Jaecoo, Chery’s premium sub-brand, is set to launch its J7 SUV here in Malaysia by the first half of 2024 (1H 2024). This makes us the first Southeast Asian market to welcome the “urban premium off-road SUV”, as referred to by the company.
During a Malaysian media preview held in January, Jaecoo showcased two units of the J7, with one equipped with all-wheel drive, along with seven selectable terrain modes. The other variant is front-wheel drive only, albeit paired with the same engine and powertrain. What you see here is the Jaecoo J7 AWD.
In terms of its dimensions, the Jaecoo J7 measures 4,500 mm in length, 1,865 mm in width, and 1,690 mm in height. Underpinning it is a 2,672 mm long wheelbase.
This makes the SUV just about as big as the Honda CR-V, albeit slightly shorter in length, and is also smaller than the Mazda CX-5. As compared to the Range Rover Evoque, which is one of the SUVs the company is aiming at with the J7, the Jaecoo J7 measures slightly longer and taller, but a touch narrower.
Jaecoo Malaysia also mentioned that the J7 has 200 mm of ground clearance, 600 mm of wading depth, 21 degrees of approach angle, and 29 degrees of departure angle. Outdoor hobbyists will also be happy to know that the J7 has a maximum towing capacity of 1,300 kg and a roof load capacity of 75 kg.
RELATED: Malaysia set to be first SEA country to launch the Jaecoo J7, due in 1H 2024
Exterior-wise, the Jaecoo J7 sports a boxy design, giving it a premium yet tough look. It also looks rather minimalist and grand on the outside.
We’re also a fan of its checkered-flag headlight signature. However, the car does look smaller in real life than we thought it did in pictures. This does not mean the car is small on the inside though.
Equipment included with the Jaecoo J7 in Malaysia includes LED headlights, and LED taillights that resemble that of the Ford Everest, welcome lights, and a set of 19-inch wheels. The J7 also comes with fancy electric flush doors.
Powering the Jaecoo J7 AWD in Malaysia is a 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-4 engine that makes 197 hp (metric) and 290 Nm. Paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), power is sent to all four wheels via the brand’s all-wheel drive (AWD) system. This allows the SUV to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds, and achieve a WLTP-rated fuel consumption of 7.48 L/100km.
The Jaecoo J7 AWD’s off-road capabilities are enabled by what the brand refers to as the All Road Drive Intelligent System (ARDIS). The system offers 10 different off-road driving modes and is equipped with specific drivetrain logic and simulated differential lock capability via the Bosch Intelligent Power Brake (IPB) control system. This enables the SUV to tackle challenging and even off-road conditions.
Moving inside, the Jaecoo J7 in Malaysia comes with kits such as a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.8-inch infotainment head unit that supports both wireless Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, along with a 50 W air-cooled wireless charging pad.
Additionally, the Malaysian-spec Jaecoo J7 also sports a 6-way electrically adjustable driver seat that comes with memory, ventilation, heating, and welcome functions, along with dual-zone climate control with rear aircon vents, and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. Also included is a centre armrest box with a chiller, an 8-speaker Sony sound system, and a large panoramic sunroof that measures 1.1 m2.
On the safety side of things, the Jaecoo J7 in Malaysia is equipped with 21 individual functions. Among the features are advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane departure warning (LDW), lane keeping assist (LKA), and traffic sign recognition (TSR). Other safety features such as intelligent active speed limiting, integrated cruise assistance, speed assistance, and rear collision warning are also included.
RELATED: Jaecoo J7 previewed in Malaysia – X70 rival launching mid-2024
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