Jaecoo J7 Revolutionises The Plug-In Hybrid Segment

Trickle-down economics have benefitted the plug-in hybrid. Before electric vehicles became mainstream, battery and motor technology simply wasn’t sufficiently efficient enough for PHEVs to have actual, usable, real-world range.

PHEVs of just half a decade ago could only manage around 30 kilometres on a single charge. Their low energy density meant bulky (and thus heavy) battery packs but without a whole load of capacity. AC-only charging, and a lack of infrastructure only compounded the problem.

This resulted in many owners driving their PHEVs as regular parallel hybrids, meaning the battery packs are constantly kept at a low state of charge, causing further wear that then lowers the range even more.

Jaecoo, and parent company Chery, has ensured that all of these issues have been thoroughly ironed out in their latest PHEV offerings. But unlike its main Chinese competitors, Jaecoo didn’t only optimise their electric drivetrain. Chery has gone the extra distance, rejigging, reimagining and redesigning every bit of the powertrain in the search for optimum efficiency and integration.

A more Advanced & Refined 5th Generation TDGI Engine with 1DHT System

There may only be a handful of Chinese players in the PHEV SUV market now, but you can expect more challengers to join in as Jaecoo and its main competitors start gaining market share.

And gain market share they will. There’s a lot going for PHEVs like the Jaecoo J7. Chery is no stranger to electric vehicles, having built their very first mass-produced EV 15 years ago. With their extensive knowledge of electric powertrains, and the vast amounts of resources the group has, it is no wonder that they have risen to become the fourth largest automobile manufacturer group in China.

This access to a wide pool of R&D resources means the ability to reconceptualise the powertrain synergies between combustion and electric power. Jaecoo’s Super Hybrid System (SHS for short) consists of Chery’s 5th Generation TDGI engine. With 1.5 litres of capacity and forced induction, it puts out 154 bhp on its own.

Keep in mind that this is by no means Chery’s first foray into the world of Internal Combustion Engines. The Chinese manufacturer has been going at it for close to three decades now.

A 201 bhp electric motor, built with Chery’s electric knowhow, provides additional propulsion. Both the engine and the motor then spins the J7’s front wheels via what Jaecoo calls its DHT.

And it is in this transmission where the magic really begins. It lacks any physical gears for lower speeds, with the car using the electric motor to provide any drive up to 90km/h. This allows the car to use the least amount of energy driving about town, as combustion engines tend to not be in their element trundling around town.

When you get onto a stretch of open road, and when the speeds start to climb, the petrol engine is more in its element. Jaecoo preserved the higher ratios in the ‘box, allowing it to bias its drive towards combustion power instead of electricity.

Regenerative braking has also been cleverly worked into the throttle pedal. This ensures as much kinetic energy is recouped as possible when its driver needs to decelerate.

Chery’s Class-Leading Hybrid Technology, outdoing its same-class competitors

And yet somehow it manages to work even better in reality. And we’d know, as we were invited for Jaecoo’s regional Singapore to Thailand drive earlier this year. We were the only car driving at the highway speed limit, with ALL of the comfort features active.

From Jaecoo’s Singapore to Thailand Drive earlier this year!

This means air-conditioning and ventilated seats, with not a whole lot of drafting on the high way. And whilst our Singaporean teammates took home the overall victory, achieving 1,427 kilometres with some minor sacrifices to their comfort, we managed to achieve just shy of 1,300 kilometres in complete comfort. There’s really no other car on the market that can achieve these figures with this much ease.

If you need some tangible numbers, the J7 PHEV will return about 0.7l/100km. Its closest competitors can only achieve about 0.9L/100km, or about an additional 30% in overall consumption.

But don’t think you’d be dreading such a long journey in the J7. Because unlike a lot of its rivals, the J7 has been ergonomically designed too. The seats offer excellent support, but are soft enough that we had zero backache throughout our 1,000+ kilometre journey.

Ventilated seats are also a welcomed inclusion, and they work exceptionally well in the car too. The suspension works well to soak up the really big bumps, but manages to be stiff enough that the car isn’t unwieldy when faced with a sequence of corners.

Space in the rear is also decent. The flat floor means all three rear passengers will have sufficient room for their feet, and the panoramic moonroof helps to create a sense of airiness in the cabin.

Equipment levels are also very generous when compared to its rivals. No gimmicky screens or applications needed here – just a well-thought out, properly designed UI on a crystal clear 14.8 inch infotainment panel that disseminates information in a clear-cut manner.

Your phone pairs seamlessly and automatically every morning when you start up your J7, and all of your day-to-day controls are displayed in a logical fashion that is intuitive and easy-to-use.

Once you settle into your Jaecoo J7, that is. The sub-menus are, admittedly, a little confusing to use initially. But then so is true of pretty much every single new car on sale today. Get used to it though, and you’d find that there’s a specific logic to the Jaecoo’s infotainment system that makes it really easy to use.

More Refined, Inside and Out!

But Jaecoo’s attention-to-detail doesn’t stop at a well thought-out cabin. In fact, their expertise has allowed them to really refine and reimagine almost every aspect of the car. And this is the most apparent in its packaging department.

Sure, it may have an ultra-efficient and advanced powertrain, and premium overall styling. It is also incredibly affordable to run (if you plug it in to charge, you may never have to refuel!) and a nice place to be in all things considered. But it truly is very, very practical.

Pop open the powered tailgate and you’d have access to over 500 litres of cargo capacity, sufficient for golf or grocery jaunts over the causeway. In fact, it has one of the largest boots in its class, at some 75 litres greater than its next closest challenger.

And said challenger also lacks the one thing the J7 has included to improve your quality of life – a retractable projector screen, which allows you to have a nice evening movie in a scenic location of your choosing.

Need even more space for your belongings? Drop the rear seats down and you’d have a combined 1,250 litres of cargo space – and that should be more than sufficient for all of your everyday needs!

A Smarter Investment

There aren’t many vehicles that are this capable at this, or well, at any, price point. The Jaecoo J7 PHEV is a ridiculously well-equipped, properly practical and spacious PHEV crossover that will cost you very little to run.

What’s more, with Jaecoo’s 10-year car and battery warranty, you’d never have to worry about your J7 leaving you stranded and with hefty repair bills. Save money in the long run, and drive with confidence and without compromise – that is the Jaecoo way!