2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Review: New plug-in BYD Sealion 6 rival is a budget-priced PHEV choice

March 29, 2025March 28, 2025 Toby Hagon 1073 Views 0 Comments J7, Jaecoo, Jaecoo J7

Jaecoo is yet another new brand to add to the mix of mostly Chinese newcomers trying to carve itself a slice of the new-car market.

Effectively the slightly posher arm of Chery (another brand some may not be familiar with), the Jaecoo brand has kicked off with the J7, a mid-sized five-seat SUV.

While it’s available with pure petrol propulsion, a new plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) version – marketed as SHS, or super hybrid system – allows EV-only running.

As with the BYD Sealion 6 and GWM Haval H6GT it will compete with, the Jaecoo J7 is aiming to tempt buyers out of regular hybrids by allowing them to recharge externally and do the bulk of their driving on electricity alone.

2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS price and equipment

The Jaecoo J7 comes in a range of petrol-only models starting from $34,990 drive-away.

But it’s the plug-in hybrid – or Super Hybrid System (SHS) – we’re interested in here.

It’s a one-size-fits-all model known as the J7 SHS Summit.

Summit refers to the trim level and includes a bunch of gear such as dual-zone ventilation, a digital instrument cluster, heated steering wheel, head-up display, 360-degree camera, ambient lighting, fake leather, heated and ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof with retractable blind, wireless phone charging, electrically adjustable front seats and a 14.8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Under the bonnet is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, but it only drives the wheels above 80km/h.

At any speed it can also act as a generator to charge the battery and extend the driving range to a claimed 1200km.

In most driving, then, you’re powered by a single 150kW/310Nm electric motor driving the front wheels.

There’s also an 18.3 kWh battery claimed to provide up to 90km of WLTP range.

While it shares plenty with petrol-only J7s, the SHS gets unique design elements, including mirrors and wheels. Inside, too, there are significant changes, including a unique centre console and inner door linings. Even the stalks on the steering wheel are different between petrol and PHEV.

The J7 is covered by an eight-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. Impressively, that warranty also covers the high-voltage battery.

2025 Jaecoo J7: What we think

There’s no start button for the J7 SHS. Get in, sit down and fasten your seatbelt and you’re ready to go.

Running in EV mode it makes 150kW and 310Nm, which zips it along nicely.

On a wet road the inside front wheel can sometimes slip as it scrabbles for traction, but the power delivery is otherwise clean and useful.

As speeds approach 100km/h there’s a lot less enthusiasm, so for country running you’d be best slotting it into hybrid mode.

The petrol engine will sometimes hum away at low speeds, but under way it’s impressively muted with only a vague noise to go with some thoroughly acceptable tyre and wind noise.

In hybrid mode you’ve then you’ve got the 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo engine chiming in with another 105kW and 215Nm. There’s no gearbox so that engine only drives the wheels above 80km/h.

Jaecoo simplistically adds the two drive systems to claim combined outputs of 255kW and 525Nm, but it never felt remotely close to that.

Still, performance is thoroughly adequate.

The claimed 106km of EV range drops to 90km once you employ the more realistic WLTP test standard, but even then it’s useful for daily duties in EV mode.

A 30 to 80 percent charge – half the battery capacity – can be done in as little as 20 minutes when utilising a DC fast charger (it’ll charge at up to 40kW).

Or you can plug into a standard wallbox to charge at up to 6.6kW with AC electricity, for a full charge of the 18.3kWh battery in about 3.5 hours.

On the road the J7 is inoffensive to drive but won’t shake the establishment.

The suspension tends towards soft but still picks up some shakes and shimmies, especially over successive bumps.

Light steering has an odd gluey feel to it that saps cornering confidence, although it’s generally well behaved.

Jaecoo is pitching for the premium end of the mainstream market and there’s plenty to like in its long list of equipment.

Obviously the badge lacks recognition, although the sharp price tag will partially alleviate that.

The brand prides itself on higher quality finishes compared with the mainstream masses, and while that partly holds true with some of the plastics and soft touch surfaces, there’s also lots of grey.

There’s decent space, including a floating centre console with storage beneath. A deep binnacle can swallow all manner of odds and ends.

2025 Jaecoo J7: Verdict

The Jaecoo adds to the assortment of budget-priced SUVs trying to tempt Aussies away from big name brands.

Its appeal is clearly its price tag. The excellent eight-year warranty is a winner, too.

While it delivers on features and gear, the driving experience doesn’t have the same wow factor.

While it’s unlikely to sway buyers from familiar big name brands, it provides some tempting competition among fresher newcomers.

Score: 3.5/5

Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit specifications

Price: $47,990 drive-away
Basics: PHEV, 5 seats, 5 doors, SUV, FWD
Range: 1200km (90km EV only)
Battery capacity: 18.3kWh
Battery warranty: 8 years/unlimited km
Energy consumption: 15.9kWh/100km
Powertrain: 1.5-litre petrol-turbo engine, 105kW/215NM
Motors: 1 front, 150kW/310Nm
Combined outputs: 255kW/525Nm
AC charging: 6.6kW, Type 2 plug
DC charging: 40kW, CCS combo plug
0-100km/h: NA