The Jaecoo J7 is marketed as an “urban premium off-road SUV”. A premium SUV that can still be comfortable going off-roads… wait a second, isn’t that right up Range Rover’s alley? Well then, as the new kid on the block, the Jaecoo J7 will have to prove its mettle against the OGs, showing that it can justify its lofty marketing claims – so we’ve designed a test programme to do just that!
Can the Jaecoo J7 actually give the Range Rover, in this case, a Velar, a run for its money? Watch on to find out!
Jaecoo, Chery’s premium sub-brand, has confirmed that it will be launching the J7 in Malaysia by the first half of this year (2024), with order books for the SUV having been opened as well. This should make us the first Southeast Asian market to welcome the SUV.
During a Malaysian media preview held in January, Jaecoo showcased two units of the J7, with one equipped with all-wheel drive, which comes with seven selectable terrain modes. The other variant is front-wheel drive only, albeit paired with the same engine and powertrain.
Jaecoo Malaysia says the J7 has 200 mm of ground clearance, 600 mm of wading depth, 21 degrees of approach angle, and 29 degrees of departure angle. As a bonus, it also has a maximum towing capacity of 1,300 kg and a roof load capacity of 75 kg.
RELATED: Gallery: Jaecoo J7 AWD – launching in Malaysia by 1H 2024, first ASEAN debut
Enabling the Jaecoo J7’s off-road capabilities is 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 allows the SUV to tackle challenging and even off-road conditions.
Powering the Jaecoo J7 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.
Aside from its off-road capabilities and powertrain, the Jaecoo is also designed to be “premium” inside and out. Standard equipment it comes with includes LED headlights and taillights, flush door handles, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 14.8-inch infotainment head unit. That’s not all, as the J7 is also equipped with some fancy features like 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.
RELATED: Jaecoo J7 now open for booking in Malaysia – 2 variants, est. from RM150k
