EVERY so often a new car brand appears that makes you sit up and pay attention. Not because it’s been teased with a massive marketing budget or backed by a famous badge, but because it turns up quietly, fully formed, and surprisingly polished. The Jaecoo 7 SHS Plug-in Hybrid is one of those cars.
If you’ve never heard of Jaecoo before, don’t worry — most people haven’t. It’s a newcomer to the UK market, part of a new wave of Chinese-backed carmakers making rapid inroads into Europe. And yet, the Jaecoo 7 doesn’t feel like a rough draft or a cheap imitation. It feels… confident. Like it’s read the brief for the modern SUV and decided to have a proper go at it.
Available from £35,165 OTR, the Jaecoo 7 SHS (that’s Smart Hybrid System, for those who don’t speak acronym) sits above the entry-level Jaecoo 5 and the pure-electric E5, and aims squarely at cars like the Kia Sportage Plug-in, Peugeot 3008 Hybrid, and MG HS PHEV. Ambitious? Definitely. Unrealistic? Not at all.
It comes in just one trim level – Luxury – which, as you might expect is quite, well . . . luxurious.
Car Overview
The Jaecoo 7 SHS is a mid-sized SUV powered by a plug-in hybrid setup that blends petrol power with electric assistance. The SHS system combines a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and battery pack, giving it a healthy balance of performance and efficiency. Electric-only range is a healthy 56 miles, depending on driving conditions, but it should cover most daily commutes with ease.
Drive goes to the front wheels only in this PHEV model, and the system automatically juggles petrol and electric power for maximum smoothness. It’s not designed to rival a full EV or a sports SUV — instead, it’s all about versatility, refinement, and efficiency.
Where the Jaecoo 7 gets interesting is in its attention to detail. The brand’s engineers have clearly benchmarked premium European rivals rather than budget alternatives. The cabin quality, the tech offering, and even the way it drives suggest a manufacturer intent on being taken seriously right from the start.
Design
The Jaecoo 7 looks expensive. There’s no other way to put it. Its upright stance, sharp LED lighting, and crisp lines give it real road presence. The front end is dominated by a broad, almost Range Rover–style grille, flanked by slim LED headlights and a subtle strip of daytime running lights that sweep outward.
Walk around it, and the detailing impresses. The clamshell bonnet, the short overhangs, and the tidy proportions make it look like it belongs in the same conversation as cars costing £10,000 more. It’s stylish without being showy — solid, smart, and proportioned just right.
The profile is neat and strong-shouldered, while the rear carries an Audi-like minimalism with its slim tail lamps and clean surfaces. The Jaecoo logo sits proudly across the tailgate in bold lettering.
Interior
Step inside, and it’s immediately clear that Jaecoo’s designers spent more time studying European interiors than cutting corners. The cabin feels light, well-built, and properly modern. The design language is simple but effective — horizontal layers, soft-touch materials, and a mix of metallic and gloss-black accents with the panoramic sunroof helping with an overall feeling of airiness and space.
The digital setup is impressive. A large central touchscreen — bright, fast, and slick — handles most functions, backed up by a smaller driver display for essential info. There’s also a head-up display fitted as standard.
Unlike some newcomers, it doesn’t feel like a tech gimmick. The menus are logical, the graphics are crisp, and the whole system responds instantly to inputs. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, and the built-in voice assistant isn’t bad either — though like many systems, it’s happier with simple commands than conversational nuance.
Yes, it’s missing some physical buttons for the climate and volume, but this is the way manufacturers are going these days and the Jaecoo’s system is easy enough to navigate once you’re used to it.
Seating is excellent. Supportive, adjustable, and well-trimmed, with decent bolstering for long drives. Space front and rear is generous, easily on par with the Kia Sportage or Nissan Qashqai, and rear passengers get plenty of legroom.
Visibility is good thanks to the raised driving position, although the rear view is somewhat letterbox-like. The large wingmirrors make up for this. A bit.
The boot, at roughly 500 litres is competitive and sensibly shaped.
Materials quality is where the biggest surprise comes. The soft-touch surfaces, the knurled metallic dials, and the stitching detail wouldn’t look out of place in an Audi or Volvo. It’s a genuinely pleasant place to spend time — and crucially, it doesn’t feel “cheap but nice.” It just feels… nice.
Driving Impressions
Here’s where the Jaecoo 7 SHS really starts to make its case. You expect it to feel a bit unpolished, a bit “early prototype,” but it doesn’t. It feels composed, comfortable, and impressively refined.
The hybrid system does its best work in town, gliding away silently on electric power and blending in the petrol engine so smoothly that you often don’t notice it firing up. The transitions are seamless, the throttle response measured. It’s not fast in the traditional sense, but there’s a smooth, easy surge of torque from the electric motor that makes it feel effortless around town.
Out on faster roads, the Jaecoo settles into a quiet cruise. The suspension has that slightly soft edge you expect from an SUV tuned for comfort, but body control is tidy and there’s enough composure to keep it feeling planted. Steering is light but accurate, and while it doesn’t offer much feedback, it’s easy to place on narrow roads.
Switch to hybrid or sport mode, and the petrol engine adds some extra punch for overtakes or hills. The CVT gearbox is smooth enough, though keen drivers might wish for a bit more responsiveness.
Noise insulation is decent, although at motorway speeds the Jaecoo doesn’t feel quite as refined as some rivals. The SHS system keeps revs low, but wind and tyre noise are still there to some degree. The brakes — always a concern in hybrids — are well-judged, with progressive feel and smooth regeneration.
It’s not thrilling, but it’s genuinely satisfying. And that’s arguably more important in this class.
The only spoiler is the bings and bongs which occur whenever you look to the side or down into the cabin. The attention-assist monitoring is way too sensitive – although it can be disabled. You can swipe down on the main screen to get to the shortcuts for all things bingy and bongy – which makes life a little easier.
Technology & Safety
Jaecoo has clearly decided to go all-in on technology as its differentiator, and it shows. The Jaecoo 7 SHS is loaded with kit, much of which would be optional on rivals.
Navigation is cloud-connected, offering live traffic and over-the-air updates. There’s a high-quality audio system, multiple USB-C ports, and wireless phone charging. The digital instrument cluster can be configured for different displays, from classic gauges to minimalist layouts, and the head-up display is clear and detailed.
Safety-wise, it ticks every box. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and driver attention detection (Grrrrr!) as standard. There’s also 360-degree parking assistance with crisp cameras and an automated park function that takes the stress out of tight urban spaces.
Jaecoo’s ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) suite is comprehensive and well-tuned. It doesn’t jerk the wheel or bombard you with warnings; instead, it assists subtly. On motorways, it keeps a steady distance, stays centered, and adapts naturally to traffic flow.
It also features multiple drive modes for different conditions — Normal, Eco, Sport, and an all-electric EV mode for zero-emission running around town.
Ownership, Warranty & Dealer Network
Jaecoo’s UK rollout has been carefully planned. The brand already has an 81-strong dealer network covering the UK, with aftersales support and parts distribution already in place. That’s a big deal — too many new marques have failed by launching first and building support later. Jaecoo has done it the other way around.
Every model comes with a 7-year / 100,000-mile warranty, plus RAC home start cover as standard — putting it right up there with Kia and MG for peace of mind. Service intervals are competitive, and early feedback from dealers suggests that maintenance costs will be sensible.
For buyers worried about taking a punt on an unfamiliar badge, that level of support should be reassuring. Jaecoo knows it’s the new kid in town — and it’s doing everything it can to look trustworthy.
Rivals
The Jaecoo 7 SHS walks into a very crowded segment, but it’s armed with enough value and quality to stand its ground. The Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid remains the benchmark for overall polish, while the MG HS PHEV undercuts it slightly on price but can’t match the Jaecoo’s design flair. The Peugeot 3008 Hybrid is more stylish inside, but less generous on kit.
If Jaecoo can sustain its pricing and dealer support, it could easily tempt buyers who’ve grown tired of the usual suspects. It’s fresh, competent, and refreshingly well thought-out.
Verdict
The Jaecoo 7 SHS Plug-in Hybrid is one of those cars that sneaks up on you. You expect it to be average, and it turns out to be genuinely impressive. The styling is sharp, the interior feels premium, and the technology is bang up to date. It’s smooth, comfortable, and perfectly suited to real-world family life.
It doesn’t have the badge prestige of a Kia or Hyundai yet, but it does have confidence — and that counts for a lot. On the road it’s not as refined as German models, but the SHS system makes driving relaxed and efficient, and the long warranty removes most of the risk from trying something new.
The Jaecoo7 SHS is definitely worth a look if you’re in the market for a mid-sized PHEV that can comfortably lug a family around – especially if a bold image is desirable.
- AT A GLANCE:
- Jaecoo 7 SHS Luxury
- OTR Price: £35,165
- Engine: 1.5 petrol, electric Hybrid (PHEV)
- Torque: 310Nm
- Transmission: CVT Automatic
- 0-62mph: 8.5 secs
- Fast Charge 30% to 80% – 20 mins