Jaecoo J7 priced from $34,990 drive-away

Sharp pricing heralds the arrival of yet another mid-sized SUV looking to shake up the big-name brands, and it includes a plug-in hybrid.

Chinese newcomer Jaecoo is leaning on sharp pricing and an eight-year warranty to tempt buyers from the influx of rivals infiltrating the lower end of the SUV market, having just lobbed its J7 from $34,990 drive-away.

That figure applies to the entry-level Core variant and eventually tops out at $47,990 for the flagship SHS plug-in hybrid, with two variants in between and plenty more to come – including an all-wheel drive PHEV and possibly even an all-electric version of the J7.

Powering the Core is a 137kW/275Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine driving the front wheels via a seven-speed twin-clutch transmission.

Headline appointments meantime include 18-inch alloy wheels, synthetic leather trim, a suite of driver assistance systems, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto accessed via a 13.2-inch infotainment system.

The J7 Track is priced from $37,990 drive-away and uses the same drivetrain but gets more equipment, including a powered tailgate, 360-degree camera, heated front seats, dual-zone ventilation, wireless phone charger, ambient lighting, driver’s knee airbag, front parking sensors and rain-sensing wipers.

The J7 Ridge AWD is $42,990 and adds a torque vectoring all-wheel drive system, as well as 19-inch wheels, z panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, full-size spare wheel, ventilated front seats, puddle lights, inbuilt dashcam and a memory function for the power-adjustable driver’s seat.

Step up to the J7 SHS – Super Hybrid System – and you get a head-up display and unique aero wheels with covers to improve air flow, a 14.8-inch infotainment screen and various unique elements to the cabin.

Wrapping up the value pitch is an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty while servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, capped for the first eight intervals: front-drive petrols cost $2952, the AWD asks $3322 and SHS costs $3372.

“We’re planning everything,” Jaecoo global executive director of program management Peter Matkin said.

“There’s a lot of stuff in the pipeline – I mean a lot of stuff.”

Included in that lot will be the seven-seat J8 and perhaps eventually the Chery-owned Exlantix luxury EV brand – known as Exeed in China due to naming rights issues in other parts of the world.

“Generally the strategy is: Chery first, if it does well, then Omoda, that does well, Jaecoo, that does well, then Exeed,” Matkin said.

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