The Jaecoo J7 brings you a step closer to full-electrification, while taking away that fear of range anxiety. And it is quite remarkable.
Singapore – It is unfortunate that Plug-in Hybrids do not receive the same or similar incentives as EVs in Singapore. If not, the Jaecoo J7 could be even more brilliant than it already is.
Chery (the guys who brought us the almost as expensive as walking QQ), made a return about a year ago, when local dealership Vertex, rekindled their bromance with the Chinese carmaker. If you rolled back the clock about 20 years, no one would have possibly imagined that Chinese cars could have made such a significant impact today.
The Jaecoo J7 is the larger of two models from the brand available here (the other being the all-electric J6). And as far as looks go, it almost feels like someone had both the Range Rover Sport and Velar on their moodboard during its development. After-all, its blacked pillars and sloping roofline are dead ringers. In all, the J7 is very handsome, it has presence, it looks upright, and it has a “go anywhere” vibe. But despite its rugged demeanour, this SUV is all about getting there smoothly, but with as little fuel burnt as possible.
I like that the interior is neat and uncluttered, and I also have to say that build quality is generally good. While materials used are inexpensive, the dashboard and door cards do not come across as low cost.
Its 14.8-inch portrait style infotainment touchscreen, together with the upright air-conditioning vents on both ends of the dash, match the exterior’s upright theme. The infotainment’s interface does somewhat resemble an android touchpad, but while it vaguely looks like one, it is not as intuitive.
I was pleasantly surprised that the infotainment was equipped with voice recognition. But while it does seem to accurately pick out what I am saying, it has limited functionality. Interestingly, the infotainment system is also equipped with Napster, which is now a subscription-based music streaming service. Speaking of music, the SUV is equipped with an 8-speaker Sony audio system. It also comes equipped with front ventilated seats, a wireless charging pad, and a driver’s HUD.
Space for rear passengers is decent, and like many EVs, the J7 has a flat floor, to better accommodate a third person. Boot capacity at 500-litres is comparable to what is out there.
Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, both which are paired to a 3-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). The engine on its own produces 142hp and 215Nm, while the electric motor, 150kW (201hp) and 310Nm. Combined, the setup puts out 342hp and 525Nm.
I Started as a Skeptic
My first experiences with PHEV cars a few short years ago, left much to be desired. Their batteries provided such little range, that they would run flat long before the end of a day. But fast forward to today, the J7’s 18.3kWh battery, with its claimed pure electric range of between 80km to 90km, was able to get me around for a little under three days worth of driving. The only time while in hybrid mode, where the engine did wake-up to feed power into the transmission, would be when I went heavy on the accelerator.
I could easily believe Jaecoo’s claims that the J7 is capable of its posted 1,200km of range on a full tank and a full charge. This would be more than sufficient for a drive from Singapore to Penang, inclusive of a stop up in Cameron Highlands for a sip of tea, at the BOH Tea Plantation.
I like that the interior is pleasantly insulated, thanks to the double-glazed windshield and front windows, which significantly reduces road noise. But while there is a lot going for the J7, perhaps the two gripes I have are that the ride can get slightly crashy, and the brake pedal modulation could be greatly improved on.
New Battery Tech, A New Outlook
Battery technology has improved by leaps and bounds over the past years. PHEVs of old, may have provided benefits from the boost they got from their electric motors, but they were a concept I balked at, since their batteries held little charge, and hence you’d often find yourself with deadweight in tow.
But the J7 does show plenty of promise. So shouldn’t it also be about time our local government re-look at the idea of Plug-in Hybrids?
Text & Photos: Clifford Chow
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stylish | Brake modulation needs improvement |
| Fantastic range | Crashy ride |
| Well-equipped |
Jaecoo J7 PHEV
| Drivetrain | Petrol-Plug-in hybrid |
| Layout | 1,498cc, turbocharged inline 4 |
| Engine Power / torque | 142hp / 215Nm |
| Transmission | 3-speed DHT |
| Motor Power / torque | 201hp / 310Nm |
| Combined Delivery | 347hp / 525Nm |
| Efficiency | 143km/l |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 Litres |
| 0-100km/h | 8.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 185km/h |
| VES Band | A2 |
| Dealer | Vertex Automobile Pte Ltd |
| Price | S$221,888 with COE and VES |
| Verdict | Fantastic economy. Perhaps the government should re-think providing incentives for PHEVs |
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