Chery Jaecoo 8

Model Overview

The Jaecoo 8 is the flagship SUV from Chery's global sub-brand, Jaecoo. Making its global debut at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show, it is positioned as the overseas rebadged twin of China's Tiggo 9. Under Chery's "J&O" dual-brand overseas strategy, it is positioned more upmarket than the core Chery brand, aiming to challenge mainstream D-segment SUVs and select luxury marques with its segment-above dimensions, generous kit, and competitive pricing. Globally, the SUV is offered with two powertrain choices depending on the market: pure petrol (2.0T+8AT) and plug-in hybrid (SHS-P system). In the UK market, the 2026 Jaecoo 8 SHS-P starts at around £45,500 (approx. RM419,000), placing it against key rivals like the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, Skoda Kodiaq, and Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Design Language

With an upright, boxy stance, the Jaecoo 8 measures 4,820 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, and 1,710 mm tall, with a 2,820 mm wheelbase, offering 5-seater, 6-seater, and 7-seater configurations with cabin practicality as its core selling point. The exterior adopts Jaecoo's signature rugged styling, headlined by a prominent "waterfall" slatted front grille, flush pop-out door handles, and two-tone 20-inch alloy wheels that streamline its profile whilst effectively reducing aerodynamic drag. Inside, the cabin carries a minimalist luxury aesthetic with subtle cues inspired by German luxury marques: the dashboard layout and air vents draw clear inspiration from the Mercedes-Benz GLE/GLS, complemented by a 24.6-inch curved dual-screen display that delivers strong tech appeal and premium ambiance. Higher-spec variants further gain a "zero-gravity" queen co-driver seat with an ottoman leg rest, 256-colour ambient lighting, and NAPPA leather upholstery, creating an executive first-class lounge experience.

Powertrain and Performance

The Jaecoo 8 offers two primary powertrains globally. In select Asian and Oceanian markets, it is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 183 kW (around 249 PS) and 385 Nm of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in about 8.8 to 9.0 seconds (depending on the drivetrain) with a WLTP fuel consumption of 7.8 to 8.1 L/100 km. In the UK and Europe, the Jaecoo 8 focuses on a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant pairing a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with front and rear dual electric motors for an electric AWD setup, churning out a combined system output of 315 kW (approx. 428 PS) and 580 Nm. The PHEV completes the century sprint in just 5.8 seconds, with top speed rated at 200 km/h. Powering the hybrid is a 34.4 kWh battery pack, providing a WLTP pure electric range of up to 134 km (approx. 83 miles) and an overall combined cruising range of over 1,126 km (approx. 700 miles). For charging, it supports DC fast charging, taking around 20 minutes from 30% to 80% SOC, alongside Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) reverse power supply functionality.

Chassis and Handling

Under the skin, the Jaecoo 8 features front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link independent suspension. To balance road comfort with mild off-road capability, Continuous Damping Control (CDC) adaptive suspension comes standard across the range, reacting to road conditions in milliseconds to automatically adjust damper firmness for superior bump absorption over uneven and unpaved surfaces. Drivetrain options include front-wheel drive (FWD) and intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD), with AWD variants gaining torque vectoring and a 600 mm wading depth capability. For structural safety, the entire lineup incorporates a "Rock Body" structure comprising up to 85% high-strength steel, boasting a static torsional rigidity of 26,000 Nm/deg.

Cabin and Features

The cockpit's digital interface centres around a dual 12.3-inch integrated display screen (upgraded to a 15.6-inch floating touchscreen in certain markets) alongside a wide HUD head-up display. The infotainment runs on the LION 5.0 operating system, complete with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice control support. Luxury appointments on mid-to-high-spec variants include a 14-speaker Sony premium audio system (with headrest speakers), ventilated, heated, and massaging front and second-row seats, three-zone automatic climate control, and a 50W cooled wireless smartphone charging pad. In terms of seating layouts, the AWD 6-seater adopts a 2+2+2 layout with individual captain chairs in the second row; the 7-seater uses a 2+3+2 setup; and the 5-seater configuration expands boot volume up to a massive 2,021 litres.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The Jaecoo 8 comes well-equipped with passive safety kit as standard. Airbag count ranges from 6 to 10 depending on the market, with top-spec trims featuring an all-round 10-airbag protection cocoon. On the active safety front, it packs a Level 2.5 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) comprising over 19 functions, including full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). AWD models exclusively gain fully automated parking and a Driver Monitoring System (DMS), alongside a 540-degree panoramic camera with transparent chassis view, making tight manoeuvres and off-road driving far safer and easier.

Market Performance and Reception

As a crucial spearhead in Chery's global upmarket push, the Jaecoo 8 has enjoyed a strong start in several international markets. In Q1 2025, the J8 (Jaecoo 8) registered 1,439 units in Russia; in February 2026, it recorded monthly sales of around 3,005 units in Indonesia (ranking 7th overall among brands), while January 2026 saw over 1,300 units delivered in Israel. Brand-wide, Jaecoo has built formidable momentum overseas with its "value-for-money, high-spec" formula; its smaller sibling, the Jaecoo 7, even topped the UK new car sales charts in March 2026, providing robust tailwinds for the Jaecoo 8's global rollout. Global automotive media widely agree that the Jaecoo 8's main trump card is delivering segment-above size, a luxurious interior, and punchy hybrid performance at the price point of a mainstream C-segment SUV. Criticisms, however, centre on its comfort-biased chassis tuning that yields a somewhat soft, floaty handling feel, as well as a third row best reserved for short emergency trips. On the whole, the Jaecoo 8 successfully delivers on its dual mandate of brand elevation and global conquest, standing out as a compelling testament to China's intelligent automotive manufacturing breaking into mainstream global segments.