JAECOO J7 PHEV

Model Overview

The JAECOO J7 PHEV is the first plug-in hybrid model from JAECOO, Chery Automobile's brand-new premium SUV marque. Based on the rebadged Chery Tansuo 06 Urban Edition, this C-segment SUV made its global debut at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show. As Chery's dedicated export brand for overseas markets, JAECOO spearheaded its globalisation strategy with the J7 PHEV, rolling it out across key markets such as Malaysia, Australia, the UK, and Thailand. Built as a five-door, five-seater SUV, the 2WD variant is priced at RM158,800 in Malaysia, between £29,105 and £35,175 in the UK, and carries an estimated price of around HKD 300,000 in Hong Kong. As of June 2026, the model is on sale in multiple RHD and LHD markets globally, though it has yet to be officially introduced to the Chinese domestic market.

Design Language

The JAECOO J7 PHEV sports an avant-garde, dynamic exterior styling. Up front, a bold vertical waterfall grille is paired with split LED headlights for a commanding, rugged road presence. The side profile features flush pop-out door handles, a floating roof design, and 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels. At the rear, the taillight cluster mirrors the front light signature, complemented by futuristic light elements and a dual-tone rear bumper that accentuate its sporty stance. In terms of dimensions, it measures 4,500 mm long, 1,865 mm wide, and 1,670 mm tall, with a 2,672 mm wheelbase. It boasts a minimum ground clearance of 200 mm, a water wading depth of up to 450 mm, an approach angle of 20° to 28°, and a departure angle of 28° to 29°. Available exterior paint options include Carbon Crystal Black, Khaki White, Moonlight Silver, and Olive Grey.

Inside, the J7 PHEV blends high-tech minimalism with accessible luxury. The cabin centres around a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 14.8-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen. The central screen incorporates a 540-degree transparent chassis view, alongside a 64-colour ambient lighting system running across the cabin. Finished with eco-leather upholstery, the interior is available in Black or Brown themes. The front seats come with power adjustments (6-way for the driver, 4-way for the passenger) as well as ventilation and heating functions. The rear floor is flat in the middle, providing a standard boot space of 500 litres, which expands to 1,265 litres with the rear seats folded.

Powertrain & Performance

Under the skin, the JAECOO J7 PHEV is driven by Chery's third-generation Super Hybrid System (SHS), pairing a 1.5-litre T-GDI four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor. The engine pushes out 105 kW (143 PS) and 215 Nm of torque, while the electric motor generates 150 kW (204 PS) and 310 Nm. Together, the hybrid powertrain delivers a combined output of 255 kW (approx. 347 PS) and 525 Nm of torque, delivered via a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). It completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds and hits a top speed of 180 km/h.

Supplying the electric drive is an 18.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, offering a pure electric range of 106 km (NEDC) or 88–90 km (WLTC). On a full tank and full charge, total cruising range reaches up to 1,300 km (NEDC) and 1,200 km (WLTP). In charge-depleted hybrid mode, WLTP combined fuel consumption is rated at 5.99 L/100 km. DC fast charging is supported at up to 40 kW, taking 20 minutes for a 30% to 80% state of charge; AC charging is rated at 6.6 kW, taking roughly 3.33 hours for a full top-up. It also features a 3.3 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) reverse power supply, paired with a 60-litre fuel tank.

Chassis & Handling

Suspension duties on the JAECOO J7 PHEV are handled by front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent setup. Drivetrain configurations include front-wheel drive (2WD) and dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD). The AWD model adds four terrain modes: Sand, Mud, Snow, and Off-road, while the 2WD model comes with Eco, Normal, and Sport drive modes. Stopping power comes from front ventilated discs and rear solid discs, paired with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) and auto-hold. It rides on 235/50 R19 tyres.

Cabin & Equipment

In terms of cockpit tech, the J7 PHEV features a 14.8-inch portrait central touchscreen and a 10.25-inch full digital driver display. The infotainment unit supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, complemented by an 8-speaker SONY premium sound system. Cabin comforts include dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents, a panoramic glass sunroof, a powered tailgate, a 50W wireless smartphone charger, a colour Head-Up Display (HUD), and a 360-degree 3D surround-view monitor.

Safety & ADAS

On the safety front, the JAECOO J7 PHEV scored a full five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating, netting 81% for Adult Occupant Protection, 80% for Child Occupant Protection, 80% for Vulnerable Road Users, and 84% for Safety Assist. It also clinched a five-star ANCAP rating in Australia. Passive safety includes eight airbags as standard—front, side thorax, and curtain airbags—with the PHEV model further gaining a standard driver's knee airbag and a front centre airbag.

Active safety is bolstered by a comprehensive Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) suite. Key features include All-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB with pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcycle detection), Lane Departure Warning and Prevention (LDW/LDP), Lane Centring Assist (LCA), Blind Spot Detection/Monitoring (BSD/BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Auto Brake, Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Driver Monitoring System (DMS), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Hill Descent Control (HDC), and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Market Performance & Verdict

The JAECOO J7 PHEV has notched up impressive sales worldwide. In the UK, the J7 has emerged as the best-selling Chinese-brand vehicle, ranking second overall on the passenger car sales chart. In January 2026 alone, monthly sales hit 4,059 units—a staggering 460.6% year-on-year surge—with SHS plug-in hybrid models accounting for 85% of total J7 sales. In Australia, over 500 units of the SHS variants were snapped up shortly after launch. Meanwhile in Malaysia, sharp pricing has positioned the J7 PHEV as one of the most value-packed hybrid SUVs on the market.

Industry observers position the J7 PHEV against rivals such as the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, and BYD Sealion 6 DM-i. Its standout strengths lie in its massive 1,300 km combined range, punchy 347 PS total powertrain output, and generous equipment list. That said, the extra heft from the larger battery pack does blunt its 0-100 km/h acceleration to 8.5 seconds, slightly lagging behind certain rivals. Overall, as a pivotal model in Chery's global expansion, the JAECOO J7 PHEV successfully carves out a competitive niche in the global PHEV SUV segment thanks to its advanced Kunpeng hybrid tech, top-tier safety credentials, and compelling value proposition.