Before you ask, the name of Chery’s premium brand, Jaecoo, is derived from the German word ‘jager‘, meaning ‘hunter‘, suggesting adventure and exploration, along with ‘cool‘, implying style and modernity – at least that’s the marketing spin.
The Jaecoo J7 mid-sized SUV embodies this on the design front. It’s tastefully distinctive and there’s no shortage of stylistic accents that look to have been inspired by the full-fat Range Rover, at least from the rear three-quarter view.
Jaecoo’s waterfall grille blends beautifully with the stacked LED headlights and slim daytime running lights. Even at first glance, there’s an air of desirability with the J7 based purely on the design and the profile of the vehicle itself.
It’s a smart-looking bit of kit from any angle, boasting additional design features like flush door-handles.
That’s a point of difference to its sister brand Chery, which in just a few short years has already built up an enviable reputation for unbeatable value for money at the more affordable end of the small and mid-size SUV segments with its Tiggo 4, Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 model range.
While we got to sample the entry-level 2WD versions of J7 – named Core and Track – Jaecoo is set to widen its offering by introducing AWD and plug-in hybrid variants to the local lineup in March/April this year.
How much does the Jaecoo J7 cost?
Jaecoo won’t release pricing until J7’s official launch next month.
Nevertheless, the Chinese brand has indicated a starting point between $35,000-$40,000 (drive-away) for the base 2WD Core and a little more for the Track.
That’s only a smidge over the top-spec Tiggo 7 Pro Special Edition+ ($33,990 drive-away).
To see how the Jaecoo J7 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What is the Jaecoo J7 like on the inside?
The cabin of the J7 is an obvious visual step up from Chery products, thanks to more interesting materials and a greater emphasis on design and technology.
It has a more premium look and feel compared to the latest Tiggo 7 Pro – but not by a massive margin, to be perfectly honest, and that’s a shoutout to the latter.
Just like its stylish exterior, there are elements inside that draw inspiration from luxury SUVs with off-road capability.
There are rugged-looking metallic-look door openers and grab handles signifying the J7’s ‘Adventure’ and ‘Exploration’ spirit, making it both interesting and attractive at the same time.
Soft-touch materials are pretty much everywhere, while hard plastics are kept to a minimum and largely below eye level.
The Jaecoo gets exceptionally comfortable leatherette-trimmed seats with thick cushioning and excellent bolstering, making it an enjoyable vehicle to drive even on twisty stretches of road.
The driver in particular sinks well into these pews, which offer armchair-like comfort, while the driving position itself reveals a commanding view all round.
Ahead of the driver there’s a premium feel to the sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, behind which is a good-size (10.25-inch) digital instrument cluster that’s easily customisable and changes with different drive modes.
Front and centre is a large 13.2-inch tablet-style infotainment touchscreen that’s high-resolution and has less-confusing ADAS controls than we’ve come to expect in new cars these days. The result is it’s easy to turn off safety functions you feel you don’t need.
There’s an impressive-looking shifter with an integrated ‘manual’ button on the side that’s said to be inspired by fighter jets. Just ahead is a dedicated space for up to two smartphones, as well as a 50W wireless phone charger in the higher-spec Track variant.
Moreover, there’s a ton of space for keys, tablets and other odds and ends both under the centre console and in the large (and cooled) storage bin.
At 4.5 metres in length, the J7 is at the smaller end of the mid-size SUV segment, but it still offers plenty of passenger space in both seat rows, with room for those in the rear to put their RM Williams boots properly under the front pews.
As we’ve come to expect from the Chery Group, there’s a stack of premium features on board, even in the base Core variant.
There are powered front seats, as well as a set of auxiliary controls on the front passenger seat to allow other occupants to electrically adjust said seat for easier rear passenger ingress and egress – it’s surprisingly handy.
Passive entry and start, along with auto walk-away locking, is another highly convenient standard feature usually found in luxury models.
The top-spec Track adds a bunch of big-ticket treats like a power tailgate, powered child safety locks for the rear doors, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and a particularly good eight-speaker Sony sound system.
Out back, boot space is a decent 574 litres with the rear seats up, expanding to 1472 litres when folded. However, there’s an unavoidable lip to contend with, which can be a tad inconvenient when lugging around longer objects.
| Dimensions | Jaecoo J7 2WD |
|---|---|
| Length | 4500mm |
| Width | 1865mm |
| Height | 1680mm |
| Wheelbase | 2672mm |
| Cargo capacity | 574-1472 litres* |
*Based on specifications in the Chinese market, where the Jaecoo J7 is sold as the Chery Tansuo 06
To see how the Jaecoo J7 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
Full powertrain details for the Australian-market Jaecoo J7 won’t be available until the launch of the full range of variants in late March/April, so we’ve included everything currently known.
| Specifications | Jaecoo J7 |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 1.6L 4cyl turbo-petrol |
| Power | 137kW @ 5500rpm |
| Torque | 275Nm @ 2000-4000rpm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch auto – wet type |
| Drive type | FWD or AWD |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 7.0L/100km |
| CO2 emissions | 163g/km |
Effectively, it’s the same 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine used in the Tiggo 7 Pro.
It’s paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission which has been specially calibrated for additional punch and smoothness in the more premium J7.
To see how the Jaecoo J7 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How does the Jaecoo J7 drive?
Contrary to some opinions, we’ve come to expect good things from Chery’s 1.6-litre turbo four, thanks mainly to the Tiggo 7 Pro, but it works even better in the J7.
It’s reassuringly punchy out of the blocks, providing extra confidence when pulling away from busy junctions, but settles into a smooth cruise once up to speed.
It feels slightly more refined than in the Tiggo 7 Pro too, as if the ratios of the transmission have been better calibrated.
There are three drive modes available via the rotary selector on the console: Eco, Normal and Sport. The latter doesn’t seem to do much beyond hold the lower gears a bit longer, so we’d recommend ‘Normal’ for daily driving duties.
It’s surprising how well it pulls. If you’re smooth on your throttle application, power delivery is nicely linear and very comfortable, but also satisfying enough.
The steering is comfortably light and responsive, but could be tuned for a more natural feel when cornering. It’s no biggie, however, given the segment this vehicle will be competing in.
Moreover, the J7 is wonderfully easy to manoeuvre in tight spots thanks to its high-res 360-degree camera.
The road loop on our relatively brief first drive offered up some pretty poor sections of road, and yet suspension compliance and general ride comfort was commendable for its damping and consistency.
But here’s the thing: when pushed a little harder in Sport mode, body control remained well controlled even through the tight stuff.
The same can be said of the dual-clutch transmission when driven in Sport. Rarely was it caught out, and it always seemed to select the right gear during more spirited driving.
Indeed, all the major driving controls (engine, transmission, steering and brakes) operated in sync to deliver a more sophisticated driving experience than I would have envisaged for a well-equipped mid-sized SUV priced from under $40,000.
To see how the Jaecoo J7 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
Two J7 variants have been detailed for Australia so far – the Core 2WD and Track 2WD.
2025 Jaecoo J7 Core 2WD equipment highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Space-saver spare wheel
- Automatic LED headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- LED daytime running lights
- LED tail-lights
- Power-folding side mirrors
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto – wireless, wired
- Satellite navigation
- Intelligent voice control
- 6-speaker sound system
- Leatherette upholstery
- Premium steering wheel
- 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
- 4-way power-adjustable passenger seat
- Auto-locking (walk away)
- Remote start with air-conditioning temperature memory
Jaecoo J7 Track 2WD adds:
- Power tailgate
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Acoustic glass windscreen
- Heated front seats
- Illuminated vanity mirrors
- Customisable ambient lighting
- 8-speaker Sony-branded sound system
- Wireless phone charger
- Dual-zone climate control
To see how the Jaecoo J7 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Colours
Five exterior paint colours will be offered in Australia.
Available finishes include:
- Arctic White
- Forest Green
- Lunar Silver
- Ocean Blue
- Carbon Black
To see how the Jaecoo J7 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Is the Jaecoo J7 safe?
The Jaecoo J7 is yet to be crash-tested by ANCAP or its sister organisation Euro NCAP, however, you could expect the J7 to get the same five-star ANCAP safety rating as other Chery models.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- 7 airbags
- Driver, front passenger
- Front side
- Side curtain
- Front centre
- Forward collision warning
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Lane-keep assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Integrated cruise assist
- Traffic jam assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Reversing camera
- Rear parking sensors
- Speed limit recognition
- Driver monitoring system
- Tyre pressure monitor
J7 Track 2WD adds:
- Driver’s knee airbag
- Front parking sensors
- Surround-view cameras
To see how the Jaecoo J7 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How much does the Jaecoo J7 cost to run?
Jaecoo has yet to confirm servicing and warranty details for Australia, though we’d expect the Chery subsidiary to mirror its sister brand’s seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty coverage.
To see how the Jaecoo J7 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Jaecoo J7
If the powers that be at Chery Australia get the pricing right for the Jaecoo J7 range, it could easily become one of its best-selling models.
For its engineering and design alone, never mind the host of standard creature comforts on board, it has the makings of being a strong seller in the booming and hotly-contested mid-sized SUV segment Down Under.
While pricing and aftersales are the remaining pieces of the puzzle, there’s little cause for complaint here, and we’re keen to get behind the wheel of the AWD and PHEV versions that are also headed to Australia.
Interested in buying a Jaecoo J7? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
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