The 2026 Beijing Autoshow came with a lot of interesting experiences, as our chaperones OMODA & JAECOO, as well as iCAUR, had a back-to-back program for us to get through. One of these, was a testing day to get familiar with some products touted for South African arrival, and in the arsenal of cars on test was the electrified variant of the JAECOO J5, and as expected, it is finally here in Mzansi.
Could you spot the difference between the ICE and BEV versions?
Closed off. The front of the vehicle loses vents and grille openings ; instead, here you gain what the brand calls a waterfall grille, complemented by a tasteful light bar spanning the width of the vehicle. Lower down, a full-width black trim section incorporates a broad intake area with geometric detailing.
Standard exterior equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic moonroof, automatic LED headlights and LED daytime running lights. The J5 BEV is also equipped with roof rails, a power-operated tailgate, an underbody shield, automatic high- and low-beam control, and follow-me-home lighting.
Interior, cabin, the inside of the J5 BEV
A 13.2-inch central touchscreen manages a range of convenience and entertainment functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fitted as standard, along with Bluetooth connectivity, voice-command functionality and Carlinko app control. Front occupants also benefit from a 50-watt wireless smartphone charger. An eight-speaker audio system is also included.
Inside, the J5 BEV comes with black or white interior options, with six-way electric adjustment for the driver's seat and four-way electric adjustment for the front passenger seat. Both front seats are ventilated, providing additional comfort during warmer conditions, while multi-colour ambient lighting enhances the interior atmosphere.
Boot space is still quite considerable at 480-litre, for more space you are able to fold the seats in a 60/40 split rear which increases carrying capacity to 1,284 litres. Safety is also never compromised as the J5 comes equipped with features like six airbags, comprising dual front, front side and side curtain airbags. Further active and passive safety features include ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, traction control, Roll Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, an electronic parking brake with Auto Hold and ISOFIX child-seat anchorages.
The J5 BEV is also equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including:
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Lane-Keep Assist
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Departure Prevention
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Emergency Lane Keeping
- Forward Vehicle Departure Reminder
- Integrated Cruise Assist
- Multi-Collision Brake
- Intelligent Evasion System
- Blind Spot Detection
- Lane Change Assist
- Rear Cross Warning
- Door Opening Warning
"With the J5 BEV, we are giving South African motorists another accessible route into new-energy mobility," commented Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager for OMODA & JAECOO South Africa and iCAUR South Africa.
"The arrival of the J5 BEV marks an important milestone for JAECOO as the brand's first fully electric model offered locally. It brings together strong performance, comfort, safety and everyday practicality in a package designed to make fully electric mobility easier to embrace."
What powers the all electric J5?
The J5 BEV is powered by a single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor producing 155 kW and 288 N.m of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels. Energy is supplied by a 58.9 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, which provides a claimed maximum driving range of 402 km on the WLTP cycle.
The J5 BEV supports 11 kW AC charging, while DC fast-charging speeds range from 80 kW to a maximum of 130 kW. When connected to a compatible DC fast charger, the battery can be replenished from 30% to 80% in approximately 28 minutes. Vehicle-to-load capability also allows the J5 BEV's battery to supply electricity to compatible external appliances and equipment.
The JAECOO J5 sits as the top of range choice
The JAECOO J5 BEV is priced from R549,900. JAECOO is especially excited to announce that customers who pre-order the JAECOO J5 BEV will receive an incentive package valued at more than R50,000, in an effort to make the transition to electric mobility more "accessible and convenient."
The package includes a R12,000 reduction on the vehicle's purchase price, R5,000 in public charging credit and an EV Starter Kit valued at R30,000, comprising a 7 kW home wallbox charger, a portable Type-M charger and a Vehicle-to-Load accessory that enables the vehicle's battery to power compatible external devices and appliances. Check it out on the official JAECOO website.