JAECOO J7

Regardless of the variant, the Jaecoo J7 SHS offers a premium-looking cabin that is equipped with cutting-edge technological features. Its cockpit comes with a 10.25-inch LCD instrument cluster, which helps drivers accurately monitor their current driving conditions. Drivers of the Premium variant are also treated with a heads-up display. For entertainment and information accessibility, the higher trim comes with a 14.8-inch HD touchscreen infotainment display, whereas the lower trim gets the 13.2-inch version. This line’s infotainment is linked to an 8-speaker Sony premium sound system and offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as app and navigation features. The Premium variant also offers a fast 50W wireless charger for more convenience.

 Similar to the EJ6, most, if not all of the J7 SHS’ controls are consolidated within the infotainment system, resulting in a possible inconvenience for those accustomed to physical control buttons.

Furthermore, this PHEV’s cabin is not only high-tech, it also offers top-notch comfort for everyone on board. The Comfort variant features a minimalist black interior finish, while the higher trim, Premium, showcases a brown interior finish for a more sophisticated vibe. Its leather seats are also well-bolstered and provide supportive cushioning. The Premium variant’s seats come with heating and ventilation functions. Additionally, the Premium variant also has a panoramic sunroof for better lighting and an overall aesthetic experience.

From the outside, the Jaecoo J7 SHS features a clean modern design language that exudes both confidence and elegance. Its facade is defined by a huge blacked-out grille with vertical bars and a pair of distinctive auto LED headlamps, which give off an eye-catching hypermodern flare at night. For better visibility, it also comes with LED DRLs and fog lights. On the sides, it has blacked-out pillars, mirrors, and garnishes, all of which give it an expensive two-tone silhouette. It runs on a set of sculpted 19-inch aerodynamic wheels, which are designed to improve its performance and fuel economy while on the go. It also comes with seamless receding door handles for an added layer of modern sophistication.

Meanwhile, at the rear, it also has distinctive LED lighting with a black strip in the middle. At the center of this black strip is the ‘JAECOO’ lettering, which emphasizes its identity for drivers at the back to see. It really has a nice premium look all-around considering its price points. 

The Jaecoo J7 SHS measures 4,500 mm in length, 1,865 mm in width, and 1,670 mm in height. It has a 2,672 mm wheelbase and a 174 mm ground clearance.

The Jaecoo J7 utilizes a McPherson Strut suspension at the front and a Multi-Link suspension at the rear. Its suspension is pretty well tuned, allowing it to have great absorption of bumps and other road imperfections. The car also has good stability and road grip, regardless if you’re in the city or on the highway. One downside with its suspension setup, however, is that body rolls are very noticeable inside the vehicle when the driver is hitting turns or corners at high speeds. But, overall, this car is easy-to-drive and is pliant on the road for the most part.

The Jaecoo J7 is powered by the brand’s Super Hybrid System that combines a 1.5L Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection engine, which acts as a range extender, with a single electric motor that is equipped with an 18.3 kWh LFP battery pack. The electric motor has a power output of 201 hp and a torque of 310 Nm, while the gasoline engine delivers 141 hp and 215 nm. Combined, the system produces a power output of 275 hp and a combined torque 365 Nm. Its battery pack has a fast direct current (DC) charging time of 30% to 80% in just 20 minutes. Combining both the battery pack and the fuel from the engine’s tank will give you a whopping 1,488.8 km driving range.

With all of these in mind, the J7 SHS has great power delivery especially on the open road for an entry-level plug-in hybrid SUV. It might not have the most powerful and torquiest engine in its class, but it undoubtedly delivers an impressive fuel efficiency. Hence, this car would make a practical daily driver in the city. However, it could still improve on its NVH suppression inside the vehicle. 

In terms of safety, only the Jaecoo J7 Premium variant gets a long list of advanced driver assistance systems. Its lower trim, Comfort, only gets six airbags and a reverse camera. In contrast, the higher trim is also equipped with seven airbags and a 360-degree HD panoramic camera with an under-chassis view. Its ADAS includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, traffic jam assist, and a blind spot detection to name a few. 

In terms of braking, both variants use ventilated discs at the front and solid discs at the rear. This line’s braking setup is protected by an anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution, hill start assist control, and hill descent control.

In my opinion, the Jaecoo J7 SHS deserves more attention from the local consumers. For affordable price points, it is definitely well-packed with state-of-the-art technological and safety features that you would often only see in more expensive vehicles in the local market. Although, I think giving its lower trim an adequate set of ADAS would make this model more competitive within its segment.