2025 Jaecoo J7 AWD overview

China’s Chery goes world with its extra premium and adventure-focussed Jaecoo spin-off model, and the most recent promote it’s set to launch in is Australia.

The primary cab off the rank is the Jaecoo J7, which is a mid-sized SUV rival for the likes of the GWM Haval H6, MG HS, and even the mechanically associated Chery Tiggo 7 Professional. It additionally goes up towards top-selling fashions just like the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, and Mitsubishi Outlander. The listing of rivals within the huge mid-sized SUV phase continues to develop seemingly each week.

From launch, there will likely be 4 variants of the J7 provided in Australia – two front-wheel drive grades, a single all-wheel drive variant, and a plug-in hybrid flagship. On take a look at right here is the Jaecoo J7 Ridge AWD, which is priced competitively at $42,990 drive-away and is the top-spec purely internal-combustion variant.

The Jaecoo J7 is constructed on Chery’s T1X platform, which underpins the likes of the Chery Omoda 5, Tiggo 7 Professional and Tiggo 8 Professional Max.

Whilst you may suppose the J7 will likely be offered and serviced at Chery sellers, suppose once more. Chery Australia is now aligning our market with numerous different world markets by introducing a variety of standalone Omoda Jaecoo sellers. Sure, that’s proper: Omoda can be set to launch right here as a 3rd Chery model.

Initially, there will likely be between 30 to 40 new Omoda Jaecoo sellers, and never all of them may even be Chery sellers.

The Jaecoo model is launching in Australia with an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, together with eight years of capped-price servicing, and as much as eight years of roadside help.

Forward of first buyer deliveries of the Jaecoo J7 commencing within the first week of Could, we obtained the possibility to expertise the J7 AWD and J7 SHS plug-in hybrid on native soil.

How does the Jaecoo J7 examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Jaecoo J7 towards equally sized automobiles.

Jaecoo

J7

How a lot does the Jaecoo J7 price?

There is just one all-wheel drive Jaecoo J7 variant provided at launch. It’s priced from $42,990 drive-away.

To see how the Jaecoo J7 strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

What’s the Jaecoo J7 like on the within?

Combustion-powered variations of the Jaecoo J7 have a distinct look to the J7 SHS plug-in hybrid, each on the inside and outside. With the latter, it’s extra blocky and the finishes seem tactile and sturdy.

There may be additionally extra bodily switchgear for issues like adjusting the facet mirror place, although a quantity knob or bodily local weather management cluster wouldn’t go astray. These are lacking throughout your complete J7 vary.

It’s simple to hop out and in of this car, because of the lifted journey top that’s synonymous with crossover SUVs. You step throughout into the car reasonably than hopping up or down, which is why some many individuals with restricted mobility like these sorts of vehicles.

When you’re in, there’s a commanding driving place that feels perched. It’s somewhat excessive for my liking, even in its lowest setting, however lots of people like the texture of a excessive driving place.

As customary, the J7 vary comes with leatherette-trimmed seats, which have an inoffensive design. The motive force’s seat has six methods of energy adjustment, which is nice, however it lacks any adjustable thigh assist. This implies the seat feels somewhat flat, which is a typical trait with a variety of Chinese language vehicles.

There are 4 instructions of energy lumbar assist, nonetheless, which is nice in the event you’ve obtained a criminal again and have to have the seat arrange in a selected solution to alleviate ache on longer drives.

Each the entrance seats provide each heating and air flow, the latter of which obtained exercise within the muggy Sydney climate.

Forward of the driving force is a leatherette-wrapped steering wheel which has an identical design to a number of different Chery fashions. It’s a pleasant unit to carry, although the piano black panels over the bodily buttons get dirty in a short time. I want these have been matte completed as a substitute as a result of they wouldn’t look scratched when cleaned.

The steering wheel on this all-wheel drive variant is heated. It’s the one mannequin within the vary to have this characteristic.

Behind the steering wheel is a ten.25-inch digital instrument cluster, which is obvious and simple to learn. There are minimal changes that may be made to it, however it all the time shows the essential content material prominently.

On the dashboard, there’s a head-up show, which is vibrant and nice to have. It reveals info like the present velocity clearly, so that you don’t have to take your eyes too removed from the street forward.

Shifting throughout, there’s the clear centrepiece of the cabin, the portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system. Within the J7 Ridge AWD, it’s a bigger 14.8-inch unit than what the front-wheel drive variants get. It seems to be humongous within the automotive and instantly attracts your eye if you hop in.

The native consumer interface can take somewhat bit to get used to however, when you’ve acquainted your self with it, it’s pretty simple to navigate. As I discussed above, it’d be good if there was extra bodily switchgear as a result of utilizing the touchscreen isn’t all the time essentially the most intuitive when on the transfer.

Having mentioned that, there’s a swipe-down management centre-like menu that permits you to rapidly change a variety of key multimedia features like the quantity and display brightness. This menu will also be customised with a variety of shortcut buttons that rapidly mean you can flip off some security programs, like the driving force consideration monitor, if it frustrates you.

There’s additionally a swipe-up menu interface for the local weather controls, which could be accessed whereas in smartphone mirroring.

As customary, the J7 vary comes with each wired and wi-fi types of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With my iPhone 15 Professional Max linked wirelessly, I didn’t expertise any dropouts in anyway in the course of the launch. The connection course of was additionally surprisingly snappy, and with the full-screen integration it seems to be implausible.

Fortunately, to enrich the wi-fi smartphone mirroring, there’s a wi-fi telephone charger. It’s ventilated, so your telephone received’t overheat like it will possibly in different vehicles with wi-fi chargers. This implies your telephone really fees.

Trying across the cabin, there are a variety of soft-touch surfaces in excessive touch-point areas, just like the armrests and dashboard. You need to look onerous to search out tougher, scratchier plastics, however they’re there. It’s additionally ethereal because of the usual panoramic glass sunroof that has a portion that may vent and open.

Whereas the bodily switchgear is minimal, what’s current seems to be purposeful and chunky. This goes for the aviation-style gear selector, giant spherical drive mode selector, and likewise the door pulls.

When it comes to facilities up entrance, there are two cupholders with a telephone slot within the center, a further telephone slot subsequent to the wi-fi charger, storage underneath the centre console, and a decently sized glovebox. It’s nothing revolutionary.

What’s totally different, nonetheless, is the rear-view mirror, which at first look seems to be regular, however if you look nearer or correctly use it, you’ll see it has concave glass.

This makes it simpler to see what’s occurring within the second row, however makes it tougher to see out the rear window. Utilizing the rear-view mirror is much like utilizing a camera-based mirror, and it took my eyes a second to regulate to the totally different depth of discipline.

After time you do get used to it, however for lots of the time driving on the launch I defaulted to utilizing the common facet mirrors as a result of they didn’t make my eyes really feel humorous.

The second row is simply as spacious as in different mid-sized SUVs, regardless of this car being 100mm shorter general than a RAV4. A number of Chinese language vehicles prioritise second-row consolation, and the J7 isn’t any exception.

You’ll be able to simply match adults behind adults in consolation because the backrest is extra reclined by default, permitting for a soothing seating place. Two adults will be capable to match within the again, although pushing it to 3 would make issues squishy. Children will likely be high quality, although.

Second-row facilities embrace air vents mounted on the again of the centre console, USB ports, and a fold-down armrest with cupholders.

Across the again, there’s an influence tailgate as customary, which makes a variety of noise and fuss however opens and closes rapidly. No less than it doesn’t beep incessantly like some vehicles do (I’m you, Toyota).

The boot house on provide within the J7 AWD is actually fairly small, however there’s a purpose for this. Underneath the boot ground, there’s a full-sized spare wheel, which is implausible to have and in keeping with Jaecoo pitching this car as an adventurous mannequin.

Today not many vehicles like this include full-sized spare wheels, or a spare wheel in any respect, so it is a main credit score to Jaecoo.

Other than that, there aren’t many different boot-related facilities moreover a lightweight and a few cargo hooks. It’s a reasonably customary house.

To see how the Jaecoo J7 strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The Jaecoo J7 AWD is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that’s mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission as customary.

To see how the Jaecoo J7 strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

How does the Jaecoo J7 drive?

To start out up the Jaecoo J7 Ridge AWD, you press a button on the dashboard between the touchscreen infotainment system and steering wheel. When you do, there’s a candy petrol engine rev flare, which then settles right into a nearly silent idle.

The J7 drives nearly identically to the Chery Tiggo 7 Professional, which isn’t shocking as a result of the vehicles are constructed on the identical platform and share the identical powertrain. The one important distinction is that this automotive is obtainable with all-wheel drive for additional safety, each on- and off-road.

Setting off, the way in which the seven-speed dual-clutch auto operates can take a little bit of getting used to. It could possibly generally flare the revs a good bit, particularly throughout hill begins, however take-offs are often clean, which is uncommon for dual-clutches.

There’s loads of energy out there from the 1.6-litre turbo 4, which is made extra noticeable by a sensitive throttle at low speeds. That you must watch out as a result of within the first few gears because the automotive can lurch ahead a bit greater than you may anticipate, which in built-up site visitors could make you leap for the brakes faster than you’d suppose.

Fortunately, in contrast to front-drive variations of the Jaecoo J7, and now additionally all variations of the Chery Tiggo 7 Professional, this explicit J7 has an all-wheel drive system which permits for the facility to be put down with out wheelspin.

For essentially the most half, the dual-clutch auto will slot up by means of the gears rapidly to maintain the revs down low and to minimise gasoline consumption. Nevertheless, this engine is rev-happy and the DCT will easy row again by means of quite a few gears when required to get the engine revving round or above 3000rpm.

When this occurs it doesn’t sound as raucous as another four-cylinder turbo-petrol engines, however it nonetheless feels just like the automotive is working onerous. It’s far more settled when pushed with lighter throttle inputs and saved inside its torque band.

That is a simple automotive to drive round city because of typically compliant suspension, although the steering feels irregular and synthetic no matter which of the 2 sensitivity modes you select from. At low speeds it feels overly assisted and light-weight, whereas at larger speeds it’s too stiff. Goldilocks wouldn’t approve.

As customary, there’s an engine idle cease/begin system, however throughout my stint on this automotive I couldn’t get the system to work in any respect. For some folks this can be seen as a plus.

On the parking entrance there are each entrance and rear parking sensors, in addition to a surround-view digital camera which has pretty poor high quality. Fortunately, the stitched picture of all of the cameras is nice, however the digital camera high quality is grainy.

Out on the open street the J7 AWD is a reasonably competent cruiser and it’ll sing alongside at 100-110km/h with no worries in anyway in high gear. The automotive can be very environment friendly at larger speeds, as evidenced by my shocking 6.4L/100km as-tested gasoline consumption determine.

Within the twisties, nonetheless, it’s removed from a dynamic weapon. Like many crossover SUVs, the J7 has loads of physique roll as a result of it’s softly sprung. Round tighter left-hand corners as a passenger, I nearly felt like I used to be falling into the driving force’s facet.

Fortunately, the all-wheel drive system limits wheel slip, aided by the confirmed Continental Premium Contact C tyres fitted as customary on the J7 AWD. Each of those assist make the automotive really feel safer on slippery, twisty roads.

Through the launch program we had the possibility to take the J7 AWD by means of its paces off-road. The course wasn’t essentially the most hardcore; the truth is it was extra like soft-roading.

But it surely was moist, slippery and somewhat muddy on account of current rain, so it was take a look at to see how the torque-vectoring AWD system works.

In apply, this automotive in all fairness able to light-duty off-roading, even when that doesn’t really feel like its pure habitat. The automotive is predominantly front-wheel drive, however will ship torque to the rear wheels if it detects slip. There’s even a helpful infographic menu on the touchscreen that reveals you the place torque is being despatched throughout all 4 wheels.

In comparison with the remainder of the J7 vary, the AWD will get an ‘Off-Street’ drive mode, in addition to ‘Snow’, ‘Mud’ and ‘Sand’ drive settings. These change the throttle calibration and sensitivity, in addition to the how and when the traction management cuts in.

On the security entrance, this automotive suffers from the identical pitfalls as a variety of different Chinese language automobiles. It has all the security options underneath the solar, however some are incessant and annoying to dwell with.

The adaptive cruise management system is mostly high quality, although it does depart a beneficiant hole between the automotive forward, and also will slam on the brakes when a automotive cuts in entrance of you. It additionally struggles to keep up the set velocity, continuously flickering above and beneath, which is alarming as I can handle my velocity quite a bit higher.

The lane-keep help is okay and doesn’t work together till completely obligatory, nonetheless, the lane centring which works in partnership with the adaptive cruise management is price avoiding. It’s approach too hands-on with its steering inputs, and can ping-pong between lane markings if left to its personal units.

Lastly there’s the driving force consideration monitor, which is a typical pitfall for a variety of new automobiles, particularly of Chinese language origin. However others just like the Mitsubishi Triton and Subaru Solterra even have the identical downside.

The one on this automotive is mostly completely satisfied in the event you’re really trying on the street forward, such as you’re presupposed to, however the second you look away it beeps at you. It will increase the beep depth and quantity the longer you look away as nicely.

That is onerous when you’re mainly compelled to work together with the humongous touchscreen infotainment system to function nearly all of the automotive’s key features.

Fortunately, if the driving force consideration monitor annoys you an excessive amount of, you possibly can flip it off through one of many configurable shortcut buttons within the swipe-down management centre menu. Annoyingly, nonetheless, you must do that each time you drive the automotive as the security programs default to on.

To see how the Jaecoo J7 strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

What do you get?

4 Jaecoo J7 variants can be found at launch. The J7 Ridge AWD is the flagship petrol-only variant, positioned beneath the J7 SHS Summit plug-in hybrid.

2025 Jaecoo J7 Core 2WD tools highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Non permanent spare wheel
• Roof rails
• Energy-retracting door handles
• Gloss black facet mirrors
• Gloss black rear spoiler
• Projector LED headlights
• LED tail-lights
• Rear fog mild
• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
• 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 6-speaker sound system
• Clever voice assistant
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• AM/FM/DAB+ radio
• Entrance and rear USB-A and USB-C ports
• Guide air-conditioning
• Digital gear shifter
• Premium steering wheel
• Artificial leather-based upholstery
• 6-way energy driver’s seat
• 4-way energy entrance passenger seat

J7 Observe 2WD highlights:

• Rain-sensing wipers
• Acoustic glass windscreen
• Energy tailgate
• 50W wi-fi charger
• 8-speaker Sony sound system
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Color-selectable inside ambient lighting
• Illuminated self-importance mirrors
• Heated entrance seats
• Energy little one security locks
• Boot 12V energy outlet

J7 Ridge AWD highlights:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Full-sized spare wheel
• Pink brake calipers
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• Privateness glass
• Puddle lights
• 14.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Head-up show
• Alloy pedals
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Heated steering wheel
• Perforated artificial leather-based upholstery
• Ventilated entrance seats
• 4-way energy driver’s seat lumbar
• Driver seat and mirror place reminiscence

To see how the Jaecoo J7 strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

Is the Jaecoo J7 protected?

The Jaecoo J7 hasn’t been crash-tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP but.

Normal security tools contains:

• Autonomous emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise management
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver monitoring system
• Lane departure warning
• Emergency Lane Maintaining help
• Lane centring
• Lane change help
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reversing digital camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Visitors Jam Help
• Tyre strain monitoring system
• 7 airbags

J7 Observe 2WD provides:

• Encompass-view digital camera
• Entrance parking sensors
• Driver’s knee airbag (whole of 8 airbags)

J7 Ridge AWD provides:

To see how the Jaecoo J7 strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

How a lot does the Jaecoo J7 price to run?

The Jaecoo J7 is roofed by an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee with 12 months of roadside help as customary. In case you service at Omoda Jaecoo sellers when required, free roadside help could be prolonged for a further seven years.

To see how the Jaecoo J7 strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device

CarExpert’s Tackle the Jaecoo J7

Chery already gives a flurry of SUVs in Australia, however the first one from its new Jaecoo sister model grabs your consideration with its Vary Rover-esque seems to be, eye-catching beginning worth, and beneficiant aftersales provisions.

Whereas many individuals probably received’t realise the Jaecoo J7 is basically a reworked Chery Tiggo 7 Professional with totally different styling, they probably received’t care.

The previous has a way more commanding presence and extra comfortable inside touches, which denotes its extra premium positioning. Plus the humongous portrait touchscreen infotainment system is a big speaking level.

Despite the fact that the J7 and Tiggo 7 Professional look totally different, there’s no disguising how related they’re underneath the pores and skin. Certain, there’s an AWD variant out there within the Jaecoo that permits it to be surprisingly succesful off-road, however its dual-clutch automated behaves the identical approach in site visitors because the Chery, the turbo-petrol engine is simply as rev-happy, and it will get the leans up simply as a lot within the bends.

We sit up for seeing whether or not Australians will really discover whether or not Jaecoo is totally different to Chery, given they’re going to be offered individually in Omoda Jaecoo dealerships. Proper now all the pieces appears promising, however solely time will inform how warmly Aussies embrace the model into the long run.

Keen on shopping for a Jaecoo J7? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

Click on the pictures for the complete gallery

MORE: All the things Jaecoo J7