Jaecoo 7 SHS Review: A £35k Chinese SUV That Promises Luxury
Freda Lewis-Stempel drove the new Jaecoo 7 SHS Plug-in hybrid from Scotland to the Lake District to put the cheap Chinese premium SUV & its 745-mile range to the test
Chinese cars are making inroads into the UK market, with the latest brand being Jaecoo. The debut model, the 7 SHS, is aiming its sights high, targeting luxury offerings from British and German brands while undercutting them on price.
This Is Money’s Freda Lewis-Stempel drove the Jaecoo 7 SHS plug-in hybrid from Scotland to the Lake District to determine if it could tempt buyers away from established premium brands.
Jaecoo: A New Player with Ambitious Goals
Jaecoo, a sister brand to Omoda, is owned by Chery, a Chinese automotive giant that sold more cars last year than the BMW Group. Jaecoo is positioning itself as a premium option, seeking to challenge Audi, BMW, and Land Rover. It’s specifically targeting the same fashion-conscious, urban elite buyers, but with a significantly lower price.
Jaecoo is a combination of the German word for hunter (Jager) and the English word cool. Jaecoo is the sister brand of Omoda and a subsidiary (only sold outside China) of Chery
Chery, Chinese car giant sold more cars last year than the BMW Group and is China¿s biggest exporter. Chery shifted a whopping 2.6 million units in 2024 – 38.4 per cent increase on 2023
Design and Styling
The Jaecoo 7 SHS bears a resemblance to the Range Rover Velar, particularly with its prominent ‘waterfall’ grille. The overall design gives the SUV a unique look and a strong road presence.
Driving the Jaecoo 7 SHS
This Is Money tested the plug-in hybrid version of the Jaecoo 7 SHS, which combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an 18.7kWh battery.
Jaecoo claims you can get 745 miles of combined driving range thanks to its ¿Super Hybrid System¿. The EV range is 56 miles alone – a cut above the rival Hyundai Tucson’s 43 miles
One of the most eye-catching claims is its combined driving range of 745 miles, thanks to its ‘Super Hybrid System’. The electric-only range is 56 miles, which is more than double the average daily mileage in the UK. It’s also more than competitors like the Hyundai Tucson (43 miles) and MG HS PHEV (32 miles).
The PHEV also supports DC fast charging (up to 40kW), allowing a 20 to 80 percent charge in under 20 minutes, which is convenient. AC charging takes around six to seven hours for a full charge.
Pricing and Features
The 7 starts from £29,435 for the Front-Wheel drive petrol. The Luxury All-wheel drive petrol comes in at £32,850 and the Luxury PHEV Front-wheel drive costs £35,065 – the one we drove
The PHEV SHS can DC fast charge which is unusual for a plug-in hybrid but very handy. You can get 30-80% charge in under 20 mins
The Jaecoo 7 SHS is competitively priced. The base model starts at £29,435 for the petrol front-wheel drive. The Luxury PHEV front-wheel drive, the model tested, comes in at £35,065.
The interior has some cheaper plastics but you can so much for your money – from huge screens to plush heated and ventilated seats, and loads of tech and safety features
Standard features include a panoramic sunroof, heated and electronically adjustable front seats with faux-leather upholstery, wireless phone charging, a large infotainment screen, and various safety features. Even at the Luxury trim level, the car offers an impressive array of features for the price.
The panoramic roof, which also opens up, is an especially nice standard feature and makes the cabin very light and airy
Driving Experience and Interior
While there’s a lot of room for improvement in the way the car handles, the driving position is great and it’s extremely comfortable. But the driving assists were constantly interfering
The Jaecoo 7 SHS is not a perfect driving experience compared to established premium brands. The car’s driving assists can be intrusive. However, it offers a comfortable driving position and a quiet cabin. The petrol model has a 500-litre boot, while the PHEV SHS has slightly less space, but the cabin is well-designed, particularly for families, and offers plenty of storage.
It¿s sprightly enough, managing 0 to 62mph in 8.5 seconds and 201bhp. The double-glazing gives it one of the quietest cabins I¿ve tested in a long while – it’s a lovely cabin to spend time in
The interior features a touchscreen-only system and various driving assistance features. While the large touchscreen is easy to connect to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the system can be confusing to use. The driver drowsiness detection may prove distracting.
The petrol has a 500-litre boot but the PHEV SHS only has 412 litres, so it’s decent, if not as big as some rivals, but all options have an automatic tailgate
Overall Verdict
The Jaecoo 7 SHS offers a compelling package. It’s not the most refined drive, especially when compared to its German rivals. However, the car provides good value for money, with a long list of features, considerable range, and a stylish design. For buyers seeking a premium family SUV without the premium price tag, the Jaecoo 7 SHS presents a strong case, especially given the rising costs of car ownership.
The cabin has an air purification system which filters PM2.5 particles from the air and can remove pet hair – a thoughtful feature for anyone with allergies and something new to us
Storage is good throughout and the front seats are heated (as well as ventilated on Luxury trims). The rear seats are also heated on Luxury trims
The touchscreen is huge and connects very easily to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both wirelessly and via cable, but the system itself is very confusing to use
The Jaecoo 7 SHS isn’t a refined drive, and it can’t compete with premium German brands but it can offer buyers a lot more for the money elsewhere than those brands can
