Our next review is on the Jaecoo 7, a name that will be familiar to some of you but we could be talking Chinese to others and that is where the similarities lie. The Jaecoo along with stablemate Omoda is indeed a Chinese manufacturer. DO NOT let that put you off!
To the inexpert eye this Jaecoo 7 a luxury SUV could be mistaken for a Range Rover Velar which is still boxy in a high-class kind of way and there is some synergie between our beloved Jaguar Landrover and Chinese Chery Automobiles who have a strong business connection. It is available in both petrol and hybrid versions but we are testing the hybrid here.
The exterior design is striking, sophisticated yet also rugged, a really great combination. We thought its looks would very much appeal to the American market, just don’t mention tariffs! It has a “floating” roof, 19 inch alloys, privacy glass, hidden electric door handles and that massive front grille that almost smiles at you.
On the inside, well what can we say, it is full of soft materials and the aforementioned panoramic roof floods the cabin with natural light giving it a bright and airy feel.
The accent stitched seats are very plush and comfortable with great back supports, there is also lots of position choices plus options of heating, cooling, or ventilated.
Head and legroom both front and back is excellent and there is generous luggage space too. The huge 14.8 touchscreen takes up a lot of space, it’ s a bit like having a 75 inch TV set in your sitting room but all the controls are easy to use once you get used to where to find everything.
Heading out to drive, there is no start button. The car just detects there’s a “bum in the seat” and the engine switches on. Wearing seatbelts is of course the law, enforced by the fact that the Jaecoo cannot move if you are not wearing one. Even in your driveway!
The column change gears reminded Lorraine of her old Renault 16 and that was not today or yesterday...
You are spoiled for choice when it comes to driving modes; economy, standard, sport, sand, mud or snow and wading depth is 600mm, all very useful when you live in Scotland.
Out on the road and it is a dream to drive, it is smooth, responsive, and performs well on motorways, in town and on country roads.
When it comes to safety features, we cannot recall such a huge list in a car of this price. Blind spot detection, traffic sign recognition, emergency lane keeping, automatic braking, front and rear collision warnings, door opening warning, rear crossing traffic braking, to name just a few. These are all fantastic but all the dings, bongs and dongs can sound like the Scottish Symphony Orchestra warming up! Maybe that says more about our driving skills.
The similarity to the Range Rover stays only with the Jaecoo’s looks. It is more reliable and it cost a fraction of the price at £35,065 for this model.
Ally says: The Jaecoo 7 is a real head turner on the road, I lost count of the amount of times this Jaecoo was inspected by the public in car parks, absolutely amazing! Speaking to one of the dealers, who was telling me the Jaecoo is flying out the door, and by the amount I have seen on the roads in the past couple of weeks, I totally understand where she is coming from. The only downside of the car for me is the constant reminder that the car is in charge, its computer was forever telling me to focus on the road even at one point when I was just drawing away from the house and had only been driving for about 30 seconds.
Lorraine says: The Chinese are making clear inroads into the UK market, my advice is put aside your badge snobbery or your socio/political prejudices, the Jaecoo 7 is one fine car at an even finer price.
