There’s a hint of upper class with the looks of the new Jaecoo J7 SHS plug-in hybrid
By Jupiter, that was good! Cruising the open road (motorway) in the newly-minted Jaecoo J7 SHS plug-in hybrid I had just enjoyed the Planets’ Suite, by Gustav Holst, on the car radio.
On sale in Australia from this week <subs: May 1>, the question is, does the rest of this Chinese plug-in hybrid – the SHS (for Super Hybrid System) – stack up against Holst’s classical Phil Spector-like ‘wall of sound’?
With an appealing price point, striking looks, upper-end EV and combined driving range there’s plenty to like about this Chery-plucked mid-size SUV. Tagged with the eponymous Summit title, the ‘super hybrid’ sits atop a three-model petrol-only range.
Nearest rivals – plus or minus a few grand – are the BYD Sealion 6 PHEV, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and GWM Haval H6 GT PHEV.
Entry-level model is the Jaecoo J7 Core at $34,990 driveaway, followed by J7 Track for $37,990 and J7 Ridge AWD, $42,990, then the test hybrid SHS Summit, atop the lot at $47,990.
Jaecoo offers a comprehensive warranty package of eight years / unlimited kilometres, plus capped price servicing and up to eight years roadside assist.
STYLING
At first glance anybody could think the J7 SHS was a Range Rover Evoque, with its low arched roof, square front and uncluttered rear. However, at closer look, the car does make a unique statement with its signature waterfall grille, side mirror accent and power retractable door handles.
Slimline LED daytime running lights, vertical LED headlamp set-ups add further to a stylish front view. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels and a full-width rear light strip and ‘J A E C O O’ across the boot lid top off the look.
INTERIOR
The spacious cabin has smart furnishings with efficient equipment. Standard are leatherette-trimmed seats, with the driver enjoying six-way power adjustment and four-way power lumbar support. Both seats have heating and ventilation. A slight niggle is the flat and firm feeling.
Head and leg room are above average and a panoramic sunroof with tilt-and-slide function, really opens up the area, letting in light and, with blind closed, keeping out much of the sun’s heat.
Storage is abundant with cup holders and phone charger in the centre console, along with a deep cubby with cooling. Below is a large open area to take handbags and the like.
The glovebox is deep but slim, while boot space is limited. With five seats occupied there is 340 litres, with the second row folded 1265 litres. Power tailgate takes away some of the stress of loading. There is no spare wheel, just puncture goo.
INFOTAINMENT
Behind the steering wheel is 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, which is easy to read, while this section is topped off by a head-up display with info on speed etc. However, star of the show is a centrally located 14.8-inch touchscreen.
This system, with Imax-style dimensions, not only commands cabin space but also almost all vehicle systems via pinch-and-swipe operations – not the easiest of things while driving. More physical switchgear would be welcome.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sat nav, dash cam and intelligent voice commands can be called on through the screen. The eight-speaker Sony audio did justice to the Holst masterwork (see above) but sadly the radio reception over the test period was hit and miss.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Power is provided by a fifth-generation 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, putting out 105kW and 215Nm, together with a single electric motor adding 150kW and 310Nm. The combination sends power to the front wheels via a single-speed hybrid transmission.
A lithium-ion phosphate battery, with an 18.3kWh capacity, enables the car to do up to 106km without a recharge and can be topped up from 30 to 80 per cent on a DC fast charger in a claimed 20 minutes.
In this battery range the SHS, it is said, can run as a pure electric vehicle up to speeds of 120km/h. In hybrid mode, the combined units can deliver a total driving range of 1200km.
SAFETY
An often-asked question is the one about the safe operation of petrol/electric hybrid systems and Jaecoo says it has gone to great lengths to produce a robust SHS with rapid response safety mechanisms such as 2 millisecond power-off protection in the event of a crash.
As with all vehicles these days there is a full suite of advanced driving assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and autonomous emergency braking. The whole thing is backed up by eight airbags.
DRIVING
Getting going in the Jaecoo J7 SHS is something of a novelty. The key fob carries the ‘magic’, unlocking the car automatically as the driver approaches. Climb into the driver’s seat, sit down, fasten the seat belt and press the footbrake while flicking the gearshift lever on the steering column from P to D or R, and you’re off.
Swift acceleration is almost silent with the car in full electric mode until hybrid kicks in giving long range efficiency. Four EV and HEV driving modes are also on offer – full electric, series hybrid, parallel hybrid, energy recovery (regen). This is on top of vehicle performance modes of Eco, Normal or Sport.
There is little to tell when shifts between electricity and petrol power take place. Full EV is given a petrol push when the battery charge sinks below about 30 per cent. Braking can be harsh if the pedal is not treated with care and the rear-view mirror offers only a small and distorted image.
Ambivalent: that’s the word. The Jaecoo J7 SHS price is right, the powertrain silky smooth and cabin space generous to a fault, but as far as the fingertip tech, warnings of driver distraction fired across the instrument screen too often. The irony is the alerts were distractions in themselves. As time wore on, I wore out, resulting in my operating the system on a need-to-know basis.
SUMMARY
One of the most popular of the seven movements of Holst’s masterwork is ‘Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity’. It may be too hard to ask but to the right buyer the Jaecoo J7 SHS could be just the job.
RATINGS
Looks: 8/10
Performance: 7/10
Safety: 6/10
Thirst: 8/10
Practicality: 7/10
Comfort: 6/10
Tech: 8/10
Value: 8/10
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP (driveaway prices)
Jaecoo J7 Core: $34,990
Jaecoo J7 Track: $37,990
Jaecoo J7 Ridge AWD: $42,990
Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit: $47,990
SPECIFICATIONS (Jaecoo J7 SHS 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cyl petrol, Super Hybrid System, single speed hybrid transmission, FWD SUV
ENGINE
Configuration: four cylinders in-line
Maximum power 105kW
Maximum torque: 215Nm
Combined power:255kW
Combined torque: 525Nm
Fuel type: Premium unleaded petrol 95 RON
Combined fuel cycle (claimed): (ADR 81/02) 1.0 L/100km
CO2 emissions 31g/km
ELECTRIC MOTOR:
Power: 150kW
Torque: 310Nm
BATTERY: lithium phosphate, 18.3kW
EV range: 106km; total range 1200km
DRIVELINE: Single speed hybrid system, four modes, FWD
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4500mm
Width: 1865mm
Height: 1680mm
Wheelbase: 2700mm:
Kerb weight: 1794kg
Fuel tank: 60L
BRAKES
Front: Disc
Rear: Disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Eight years / unlimited kilometres
Eight years capped price servicing
