Jaecoo 7 SHS: A China SUV with a range of 1,200 km

You won’t find sales figures from Jaecoo on the Chinese market – the brand, like your sister brand Omoda, was founded especially for export markets and especially Europe. Your parent company, on the other hand, is a heavyweight of the global automotive industry: the Chery group is the fourth largest Chinese manufacturer after volume and produced almost 4 million vehicles last year.

Unlike the others

The engineers who worked on Jaecoo 7 within the group know how to build cars. The result is an SUV with an angular design that gives it a robust off-road look. In some places, inspiration from Range Rover can be seen. And well thought -out details such as a striking light signature help to distinguish the newcomer from the mass of Chinese SUVs, all of which act according to the same pattern. The style will polarize – but it is certain: the Chinese does not have to hide from a VW Tiguan or Ford Kuga.

With a length of 4.50 meters, it offers generous space for all occupants, also in the rear, and a trunk with 500 liters of volume. Families will appreciate this.

The design of the interior and the ads are typical of the current standard: a display for the digital cockpit with (easily) customizable display and information, supplemented by a head-up display. A large, vertically oriented touchscreen that combines all vehicle functions and settings. Two plus points: First, the system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – both use the full screen area. And even with active apps, access to the climate name is preserved – simply by a wipe gesture from the bottom. And of course there is a wireless loading area for smartphones.

An efficient plug-in hybrid

The Jaecoo 7 is offered with a 147 hp petrol engine with all-wheel drive, as well as as a plug-in hybrid SHS with front-wheel drive. The latter combines a 1.5-liter turbo gasoline engine with 204 hp with an electric motor with 143 hp. The driving experience is not exciting, but the chassis is one of the best that we have ever experienced in Chinese models. The steering is precise and direct, the suspension creates a successful compromise between comfort and page control. And it is also quiet – which is good, because when the combustion engine starts at full load, it sounds more like a coffee grinder.

In the electrical mode, the promised 90 km « emission -free » can be easily covered – thanks to the 18.3 kWh battery. During our test, the average electricity consumption was between 17.5 and 18 kWh/100 km – a very good value.

If the battery is empty, various hybrid modes are available, all of which are very efficient. In automatic mode (without forced recuperation) we reached consumption between 5 and 5.4 l/100 km. The system always holds back some energy to maintain the typical « electric car feeling » with direct and gentle acceleration. Under these conditions, the 1,200 km overall range promised by Jaecoo are absolutely realistic.

A real highlight: the driver assistance systems are excellently coordinated – a rarity in Chinese cars. The lane departure assistant intervenes late, but gently, and the speed warning is subtle enough so as not to want to be deactivated. Well, otherwise you would have to set them up again with every restart via the main menu – there is no quick access.

For 10,000 euros less

The Jaecoo SHS brings strong arguments in the segment – and goes one more thing: its price. From 36,990 euros, or 39,900 euros for the fully equipped « Exclusive » version, as in the test. With comparable equipment, it is around 10,000 euros among the well -known competitors. That gives you thinking …