Jaecoo is making its presence felt in South Africa
Jaecoo and Omoda might be mechanical twins, but they’re 2 separate brands within the Chery Group, with different attitudes and specific target markets in mind.
Omoda and Jaecoo form part of the Chery Group’s O&J division. Whereas Omoda is focused on style and follows a strong crossover approach, Jaecoo is aimed at rugged, real-life SUV buyers. Apart from sharing components and systems, both brands are flush with features and offer great value for money.
Omoda & Jaecoo within striking distance of SA’s top 10
Internationally, Jaecoo accounts for more than a 3rd of O&J’s sales every month, and in Mzansi, sales of Omoda and Jaecoo models have grown strongly since the brands debuted locally in 2023 and 2024.
In August 2025, the sibling brands’ combined sales total was 1 202 units, which was the pair’s best showing to date and saw them climb to the 13th position in SA’s top-selling new-vehicle brands list.
J7 was the 1st model Jaecoo launched in South Africa
Jaecoo debuted in South Africa with the J7 family car/medium SUV, available in 3 variants. All derivatives in the J7 range are powered by a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine that produces generous peak outputs of 145 kW and 290 Nm, and is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission as standard.
Jaecoo also has a 1 000 km+ range option
We recently reviewed another Jaecoo, the J7 1.5T SHS plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), which has a claimed range of about 1 200 km from a full (60-litre tank) of fuel when using a combination of its petrol engine and electric motor; the estimate is based on the WLTP lab-based fuel consumption test.
The 18.3 kWh battery provides a 90 km all-electric range (AER). With a maximum recharge rate of up to 40 kW, the J7 1.5T SHS supports fast charging with compatible DC chargers. The 18.3 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate battery pack is said to be capable of replenishing itself from 30-80% in about 20 minutes.
Under the bonnet of the plug-in hybrid J7 is a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine which, together with the electric motor, produces combined outputs of 255 kW and 525 Nm of torque, resulting in responsive acceleration. The J7 1.5T SHS has Sport, Eco, and Standard drive modes and is front-wheel-driven.
What interior features does the Jaecoo J7 1.5T SHS offer?
As befitting a family car/medium SUV from the Chery Group’s O&J stable, the J7 1.5T SHS PHEV comes generously equipped, offering a host of luxury features as standard. Occupants are seated on black leather upholstery, with the front passengers benefiting from both seat heating and ventilation, as well as electric adjustment – 6-way for the driver and 4-way for the passenger.
The J7 SHS also offers several practical and convenient features, including keyless entry and push-button start, a second-row centre armrest, a cargo area cover that conceals a 500-litre load bay, and a parcel shelf that cleverly converts into a projector screen.
Which driver-assistance features do you get on the J7 1.5T SHS?
The J7 1.5T SHS comes equipped with Jaecoo’s full suite of standard safety features, including over 16 driver assist technologies, including: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Automatic Emergency Braking – Vehicle, Pedestrian & Bicycle Recognition (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane-Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Rear Cross-Traffic Assist with Braking (RCTA), Rear Traffic Alert (RTA), and Traffic Jam Assist (TJA).
The full Jaecoo J7 line-up now includes a standard panoramic sunroof in response to customer demands. With the refresh, the J7 is available in 4 specification levels across two powertrain types: internal combustion engine (ICE) and the newly launched SHS (Super Hybrid System).
What does the Jaecoo J7 cost in South Africa?
| Jaecoo J7 1.6T Vortex | R519 900 |
| Jaecoo J7 1.6T Glacier | R579 900 |
| Jaecoo J7 1.6T Inferno AWD | R679 900 |
| Jaecoo J7 1.5T SHS PHEV | R689 900 |
Prices (correct in September 2025). Non-hybrid variants come with a 5-year/150 000 km warranty, a 10-year/1 million km engine warranty (for the 1st owner) and a 5-year/70 000 km service plan.
The J7 1.5T SHS PHEV has the same engine warranty and service plan, BUT its general warranty is valid for 2 more years (7 years/200 000 km). It further has a 10-year/200 000 km warranty for certain electric drive unit components, as well as a new industry-leading 10-year/unlimited km power battery pack warranty (for the first owner, reverting to 10 years/200 000 km for subsequent owners).
New Jaecoo J7 Specs & Prices in South Africa
Find a new/used Jaecoo J7 listed for sale in South Africa
Jaecoo J5 enters SA’s small crossover segment
In September 2025, the Jaecoo J5 compact family slotted in below its J7 sibling. Borrowing styling cues from its larger sibling, it features prominent vertical grille slats and squared-off styling that perfectly balances upmarket and rugged styling elements. It’s powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 115 kW and 230 Nm of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission that drives the front wheels.
What does the Jaecoo J5 cost in South Africa?
| DERIVATIVE | PRICE |
| Jaecoo J5 1.5T Vortex | R379 900 (R369 900 for 1st month) |
| Jaecoo J5 1.5T Glacier | R439 900 (R429 900 for 1st month) |
| Jaecoo J5 1.5T Inferno | R479 900 |
The prices (correct in September 2025) include a 5-year/150 000 km vehicle warranty and a 10-year/1 million km engine warranty (the latter limited to the 1st owner) plus a 5-year/75 000 km service plan.
New Jaecoo J5 Specs & Prices in South Africa
Find a new/used Jaecoo J5 listed for sale on Cars.co.za
Which Jaecoos are coming to South Africa?
Before the end of 2025, the number of Jaecoo models available in South Africa will increase to 3 when the J8 arrives as the new flagship of the Chinese brand’s local line-up.
This executive SUV offers seating for up to 7 passengers. In international markets, the J8 is powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine delivering 195 kW and 400 Nm of torque. A plug-in hybrid variant is also available overseas, but has yet to be confirmed for South Africa.
As for 2026, the J6 – a fully electric vehicle – will also put tyres on tarmac in the country, BUT it will be sold under the Chery Group’s iCaur banner, as the 03. The 03 has 2 powertrain options: the 2WD variant delivers up to 184 kW and 220 Nm of torque, while the 4WD version has outputs of 279 kW and 385 Nm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the starting price for the Jaecoo J5 in South Africa?
A: The Jaecoo J5 1.5T Vortex starts at R379,900, with a promotional price of R369,900 for the first month of sales.
Q: What is the all-electric range of the Jaecoo J7 1.5T SHS PHEV?
A: The J7 PHEV has a 90 km all-electric range (AER), powered by its 18.3 kWh battery.
Q: What are the combined power outputs of the Jaecoo J7 1.5T SHS PHEV?
A: The J7 PHEV’s 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine and electric motor produce a combined output of 255 kW and 525 Nm of torque.
Q: What is the warranty for the Jaecoo J7 1.5T SHS PHEV?
A: The J7 1.5T SHS PHEV comes with a 7-year/200,000 km general warranty and an industry-leading 10-year/unlimited km power battery pack warranty for the first owner.




