Powered by
-
Car Reviews
Latest reviews
-
Car News
Latest news
-
Car Comparisons
Latest comparisons
- Chasing Deals
Latest reviews
Latest news
Latest comparisons
Growing offshoot of conglomerate Chery sweetens the deal on its compact SUV
Chery sub-brand Jaecoo has updated its J7 SUV, trimming the line-up to three variants and three powertrains
Opening the range is the only non-hybrid, the Ridge, for $39,990 driveaway. Fitted with a 1.6L turbocharged petrol engine making 137kW and 275Nm, the Ridge is AWD as standard and comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Standard equipment is generous for the price, including heated and ventilated front seats, an eight-speaker Sony sound system, a built-in dashcam (memory card not included), a head-up display, a sunroof and an electric tailgate.
The price is level with the similarly-sized Honda ZR-V ($39,900 driveaway) and Skoda Karoq ($40,990 driveaway), but is undercut from within by the Chery Tiggo 7 ($29,990 driveaway).
The front-wheel-drive Super Hybrid System (SHS-P) plug-in hybrid combines a weaker engine (1.5L, producing 105kW and 215Nm) with an electric motor for a total output of 205kW and 365Nm.
An 18.4kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery provides a claimed electric range of 100km, albeit on the optimistic NEDC cycle.
The SHS-P comes in two trim levels: Track and Summit. For the same $39,990 driveaway as the Ridge, the Track loses some features in exchange for the PHEV powertrain, going without heated and ventilated seats, the head-up display, the sunroof and the electric tailgate.
Upgrade to the Summit for $44,990 driveaway and that equipment is restored, alongside a Summit-only 360-degree camera system.
The Summit also unlocks the option of an AWD hybrid. For $47,990, a second electric motor is added, joining the existing front motor for a combined 260kW and 490Nm. On the flipside, electric range drops to 80km.
At 4500mm long, 1865mm wide and 1670mm tall, the J7 is within 70mm of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, one of the first PHEV SUVs, in all dimensions.
Though the Mitsubishi’s $47,790 price before on-roads ($52,656 driveaway in NSW) is above the J7, the Eclipse Cross is AWD as standard.
Chery/Jaecoo says the Ridge and Summit will reach dealerships in September, followed by the Track in October.
All prices listed are drive-away.
Latest news
About Chasing cars
Chasing Cars reviews are 100% independent.
Because we are powered by Budget Direct Insurance, we don’t receive advertising or sales revenue from car manufacturers.
We’re truly independent – giving you Australia’s best car reviews.
