The SUV is an evergreen vehicle segment in the South African market, and Chery is now a popular choice with the marked success of the Tiggo range. Then, the Chery group spawned Omoda and Jaecoo. Omoda targets those who are modern and fashionable. Jaecoo is for the adventurous and urban-conscious.
Related: Chery showcases new OMODA and JAECOO models destined for South Africa
The name 'Jaecoo' combines the German words 'Jäger', which stands for 'hunter', and 'Coo', which stands for 'Cool'. Their slogan is "From Classic, Beyond Classic." Which, when interpreted, would mean taking what classic audiences liked from cars way back when and going beyond that with new-age motoring. Jaecoo aims to deliver urban SUVs that are stylish and premium and have a delicacy to them, with it all centred around the user.
The J7 is the brand's first vehicle in South Africa. It is a sophisticatedly styled SUV with a heap of technological and safety features and a smooth drivetrain. We attended the pre-launch festivities and sampled the J7 both on and off-road.
We have yet to get pricing for this vehicle, which will be revealed at the official launch. You have three variants to choose from: Vortex, Glacier, and Inferno. We drove the mid-spec Glacier and top-of-the-line Inferno variants. The Glacier is a front-wheel-drive variant, and the Inferno is an all-wheel-drive variant.
Styling
Jaecoo calls their design language 'Rock in River', which is angular but soft. The J7 in media looks massive, but in person, it's more compact in this writer's eyes. The J7 uses rectangular, boxy-shaped themes with much of its exterior design. In front, the large black grille with vertical chrome strips and slim rectangular LED headlights gives the J7 a prominent, imposing appearance, with the twin foglamps flanking the front grille. The boxiness continues to the side with the contoured wheel arches, the crease from the headlights and flush door handles. The floating roof adds a nice touch.
Depending on which variant you pick, you can have 18-inch—19-inch diamond-cut wheels. In the rear, a rectangular bar houses the tail lamps and Jaecoo badge. The rear reflectors extrude to the side of the rear fender, and the chrome bumper trims are housed on a satin silver skid plate. The styling is more minimal, but it's effective; the J7 has some road presence.
Interior and technology
The rectangular motif is evident inside with the various trim pieces and the massive 14.3-inch infotainment and vehicle control centre touchscreen (13.2-inch in the Vortex variant). The J7 has a near-buttonless interior, but we feel there's an overreliance on the touchscreen, and some refinement could be done by organising submenus for particular features in that regard.
Despite that, the system is quick, crisp, and clear. It is also capable of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay right out of the box. A wireless phone charging pad is also available with this vehicle.
The 360-degree Around View Monitor is one of the best yet in this vehicle and very handy in some off-road situations. The seating is leatherette, the driver's seat is 6-way adjustable with memory and lumbar support, and the front passenger seat is 4-way adjustable. The seats are both ventilated and heated. Regarding seat comfort, the seat foam is on the firmer side but acceptable.
The interior ambience of the J7 is pleasant. Double-layer mute glass helps keep noise from the outside down, and the massive 1.1-metre panoramic sunroof lets the sunshine in. A good choice of materials is used around the cabin, and they all exude a premium feel and look, from the soft-touch textured door card material to the dashboard.
Some of the rugged elements are the door handles and grab handles, too. Rear occupants also get plenty of space, as well as air vents and USB ports. However, we would like the USB ports under the centre stack to be on the driver's side rather than the passenger side. All in all, the interior of the J7 is stately, quiet, and tech-infused.
Drive Impression
The J7 is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 145 kW and 290 Nm. Depending on your variant, power can be sent to either all four wheels or the front wheels via a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. The powertrain is smooth and linear, but slight adjustments to the gearbox and throttle mapping could further refine the driving experience.
On-road ride quality is decent but could be softened more for some coarser roads. We tried out the All-Wheel Drive variant in an off-road game drive setting, and the J7 surprised us with how competent it is in such conditions with its 200mm ground clearance. Off-road comfort is good, and the J7 will find itself at home on dirt roads and gravel.
Verdict
Ahead of the official launch, there's much to like about the Jaecoo J7, and it will appeal to many South African's lifestyles and needs. The vehicle is stylish inside and out, and it will attract tech-savvy buyers, too. The powertrain formula will work well for South African roads. Stay tuned for our thoughts when the official launch rolls around soon.
