Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit SUV – a compelling plug-in hybrid package.

A number of new electric and hybrid SUVs have arrived from China this year, some rather underdone but one new hybrid I’ve just driven really impressed – the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit SUV - SHS standing for Super Hybrid System - a medium sized five-seat SUV competitively priced at $47,990 drive-away. This a plug-in hybrid with a claimed 106km of pure electric range and a combined range of up to 1,200kms.

With styling cues very reminiscent of the Range Rover Evoque the Jaecoo J7 has very appealing styling distinguished with the Chinese brands signature waterfall grille. The Land Rover styling cue is understandable given Jaecoo is a sub brand of Chery which has had a joint venture in China with Jaguar Land Rover for the last 11 years. It also has some distinguishing features in stacked LED headlight clusters and slimline LED daytime running lights, 19-inch alloy wheels with aero covers shod with 50-series Kumho tyres and an integrated LED lightbar across the rear door. Pop-out door handles also distinguish it in the mid-size SUV class.

Jaecoo’s Super Hybrid System comprises a 1.5-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder producing 105kW and 215Nm of torque aided by a single 150kW electric motor driving the front wheels via a single speed transmission. Most of the time, the front wheels are driven via the electric motor, the petrol engine either charging the battery or assisting the drive at speeds over 80km/hour. If the battery charge is above 30 percent, the Jaecoo J7’s Super Hybrid System can run as a pure EV at speeds up to 120km/hour. It works most affectively – the 18.3kWhour lithium-ion battery charging on my home AC charger from 20-100 percent in 11/2 hours. With a DC fast charger this time will reduce to around 25 minutes.

Visually, the Jaecoo J7 SHS looks a station above its sticker price, nice looking, with great finishes, especially metallic paint, and highly equipped with power operated synthetic leather heated and ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera, a 10.25-inch LCD digital instrument display, a large 14.8-inch centrally mounted infotainment touch screen, front and rear parking sensors, a power rear door, and a large panoramic sunroof. Also, wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto, satellite navigation, a dash cam and voice commands via ‘Hello Jaecoo’.

Other features: an electronic park brake, tyre pressure monitoring system, three drive modes: eco, normal and sport, ventilated front disc brakes and sold disc rears as well as a multi-link rear suspension. Also, headlight height adjustment, rains sensing wipers and an acoustic windscreen. It’s also well serviced with wireless phone charging, USB charging in the front and rear plus the fitment of 12-volt power outlets in the front and boot. A nice soft colour pallet is available in Forest Green, Ocean Blue, Lunar Silver and Artic white along with Carbon Black.

Safety wise, it has eight airbags and no less than 17 advanced drive-assist systems (ADAS) including emergency lane keeping (ELK), lane departure warning (LDW), autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and forward collision warning (FCW). Thankfully unlike many of the new Chinese bred SUV the active safety and monitoring systems do not come with annoying audible voice and sound warnings.

Driving wise, the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit SUV is a compelling package, quiet with a strong performance on call, my only criticisms centre on electric steering that at times lacks sufficient feel and feedback with some evidence of torque steer under hard acceleration. A lack of buttons for climate and radio settings is a frustration and these elements at times slow to activate on the large touchscreen, and obviously require you to be stationary to make safe adjustments. The lack of a spare wheel and a replacement tube of glue somewhat of a disappointment.

Economy wise, I found the stated electric range accurate however achieving a fuel consumption figure of 1.0L/100km was difficult to achieve, and my best after a week of mainly city motoring was 3.8KL/100km. However, all things considered, I found the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit SUV to be a very compelling package and a step forward in plug-in hybrid SUV’s.

And the support package provides a degree of peace of mind motoring; car and battery warranty eight years/unlimited kilometre, capped price servicing costing $3372 over the eight years and eight years complimentary roadside assistance, provided you get it serviced with an authorized Jaecoo dealer.