2026 Jaecoo J7 SHS Track Review: Affordable plug-in hybrid SUV proves the powertrain is the star
If you’re shopping for an affordable plug-in hybrid SUV in Australia, chances are you’ll end up looking at a Chinese brand.
Jaecoo is one of several marques under the rapidly expanding Chery umbrella, and its J7 SHS (Super Hybrid System) aims to combine bold styling, generous equipment and a genuinely useful electric driving range with an aggressive price tag.
Here we’re testing the entry-level Track, which strips back some luxury features from the more expensive Summit but retains the same impressive plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
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2026 Jaecoo J7 SHS Track price and equipment
The Jaecoo J7 SHS range opens with the Track tested here at $43,990 drive-away, while the more luxurious Summit costs $47,990 drive-away.
That pricing immediately makes it one of Australia’s most affordable plug-in hybrid SUVs. It comfortably undercuts the new Toyota RAV4 PHEV, while also taking the fight to Chinese rivals including the BYD Sealion 6 and Geely Starray EM-i.
The biggest challenge, however, may come from inside the Chery family. The closely related Chery Tiggo 7 CSH shares the same platform and plug-in hybrid powertrain, yet costs even less.
Even so, the Track hardly feels stripped out.
Standard equipment includes LED headlights, retractable door handles, roof rails, 19-inch alloy wheels, perforated synthetic leather trim, powered, heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, rear air vents, a 13.2-inch portrait touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and satellite navigation.
The Summit adds a panoramic sunroof, larger infotainment display, Sony premium audio, wireless phone charger, head-up display, powered tailgate and ambient lighting.
The J7 SHS also scores highly for ownership costs. Warranty coverage extends to eight years with unlimited kilometres, while the high-voltage battery receives its own eight-year warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, with eight years of capped-price servicing costing $3372.
Safety is another strong point. The J7 SHS carries a five-star ANCAP rating and comes fitted with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assistance, driver monitoring and seven airbags.
The surround-view camera system is one of the better examples fitted to an affordable SUV, producing crisp images that make parking remarkably straightforward.
2026 Jaecoo J7 SHS Track: What we think
The biggest reason to buy the J7 SHS is unquestionably its plug-in hybrid system.
Chery has quickly established itself as one of the leaders in mainstream PHEV technology and the Jaecoo reinforces that reputation.
The front-wheel-drive drivetrain combines a 105kW/215Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 150kW/310Nm electric motor for combined outputs of 255kW and 525Nm. It’s matched to Chery’s dedicated hybrid transmission and powered by an 18.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery.
On paper, the numbers are impressive. On the road, they’re even better.
The J7 will happily operate as an EV around town for extended periods and, driven sensibly, its claimed 90km WLTP electric range appears genuinely achievable. That means many owners could complete the daily commute without using any petrol at all.
When the battery eventually depletes, the hybrid system continues to impress. Rather than feeling like a conventional petrol-powered SUV carrying around a depleted battery, the J7 still prioritises electric drive wherever possible, using the petrol engine as a generator before bringing it in to help drive the wheels when more performance is required.
The transition between the two power sources is generally seamless and the overall refinement of the drivetrain is among the best in the affordable plug-in hybrid segment.
Performance is another pleasant surprise.
Instant electric torque gives the J7 brisk acceleration away from traffic lights and plenty of confidence when darting through gaps in city traffic. Put your foot down and the front tyres can easily be overwhelmed on damp roads, a reminder that all 255kW is being channelled through the front wheels.
The rest of the driving experience isn’t quite as polished.
Ride quality is acceptable rather than outstanding. The suspension generally copes well with Australia’s less-than-perfect roads, although sharper bumps still send noticeable impacts into the cabin.
Likewise, the steering is very light around town, making parking effortless, but never develops the natural weighting or communication offered by the best medium SUVs.
None of this makes the J7 unpleasant to drive. It simply lacks the polish now expected from the class leaders.
The cabin presents well, however.
Material quality has improved dramatically compared with Chery products from only a few years ago and the interior feels more expensive than its price tag suggests. The front seats are comfortable, storage is plentiful and rear-seat accommodation is generous enough for adults.
Boot space is quoted at 500 litres, expanding to 1265 litres with the rear seats folded. The only disappointment is beneath the floor, where the battery packaging means there’s no room for a spare wheel, only a tyre repair kit.
Like many modern Chinese vehicles, the J7 relies heavily on its central touchscreen.
The system is generally responsive, but many commonly used functions remain buried within menus. Climate control adjustments, driver assistance settings and other routine tasks still require more screen interaction than they should.
It’s better than some earlier Chery products and the lane-keeping system is less intrusive than before, but physical shortcut buttons would make everyday operation much easier.
2026 Jaecoo J7 SHS Track: Verdict
The Jaecoo J7 SHS Track succeeds because it concentrates on the things that matter most in a plug-in hybrid.
Its drivetrain is genuinely excellent, offering meaningful electric-only driving, strong hybrid efficiency and brisk performance, while the pricing and ownership package make it one of Australia’s better-value electrified SUVs.
The chassis still lacks the sophistication of the segment’s best and the touchscreen-heavy cabin can frustrate, while buyers should also consider the mechanically similar Chery Tiggo 7 CSH before signing on the dotted line.
Even so, if your priority is an affordable plug-in hybrid SUV capable of dramatically reducing fuel consumption without sacrificing practicality, the J7 SHS Track deserves a place high on your shortlist.
SCORE: 4.0/5.0
2026 Jaecoo J7 SHS Track specifications
Price: $43,990 drive-away
Basics: PHEV, 5 seats, 5 doors, SUV, FWD
EV range: 90km (WLTP)
Battery: 18.3kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP)
Battery warranty: Eight years
Energy consumption: 15.9kWh/100km
Fuel consumption: 1.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
Powertrain: 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder, 105kW/215Nm
Motor: Front-mounted, 150kW/310Nm
Combined output: 255kW/525Nm
Transmission: Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (1DHT)
AC charging: 6.6kW
DC charging: 40kW
0-100km/h: Not claimed
Note: J7 Summit shown in photography
