Brand New JAECOO 7 1.5T SHS-H Pure 5dr Auto

Jaecoo's 7 seems a better prospect in Plug-in Hybrid SHS form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

Jaecoo's 7 mid-sized SUV is probably at its best in this PHEV guise, where it offers the kind of advanced engine technology missing elsewhere in the range. You'll need to like the looks, but if you do and don't mind trying something different, there could be something for you here.

Background

Premium Chinese maker Jaecoo has entered the mid-sized SUV segment with this car, the Jaecoo 7. The brand name's apparently derived for the German word 'jaeger', which means 'hunter' or 'cool', but what we're served up here is very definitely yet another taste of the Orient. The Jaecoo brand has a lot to say about its SHS or 'Super Hybrid System' PHEV set-up. And you can understand why because there's not a lot it can say about the other engine offered in the range, a deeply unremarkable unelectrified 1.6-litre petrol turbo unit that lags behind its rivals in efficiency. This PHEV variant though, is a very different proposition. So should you take a chance on an unknown brand and switch to something a bit different in this segment?

Driving Experience

There's a 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to an electric motor energised by a 18.3kWh battery providing for a reasonable (though nowhere near class-leading) 56 mile EV range figure. This SHS model only comes in 2WD form but does have its share of clever tech - a so-called 'SHS' or 'Super Hybrid System' that uses the engine and the brake regen system to always keep the battery above 0% of charge. So even if you forget (or aren't able) to plug in, you'll still find the car reverting to electric motion around town. Though the petrol engine in this PHEV is at 1.5-litres slightly smaller than the 1.6-litre unit used in the conventional models, the SHS system's total output is of course vastly superior, rated at 204PS; enough to get the car to 62mphin 8.5s en route to 108mph. The car always starts under EV power and you can drive in pure electric mode up to motorway speeds - or with the engine and motor working together in unison. When the engine cuts in, it does so pretty seamlessly.

Design and Build

Even if you didn't know about Jaecoo parent company Chery's close ties with Jaguar Land Rover, you might guess at that collaboration from a profile or rear perspective of this Jaecoo 7. There are definite hints of Evoque side-on. But with a slightly squarer vibe that fits with the 'Rock in River' design ethos that apparently inspired the look of this car. Electric hidden door handles feature. And it's bigger than an Evoque - and most of the other premium compact European SUVs Jaecoo has priced this model against; think more Toyota RAV4 in terms of overall size, but with bigger 19-inch wheels. The blocky, imposing front end though, with its enormous vertically-slatted grille, is nothing like anything else in the segment. You might not be quite as taken with the cabin, with its curiously-shaped wheel and 'aircraft-style' gear shifter. Still, plenty of effort's gone in here with the 'Beyond Classic' design theme to try and meet premium aspirations. There's a tall centre console and a huge portrait-format 14.8-central touchscreen powered by a snapdragon processor. There is of course a digital instrument screen too, though it throws rather too much information at you with small fonts that are difficult to read at a glance. Attention to detail is otherwise impressive, with quilted faux leather upholstery for the multi-mode 'All-Sense' seats. Plus there are subtle patterns on the trim elements and Defender-like rivets in the door handles. Thanks to the boxy shape and generous exterior dimensions (including quite a lengthy 2,672mm wheelbase length), rear seat space and headroom will be a particular selling point - even for six-footers, though the bench doesn't slide. That rear seat room seems to have compromised boot space a bit, rated at 412-litres - well behind what you get from smaller rivals.

Market and Model

Top 'Luxury' trim is conditional with this front-driven 1.5-litre PHEV Jaecoo 7 SHS model, which cost around £35,000 at the time of our review in Spring 2025. At the time of our test, the marque had 71 UK dealers and expected that number to rise to 150 by the end of 2025. The saving over established mainstream branded models at first glance looks great - if you're comparing against cars like the Volkswagen Tiguan eHybrid, the Skoda Kodiaq iV and PHEV versions of the Ford Kuga, the Kia Sportage and the Hyundai Tucson. Though we should point out that in this Jaecoo is slightly undercut by its identically-engined BYD Seal U DM-i cousin; and considerably undercut by an MG HS PHEV. Standard kit includes a large 14.8-inch monitor incorporating an 8-speaker Sony sound system. Plus a head-up display, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats and ventilated front seats with a 'Welcome' feature that retracts them to welcome driver when the door is opened. What about safety kit? Well to justify this car's 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, there are up to 21 advanced driver assist systems, including Autonomous Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning and an Intelligent Avoidance System that alerts you if you're about to pass too closely a wide vehicle like a truck. You also get Lane Departure Prevention, an Intelligent Active Speed Limit system, a Driver Monitoring System and Safe Exit Warning. Plus Lane Change Assist, Emergency Lane Keeping Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

Cost of Ownership

With a 60-litre fuel tank, this Plug-in Hybrid has an EV range of 56 miles, which gives a combustion/EV combined range of 745 miles and a combined fuel economy figure of 403mpg, or 47mpg with the battery in a high depletion scenario. It delivers emissions of 23g/km of CO2. The Plug-in Hybrid model's CATL-made 18.3kWh battery can be DC fast-charged at up to 40kW, which allows it to charge from 30-80% in about 40 minutes. That's not particularly fast; for perspective, we'll tell you that a rival Volkswagen Tiguan eHybrid PHEV can charge its larger 19.7kWh battery from 5-80% in just 26 minutes. AC charging this Jaecoo from a typical 7.4kW home wallbox will take six hours 30 minutes. The PHEV model also offers Vehicle-to-Load capability so that external devices can be charged from the drive battery via a 3.3kW charging plug. A seven-year / 100,000-mile manufacturer's warranty is standard (with no mileage limit for the first three years) and (rather impressively) roadside recovery comes included throughout the seven year period. Insurance is group 31. You might worry about residual values from an unknown brand, but initial experts suggest that these should be competitive. After three years and 36,000 miles, this base petrol model is expected to hold on to 48.5% of its original value. Jaecoo offers the option of an interest-free three-year servicing plan for around £550, which seems well worth having. And the centre screen's 'vehicle settings' section can give you maintenance reminders when garage visits are due.

Summary

If you can stretch to it, this PHEV drivetrain is certainly the one to have in the Jaecoo 7 range. It's disappointing you can't get it with 4WD - but that's not uncommon in the segment. And other (mainly VW Group) PHEV rivals in this class offer bigger batteries and therefore longer EV range figures. But they also charge you a lot more money for the privilege. Which leaves this Jaecoo 7 SHS pretty well placed. It's well priced, very well equipped, distinctive looking and has a clever brake regen system that keeps EV motion going in town even when you're out of charge. If you're shopping in this segment, you certainly need to factor this contender in.