Chery only just landed back in Australia in 2023 and already it’s rolling out a separate brand.
The company announced the introduction of its fledgling Jaecoo export brand earlier this year, confirming the mid-sized J7 – known in China as the Chery Tansuo 06 – as its first model.
It’s due here during the first quarter of 2025 – instead of late in 2024, as had previously been announced – with pricing and specifications to be revealed closer to then.
Now, the company has revealed the new J5 to slot in underneath it.
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Jaecoo J5
There’s a distinct familial resemblance between the two models, with a similar silhouette and seemingly Range Rover-inspired looks.
At first glance, the J5 and J7 are easy to mistake with their blocky styling, strong shoulder lines, vertical bar grille, and slightly raked tailgate with a full-width light bar.
The J5 differs with a more defined crease down its side, different lighting up front and conventional door handles.
It measures 4380mm long, 1860mm wide and 1650mm tall on a 2620mm wheelbase, or around the size of a Hyundai Kona.
Jaecoo J7
Inside, it features a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while Jaecoo boasts its 1.45m2 panoramic sunroof is the largest in its class.
Jaecoo also claims the J5 emphasises “human-pet travel” with “specially extended seats designed with pets in mind”.
The brand hasn’t confirmed when the J5 will launch in Australia, nor what specification it’ll be offered in. It’s understood to be being built with petrol, hybrid and electric power.
In contrast, Jaecoo has confirmed the mid-sized J7 will be offered with either front- or all-wheel drive, powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
This produces 137kW of power and 275Nm of torque, a bit down from the Chinese market where it produces 145kW and 290Nm.
There’s no word on whether the plug-in hybrid powertrain offered overseas will come here.
Jaecoo says the J7 will come with the following equipment:
- LED headlights
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Wireless phone charger
- 14.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Surround-view camera
- 8 airbags including a driver’s knee airbag
As to how Jaecoo will distinguish itself from Chery, which also offers small and mid-sized SUVs, a company spokesperson previously said:
“Jaecoo will be positioned as a more premium product offering than the Chery brand and will be targeted towards a more adventure focused consumer.”
Jaecoo J6 
Jaecoo J8
In addition to the J5 and J7, Jaecoo has also revealed the J6 (a rebadged electric iCar 03) and the J8 (a rebadged Chery Tiggo 9).
The Jaecoo name is a portmanteau of the German word ‘jäger’ (or hunter) and the English word ‘cool’.
Chery has a dizzying array of brands, in classic Chinese car company fashion.
Omoda C9
In addition to its Chinese-market Karry commercial vehicle division, it established the premium Jetour brand in 2017, following it with SUV brand Exeed in 2018. Both of these brands are offered in export markets like South America and the Middle East.
In some markets, Omoda is also marketed as a separate brand to Chery.
To further complicate things, the Exeed RX is sold as an Omoda C9 in some markets, and has been approved for sale in Australia as an Omoda C9 and spied locally. Chery has yet to confirm whether it will launch the model, however.
