Nine cool features of the Jaecoo J7 SHS

Jaecoo is aimed at more adventurous owners thanks to its classically rugged design ethos, with the J7 SHS (Super Hybrid System) soon to be joined by the smaller J5.

If you’re looking for an SUV with a bit of edge, here’s nine cool features we love about the entry level Jaecoo J7 SHS Track that you should know about.

Watch the full video here

Firstly, the Jaecoo J7 SHS looks sensational with a bold and rugged exterior design that appeals to outdoor enthusiasts.

With classic proportions, and a floating roofline, the J7 SHS delivers a unique and elegant take on the modern mid-sized SUV, highlighted by technical features such as its signature waterfall front grille, vertically-stacked driving lights , and the eye-catching full-width LED light bar at the rear.

Then there’s the flush-fitting door handles that automatically pop-out when the vehicle is unlocked and retract back into the body to improve aerodynamics when on the move.

The Jaecoo J7 SHS is offered in a choice of classic colours like Forest Green, Lunar Silver, Carbon Black and Arctic White.

Another cool design element on the outside are the stunning 19-inch alloy wheels.

At first glance, the five-spoke design seems inspired by a sportscar. But look closer and you’ll see that in between each of the chrome-highlighted elements is a special fairing that helps to lower drag, which subsequently helps reduce fuel consumption and increases driving range. Clever stuff.

Speaking of clever, the Jaecoo J7 SHS has an advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain, dubbed the Super Hybrid System, that delivers on many fronts.

Technically, it pairs a 1.5-litre turbo charged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor sandwiched into its single-speed dedicated hybrid transmission and an 18.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery mounted under the floor.

The petrol engine produces 105kW and 215Nm of torque, while the single electric motor makes 150kW/310Nm. Providing plenty of punch for overtaking on the highway.

Those numbers might matter to some, but the real headline figures are how frugal it is on fuel and, consequently, how far you can travel before needing to stop a petrol station or EV charger.

With the ability to cover up to 90km (WLTP) on electric power alone, the Jaecoo J7 SHS can be a guilt-free zero emission electric vehicle most of the time.

If, like most Australians, you only cover less than 40km a day commuting to work and back, dropping off and picking up the kids from school and generally running around the suburbs, then you might not use a drop of petrol at all.

And, with a home charger installed, the Jaecoo J7 SHS’ battery can easily be topped up each night – taking just over 2.5 hours to replenish from 25-100 percent on a 6.6kW AC power outlet – to keep you away from the service station for weeks.

But – and here’s the beauty – the J7 SHS eliminates the notion of range anxiety that plagues dedicated electric car owners because it also uses the petrol engine for long-range cruising or when the driver demands its full thrust for quick overtaking manoeuvres.

With a 60L fuel tank, the J7 SHS has a maximum driving range of approximately 1200km, which means you could potentially drive from Melbourne to Sydney, or Sydney to Brisbane – and beyond in both cases – without stopping for fuel.

And a family will do it total comfort thanks to its spacious, five-seat cabin.

Inside, the cockpit matches the J7 SHS’ elegant exterior design with a modern and minimalist aesthetic.

Its dash layout is a simple T-shaped design with a low-set horizontal section to improve forward vision that features chrome-trimmed air vents at each end, a large 13.2-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touch screen in the centre and a smaller digital instrument cluster in front of the driver.

And then there’s the long centre console that separates the driver and passenger through the middle with twin, felt-lined phone holders, two cupholders and a deep lidded cubby and armrest.

It’s a beautifully simple design, but equally as thoughtful with plenty of practical storage solutions throughout, such as the large extra storage area under the centre console, deep door pockets

The seats – and, importantly, other key touch points like on the door cards and centre armrest – are trimmed in synthetic leather and have heating and ventilation for the driver and passenger.

There’s ample headroom across both rows, and acres of legroom in the back with rear air vents, power outlets and a fold-down centre armrest.

And, with 500L of cargo carrying capacity in the boot (up to roof), the Jaecoo J7 can accommodate plenty of luggage for a family road trip. Or, when the 60:40 split fold bench is folded flat, makes loading large items easy for DIYers on a weekend trip to the hardware store.

Juxtaposed against its timeless style, the Jaecoo J7 SHS is equipped with the latest in digital conveniences.

The 13.2-inch central infotainment touchscreen is the command centre for all the major functions, including access to the embedded satellite navigation, vehicle settings, the dual-zone climate control, smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices, and the six-speaker audio system with digital radio.

With a logical menu structure, and clearly labelled phone-style widgets for each of the main items, it’s easy to navigate through the myriad of functions available.

Or, even easier, you can use the ‘Hello Jaecoo’ voice command function to access menus and change settings.

Complementing the main screen, the driver has a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that provides all the necessary information in a clear and easy-to-read layout, with essential items like vehicle speed, nav directions and speed limit signs are also displayed on the instrument cluster.

But all the tech wizardry isn’t just reserved for information and entertainment, as the Jaecoo J7 SHS is also equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids and crash avoidance systems

Key to all the systems is a high-resolution camera combination in the top of the windscreen, and an array of sensors around the car, that literally reads the road ahead of, behind and beside the car to activate functions such as its autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and blind spot monitoring.

On top of that, the J7 SHS has a driver monitoring system that measures the driver’s inputs and monitors their eyeline and will sound an alert if it detects they are distracted or drowsy.

For navigating the tight confines of the urban jungle, especially when parking, the J7 SHS has front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree surround view display.

As a new brand, Jaecoo offers customers an unparalleled element of trust with excellent long-term ownership credentials.

The J7 SHS is covered by an eight-year factory warranty with unlimited kilometres, including the battery pack and electric motor, with roadside assistance and capped price servicing for the same period.

Regular maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first) at an average cost of around $420 per annum.

More than that, Jaecoo also offers a guaranteed minimum future value with its industry-leading Future Price Promise scheme. Unlike similar offerings which are incumbent on purchasing the vehicle using factory or dealer finance schemes, this applies regardless of how the vehicle was bought.

Lastly, and most importantly, the Jaecoo J7 SHS is accessible for modern families.

The SHS Track costs just $43,990 driveaway, making it one of the most affordable plug-in hybrid mid-sized SUVs available in Australia today, while the higher-spec Summit is priced from $47,990 driveaway.

You can see all these features for yourself if the video above, and test out the J7 by booking your test drive here