JAECOO J7 PHEV

Overview

The JAECOO J7 is the debut SUV model under Chery's sub-brand JAECOO, with its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant making its global debut at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show. Positioned as a C-segment SUV targeting the premium market, it features the "Super Hybrid System (SHS)" as its key selling point. In terms of dimensions, the SUV measures 4,500 mm in length, 1,865 mm in width, and 1,670 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,672 mm. It features a 5-seater layout. In Malaysia, the J7 PHEV is priced at RM158,800 (approximately RM245,000); starting prices in Mexico range from around RM243,000 to RM261,700; it is priced at around RM276,400 in South Africa; and starts from AUD 37,490 in Australia.

Design Language

Styling-wise, the JAECOO J7 PHEV retains the overall design of the petrol-powered J7. Up front, it sports a large vertical waterfall-style grille flanked by slim split LED headlights, delivering a bold, squarish aesthetic with high road presence. The side profile features clean and sleek lines, complete with flush pop-out door handles, a floating roof effect, and 19-inch aero-optimised alloy wheels. At the rear, it gets a trendy full-width LED light bar paired with a two-tone rear bumper. The PHEV variant looks largely identical to the petrol version, distinguished mainly by bespoke aero wheels and subtle side badging. Exterior colour options include Carbon Crystal Black, Khaki White, and Moonlight Silver.

Inside, the cabin leans heavily into tech-focused luxury. It comes equipped with a 14.8-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen and a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster, with the centre display supporting a transparent chassis display for off-road visibility. A 64-colour ambient lighting system alongside metallic accents elevates the premium cabin ambiance. The 2026 model year introduces a brown leather interior option across the seats, dashboard, door cards, and centre console.

Powertrain & Performance

The J7 PHEV is driven by a plug-in hybrid powertrain pairing Chery's in-house 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor. The petrol mill outputs 105 kW (143 PS)  and 215 Nm of torque, while the electric motor produces 150 kW (204 PS)  and 310 Nm. Together, the system delivers a combined output of 255 kW (around 347 PS)  and 525 Nm.

Juicing the motor is an 18.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack. Pure electric range is rated at around 88–90 km on the WLTP cycle and up to 106 km under NEDC testing. Total cruising range on a full tank and charge exceeds 1,200 km (with claims reaching up to 1,300 km). Fuel tank capacity is rated at 60 litres. In terms of fuel efficiency, it returns a combined figure of approximately 4.9 L/100 km (WLTP) and as low as 1.27 L/100 km (NEDC). The 0–100 km/h sprint is completed in 8.5 seconds. For charging, it supports 40 kW DC fast charging, juicing the battery from 30% to 80% in about 20 minutes. A 3.3 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) reverse power supply comes as standard.

Chassis & Handling

Underpinned by Chery's global SUV modular architecture, the J7 PHEV utilizes front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent suspension setup. As for drivetrains, international markets currently offer the front-wheel-drive (FWD/2WD)  guise, with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant confirmed for a later rollout. The AWD variant will gain four dedicated off-road terrain modes: Sand, Mud, Snow, and Off-road. Off-road metrics include a wading depth of 450 mm on the FWD model, while the AWD boasts a 28° approach angle, a 20° departure angle, and 200 mm of ground clearance. The FWD version provides three selectable drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport.

Interior & Equipment

The cockpit revolves around the 14.8-inch centre touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital meter panel. Infotainment features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, paired with an 8-speaker SONY premium sound system. Cabin comfort is bolstered by powered front seats (6-way driver, 4-way passenger) with heating and ventilation. Other standard equipment includes a panoramic glass roof, powered tailgate, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear AC vents, a 50W wireless smartphone charger, a colour Head-Up Display (HUD) , and a 360-degree 3D surround-view monitor with transparent underfloor view. Boot capacity stands at 500 litres, expandable to 1,265 litres with the rear seats folded.

Safety & Driver Assistance

On the safety front, the J7 PHEV boasts a five-star safety rating from both Euro NCAP and ANCAP. In ANCAP crash tests, it achieved 81% for Adult Occupant Protection, 85% for Child Occupant Protection, 80% for Vulnerable Road User Protection, and 84% for Safety Assist. Passive safety includes 8 airbags as standard—dual front, front side, full-length curtain, driver's knee airbag, and a front centre airbag.

Active safety is handled by a comprehensive suite of Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Core features include: All-speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) , Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)  (with vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcyclist detection), Lane Centring Assist (LCA) , Lane Departure Warning and Prevention (LDW/LDP) , Blind Spot Detection (BSD) , Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) with auto-brake, Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) , Driver Monitoring System (DMS) , and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) .

Market Reception & Verdict

The JAECOO J7 PHEV has been introduced across key overseas markets including Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa, Mexico, and Australia since 2025, garnering strong market reception. In Malaysia, priced competitively at RM158,800, the J7 PHEV stands out as one of the best value-for-money plug-in hybrid SUVs on the market. It is backed by a 7-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty, an 8-year/160,000 km high-voltage battery warranty (with 1-to-1 replacement if battery state of health drops below 70%), and a 10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty.

In expert reviews, Top Gear praised the J7 PHEV for being "both frugal and punchy off the line"; Australia's CarExpert highlighted its upright, boxy proportions that translate to generous rear passenger room; while Top Gear South Africa commended its "truly upmarket feel, devoid of fuel-guzzling penalties or snatchy throttle calibration". On the flip side, some reviewers noted that the claimed 1,200 km range "is largely laboratory-tested under WLTP protocols and could prove optimistic under real-world driving conditions".

Serving as a vital spearhead in Chery's global expansion, the JAECOO J7 PHEV carves out a strong value proposition in the competitive hybrid SUV space, backed by its 1.5T plug-in hybrid setup (347 PS/525 Nm), 1,200+ km combined range, five-star crash rating, and generous suite of tech and amenities.