Under the bonnet sits a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 105kW of power and 215Nm of torque, paired with a 150kW/310Nm electric motor and a 18.3kWh battery pack. Together, they deliver impressive combined maximum outputs of 255kW and 525Nm, driving the front wheels through an intelligent single-speed hybrid transmission that can shift seamlessly between pure electric, hybrid, or petrol-powered driving. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Now, with a few less litres than a full tank and the battery charge that indicates we have 1116km of range, it's time to hit the road and get out of Sydney on a cool autumn morning. As I engage drive on the column-mounted gear shifter and then start rolling, I am immediately alarmed by an odd noise from outside the window that sounds like I've run over something. I stop and open the door to check but can't see anything obvious. It happens again the moment I move off, and then I realise it's the sound of the motorised pop-out door handles retracting backwards into the body. Let me tell you, it doesn't sound right. And, even after driving the Jaecoo for a week, it was a shock each time. Anyway, with the EV mode engaged, first impressions of how the J7 drives are extremely positive, as it effortlessly glides through the chaos of Sydney's tangled inner-city streets on battery power alone. The electric motor feels punchy and responsive, and the single-speed transmission is seamless in delivering its power to the road. It can induce a bit of tugging on the wheel under heavy acceleration, but I'm conscious of limiting my heavy right foot to maximise the battery's range. Another oddity is the distorted view through the central rear-view mirror. With a heavy convex on its glass, you see a lot more of the rear seats than you normally would and, subsequently, any traffic behind you appears much further away than it probably is. It seems weird at first, but becomes more natural over time. And it's undoubtedly a good thing for families that often carry small kids in the back, as the driver can easily see more of them without having to swing around and take their eyes off the road. The J7 continues to draw on its battery as we hit the freeway and feels just as relaxed at highway speeds as it does around town. The petrol engine only starts to chime in as we begin to ascend into the Blue Mountains. With the battery set to maintain a minimum 25km of range (you can adjust the percentage in the energy settings), we achieved more than 65km of mixed driving conditions in pure EV mode. We could have got more – and closer to its claimed maximum of 90km – but I wanted to see how the remainder of the trip would pan out with a mixture of petrol and electric power, and not just rely on the internal combustion engine alone. Considering that most Australians drive less than 40km on their daily commute, the Jaecoo J7 certainly offers the everyday benefits of an electric vehicle without the negatives of range anxiety. It's barely perceptible when the engine does kick into life. In fact, the Jaecoo J7 is remarkably quiet at highway speeds, even on coarse country roads. And it's pretty comfortable too. The suspension can get a little slappy on corrugations, and the steering is overly light and lacks feedback, but for the most part it rides nicely and feels surefooted through the bends. The steep descent down Mount Victoria recouped a good portion of energy and refilled almost a quarter of battery's capacity thanks to the regenerative braking capability, which – even in its highest setting – feels smoother than many other rivals. The active lane keeping assistance, however, is a little overzealous, constantly tugging at the wheel at the sight of a white line. The adaptive cruise control also doesn't like bends and will slow the car a little too dramatically. And the driver monitoring system incessantly bings and bongs the moment you glance at the infotainment screen. Thankfully, the former and latter can be deactivated through the driving menu on the main screen. But you have to do this each time you start the car. The drive westward saw the J7 settle comfortably into highway mode. The plush seats, large panoramic sunroof and decent Sony audio system made the cabin a pleasant place to spend hours on the road. We rolled into Dubbo – the halfway point – to refuel ourselves at the Pastoral Hotel on Talbragar Street (the steak sandwich was delicious, by the way), but the Jaecoo's petrol gauge had barely moved and we still had more than three quarters of a tank. Impressive. It wasn't until we were deep into outback NSW, on the lonely road between Nyngan (with its Big Bogan statue proudly on display in the main street) and Bourke, with nothing but red dirt and herds of feral goats on the sides of the road for company, that we began watching the range more carefully. Bourke came into sight well before the J7 showed any real signs of concern. Arriving at one of Australia's most remote EV chargers (yes, Bourke has a charging station now — and it's powered by a clever combination of solar and battery storage), we still had just over a quarter of tank of fuel and an estimated range of more than 300km until empty. With a quick top-up of the battery, I figured we could easily match – if not beat – Jaecoo's claimed 1200km range. However, after spending the night at the quaint Darling River Motel and dinner at the Port of Bourke hotel, we woke up to a massive desert storm brewing on the horizon. The black sky provided a dramatic backdrop against the scorched red earth, and it soon started to bucket down, which not only slowed our speed to below the posted limit but created a headwind and more drag on the drivetrain, which ultimately had a negative impact on our challenge. The rain chased us all the way back to the outskirts of Dubbo before the fuel warning light came on, forcing us to stop there again to refuel – this time for both me and the car. Still, we had covered a total of 1128km before the car needed a drink, which is impressively close to the promised 1200km — especially considering the sub-standard real-world conditions, including elevation changes, headwinds, and a car loaded with gear. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool There are a total of four Jaecoo J7 variants available. 2025 Jaecoo J7 Core 2WD equipment highlights: J7 Track 2WD highlights: J7 Ridge AWD highlights: J7 SHS Summit adds: If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool The Jaecoo J7 PHEV was recently awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2025 testing. Standard safety features include: J7 Track 2WD adds: J7 Ridge AWD and SHS Summit add: If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool The Jaecoo J7 has a strong ownership promise from a new brand. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Given that most of our drive involved sitting at highway speeds — conditions where hybrids traditionally struggle compared to pure petrol engines — the result is nothing short of remarkable. Beyond the numbers, the J7 SHS Summit impressed us with its refinement. The ride quality was excellent, the cabin was whisper-quiet even on rougher surfaces, and the real-world tech worked without fuss. At $47,990 drive-away, the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit is one of the most affordable plug-in hybrids available in Australia at the moment. And, unlike some its Chinese rivals, it delivers on more than just value for money. For starters, it proves that plug-ins can offer the best of both worlds – being an everyday electric car and a long-distance, cross-country cruiser – and surprises with an impressive level of standard equipment, quality and overall refinement. It definitely feels more at home in Bourke Street than it does in Bourke. But it will certainly get you there – and beyond – without stopping. Interested in buying a Jaecoo J7? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers hereMORE: Everything Jaecoo J7 Content originally sourced from: In a world where electric and hybrid technology is reshaping the way we travel, bold claims are everywhere. And few are as ambitious as Jaecoo's promise that its new 2025 J7 SHS Summit mid-size hybrid SUV can deliver up to 1200km of real-world driving range. So, we decided to put the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) medium SUV to the ultimate test on an iconic Aussie road trip; from the tragically hip inner-city streets of Surry Hills in Sydney, starting with a coffee at the famous Bourke Street Bakery, all the way to the outback town of… well, Bourke. That's an easy 759km one-way drive through Sydney's urban jungle and onto its congested freeways, before traversing across the Blue Mountains to Lithgow and then meandering through the fertile farming areas around Mudgee, Dubbo and Nyngan, and finally heading directly north-west to Bourke along one of the straightest, most remote stretches of road on the planet. The Jaecoo should easily make it Bourke without stopping and, with a claimed electric-only range of 90km from its 18.3kWh battery, get us out of town before using a drop of fuel. The challenge is, then, how far will it get us back from Bourke before needing to be refuelled or recharged. The J7 SHS Summit is Jaecoo's flagship model, blending rugged off-road styling with modern electrification. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Even before you open the doors, the J7 looks right at home on leafy inner-city Sydney streets. Its chunky stance, bold grille and slimline LED headlights, complete with a chequered pattern, and floating roofline give off baby Range Rover vibes. Inside, the cabin is classy, with a simple T-shaped relationship between the dashboard and centre console that is fused with good quality materials. Such materials include chrome trim highlights and a twin digital screen configuration that incorporates a 10.25-inch instrument cluster with a portrait-style 14.8-inch infotainment display. The heated and ventilated front seats are comfortable and offer plenty of adjustment, and there's both reach and rake movement for the three-spoke steering wheel that makes it easy to find the optimum driving position. Thankfully, there's two cupholders in the centre console for the double-shot lattes from the bakery that I needed to kickstart this road trip, and dual phone pads at the front of the centre console – the left one offering wireless charging. The final task before hitting the road is to connect my phone to the infotainment system, which is a simple task and provides access to wireless smartphone mirroring. Perfect. Under the bonnet sits a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 105kW of power and 215Nm of torque, paired with a 150kW/310Nm electric motor and a 18.3kWh battery pack. Together, they deliver impressive combined maximum outputs of 255kW and 525Nm, driving the front wheels through an intelligent single-speed hybrid transmission that can shift seamlessly between pure electric, hybrid, or petrol-powered driving. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Now, with a few less litres than a full tank and the battery charge that indicates we have 1116km of range, it's time to hit the road and get out of Sydney on a cool autumn morning. As I engage drive on the column-mounted gear shifter and then start rolling, I am immediately alarmed by an odd noise from outside the window that sounds like I've run over something. I stop and open the door to check but can't see anything obvious. It happens again the moment I move off, and then I realise it's the sound of the motorised pop-out door handles retracting backwards into the body. Let me tell you, it doesn't sound right. And, even after driving the Jaecoo for a week, it was a shock each time. Anyway, with the EV mode engaged, first impressions of how the J7 drives are extremely positive, as it effortlessly glides through the chaos of Sydney's tangled inner-city streets on battery power alone. The electric motor feels punchy and responsive, and the single-speed transmission is seamless in delivering its power to the road. It can induce a bit of tugging on the wheel under heavy acceleration, but I'm conscious of limiting my heavy right foot to maximise the battery's range. Another oddity is the distorted view through the central rear-view mirror. With a heavy convex on its glass, you see a lot more of the rear seats than you normally would and, subsequently, any traffic behind you appears much further away than it probably is. It seems weird at first, but becomes more natural over time. And it's undoubtedly a good thing for families that often carry small kids in the back, as the driver can easily see more of them without having to swing around and take their eyes off the road. The J7 continues to draw on its battery as we hit the freeway and feels just as relaxed at highway speeds as it does around town. The petrol engine only starts to chime in as we begin to ascend into the Blue Mountains. With the battery set to maintain a minimum 25km of range (you can adjust the percentage in the energy settings), we achieved more than 65km of mixed driving conditions in pure EV mode. We could have got more – and closer to its claimed maximum of 90km – but I wanted to see how the remainder of the trip would pan out with a mixture of petrol and electric power, and not just rely on the internal combustion engine alone. Considering that most Australians drive less than 40km on their daily commute, the Jaecoo J7 certainly offers the everyday benefits of an electric vehicle without the negatives of range anxiety. It's barely perceptible when the engine does kick into life. In fact, the Jaecoo J7 is remarkably quiet at highway speeds, even on coarse country roads. And it's pretty comfortable too. The suspension can get a little slappy on corrugations, and the steering is overly light and lacks feedback, but for the most part it rides nicely and feels surefooted through the bends. The steep descent down Mount Victoria recouped a good portion of energy and refilled almost a quarter of battery's capacity thanks to the regenerative braking capability, which – even in its highest setting – feels smoother than many other rivals. The active lane keeping assistance, however, is a little overzealous, constantly tugging at the wheel at the sight of a white line. The adaptive cruise control also doesn't like bends and will slow the car a little too dramatically. And the driver monitoring system incessantly bings and bongs the moment you glance at the infotainment screen. Thankfully, the former and latter can be deactivated through the driving menu on the main screen. But you have to do this each time you start the car. The drive westward saw the J7 settle comfortably into highway mode. The plush seats, large panoramic sunroof and decent Sony audio system made the cabin a pleasant place to spend hours on the road. We rolled into Dubbo – the halfway point – to refuel ourselves at the Pastoral Hotel on Talbragar Street (the steak sandwich was delicious, by the way), but the Jaecoo's petrol gauge had barely moved and we still had more than three quarters of a tank. Impressive. It wasn't until we were deep into outback NSW, on the lonely road between Nyngan (with its Big Bogan statue proudly on display in the main street) and Bourke, with nothing but red dirt and herds of feral goats on the sides of the road for company, that we began watching the range more carefully. Bourke came into sight well before the J7 showed any real signs of concern. Arriving at one of Australia's most remote EV chargers (yes, Bourke has a charging station now — and it's powered by a clever combination of solar and battery storage), we still had just over a quarter of tank of fuel and an estimated range of more than 300km until empty. With a quick top-up of the battery, I figured we could easily match – if not beat – Jaecoo's claimed 1200km range. However, after spending the night at the quaint Darling River Motel and dinner at the Port of Bourke hotel, we woke up to a massive desert storm brewing on the horizon. The black sky provided a dramatic backdrop against the scorched red earth, and it soon started to bucket down, which not only slowed our speed to below the posted limit but created a headwind and more drag on the drivetrain, which ultimately had a negative impact on our challenge. The rain chased us all the way back to the outskirts of Dubbo before the fuel warning light came on, forcing us to stop there again to refuel – this time for both me and the car. Still, we had covered a total of 1128km before the car needed a drink, which is impressively close to the promised 1200km — especially considering the sub-standard real-world conditions, including elevation changes, headwinds, and a car loaded with gear. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool There are a total of four Jaecoo J7 variants available. 2025 Jaecoo J7 Core 2WD equipment highlights: J7 Track 2WD highlights: J7 Ridge AWD highlights: J7 SHS Summit adds: If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool The Jaecoo J7 PHEV was recently awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2025 testing. Standard safety features include: J7 Track 2WD adds: J7 Ridge AWD and SHS Summit add: If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool The Jaecoo J7 has a strong ownership promise from a new brand. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Given that most of our drive involved sitting at highway speeds — conditions where hybrids traditionally struggle compared to pure petrol engines — the result is nothing short of remarkable. Beyond the numbers, the J7 SHS Summit impressed us with its refinement. The ride quality was excellent, the cabin was whisper-quiet even on rougher surfaces, and the real-world tech worked without fuss. At $47,990 drive-away, the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit is one of the most affordable plug-in hybrids available in Australia at the moment. And, unlike some its Chinese rivals, it delivers on more than just value for money. For starters, it proves that plug-ins can offer the best of both worlds – being an everyday electric car and a long-distance, cross-country cruiser – and surprises with an impressive level of standard equipment, quality and overall refinement. It definitely feels more at home in Bourke Street than it does in Bourke. But it will certainly get you there – and beyond – without stopping. Interested in buying a Jaecoo J7? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers hereMORE: Everything Jaecoo J7 Content originally sourced from:
NZ Autocar
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Jaecoo J7 plug-in hybrid scores five stars in ANCAP safety tests
The plug-in hybrid Jaecoo J7 has achieved a five star result in its first ANCAP safety assessment, adding another alternative-powered option for buyers in New Zealand. The new entrant from Chery's sub-brand Jaecoo secured an overall score of 81% for Adult Occupant Protection. In the frontal offset crash test, the cabin structure remained stable with good protection provided to most critical regions, though the driver's chest and lower legs were rated as adequate. A moderate risk to occupants in an oncoming vehicle resulted in a points penalty. In the full-width frontal and side impact tests, performance was generally strong, but the side curtain airbag failed to deploy correctly during the oblique pole test, leading to penalties. Read more Jaecoo J7 SHS – First drive of the new 'Super Hybrid' Child safety also rated highly, with the J7 scoring 85% for Child Occupant Protection. Both six- and ten-year-old dummies showed good protection in testing, except for an adequate result for the ten-year-old's neck. ISOFix and top tether anchorages are standard, and most child restraints could be correctly fitted. However, the car's direct child presence detection system didn't meet ANCAP's criteria. The J7 also scored 80% for Vulnerable Road User Protection and 84% for Safety Assist. Its AEB system performed well across multiple scenarios, though the cyclist dooring warning system didn't alert early enough for full points. Lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control were effective, though ANCAP noted the lane support system could be refined for a smoother driving experience. The ANCAP rating currently applies only to plug-in hybrid versions available in New Zealand. Petrol variants remain unrated.
Perth Now
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit review
The affordable plug-in hybrid war is in full swing, and this is the latest entrant – the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit. WATCH: Paul's international launch review of the 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS If you're wondering, SHS stands for Super Hybrid System, and in this review you'll find out whether this stylish petrol-electric SUV lives up to that ideal. With a striking price point, a sizeable battery with decent EV driving range and impressive combined driving range on offer, there's a lot to like about this plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUV. The SHS Summit sits at the top of the Jaecoo J7 model range, with three non-hybrid petrol models slotting in below it. 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert As a comparison, there are some impressive plug-in hybrid SUVs priced in a similar bracket, including the BYD Sealion 6 (from $42,990) and the GWM Haval H6 GT PHEV (from $53,990 drive-away). You'll find details about standard specifications for the entire model range listed below. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool The interior may be a little understated compared to some of the other SUVs in this segment, but there are some nice design elements and a good amount of thoughtfulness on offer here. 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert The material finishes and the design, firstly, are quite fetching. There's a neat cross-hatch finish on the dash as well as some rubberised elements and softer finishes up top. This high-grade version also has ambient lighting, which flows from the front doors to the back ones as well. Even the carpet mats are pretty special looking, because they match the headlight design, and I really like them. There are some as-you'd-expect elements like a fake leather-clad steering wheel, and faux leather seat trim, but the seats are pretty comfy even if they felt a little hot on warm days. 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert Thankfully there are ventilated front seats if you want to cool things down, and you've got heating for those seats as well. The front passenger seat has toggles so you can remotely adjust it if you need to allow room for someone to get in the back, like in a Kia or Hyundai. Very, very nice tech. There are nice soft elbow pads where you'd expect, and there's a centre box with cooling as a bonus. You'll also find cupholders and a wireless phone charger with a ventilation system so it'll stop your phone from overheating, but there's also a blank pad next to it. Double chargers would be great! Underneath the charging pad is a massive section for extra storage with a nice rubberised mat so things won't move around too much, and it's got some charge ports down there – 12V and USBs. 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert There are large door trenches, and the door handles are chunky and conventional. But I don't like the window switches. When you wonder which way is up and which is down – if up is forwards… nope. Up is to put the window down and down is to put the window up. That got on my nerves during my time with this car. The big panoramic glass roof features an opening section, so if you do want to let the sunshine in and the air flow, you can. It adds plenty of light to the situation in the back for your rear seat riders, and it has a nice thick shade cover. There's one other thing I want to talk about before we get to the screens and tech: it's the rear-view mirror. The auto-dimming mirror has too much convex – it's kind of like a passenger mirror rather than a look-out-the-back-window mirror. And it's terrible. Like, really bad. But the side mirrors are quite large, and they do help out a lot, along with a surround-view camera system too. Now, the central touchscreen is a big unit, at 14.8 inches, and it will take some getting used to. But I do think that it is relatively good in terms of the menus and the controls on offer, and you'll learn your way around it more quickly than in some other vehicles with the screen as the primary controller. 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert It has a built-in navigation system, and it's pretty quick to load with pinch-to-zoom functionally. The nav also has charging port locations, so if you want to find out where your nearest charger is, you can do that. And if you prefer to use smartphone mirroring, it has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the fan controls disappear when you're mirroring your phone, you just need to swipe up at the bottom to get to the temp system settings. Annoyingly, the voice control didn't work that well for the ventilation. You can also adjust your seat comfort, turn on your seat heating or ventilation – all on-screen. There are also different settings for adjusting the climate system. All the stuff that you need is just a tap away. The menus are deep, so spending some time in a Jaecoo showroom mightn't be a bad idea, to learn more about the system before you drive away. I think it's easy, but I've driven lots of cars with more annoying tech. 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert There are multiple screen-scrolls of safety tech adjustments you might want to get into, but there is otherwise a dropdown section to adjust things like the lane departure warning, driver monitoring camera system, and a number of other functions. There are neat things, like the fact you can customise your steering wheel buttons – the little star button can be your dash-cam shortcut, for instance. You can go through the screen or steering wheel controls to adjust your head-up display, and the HUD is pretty good. Snow mode turns it blue, which is a nice touch. The steering wheel controls are piano black – which I don't like because they can look grimy really fast – but they are backlit. On the left of the wheel there's a combination wiper, blinker and headlight stalk, while there's a column-mounted gear shifter on the right. In the back, with the driver's seat set for my driving position, at 182cm or 6'0' tall I had lots of space, including ample legroom and a decent amount of foot room, and the headroom is very good too. If you've got tall teenagers, they'll fit. 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert But there's an annoying oversight in the back – there's just one directional air vent. You can adjust where the air goes, but it'll only go to one side of the cabin. Odd. There are USB-A and USB-C ports to keep rear-seat occupants charged up, and multi-pocket pockets on the seat backs. With bottle holders in the doors and soft elbow pads, it all feels pretty good. There are also ISOFIX child seat anchors and three top-tether points, plus there's a flip-down armrest with cupholders, not to mention grab handles in the back and lights on the sides, too. But the boot space could be a concern for some. 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert There's notably less cargo capacity in the SHS and AWD variants, at 340 litres with the rear seats up, compared to 424L in the FWD vehicles. Fold the rear seats down, and again the FWDs have the advantage, at 1349 versus 1265 litres. Then there's the situation with the spare wheel. There isn't one in the SHS, which could be a deal-breaker for rural buyers. Every other version comes with one. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool The base versions of the Jaecoo J7 have a good powertrain, but this one is a peach. 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert On my test, I managed to get 83km of EV driving done before the engine flicked on, making for an impressive 'first 100km' figure displayed at 1.2L/100km. The screen also showed an electric-motor efficiency figure of 15.2kWh per 100km (the claim is 15.9kWh/100km). I followed that up with extended testing in HEV mode, where the car showed a displayed combined figure of 4.5L/100km. Certainly impressive, and it gives you the idea that it could well live up to the claim of a combined maximum driving range of 1200km with the battery and petrol tank full. Speaking of, the J7 requires 95 RON premium unleaded, and it has the biggest fuel tank capacity of the entire range, with 60L on offer – this could well be one for those who hate going to the servo. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool The way I like to think of PHEVs like this is they're EVs when you want them to be, but hybrids when you need them to be. 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert The SHS can run as a fully electric SUV, with a backup petrol engine to help you out once you deplete the battery pack. If you prefer to drive in full EV mode, there are buttons down between the seats to switch modes. You can even enable an extended EV mode to get the most out of the battery pack. So, if you want to stay in all-electric mode for as long as possible, the option is there. That said, you've also got the petrol engine on hand to support the system. I drove it as an EV to try and use all the battery range, and then as a hybrid too, and it performed really well in both instances. In hybrid mode, it uses the petrol engine to power the system, but it'll still run in EV mode occasionally, even while the petrol engine is on, working to generate power for the battery system. It's a bit of a unique setup, but it works well and feels surprisingly natural. 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert You'll likely find this car easier to live with than a lot of newer plug-in hybrids, EVs, or some of the other new Chinese models. It's compelling in terms of overall driving experience: well-rounded, with decent power even in EV mode, and heaps when you're in hybrid mode and hammer it. As for the drive experience? It's good. Nothing mind-blowing, but very easy to get used to. Thankfully, the safety systems aren't too intrusive. There's speed sign recognition, and if you mute it, it stays muted. The only slightly annoying feature is the driver monitoring camera, which will bing-bong at you if you look at the screen too long. But even that's less aggressive than in some other cars in this segment. Technology integration is solid, and overall, the drive is a pretty confident one. The steering isn't super engaging, but it's responsive and trustworthy. If you're not an enthusiastic thrill-seeking driver, you'll find it handles corners just fine. 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert Ride comfort is decent too. This model is a bit heavier than the standard petrol J7, and the suspension feels sharper and firmer, but it's still comfortable in mixed driving situations. The suspension stays composed without tossing you around the cabin, which is great if you prefer a firmer but still comfortable ride. There are also different drive modes: Normal, Eco, and Sport. I mostly used Normal. Sport gives you a bit more punch and quicker response, while Eco tones everything down, including the regenerative braking. Speaking of, the regen is not as strong as in some full EVs or aggressive hybrids, but it brings you down to a walking pace smoothly when you lift off the accelerator – nice and gradual. Now, onto EV range. Did I get the claimed 90km from a full charge? Not quite, but I came close. 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert I didn't push it to the absolute limit or activate the emergency EV reserve – there's a warning that suggests that's not great for the battery. Still, I got 83km from a charge, which is a very usable electric-only range for most commutes. Not bad at all. When the battery runs out, the petrol engine takes over in hybrid (HEV) mode. You can switch between modes, as I said, so essentially it is able to be tailored to the situation you find yourself in. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Wondering whether or not it's worth spending more on the top-spec SHS Summit, or save some pennies? 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert 2025 Jaecoo J7 Core 2WD equipment highlights: 18-inch alloy wheels Temporary spare wheel Roof rails Power-retracting door handles Gloss black side mirrors Gloss black rear spoiler Projector LED headlights LED tail-lights Rear fog light 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 6-speaker sound system Intelligent voice assistant Satellite navigation AM/FM/DAB+ radio Front and rear USB-A and USB-C ports Manual air-conditioning Electronic gear shifter Premium steering wheel Synthetic leather upholstery 6-way power driver's seat 4-way power front passenger seat J7 Track 2WD highlights: Rain-sensing wipers Acoustic glass windscreen Power tailgate 50W wireless charger 8-speaker Sony sound system Dual-zone climate control Colour-selectable interior ambient lighting Illuminated vanity mirrors Heated front seats Power child safety locks Boot 12V power outlet 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert J7 Ridge AWD highlights: 19-inch alloy wheels Full-sized spare wheel Red brake calipers Panoramic glass sunroof Privacy glass Puddle lights 14.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system Head-up display Alloy pedals Auto-dimming rear-view mirror Heated steering wheel Perforated synthetic leather upholstery Ventilated front seats 4-way power driver's seat lumbar Driver seat and mirror position memory J7 SHS Summit adds: Unique aero-design side mirrors Dark grey roof rails 19-inch aero wheels Tyre repair kit J7 SHS-exclusive interior design Steering column-mounted gear selector *Removes heated steering wheel If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool The Jaecoo J7 PHEV has achieved a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating based on 2025 testing. ANCAP hasn't run the numbers on it yet, but you can likely deduce that it'll get the top score here, too. 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert Aussie models cop the same level of advanced safety kit as those sold in Europe, so there's a whole shopping list of the expected safety features and tech. Standard safety features include: 7 airbags incl. front-centre Autonomous emergency braking Adaptive cruise control Blind-spot monitoring Driver monitoring system Lane departure warning Emergency Lane Keeping assist Lane centring Lane change assist Rear cross-traffic alert Reversing camera Rear parking sensors Traffic Jam Assist Tyre pressure monitoring system J7 Track 2WD adds: 8 airbags incl. driver's knee Surround-view camera Front parking sensors J7 Ridge AWD and SHS Summit add: That built-in dash-cam is a massive bonus. You can set it up so that the favourite 'star' button on the steering wheel triggers it to activate, capturing the moment (and the moments leading up to the moment) to an on-board data card. There are no messy cables, either! Oddly, the entry-level Core version has seven airbags (dual front, front side, front centre and full-length curtain), while the Track and all variants above it add a driver's knee airbag (eight in total). If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool The Jaecoo J7 has a strong ownership promise from a new brand. 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert There's an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is among the best in the business, and it could actually be a better option for many customers than a 10-year warranty with stipulations or sky-high servicing costs. Jaecoo offers an eight-year/120,000km capped-price servicing plan, with intervals set at 12 months/15,000km per visit. The average annual service cost over that eight-year program is $421 per visit – not bad. And, if you service with Jaecoo's network of servicing locations, you'll get up to eight years of roadside assistance as well. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool If you're in the market for a new plug-in hybrid SUV and you like the look of this one, you really ought to get into a showroom and check it out. 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Credit: CarExpert It's an impressively finished, comfortable and likeable SUV, with a decent price and an enticing promise when it comes to ongoing ownership costs and other aftersales considerations. Interested in buying a Jaecoo J7? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Jaecoo J7 Heaps of gear for the cash Properly real-world efficient Easy to get along with Pedal actions can be jerky No AWD available for PHEV Smaller boot than FWD models
7NEWS
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit review
The affordable plug-in hybrid war is in full swing, and this is the latest entrant – the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today If you're wondering, SHS stands for Super Hybrid System, and in this review you'll find out whether this stylish petrol-electric SUV lives up to that ideal. With a striking price point, a sizeable battery with decent EV driving range and impressive combined driving range on offer, there's a lot to like about this plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUV. How much does the Jaecoo J7 cost? The SHS Summit sits at the top of the Jaecoo J7 model range, with three non-hybrid petrol models slotting in below it. As a comparison, there are some impressive plug-in hybrid SUVs priced in a similar bracket, including the BYD Sealion 6 (from $42,990) and the GWM Haval H6 GT PHEV (from $53,990 drive-away). You'll find details about standard specifications for the entire model range listed below. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool What is the Jaecoo J7 like on the inside? The interior may be a little understated compared to some of the other SUVs in this segment, but there are some nice design elements and a good amount of thoughtfulness on offer here. The material finishes and the design, firstly, are quite fetching. There's a neat cross-hatch finish on the dash as well as some rubberised elements and softer finishes up top. This high-grade version also has ambient lighting, which flows from the front doors to the back ones as well. Even the carpet mats are pretty special looking, because they match the headlight design, and I really like them. There are some as-you'd-expect elements like a fake leather-clad steering wheel, and faux leather seat trim, but the seats are pretty comfy even if they felt a little hot on warm days. Thankfully there are ventilated front seats if you want to cool things down, and you've got heating for those seats as well. The front passenger seat has toggles so you can remotely adjust it if you need to allow room for someone to get in the back, like in a Kia or Hyundai. Very, very nice tech. There are nice soft elbow pads where you'd expect, and there's a centre box with cooling as a bonus. You'll also find cupholders and a wireless phone charger with a ventilation system so it'll stop your phone from overheating, but there's also a blank pad next to it. Double chargers would be great! Underneath the charging pad is a massive section for extra storage with a nice rubberised mat so things won't move around too much, and it's got some charge ports down there – 12V and USBs. There are large door trenches, and the door handles are chunky and conventional. But I don't like the window switches. When you wonder which way is up and which is down – if up is forwards… nope. Up is to put the window down and down is to put the window up. That got on my nerves during my time with this car. The big panoramic glass roof features an opening section, so if you do want to let the sunshine in and the air flow, you can. It adds plenty of light to the situation in the back for your rear seat riders, and it has a nice thick shade cover. There's one other thing I want to talk about before we get to the screens and tech: it's the rear-view mirror. The auto-dimming mirror has too much convex – it's kind of like a passenger mirror rather than a look-out-the-back-window mirror. And it's terrible. Like, really bad. But the side mirrors are quite large, and they do help out a lot, along with a surround-view camera system too. Now, the central touchscreen is a big unit, at 14.8 inches, and it will take some getting used to. But I do think that it is relatively good in terms of the menus and the controls on offer, and you'll learn your way around it more quickly than in some other vehicles with the screen as the primary controller. It has a built-in navigation system, and it's pretty quick to load with pinch-to-zoom functionally. The nav also has charging port locations, so if you want to find out where your nearest charger is, you can do that. And if you prefer to use smartphone mirroring, it has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the fan controls disappear when you're mirroring your phone, you just need to swipe up at the bottom to get to the temp system settings. Annoyingly, the voice control didn't work that well for the ventilation. You can also adjust your seat comfort, turn on your seat heating or ventilation – all on-screen. There are also different settings for adjusting the climate system. All the stuff that you need is just a tap away. The menus are deep, so spending some time in a Jaecoo showroom mightn't be a bad idea, to learn more about the system before you drive away. I think it's easy, but I've driven lots of cars with more annoying tech. There are multiple screen-scrolls of safety tech adjustments you might want to get into, but there is otherwise a dropdown section to adjust things like the lane departure warning, driver monitoring camera system, and a number of other functions. There are neat things, like the fact you can customise your steering wheel buttons – the little star button can be your dash-cam shortcut, for instance. You can go through the screen or steering wheel controls to adjust your head-up display, and the HUD is pretty good. Snow mode turns it blue, which is a nice touch. The steering wheel controls are piano black – which I don't like because they can look grimy really fast – but they are backlit. On the left of the wheel there's a combination wiper, blinker and headlight stalk, while there's a column-mounted gear shifter on the right. In the back, with the driver's seat set for my driving position, at 182cm or 6'0' tall I had lots of space, including ample legroom and a decent amount of foot room, and the headroom is very good too. If you've got tall teenagers, they'll fit. But there's an annoying oversight in the back – there's just one directional air vent. You can adjust where the air goes, but it'll only go to one side of the cabin. Odd. There are USB-A and USB-C ports to keep rear-seat occupants charged up, and multi-pocket pockets on the seat backs. With bottle holders in the doors and soft elbow pads, it all feels pretty good. There are also ISOFIX child seat anchors and three top-tether points, plus there's a flip-down armrest with cupholders, not to mention grab handles in the back and lights on the sides, too. But the boot space could be a concern for some. There's notably less cargo capacity in the SHS and AWD variants, at 340 litres with the rear seats up, compared to 424L in the FWD vehicles. Fold the rear seats down, and again the FWDs have the advantage, at 1349 versus 1265 litres. Then there's the situation with the spare wheel. There isn't one in the SHS, which could be a deal-breaker for rural buyers. Every other version comes with one. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool What's under the bonnet? The base versions of the Jaecoo J7 have a good powertrain, but this one is a peach. On my test, I managed to get 83km of EV driving done before the engine flicked on, making for an impressive 'first 100km' figure displayed at 1.2L/100km. The screen also showed an electric-motor efficiency figure of 15.2kWh per 100km (the claim is 15.9kWh/100km). I followed that up with extended testing in HEV mode, where the car showed a displayed combined figure of 4.5L/100km. Certainly impressive, and it gives you the idea that it could well live up to the claim of a combined maximum driving range of 1200km with the battery and petrol tank full. Speaking of, the J7 requires 95 RON premium unleaded, and it has the biggest fuel tank capacity of the entire range, with 60L on offer – this could well be one for those who hate going to the servo. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool How does the Jaecoo J7 drive? The way I like to think of PHEVs like this is they're EVs when you want them to be, but hybrids when you need them to be. The SHS can run as a fully electric SUV, with a backup petrol engine to help you out once you deplete the battery pack. If you prefer to drive in full EV mode, there are buttons down between the seats to switch modes. You can even enable an extended EV mode to get the most out of the battery pack. So, if you want to stay in all-electric mode for as long as possible, the option is there. That said, you've also got the petrol engine on hand to support the system. I drove it as an EV to try and use all the battery range, and then as a hybrid too, and it performed really well in both instances. In hybrid mode, it uses the petrol engine to power the system, but it'll still run in EV mode occasionally, even while the petrol engine is on, working to generate power for the battery system. It's a bit of a unique setup, but it works well and feels surprisingly natural. You'll likely find this car easier to live with than a lot of newer plug-in hybrids, EVs, or some of the other new Chinese models. It's compelling in terms of overall driving experience: well-rounded, with decent power even in EV mode, and heaps when you're in hybrid mode and hammer it. As for the drive experience? It's good. Nothing mind-blowing, but very easy to get used to. Thankfully, the safety systems aren't too intrusive. There's speed sign recognition, and if you mute it, it stays muted. The only slightly annoying feature is the driver monitoring camera, which will bing-bong at you if you look at the screen too long. But even that's less aggressive than in some other cars in this segment. Technology integration is solid, and overall, the drive is a pretty confident one. The steering isn't super engaging, but it's responsive and trustworthy. If you're not an enthusiastic thrill-seeking driver, you'll find it handles corners just fine. Ride comfort is decent too. This model is a bit heavier than the standard petrol J7, and the suspension feels sharper and firmer, but it's still comfortable in mixed driving situations. The suspension stays composed without tossing you around the cabin, which is great if you prefer a firmer but still comfortable ride. There are also different drive modes: Normal, Eco, and Sport. I mostly used Normal. Sport gives you a bit more punch and quicker response, while Eco tones everything down, including the regenerative braking. Speaking of, the regen is not as strong as in some full EVs or aggressive hybrids, but it brings you down to a walking pace smoothly when you lift off the accelerator – nice and gradual. Now, onto EV range. Did I get the claimed 90km from a full charge? Not quite, but I came close. I didn't push it to the absolute limit or activate the emergency EV reserve – there's a warning that suggests that's not great for the battery. Still, I got 83km from a charge, which is a very usable electric-only range for most commutes. Not bad at all. When the battery runs out, the petrol engine takes over in hybrid (HEV) mode. You can switch between modes, as I said, so essentially it is able to be tailored to the situation you find yourself in. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool What do you get? Wondering whether or not it's worth spending more on the top-spec SHS Summit, or save some pennies? 2025 Jaecoo J7 Core 2WD equipment highlights: 18-inch alloy wheels Temporary spare wheel Roof rails Power-retracting door handles Gloss black side mirrors Gloss black rear spoiler Projector LED headlights LED tail-lights Rear fog light 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 6-speaker sound system Intelligent voice assistant Satellite navigation AM/FM/DAB+ radio Front and rear USB-A and USB-C ports Manual air-conditioning Electronic gear shifter Premium steering wheel Synthetic leather upholstery 6-way power driver's seat 4-way power front passenger seat J7 Track 2WD highlights: Rain-sensing wipers Acoustic glass windscreen Power tailgate 50W wireless charger 8-speaker Sony sound system Dual-zone climate control Colour-selectable interior ambient lighting Illuminated vanity mirrors Heated front seats Power child safety locks Boot 12V power outlet J7 Ridge AWD highlights: 19-inch alloy wheels Full-sized spare wheel Red brake calipers Panoramic glass sunroof Privacy glass Puddle lights 14.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system Head-up display Alloy pedals Auto-dimming rear-view mirror Heated steering wheel Perforated synthetic leather upholstery Ventilated front seats 4-way power driver's seat lumbar Driver seat and mirror position memory J7 SHS Summit adds: Unique aero-design side mirrors Dark grey roof rails 19-inch aero wheels Tyre repair kit J7 SHS-exclusive interior design Steering column-mounted gear selector *Removes heated steering wheel If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool Is the Jaecoo J7 SHS safe? The Jaecoo J7 PHEV has achieved a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating based on 2025 testing. ANCAP hasn't run the numbers on it yet, but you can likely deduce that it'll get the top score here, too. Aussie models cop the same level of advanced safety kit as those sold in Europe, so there's a whole shopping list of the expected safety features and tech. Standard safety features include: 7 airbags incl. front-centre Autonomous emergency braking Adaptive cruise control Blind-spot monitoring Driver monitoring system Lane departure warning Emergency Lane Keeping assist Lane centring Lane change assist Rear cross-traffic alert Reversing camera Rear parking sensors Traffic Jam Assist Tyre pressure monitoring system J7 Track 2WD adds: 8 airbags incl. driver's knee Surround-view camera Front parking sensors J7 Ridge AWD and SHS Summit add: Built-in dashcam That built-in dash-cam is a massive bonus. You can set it up so that the favourite 'star' button on the steering wheel triggers it to activate, capturing the moment (and the moments leading up to the moment) to an on-board data card. There are no messy cables, either! Oddly, the entry-level Core version has seven airbags (dual front, front side, front centre and full-length curtain), while the Track and all variants above it add a driver's knee airbag (eight in total). If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool How much does the Jaecoo J7 SHS cost to run? The Jaecoo J7 has a strong ownership promise from a new brand. There's an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is among the best in the business, and it could actually be a better option for many customers than a 10-year warranty with stipulations or sky-high servicing costs. Jaecoo offers an eight-year/120,000km capped-price servicing plan, with intervals set at 12 months/15,000km per visit. The average annual service cost over that eight-year program is $421 per visit – not bad. And, if you service with Jaecoo's network of servicing locations, you'll get up to eight years of roadside assistance as well. If you're curious about how the Jaecoo J7 compares to its rivals, check out our comparison tool CarExpert's Take on the Jaecoo J7 If you're in the market for a new plug-in hybrid SUV and you like the look of this one, you really ought to get into a showroom and check it out. It's an impressively finished, comfortable and likeable SUV, with a decent price and an enticing promise when it comes to ongoing ownership costs and other aftersales considerations. Interested in buying a Jaecoo J7? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here MORE: Everything Jaecoo J7 Pros Heaps of gear for the cash Properly real-world efficient Easy to get along with Cons
