JAECOO is following up a strong run of sales locally and globally with the introduction of two new-energy variants of its J5, further expanding the brand's presence in the rapidly growing electrified vehicle market.
We joined JAECOO for the launch of the J5 SHS and the J5 EV, which gave us an opportunity to experience the hybrid model over a two-day journey from Johannesburg to KwaZulu-Natal.
The J5 gets a familiar hybrid setup
The J5 SHS combines a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to produce a combined 165 kW and 295 Nm. Power is sent to the front wheels through a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT), with claimed fuel consumption of 5.3 L/100 km. With a 51-litre fuel tank, JAECOO claims a theoretical range of around 980/1000* km between fuel stops.
The fully electric J5 EV, meanwhile, uses a single front-mounted permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor powered by a 58.9 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. This gives South African buyers three ways into the J5 range: petrol, hybrid and fully electric.
Familiar styling with a few differences
The J5 SHS carries over the clean styling of its ICE sibling, with minimalist detailing giving the crossover a relatively premium appearance. In fact, exterior changes are more prominent on the BEV which features a closed off front fascia along with model specific 18-inch alloy wheels on both cars, a panoramic moonroof and automatic LED headlights, while the overall design remains largely familiar across the J5 range.
A comfortable cabin for the long haul
Inside, the J5 SHS offers black leather upholstery on the hybrid with BEV owners graduating to a more premium white and black color combo, six-way electric adjustment for the driver's seat and four-way manual adjustment for the front passenger. Multi-colour ambient lighting, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and dual-zone climate control add to the cabin's comfort.
The two-day journey gave us a better opportunity to experience the interior beyond simply working through the specification sheet. The cabin is comfortable and, more importantly on a long-distance trip, quiet thanks to a double acoustic glazing on the front windshield window. The leather seats proved to be a welcome companion for the journey from Johannesburg to KwaZulu-Natal.
There are a few differences between the hybrid and fully electric models, with the J5 EV gaining additional equipment such as power adjustment for both front seats and ambient lighting. The 13.2-inch central touchscreen is straightforward to use, with important controls such as the air-conditioning functions remaining easily accessible. Smartphone connectivity was equally simple, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto pairing without much fuss.
The driver gets an eight-inch digital instrument cluster, while a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors assist with manoeuvring.
Practicality hasn't been forgotten either. The power-operated tailgate opens to a 410-litre boot, which expands to 1,214 litres with the 60/40 split-folding rear seats folded down. There is also 50-watt wireless smartphone charging, Bluetooth, voice-command functionality and a six-speaker sound system.
Safety remains well covered
The J5 SHS comes standard with six airbags, including dual front, front-side and curtain airbags. Other standard safety equipment includes Electronic Stability Program, Brake Assist, traction control and ISOFIX child-seat anchorages.
The J5 SHS also receives 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
- Secondary Collision Mitigation Multi-Collision Brake
- Intelligent Evasion System
“With the J5 range, we want to accommodate South African motorists as they begin moving towards electrified mobility,” commented Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager for OMODA & JAECOO South Africa and iCAUR South Africa.
“The arrival of the J5 SHS gives customers an accessible route into new-energy motoring, while the broader J5 line-up ensures they are not limited to a single powertrain. Whether they prefer petrol, hybrid or fully electric, the J5 offers a compelling balance of affordability, comfort, safety and everyday practicality.”
Pricing
The JAECOO J5 SHS is priced at R459,900, while the fully electric J5 EV starts at R549,900.
The purchase price includes a five-year/150,000 km warranty, a 10-year/one-million km engine warranty, five-year/unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance and a five-year/75,000 km service plan.
At these prices, the J5 SHS finds itself in an increasingly interesting part of the South African market. The hybrid sits in similar territory to vehicles such as the newly introduced Leapmotor B10, while its pricing also puts it within striking distance of established players such as the Toyota Corolla Cross.
That comparison shows just how much the local market has changed. A few years ago, a Chinese brand offering this combination of power, equipment and electrified powertrains would have been a novelty. Today, it is becoming part of the conversation.