Jaecoo J8 SHS seven-seater priced at $68,990
Words: Richard Edwards
Jaecoo has confirmed New Zealand pricing for the J8 SHS, the seven-seat plug-in hybrid that becomes the brand’s local flagship. It comes in a single grade at $68,990 plus on-road costs and is listed as coming soon.
That’s within the range we picked when we drove the J8 SHS at its Australian launch in July, where we tipped a sticker between $65,000 and the high $60,000s.
The J8 SHS is Jaecoo’s first seven-seater. At 4,820mm long, 1,930mm wide and 1,715mm tall, it sits between the Mitsubishi Outlander and Toyota Highlander for size.
Power comes from Chery’s Super Hybrid System, pairing a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with three electric motors, a three-speed dedicated hybrid transmission and all-wheel drive. Combined outputs are 315kW and 580Nm, with 0-100km/h claimed at 5.8 seconds. The 34kWh battery gives a claimed 169km of electric range and charges at up to 6.6kW AC and 70kW DC. Claimed economy is 1.2L/100km, with CO2 emissions of 28g/km, and the 70-litre tank takes 95 octane.
On the launch drive we didn’t catch the drivetrain handing over between electric and petrol power once, and in gentle driving the car leans on its rear motor, giving it a rear-driven feel through steady corners. The adaptive suspension was a highlight. We saw around 4.0L/100km over the day, with plenty of acceleration testing included.
The Australian car we drove had quilted leather seats, heated, ventilated and massaging up front, a 14-speaker Sony system, a head-up display and twin 12.3-inch screens. The second row slides and reclines, while the third row is best kept for occasional use.
Roy Muñoz, chief commercial officer for Chery Motor Australia and New Zealand, describes the J8’s positioning as “mastige”, or mass prestige.
“Our customers have been asking for a 7-seat SUV and we’re more than happy to meet their demands with the compelling J8 SHS,” says Muñoz.
Boot space is 200 litres with the third row up and 738 litres with it folded, both measured to the roof. Tare weight is 2,275kg, payload is 618kg, and braked towing capacity is 1,600kg (750kg unbraked) with a 75kg towball limit. A tyre repair kit takes the place of a spare.
ANCAP has not yet rated the J8 SHS.
Watch our first drive
