First drive impression: Pre-homologation Jaecoo J5 BEV
With the electric vehicle landscape in Mzansi heating up, Jaecoo is gearing up to make a serious splash with its first fully electric offering—the J5 BEV. Ahead of its official market arrival, we managed to get behind the wheel of a pre-homologation unit for an exclusive spin around the private roads of The Campus office park in Bryanston.
While full on-road homologation testing is still underway, this early preview gave us a tantalising taste of what South Africans can expect from Chery Group's latest EV contender.
First impressions
The J5 BEV carries over the boxy, range-topping proportions that have made its petrol-powered siblings so popular, but adds distinct EV styling touches. Up front, the traditional vertical grille gives way to a streamlined, flush fascia designed for improved aerodynamics. Complemented by crisp LED light bars, sleek 18-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels, and a clean white paint finish, it commands a strong, futuristic presence. Glancing at the digital cluster revealed that at the current electricity consumption rate, the unit tested would be able to achieve roughly 350km on a single charge, depending on driving conditions and style.
Inside the cabin
Stepping inside, the pre-homologation unit we sampled featured a striking light-cream synthetic leather interior with high-contrast dark-blue piping, giving the cabin an airy feel.
Interior trim options: If light-coloured seats aren't ideal for your everyday lifestyle or dusty weekend getaways, don't worry—local production models will also be available with a sleek dark leather interior trim option.
Tech focus: Dominating the dashboard is a massive 13.2-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, paired with an 8-inch digital driver’s display and a high-speed 50W wireless phone charging tray.
Cabin comfort: Ventilated front seats, a 1.45 m² panoramic moonroof, and acoustic glass keep things serene inside.
Party trick!
Because EVs don't have an internal combustion engine under the bonnet, space optimisation is key. Under the hood of the J5 BEV sits a handy 35-litre front trunk (frunk). The clever detail? The frunk comes built-in with a drain plug at the bottom. That means you can throw in ice, pack your favourite cold drinks for a weekend braai, tailgating event, or road trip, and simply unplug the drain to let the melted ice run out afterwards. Combined with its Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) system, which can power external appliances directly from the battery, the J5 BEV seems well-suited to light lifestyle activities.
Key specs
| Feature | Specification |
| Drivetrain | Single electric motor (Front-wheel drive) |
| Power output | 155 kW / 288 Nm |
| Battery Size | 58.9 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) |
| Claimed range | Up to 402 km (WLTP) |
| Fast charging | 30% to 80% in ~28 mins (130 kW DC) |
| Boot Space | 480 litres + 35 litre frunk |
Early verdict
Quiet, composed, and packed with practical surprises, our quick loops around The Campus grounds left us eager to put the J5 BEV through its paces on public roads. With pre-orders starting around the R549 900 mark, it promises to be one of the most value-packed all-electric compact SUVs on the South African market.
Stay tuned to AutoTrader for a full road test and video review as soon as final production units hit local roads!
