Jaecoo J7 – Pricing and Spec

Finally arriving in South Africa, Jaecoo has announced pricing and specifications on its entire J7 SUV lineup for local customers. Will this new offshoot from the Chery group continue to upset the established names in the market? 

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Powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, all variants of the J7 deliver the same performance figures of 145 kW and 290 N.m. The various levels of trim are differentiated by mechanical components however since the entry-level Vortex and mid-spec Glacier models are front-wheel-drive, while the range-topping Inferno boasts all-wheel-drive with the innovative ARDIS system which delivers enhanced off-road prowess. This enables the Inferno derivative easier traversing through mud, sand and several other types of terrain while a 21° approach angle, a 29° departure angle, 200 mm of ground clearance and 600 mm of wading depth make it capable off road, on paper at least. The range of the automotive brand which is only a year old, will grow locally with the inclusion of the J7 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and the flagship J8 scheduled to be introduced later in the year.

Review: Jaecoo J7

All Jaecoo models will come standard with a 5-year/70 000 km service plan and a 5-year/150 000 km factory warranty (as well as Roadside Assist for 5 years), while the vehicle’s engine is covered by an industry-leading 10-year/1-million km warranty – albeit embroiled in fine print. Piggybacking onto the Chery and Omoda network, the newly ushered-in J7 will be available from a 40-dealership-strong network across the country which will handle sales and support for the vehicles backed by theChery Group’s well-established parts warehouse and customer care office.

“As South Africa’s first taste of Jaecoo, the new J7 has an important role to play. Boasting high levels of sophistication and performance – not to mention a modern yet classic design aesthetic – the J7 will appeal to customers who love the great outdoors but are not prepared to compromise on either comfort or standard specification.” – Tony Liu, Executive Deputy