Jaecoo J8 2026: Seven-seat J8 SHS Summit revealed as tri-motor plug-in rival to Mitsubishi Outlander and BYD Sealion 6

New range-topping J8 Summit debuts seven-seat configuration and powerful PHEV drivetrain at a costly premium to existing combustion variants

Chery Group’s upmarket sub-brand, Jaecoo, has debuted a new, plug-in hybrid J8 upper medium SUV flagship, known as the Summit SHS.

The J8 Summit arrives as Jaecoo’s most powerful and expensive vehicle yet, priced from $59,990 before on-road costs, and claiming to deliver a combined output of 315lkW / 580Nm. It will predominantly rival the seven-seater $66,790 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and $63,990 BYD Sealion 8 AWD.

The J8 Summit flagship arrives with a sticker price $10,000 more expensive than its combustion-powered, front-driven ‘Track’ sibling. It debuts a long-awaited seven-seat configuration to grant the J8 nameplate a genuine point of difference to the smaller, five-seat J7.

Under the skin is a complicated yet familiar tri-motor ‘SHS’ plug-in hybrid drivetrain, seen in the related Chery Tiggo 9 and Omoda 9 large SUVs. The system pairs a 105kW/215Nm 1.5-litre turbo ‘four with a three-speed ‘dedicated hybrid transmission’ alongside three electric motors

Two front electric motors output 75kW/170Nm and 90kW/220Nm respectively, while a third electric motor sends 175kW and 310Nm to the rear wheels to allow for all-wheel drive. The system draws power from a 34kWh battery.

The J8’s head-scratcher hybrid claims to deliver a combined driving range above 1000km, though no testing standard is provided, and an EV driving range of up to 169km (NEDC).

The PHEV system supports rapid DC charging up to 70kW, though no data on charging time was provided.

For context, the technologically similar Chery Tiggo 9 plug-in can charge from 10 to 80 percent battery charge in around 30 minutes, peaking at an identical 70kW DC.

Highlight standard equipment for the range-topping J8 Summit includes:

LED headlights and DRLs
20-inch alloy wheels
Quilted leather seats
Heated, ventilated and massaging front seats with power adjustment
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen
Head up display
Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
14-speaker Sony sound system
50W wireless device charger
Panoramic sunroof
Powered tailgate
Second row window shades
Ambient interior lighting
360-degree camera

Boot space is quoted as 200 litres with all seats up and 738 litres with the third row folded, a touch shy of the non-hybrid, five-seat J8’s 783-litre volume. All three J8 grades, hybrid or otherwise, are on sale now.