JAECOO 5 BEV

Model Overview

The JAECOO 5 BEV is the first fully electric SUV from Chery’s premium sub-brand, JAECOO, serving as the spearhead of its electrification strategy. Its Chinese domestic market counterpart is the Tansuo 06 Pro (with the JAECOO 5 BEV serving as its direct export counterpart), developed as a global model tailored for international markets. The JAECOO 5 BEV made its regional premiere in Thailand in April 2025, followed by the opening of order books in the UK with a starting price of RM160,000 (approx. RM145,000). Concurrently in the UK, a petrol variant powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine was offered alongside an upcoming hybrid variant slated for future release.

Classified as a B-segment fully electric SUV (B-SUV), the vehicle measures 4,380 mm long, 1,860 mm wide, and 1,650 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,620 mm and a standard five-seater layout. As the brand's pure electric vanguard, the JAECOO 5 BEV leverages practicality and value-for-money to target core markets including Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia, aiming to take on established fully electric rivals such as the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Kia EV3.

Design Language

The exterior of the JAECOO 5 BEV pairs a rugged, boxy silhouette with contemporary styling cues, projecting a distinct off-road character. Up front, it retains the signature waterfall grille design seen on the JAECOO 7, revised with a closed-off fascia to lower aerodynamic drag; rectangular LED headlights on either side further accentuate its tough stance. In profile, a straight shoulder line, pronounced wheel arches, and black body claddings impart an outdoor-ready presence, complemented by optional roof rails for utility. Around the rear, full-width LED taillights are paired with a scuff-resistant rear bumper and decorative dual exhaust surrounds. Inside, the cabin embraces a "Mobile Living Space" ethos, anchored by a 13.2-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen on the dashboard. Physical switchgear is kept to a minimum, paired with a two-spoke multifunction steering wheel and surrounding ambient lighting to deliver a clean, tech-forward cockpit.

Powertrain and Performance

The JAECOO 5 BEV features a front-mounted single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor driving the front wheels. Outputs vary by market: the Thailand-spec model produces 211 PS (approx. 155 kW) and 288 Nm of torque, while the UK-spec model is rated at 201 PS (approx. 150 kW). Energy is supplied by a 61.1 kWh (Indonesia and Australia) or 58.9 kWh (Thailand) lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, delivering a combined WLTP range of 402 to 410 km (approx. 250 miles); under NEDC testing in markets like Indonesia, the rated range reaches 470 km. The 0–100 km/h sprint is completed in 7.7 seconds (Thailand-spec); the UK-spec model similarly does 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) in 7.7 seconds, with a top speed of 108 mph (approx. 174 km/h).

For charging, the JAECOO 5 BEV supports DC fast charging at up to 80 kW, achieving a 30% to 80% state of charge (SoC) in around 27 minutes, while three-phase AC charging is capped at 11 kW. Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) reverse power capability comes standard across the range, allowing it to power outdoor gear and appliances. Power consumption figures differ by regional test cycles; for instance, the UK WLTP official rating states 3.7 miles/kWh (approx. 0.06 kWh/100 km, an uncharacteristically low figure). In Indonesia, the combined rating is 13.9 kWh/100 km. Boot space is rated at 480 litres, expanding to 1,180 litres (1,284 litres on Thailand-spec versions) with the rear seats folded, complemented by a 35-litre front trunk (frunk).

Chassis and Handling

Riding on a front-wheel-drive platform, the JAECOO 5 BEV uses front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent suspension setup. The front suspension incorporates aluminium alloy lower control arms, while the rear multi-link setup provides decent bump absorption and chassis feedback for a BEV in this segment. Front ventilated disc brakes and rear solid disc brakes are standard across the board, paired with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold. It rides on 235/55 R18 Continental EcoContact 7 tyres developed for energy efficiency and low rolling resistance. Three drive modes are selectable: Eco, Normal, and Sport. Torsional rigidity exceeds 23,000 Nm/deg, contributing positively to structural stiffness and handling poise. Road impressions reveal that the JAECOO 5 BEV feels nimble and easy to drive in town with a pliant ride, though the regenerative braking calibration could use more polish, and rear-seat space is slightly tight.

Cabin and Equipment

At the heart of the JAECOO 5 BEV's interior is a 13.2-inch HD portrait touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, featuring built-in navigation, multimedia, and the "Hi JAECOO" voice control system. On the audio front, the entry-level Pure variant gets a 6-speaker Sony sound system, while the top-spec Luxury variant steps up to an 8-speaker Sony premium audio setup, along with a panoramic glass roof, dual-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and ambient lighting. A total of 35 storage compartments are scattered throughout the interior (including the 35-litre frunk), complemented by 60:40 split-folding rear seats.

Eco-friendly synthetic leather upholsters the seats, with the Luxury variant adding 6-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation for the front seats to enhance seating comfort. NVH levels are managed via acoustic laminated glass on the front windows alongside extensive sound insulation to keep cabin noise low at cruising speeds. In addition, the cabin incorporates a pet-friendly design featuring wipe-clean, stain-resistant, and scratch-proof silicone upholstery certified by Germany's TÜV, backed by an extensive catalogue of official pet accessories.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Engineered to meet stringent global active and passive safety requirements, the JAECOO 5 BEV has been awarded a full five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating under the 2025 assessment protocol. Its high-strength cage body comprises over 70% high-strength steel across the body-in-white, reinforced with ultra-high-strength hot-stamped steel on crucial load paths like the A- and B-pillars to preserve passenger cell integrity. Passive safety is well-catered for with 7 airbags as standard, including dual front, front side, full-length curtain, and a driver's knee airbag.

In terms of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), it comes equipped with 19 active safety features offering Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The suite includes: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC with Stop & Go), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB with vehicle, pedestrian, and cyclist detection), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) with Lane Change Assist (LCA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Driver Monitoring System (DMS), a 540° surround-view monitor with transparent underfloor view, and Intelligent High Beam Control (IHC). The sensor array combines two millimetre-wave radars and a long-range radar, demonstrating consistent crash-avoidance performance in car-to-car and Vulnerable Road User (VRU) test scenarios. For battery safety, the LFP pack features collision high-voltage cut-off protection, IP67 dust and water resistance, and complies with rigorous crush, overcharge, and nail penetration safety standards.

Market Performance and Reception

The JAECOO 5 BEV has generated notable sales traction worldwide. In April 2026, the JAECOO brand posted a record monthly global sales volume of 25,015 units, with the JAECOO 5 BEV serving as the primary volume driver. In Thailand, the JAECOO 5 topped the monthly EV sales leaderboard in January 2026 with 6,806 registrations; while in Indonesia, it finished as the overall best-selling vehicle in March 2026 with 2,959 units delivered, securing the title of top-selling EV in the first quarter. In the UK, the model starts at RM160,000 for the Pure and RM178,000 for the Luxury variant, undercutting the Kia EV3 (around RM189,000) and coming in roughly RM35,000 below the Hyundai Kona Electric (around RM198,000), carving out a competitive niche in the mainstream EV market.

Industry reception has broadly praised the JAECOO 5 BEV for its competitive pricing, high standard specification (540° camera, Sony audio, ventilated/heated front seats), proven global safety credentials, and efficient packaging. Early reviews note that rear-seat comfort is average and regenerative braking modulation could be improved. Overall, the JAECOO 5 BEV's strong value proposition and safety credentials have swiftly strengthened the Chinese brand’s foothold in the global B-segment electric SUV market, standing out as a competent global EV developed through Chery’s European R&D centre and international supply chain network.