car news car tests

Jae-what?

Jaecoo is a new car brand, founded in 2023, but parent company Chery is by no means a rookie. Chery has been building passenger cars and SUVs for markets around the world for more than 30 years. They sell cars in places like Brazil, Mexico, Iraq, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Turkey and South Africa – and the list goes on. And that name? It seems to have been coined by a Chinese marketing agency and combines the German “Jäger” with the English “Cool. A bit far-fetched, but it sticks surprisingly well.

Who is Jaecoo for?

With Jaecoo, Chery is targeting buyers who like cool design and a competitive price. The Jaecoo J5 is the second model for the Dutch market, alongside the plug-in hybrid J7. The J5 is slightly more compact and aims at fans of off-road looks – without probably ever wanting to seek the mud. Its price for the Dutch market is not yet known, but count on around 33,000 to 35,000 euros.

Compact, but not a small one

At 4.38 meters long and 1.86 meters wide, the Jaecoo J5 is an outright competitor to the Hyundai Kona, Kia Niro, Kia EV3 and Volvo EX30, among others. In terms of looks, it is mostly reminiscent of the Range Rover Evoque, a car that parent company Chery commissioned by Land Rover to assemble for the Chinese market. Think of the angular LED lights, tapered window and roofline and the continuous strip with brand name on the tailgate. The Evoque is a rugged yet elegant car to behold, so we think the same of the Jaecoo J5.  

Dressed up thick

In the interior, the J5 makes a difference. No hard plastics, but soft faux leather everywhere. This is where Chinese brands make it difficult for European and Korean competitors. Also in terms of technology, the Chinese are surpassing the traditional automakers. You get a standard digital instrument cluster and a lightning-fast infotainment system with a 13.2-inch screen that is as responsive as the latest iPhone in your pocket.

The seating position is pleasantly high, and thanks to the angular shape of the body, you have good all-round visibility. Storage compartments are plentiful and there is also plenty of room for adults in the rear. The luggage space measures 480 liters, excellent for the segment, and easily expanded by folding down the rear seats in 60/40 ratio.

EV powertrain

Although the J5 will also be available in other markets with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine (145 kW (197 hp)), either as a mild hybrid or otherwise, in our country only the electric version is likely to hit the market. The so-called J5 EV has a 60 kWh battery pack, good for a theoretical range of about 400 kilometers. Thanks to a charging capacity of up to 80 kW, you charge the battery from 20 to 80 percent in about 27 minutes. With that, performance is not particularly remarkable, but it is adequate in the segment in which the J5 operates. An electric motor on the front axle delivers 150 kW (204 hp) and 288 Nm of torque and allows for a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds. So slow the J5 is not.

Surprisingly capable undercarriage

AutoRAI.nl was able to put the J5 EV through its paces briefly on a small closed course next to the Chery factory in China. We were allowed to accelerate hard, then push the brake pedal to the bottom, take a few sharp turns and drive over a straight stretch of asphalt with bumps and potholes. Short, but powerful – and fairly representative of normal driving conditions.

During the brief test, the suspension appears pleasantly comfortable, with a firm foundation. Bumps are filtered out nicely and the car tilts little when cornering. The steering is light but direct enough. It doesn’t get exciting anywhere, but the car does what it needs to do. As soon as it arrives in the Netherlands, we will of course test it more extensively – but it already passes this first driving test.

Equipment and safety

Standard equipment is remarkably complete. Faux leather upholstery, electrically adjustable seats, a large 13.2-inch infotainment screen and a digital instrument cluster are included. On the safety front, the J5 offers adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition and fatigue alert, among other features. Depending on the trim, you also get things like keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a panoramic roof.

Conclusion

The Jaecoo J5 is a fresh, tough-looking crossover with surprising amounts of space and luxury. It rides comfortably, offers mature performance and its Range Rover-like appearance makes it an interesting choice for those who want to impress their neighbors for relatively little money.

Specifications are market-based, with a tidy range and a lightning-fast infortainment system. All nothing earth-shattering, but more than adequate for those looking for an affordable EV with a bit of character. Looking for a compact SUV that stands out from the crowd? Then the Jaecoo J5 is definitely worth a test drive. In the video below, we tell you more about the Jaecoo J5: