Jaecoo is a brand on the rise, from its J7 to the recently introduced entry-level J5, the Chinese automaker is making waves. I recently received the new J5 to drive, which was the exact derivative, the Inferno, the top-spec model positioned above the Glacier and base Vortex lines.
Related: What is the difference between a Jaecoo J5 and J7?
However, before we delve into the details, please note that you can sell your car quickly and easily on our website. You can also search for new or used Jaecoo J5 models on AutoTrader here.
Fast Facts
| Feature | Detail |
| Price (South Africa) | R 479 900 |
| Engine | 1.5-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder petrol |
| Power Output (Max) | |
| Torque Output (Max) | |
| N/A | |
| Top Speed | |
| Transmission | 5-step CVT |
| Driven Wheels | Front |
| Suspension | Standard |
| Fuel Consumption (Combined Claimed) | |
| Boot Capacity | |
| Tyres (Standard Front/Rear) | 235/55 R18 |
| Competitor Price (Mazda CX-3 2.0 Dynamic) | R 479 300 |
*Note that all figures were correct at the time of writing; however, they can change at any time and without notice.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Engine: The 1.5-litre, turbopetrol speeds up quickly and is more than ample for the compact model.
Practical design: The SUV body-style provides ample space for rear occupants and a generous boot space for added luggage.
Interior: The interior is clean and uncluttered, and with the artificial leather upholstery, gives a premium look and feel.
Cons
Minimal buttons: While the menus are intuitive, having minimal buttons does take getting used when wanting to access features.
Exposed smartphone: The wireless charging bay has no cover which can be problematic in South Africa.
- Gloss black plastics: The centre console includes gloss black plastics which picks up dust and scratches quickly.
Styling
If you took the Jaecoo J7 and shrunk it by 20%, you will have something rather similar to the J5. Yes the J5 offers very similar styling, however, there distinct differences at the front and rear of each model.
At the front of the J5, the grille is even more rectangular and has a slight bend in it coming down from the top. This is flanked by new headlamp designs with different clusters having a solid LED daytime running light around the perimeter instead of the chequered design you will find in the J7. At the rear, the design theme continues to be similar with the taillamps enclosed in a plastic strip that extends the width of the vehicle.
This Inferno derivative gets 18-inch alloy wheels in each corner whereas the derivatives positioned below will see 17-inch units fitted. Overall the aesthetic is good-looking and very much resemble the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque which was the benchmark for the development of the J7.
Drivetrain & performance
A familiar engine configuration resides under the bonnet as potential owners can expect a 1.5-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder petrol engine. This unit produces 115kW and 230Nm of torque, ample for the daily commute, even if you regularly get onto the highway.
What was most impressive was the CVT transmission. It is seldom that you will find a CVT transmission praised for its intuitive function and yet Jaecoo has programmed this better than most Japanese cars I have driven in the past. While the CVT will still rev out the engine while gaining speed, on national routes and even in the suburbs, the transmission "shifts" regularly thanks to an artificial stepping function, and keeps the revving to minimum, something we appreciate.
Interior & technology
Jaecoo has kept things to the minimum on the interior of the J5. Step inside and other than a few buttons on the steering wheel and the three buttons below the main 13.2-inch infotainment display. The aforementioned touchscreen infotainment system is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and offers a smooth high definition experience to users.
While I prefer a physical button over a menu item, the layout is intuitive and functions are easily found. The large vertically oriented screen is rather contrasting to the horizontal lines of the dashboard as well as the compact yet information packed 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster.
Overall the interior is well-appointed with soft-touch materials all over giving it a premium feel. An area that we can see pick up scratches and or dust rather quickly is the gloss black plastic on the centre console. While we appreciate the wireless charger on the centre console, a cover will be recommended, especially in South Africa where most will want to hide their smartphones.
Space & practicality
The Jaecoo J5 provided a lot of head-, leg-, and shoulder-room for both front and rear occupants. Even with the driver seat adjusted for a taller person an adult comfortably fitted behind it in the rear of the cabin. As for the boot space, Jaecoo says the J5 offers 480 litres however, can be expanded to 1 284 litres with the rear bench folded flat.
Overall the J5 is a very practical choice. While indeed the J7 might offer additional cabin and boot space, unless you transport a lot of luggage regularly or people over longer distances, you should seriously consider the J5.
Safety
Active safety and driver assistance systems in Jaecoo J5 Inferno:
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
- Auto Emergency Braking (AEB).
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW).
- Rear Collision Warning (RCW).
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW).
- Lane Departure Prevention (LDP).
- Lane-Keeping Assist (LKA).
- Emergency Lane-Keeping (ELK).
- Traffic Jam Assist (TJA).
- Integrated Cruise Assist (ICA).
- Blind Spot Detection (BSD) / Warning.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA).
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision with Braking (RCVC).
- Lane Change Assist.
- 540-degree Panoramic View camera system (includes a clear, top-down view of the vehicle's surroundings for parking).
- Front and Rear Parking Sensors.
- Intelligent High Beam Control.
- Driver Fatigue Detection.
- Intelligent Active Speed Limit.
- Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR).
Passive safety and structural integrity in Jaecoo J5 Inferno:
- Airbags: Six airbags are standard, including dual front, front side, and side curtain airbags.
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
- Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP) / Stability Control.
- Traction Control.
- Brake Assist.
- Hill Start Assist / Hill Descent Control.
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
- ISOFIX child seat mountings on the outer rear seats.
- Child safety locks (implied standard safety feature).
- Front and Side Impact Beams (standard structural feature).
Fuel economy
Traveling at high speeds does mean that the claimed average fuel consumption of 7.5 L/100 km will never appear on your digital instrument cluster; however, with a combination of urban and traffic driving and some more frugal open road routes, we managed to return an average fuel consumption figure of 7.8 L/100km over the entire test period. Which considering the size of the model and the drivetrain combination is a rather fair consumption figure
Verdict
In conclusion, the Jaecoo J5 might not offer the same amount of space or ground clearance as its larger sibling the J7, but it remains a very practical vehicle with a lot of features and good build quality. This writer's overall impression of the Jaecoo J5 is very good. A highlight of the test was the good nature of the CVT transmission, it really impressed.
Taking into account the price and overall size of the J5 when compared to a similarly specified J7, we reckon the Jaecoo J5 is bargain and definitely a model to consider if you are shopping in the segment or price range.
