Jaecoo 7 SHS-P
With a combined output of 347 hp, an 18.3 kWh battery and up to 90 km of electric range on the WLTP cycle, the SUV from Chinese brand Jaecoo has solid arguments to challenge the established European and Japanese players. Antonio da Palma Ferramacho put it to the test on the region’s roads. Watch his verdict.
A newcomer to Europe, the Jaecoo brand, a subsidiary of Chinese group Chery, positions its mid-range SUV in a fiercely contested segment. The Jaecoo 7 openly draws on Range Rover styling cues, with a squared-off silhouette, flush door handles and a rear wiper concealed beneath the spoiler. A successful exercise, especially in the black paintwork of our test car.
A well-conceived hybrid architecture
Under the bonnet sits the 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo engine shared across the Omoda and Jaecoo range, paired with an electric motor and an 18.3 kWh LFP battery. The quoted combined output reaches 347 hp, sent to the front wheels only. A welcome feature for a plug-in hybrid: the Jaecoo 7 accepts DC fast charging in addition to conventional AC charging.
Electric range is rated at 90 km on the WLTP cycle, or up to 120 km in urban driving. In real-world conditions, Antonio da Palma Ferramacho comfortably achieved 60 to 70 km, depending on temperatures and the type of road. Combined range, meanwhile, exceeds 1,000 km: with both the tank and the battery full, the on-board computer indicated 1,100 km, a figure confirmed after a return trip to Brussels. Recorded fuel consumption ranged between 4.5 l/100 km on country roads and 7 l/100 km on the motorway at 130 km/h.
A well-finished, generously equipped cabin
Inside, the geometric shapes of the dashboard echo the exterior styling. The large vertical central screen is surprising at first, but proves intuitive in daily use, and the driver retains a proper instrument cluster. Perceived quality impresses for the price: soft-touch materials on the upper surfaces, careful assembly, and a lavish level of equipment in the top trim (heated and ventilated seats, head-up display, heated windscreen, adaptive cruise control, panoramic sunroof).
Rear space is generous, with a flat floor and a pleasantly low seating position, even though the bench is not adjustable. The 500-litre boot, usefully square in shape, hides storage compartments for the charging cables.
On the road: balanced and remarkably frugal
Behind the wheel, the Jaecoo 7 wins you over with its smoothness. Eco mode is more than sufficient for everyday driving, with the car running on electric power most of the time and the petrol engine only cutting in under hard acceleration. The handling is balanced and predictable, helped by favourable weight distribution. The only real criticism is a steering set-up that is precise but offers little feedback, a shortcoming shared with the group’s other models.
Priced below 40,000 euros in the top trim, and at around 36,000 euros in the entry-level version, the Jaecoo 7 SHS-P offers a price-to-content ratio that is hard to beat. Of all the Omoda and Jaecoo models tested so far, this is the most well-rounded, concludes Antonio da Palma Ferramacho.
