All-electric J6 – ‘Jaecoo’s Jimny’ – is coming to SA
This cute all-electric off-roader is on its way to South Africa and we’ve had a quick drive. Here’s all you need to know about the Jaecoo J6.
Meet the Jaecoo J6, at least that’s what it will be called when it arrives in South Africa. There’s no confirmed arrival date, but we estimate that it will touch down in Mzansi by the middle of 2025.
In China, this model is known as the iCar 03 and despite its stylised moniker, there’s no link to Apple Inc! Interestingly, the Cupertino-based firm did have an electric car programme, but that project appears to have been “binned”. iCar is Chery’s electric car brand in China, but the group uses Omoda and Jaecoo names in export markets. While Omoda is for trendy urbanites, Jaecoo appeals to off-road adventurers.
Just look at it – in all of its unashamedly boxy magnificence! We revel in the resurgence of vehicles with squared-off extremities, and you could think of this as a digital and all-electric Suzuki Jimny. In terms of size, the Jaecoo J6 is 4 406 mm long (Toyota Corolla Cross-size), 1 910 mm wide and 1 715 mm tall.
Importantly, the J6’s wheelbase is 2 715 mm long, which means that the model can comfortably seat 4 adults. To use the Corolla Cross as a reference point again, that model’s wheelbase measures 2 640 mm.
What’s on offer?
As we type this in May 2024, it’s still early in the Jaecoo J6’s market-launch process. We do know the vehicle will be touching down in South Africa, but exact derivatives will only be confirmed much later.
The Jaecoo J6 is available in several derivatives. Right now, it’s electric-only, but we wouldn’t put it past China’s 3rd largest carmaker to reconfigure the platform for internal combustion power. There’s a single motor with rear-wheel drive that makes 135 kW and 184 Nm. The dual-motor with 4-wheel drive setup offers peak outputs of 205 kW and 279 Nm, plus it has a claimed 0-100 kph time of around 6.5 sec.
Of far greater importance is the range. Battery giant CATL offers modern lithium-ion phosphate packs which offer ranges of 401 km, 472 km and 501 km respectively, based on the China Light Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC). The largest battery capacity currently available in the J6’s equivalent is 69.8 kWh.
Again, it’s too early to confirm the tech and convenience features that will be fitted in local versions of the Jaecoo J6, but the version we experienced had door handles that sat flush with the bodywork, a side opening tailgate, a neat digital dashboard, as well as a sizeable, high-quality infotainment touchscreen. There are very few buttons inside; we assume most vehicle functionality is controlled through the screen.
First Impressions of the Jaecoo J6
During our recent visit to the home of the Chery Group at Wuhu, in the Anhui Province of China, we had the chance to experience the raft of new O&J products earmarked for South Africa. Granted, the drives were extraordinarily short, but there were also static evaluations to assess cabin space and quality.
Quality is undoubtedly a buzzword at Chery and something the group takes seriously as its Omoda and Jaecoo products are destined for export markets only, so it’s in the Chinese manufacturer’s commercial interest to put its best foot forward if it hopes to achieve sales success in Western markets such as ours.
When you step inside the Jaecoo J6, you’re greeted by a plush, minimalist and modern cabin. The common touchpoints feel pleasantly soft, but substantial. At face value – and, suffice it to say – first glance, the build quality is as good as you’d expect from a legacy car maker. Given Chery’s joint venture agreement with Jaguar Land Rover, it comes as no surprise that the J6 feels very Evoque-ish inside.
The large central screen has crisp graphics and responds swiftly to inputs. We couldn’t see any physical controls, other than the steering-column-mounted transmission lever, which suggests virtually all in-car functions have been integrated into the infotainment system. It’s very progressive – perhaps a harbinger of future cabin ergonomics – but we’re not completely sold on it from a user experience point of view.
As with the Omoda E5 and Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV, our Jaecoo J6 test drive was brief, but long enough to provide us with insights into Jaecoo’s highly fashionable small crossover. Being electrically powered, the J6’s responses (and, of course, torque delivery) are almost instantaneous, but unlike most modern EVs, the acceleration is eager, as opposed to scintillating. Besides, we’d prefer the “more measured” power delivery. Furthermore, the steering feel is pleasingly light and quick; it makes the vehicle feel nimble.
Criticisms? There’s plenty of occupant space, but it comes at the expense of luggage space (the load bay is quite shallow). We suspect there’s a full-size spare wheel under there, but wouldn’t it be better if the spare was mounted on the tailgate (like on the majority of box-shaped off-roaders)? There’s also a lack of a privacy parcel shelf, which is something we hope Chery/Omoda and Jaecoo SA will address.
Summary
Out of the assortment of vehicles that we experienced in China, the Jaecoo J6 tugged at the heartstrings the most. The SUV’s retro exterior look is beautifully juxtaposed with the high-tech futuristic interior.
Although it propels all 4 of its wheels and offers off-road drive modes, the J6 is not a direct Suzuki Jimny rival, BUT in terms of being a distinctive off-road-inspired small crossover that appeals to urbanites (which is arguably the Jimny, especially the 5-door version’s target market), it seems to hit the bulls-eye.
Of course, seeing as the Jeacoo J6 is an electric car, it’s likely that it will be quite pricey in the South African market, because of the additional tax that the Government levies on the importation of EVs (the nation’s intermittent power supply is another complication).
Simply put, electric cars are more expensive in Mzansi than they should be, but given the aggressive pricing strategies we’ve seen from Chery/Omoda and Jaecoo South Africa, it would not surprise us to see the Jaecoo J6 retail for relatively sensible and competitive prices. We’ve got our fingers crossed.
Further Reading
Confirmed! Jaecoo PHEVs for SA