Tag Archives: Jaecoo

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Jaecoo 8: The Chinese SUV That Wants to Eat Your Kodiaq for Breakfast

China’s relentless SUV offensive shows no sign of slowing down, and the next salvo aimed squarely at Europe comes in the shape of this: the Jaecoo 8. It’s big, bold, and heading to the UK next year to ruffle the feathers of the Volkswagen Tayron (whenever that actually arrives) and Škoda Kodiaq.

If you’ve not heard of Jaecoo yet, don’t panic — you’re not alone. It’s one of the more premium offshoots of Chery, the same industrial powerhouse behind Omoda, Exeed, and roughly half of China’s SUV output. Think of Jaecoo as the brand trying to merge Range Rover vibes with a price tag that won’t make your accountant faint.

Under the bonnet sits a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot pushing out a healthy 245bhp and 284lb ft of torque, funneled through an eight-speed auto to either the front or all four wheels. Not bad numbers for a family bus, and with adaptive suspension on top trims, there’s a good chance it won’t drive like a blancmange in a hurricane.

Inside, Jaecoo’s thrown every toy in the box at the 8. You get a 12.3-inch digital dash, a matching infotainment touchscreen, and the same Qualcomm processor that keeps Volvo and Polestar systems running smoothly — promising snappy responses and fewer touchscreen tantrums. There’s also a head-up display, a massaging driver’s seat, and a 14-speaker Sony sound system to drown out the kids asking, “Are we there yet?” Ambient lighting snakes around the cabin like a nightclub in Shenzhen, and depending on how many friends you’ve got, you can spec it with five, six, or seven seats.

Pricing? Not yet confirmed, but expect the 8 to land north of the smaller Jaecoo 7’s £30k starting price. Even so, it’ll likely undercut a Škoda Kodiaq, which kicks off around £40k, while still serving up more screens, speakers, and seat massages.

The real question is whether the Jaecoo badge can carry enough clout to tempt buyers away from Europe’s SUV establishment. Because while the spec sheet screams value, British buyers can be a snobbish bunch — especially when the car in question doesn’t come with a familiar badge.

Still, if Jaecoo nails the ride, the build quality, and that ever-tricky dealer support, this could be the most convincing Chinese SUV yet. And if not? Well, at least you’ll have one hell of a Sony sound system to console you.

Source: Jaecoo

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Jaecoo E5: 248-Mile Range, Fast Charging, and a Price That Undercuts the Competition

China’s fast-growing EV wave is about to make another splash in the UK, and this time it’s wearing a Jaecoo badge. The brand has confirmed its first UK-bound electric SUV, the E5, will roll into showrooms in October with prices starting from £27,505 — undercutting many of its established rivals.

Positioned against the likes of the Peugeot e-2008, Hyundai Kona Electric, and the upcoming Kia EV3, the E5 aims to win over buyers with an appealing mix of range, tech, and value. At its core is a 61.1-kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack that delivers a claimed 248 miles between charges. DC fast-charging at up to 80 kW means a 30–80% top-up takes just 27 minutes, and vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality lets the E5 double as a mobile power bank for camping gear, tools, or even an outdoor coffee maker.

Under the hood — or rather, under the floor — a single front-mounted electric motor produces 204 hp and 212 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to launch the E5 from 0 to 62 mph in 7.7 seconds, which puts it squarely in the middle of the small EV SUV pack for performance.

Stylistically, the E5 trades the bold grille of its petrol-powered sibling, the Jaecoo 5, for a sleeker, mostly closed-off nose, improving aerodynamics while giving the SUV a clean, modern look. Inside, there’s a 13.2-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, five-passenger seating, and up to 1,180 liters of cargo space with the rear seats folded.

Two trims are on offer: Pure and Luxury. The entry Pure spec already includes a six-speaker Sony audio system and manual front seat adjustments, while the Luxury trim — starting at £30,505 — adds an eight-speaker upgrade, panoramic sunroof, and heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats. Both come with Jaecoo’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty.

With its competitive pricing, usable range, and decent kit list, the Jaecoo E5 could be the brand’s ticket to a foothold in the UK’s increasingly crowded electric SUV market. And given how quickly Chinese EV brands have been shaking up the status quo, established players would be wise to take notice.

Source: Autocar

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Jaecoo 5 Mixes Tech and Turbo Power in Sleek Compact SUV Package

The compact crossover segment is set to welcome a bold new contender as the Jaecoo 5 gears up for its UK debut at next week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Positioned to rival the Range Rover Evoque, the Jaecoo 5 marks the latest push by Chinese automaker Chery into the European market, expanding the presence of its premium offshoot, Jaecoo.

The Jaecoo 5 will become the second model in the brand’s line-up, following in the footsteps of the larger Jaecoo 7, which has already found early success in the UK with nearly 6,000 units sold since its launch earlier this year.

Built on the same T1X platform as the Jaecoo 7 and models from sibling brand Omoda – including the Omoda 5, 7, 9, and the newly unveiled 3 – the Jaecoo 5 shares much of its underlying architecture with the Omoda 3, making it the most mechanically related vehicle in the Chery family.

In a departure from current market trends, Jaecoo is holding back on launching the 5 as an electric or hybrid model. Instead, it will arrive first with a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, likely delivering a familiar 187 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission – figures that mirror the powertrain found in the Omoda 5.

Design-wise, the Jaecoo 5 mirrors the aesthetic of its larger sibling, offering a more compact silhouette with a shorter wheelbase and a coupe-like raked roofline. Its front and rear styling closely mimic that of the Jaecoo 7, giving the model a distinctive and upscale presence on the road.

Inside, the Jaecoo 5 differentiates itself with a more compact digital interface. While the 7 boasts a 14.8-inch infotainment screen and a 10.25-inch floating driver display, the 5 will feature a smaller central screen (size yet to be disclosed) and a driver display integrated into the dash, creating a cleaner and more minimalist cabin layout.

Buyers will be able to choose from two trims: Pure and Luxury. The entry-level Pure spec includes a six-speaker sound system, six-way adjustable seats, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Stepping up to the Luxury trim brings additional features such as a panoramic roof, wireless phone charging, and heated and ventilated front seats, aiming to satisfy the growing demand for premium technology and comfort at an attainable price point.

While full pricing and specifications are still under wraps, Jaecoo is expected to announce more details, including UK pricing and delivery dates, at Goodwood next week.

With its blend of sharp styling, familiar powertrain technology, and an aggressive market strategy, the Jaecoo 5 could well be a disruptive force in the compact crossover segment – especially as Chinese manufacturers continue to gain traction in Western markets.

Source: Jaecoo

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