Teased earlier this year, the smaller Jaecoo J5 has just debuted at the 2024 Omoda Jaecoo International User Summit in Wuhu, China. As its alphanumerical nomenclature suggests, it sits below the J7 sold here and will be “pet-friendly” to gain appeal from “urban youths.”
Animal lovers will appreciate some of the features such as extended seats for pet comfort and safety, as well as an intelligent climate control system that regulates the temperature to be optimal for your furry friend.
One thing that comes with carrying a pet in the car is the odour. For this, Jaecoo has a filtration system that blocks pet fur to keep the cabin air clean. Lastly, there is an antibacterial system within the climate control to prevent bacteria growth in the cabin. Of course, to complement the J5, optional accessories will include boarding steps for smaller pets and feeding bowls to fit the cabin.
To appease the servants of these pets, the J5 inherits much of the larger J7’s styling cues for a handsome SUV. It is squarish with that familiar ‘waterfall’ large grille. It loses out on flush door handles. The 1.45 sqm panoramic sunroof is said to be segment’s largest. Measuring in at 4,380mm long, 1,860mm wide, and 1,650mm tall with a 2,620mm wheelbase places it firmly in B-segment zoning against the likes of the Proton X50 and Honda HR-V.
Aside from pets, Jaecoo believes that modern youths love the outdoors. As such, it has contact charging ports, multiple hooks in the 480-litre cargo space (1,180 litres with rear seats folded), camping lights, and a 75kg roof rack.
RELATED: 2024 Jaecoo J7 launched in Malaysia, from RM139k – 2 variants, 1.6L turbo
Leading the interior charge is a 13.2-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen and a digital instrument cluster behind a twin-spoke steering wheel. Rear occupants get a USB charging ports each and air-conditioning vents. There is a powered tailgate but more importantly, a full-sized spare that will be invaluable on hiking trips.
The Jaecoo J5 is designed to accommodate an EV powertrain, but it will likely reach our shores with the same 1.6-litre turbo-four from the J7, packing 194 hp and 290 Nm of torque with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic attached. While it is offered in FWD or AWD with traction modes, don’t expect the latter to reach us.
“Reach us, you say?” Yup, Malaysia is among the markets for the J5’s debut on the international front, as confirmed by Chery Malaysia VP Emily Lek, and will reach our shores by the fourth quarter of 2025 – which would give the carmaker time to set up local assembly (CKD) at its new Shah Alam facility, if it follows in its elder brother’s footsteps.
For this year, though, Jaecoo Malaysia will be unveiling the Jaecoo J7 PHEV here on our shores. More info on that here.
RELATED: Jaecoo J7 PHEV travels 1,300 km in one tank of fuel – Malaysia launch by year-end!
