Chery Jaecoo 7

Car Model Overview

Jaecoo 7 is the first global strategic model launched by the high-end sub-brand Jaecoo (Jaycok) under the Chery Group; the corresponding model in the domestic market is the discontinued Chery Exploration 06. The car is positioned as a compact light off-road SUV, with a length of 4500mm, width of 1865mm (1898mm for the Russian version), and height of 1670-1680mm. The wheelbase is 2672mm, offering a 5-seat layout. The core selling points blend a rugged Range Rover-style design, rich tech configurations, and an extremely attractive price-performance ratio.

Jaecoo 7 has a very short lifecycle in the domestic market — it was launched in 2023 as Chery Exploration 06, with monthly sales once reaching about 4,000 units. However, due to the exceptionally fierce competition in the domestic 100,000-class SUV market (such as Haval H6, Changan CS75 PLUS, BYD Song Pro, etc.), coupled with its 2672mm wheelbase being smaller than similar competitors, insignificant intelligence advantages, and Chery subsequently launching the more successful Jetour Traveller, Exploration 06 was discontinued domestically in about one year. However, this model opened a new chapter of life in overseas markets: Jaecoo 7 was launched in the UK starting from January 2025, gradually opening up the market with fuel and plug-in hybrid versions, and added hybrid SHS-H and Black Luxury Edition configurations in 2026. In the Russian market, Jaecoo J7 is sold under the name "Jaecoo J7". From the 2026 model onwards, the starting price is 2.799 million Rubles (approx. 246,000 RMB). It features an exclusive bumper design upgrade, equipped with a 1.6T engine and offering front-wheel and four-wheel drive versions. In Australia, the 2026 model's front-wheel drive version starts at 34,990 AUD, and the four-wheel drive version at 39,990 AUD.

Design Language

Jaecoo 7's exterior draws design inspiration from the Land Rover Range Rover, earning it the nickname "Affordable Range Rover" or "Temu Range Rover" from many consumers online. The front face adopts a large vertical harp-style chrome grille and high-positioned split LED daytime running lights. The "Bivalve" hood design adds a rugged temperament. The lower aerodynamic suite cleverly hides stacked high and low beam headlight groups. The side features retractable hidden door handles, a smooth roofline with luggage rails, and a floating window design reminiscent of the Range Rover Evoque. The rear uses a through-type Star River LED taillight and adds decorative fake vent shapes below the high-positioned taillight, enhancing sporty identification. The Russian 2026 special edition adds an exclusive bumper design and a smaller mesh grille compared to the standard version, with a length extended by 100mm to 4600mm. The interior adopts a wrap-around minimalist tech cockpit design, with a 13.2-inch floating vertical AI digital interactive large screen or optional 14.8-inch Horizon screen as the core, paired with a 10.25-inch full LCD instrument cluster and a three-spoke flat-bottom multifunction steering wheel. Materials largely use soft wrapping and eco-friendly leather, combined with metal texture decorations, creating a light luxury texture far beyond its price range. The 2026 model also offers a new all-black interior color scheme and Black Luxury Edition with a black roof lining, further enhancing the visual sense of high-end.

Power Performance

Jaecoo 7 provides multiple powertrain solutions in global markets to adapt to energy preferences of consumers in different regions.

1.6T Fuel Version (Main) : Equipped with the Kunpeng 1.6TGDI direct injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine. According to different markets, it provides a power range of 145 hp (108kW) to 197 hp (145kW), with peak torque 270-290N·m. It matches a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, offering a choice of front-wheel and intelligent four-wheel drive. 0-100km/h acceleration is about 8.5-9.0 seconds. WLTC comprehensive fuel consumption is about 7.5-7.8L/100km, balancing urban commuting and light off-road needs.

Plug-in Hybrid Version SHS-P (Super Hybrid System) : Equipped with a 1.5T turbocharged engine + front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous single motor. Engine maximum power 105kW (143 hp), motor power 150kW (204 hp), system comprehensive power 255kW (approx. 347 hp), comprehensive torque up to 375-530N·m (different configuration versions). Matches a hybrid-special DHT transmission. 0-100km/h acceleration is 8.5 seconds. Equipped with an 18.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack. NEDC pure electric range is 106km (WLTP conditions approx. 56-90km), comprehensive range exceeds 1200km. Supports 40kW DC fast charging, 30 minutes to charge from 0 to 80%; AC slow charging power 6.6kW, full charge takes approx. 5 hours. Supports 6.6kW external discharge (V2L). WLTP condition fuel consumption when discharging battery is about 5.99L/100km. Plug-in hybrid version only offers front-wheel drive, no four-wheel drive equipped.

SHS-H Full Hybrid Version (New in 2026) : Equipped with a 1.5T engine + self-charging hybrid system (no external charging required). Comprehensive output 224-225 hp. 0-100km/h acceleration is 8.3 seconds. WLTP super-suburban fuel consumption is about 53mpg. This version becomes the entry-level choice with the lowest starting price in the Jaecoo 7 series.

Chassis and Handling

Jaecoo 7 chassis adopts a combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension (some low-spec versions use three-link rear suspension), supplemented by Bosch-developed electronic stability system. Chassis tuning leans towards comfort, overall road feel is relatively stable, but appears slightly stiff when passing speed bumps or bumpy roads at high speed, and fine vibration filtering is not thorough. Steering system is light and has a large steering ratio, meeting expectations for family SUV handling. Four-wheel drive version is equipped with BorgWarner intelligent four-wheel drive system, rear axle can obtain maximum 3000N·m torque output, offering 7 driving modes selectable (including Economy, Standard, Sport, Snow, Mud, Sand, etc.), maximum wading depth 600mm, approach angle 21°, departure angle 29°, possessing certain off-road road passing ability. Fuel front-wheel drive version tire specs 235/50 R19, plug-in hybrid version same spec equipped with exclusive low rolling resistance tires.

Cockpit and Configuration

The cockpit is driven by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 infotainment chip. Standard equipment includes a 13.2-inch floating central control screen (2026 model Deluxe version and PHEV version upgraded to 14.8-inch Horizon screen) and a 10.25-inch full LCD instrument. Infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection, interface response is sensitive, graphics are clear. Center console retains some physical buttons to improve operation convenience, unlike many models' completely touch-controlled radical scheme. For comfort configuration, high-spec models provide dual-zone automatic air conditioning with PM2.5 filtration and ion generator, front row Nappa leather seats with heating and ventilation functions, steering wheel heating, mobile phone wireless charging, front windshield glass heating (Russian market), panoramic sunroof, electric tailgate, and 6-8 speaker sound system (optional upgrade). Trunk volume 412-500L, rear seats support proportional folding, can further expand storage space. The whole car uses multi-place sound-absorbing material treatment and double-layer laminated glass application. At high-speed cruising, wind noise and tire noise suppression is acceptable for its class.

Safety and Intelligent Driving

Regarding safety, Jaecoo 7 is developed according to global five major safety standards, meeting China C-NCAP, EU Euro NCAP, ASEAN ASEAN NCAP, Australia A-NCAP, South America LATIN NCAP five-star safety requirements. High-strength steel usage rate in the whole car is relatively high, equipped with multiple airbags (driver and passenger front, front row side airbags and front-rear through-type head curtain airbags). In actual tests, Jaecoo 7 has won a five-star safety rating in Euro NCAP crash tests. Regarding active safety, the vehicle is equipped with L2-level ADAS intelligent driving assistance system, integrating more than 21 active safety functions, including full-speed adaptive cruise control (ACC), intelligent cruise assist (ICA), lane keep assist (LKA), blind spot monitoring (BSD), traffic sign recognition (TSR), automatic emergency braking (AEB), rear cross traffic alert (RCTA), and 540° panoramic image (including transparent chassis), etc. It can effectively reduce driver operation load and improve driving safety in urban and highway conditions.

Market Performance and Evaluation

Jaecoo 7 has achieved phenomenal success in overseas markets, arguably one of the most dramatic "blooming inside the wall and fragrant outside" cases in Chinese automotive export history. Despite monthly sales peaking at only 4,000 units domestically and rapid discontinuation, the car created astonishing performance in the UK market: since entering the top ten UK sales in September 2025, it has continued to climb. As of March 2026, Jaecoo 7 monthly registrations reached 10,064 units, 70% higher than the second place, and with 15,703 units annual cumulative sales, it topped the UK's most sold new cars so far in 2026. Plug-in hybrid version accounts for 85% of sales, with about 55% of sales from private retail channels rather than fleet procurement, brand loyalty and user reputation accumulating rapidly. As of end of 2025, Jaecoo annual sales in the UK exceeded 28,000 units. Jaecoo and Omada dual brand combined March monthly registrations reached 17,951 units, showing strong scaling effects.

Jaecoo 7's success in the UK has multiple causes: One is price advantage — fuel version starting price £29,105, plug-in hybrid version £35,175, significantly lower than same-class competitors (such as Kia Sportage Hybrid £34,475); Two is after Brexit UK independent trade policy only levies 10% basic tariff on Chinese passenger vehicles, no barriers like high punitive tariffs on Chinese EVs from EU; Three is precise product positioning, compact body size suitable for UK country roads and narrow city streets, plug-in hybrid version has no range anxiety and can enjoy lower company car tax rates (CO₂ emissions only 23g/km); Four is the brand provided 7-year/100,000-mile vehicle warranty and roadside rescue service, effectively eliminating consumer trust barriers when new brands enter unfamiliar markets. However, overseas professional reviews also point out that there is still room for improvement in the car's handling refinement and chassis delicate feel.

From domestic market decline to UK market summit, Jaecoo 7 along with sibling model Omoda 5 together have become landmark products for Chinese brands rewriting UK automotive market landscape, and also reflect the valuable leap of Chinese automotive export strategy from "selling products" to "selling brands". As the pioneering work of the Jaecoo brand, it successfully opened a window to European high-end markets, and laid a solid and valuable market foundation for subsequent larger-scale Jaecoo 8 (Jaycok 8) and other flagship models in global comprehensive delivery and high-end offensive.