What’s this new car all about then?
The Jaecoo J8 SHS is something of a departure for the brand that has been presented as the boxier, more traditionally-styled SUV brand under Chery's umbrella, leaving Omoda to settle into the more style-led urban crossover segment with its curvier, softer styling.
The J8, however, breaks that mould somewhat by combining some of that curvier styling with Jaecoo's more usual Ranger Rover-lite look for something that actually ends up looking like a more high-end Chery Tiggo 9.
Which is not at all surprising, as the Jaecoo J8 is actually sold in its home market as the Chery Tiggo 9. However, in a twist that could only come from a Chinese manufacturer, it's not the same as the vehicle we know here as the Tiggo 9...
No, the Chery Tiggo 9 we get here was actually sold in China as the Chery Tiggo 8L, before being rebranded as the Tiggo 9X and Fulwin T9. But in another twist, they all still sit on the same platform anyway, along with the Omoda C9...
While all of this is complicated to an unnecessary degree, it ultimately doesn't matter in the slightest, as the J8 lands as Jaecoo's flagship seven-seat, all-wheel-drive super hybrid SUV that the brand says represents the "culmination of its global experience".
Omoda Jaecoo describes the J8 as its most ambitious vehicle to date, blending family-focused flexibility with advanced powertrain technology - namely the flagship version of the Super Hybrid System (SHS), which features a 1.5-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine that runs on the deep Miller cycle for enhanced efficiency and a three-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (3DHT) that integrates two electric motors.
This is accompanied by an additional electric motor on the rear axle, creating an intelligent all-wheel-drive system that offers nine distinct operating modes, including pure electric and various hybrid configurations, prioritising a smooth EV-like driving experience.
The J8's petrol engine pumps out 105kW and 215Nm, which may not seem like much for a large SUV, but those three electric motors hooked up to a 34kWh battery bring 75kW/170Nm and 90kW/220Nm from the front two and a further 175kW/310Nm from the rear, which all-up combines for a total system output of 315kW and 580Nm.
The J8's interior is a luxurious and spacious environment, that is superbly comfortable and features a panoramic sunroof, a 14-speaker Sony sound system with speakers in the driver's headrest for private calls, and even a built-in fragrance system, as well as heated, ventilated, and massaging seats in the front and heated and ventilated second row seats.
How much is it?
That is something we don't actually know yet, as New Zealand specification and pricing wasn't finalised at the time of the Australian launch. We can make some educated guesses, however...
The single model of J8 SHS is priced at AU$59,990 in the Australian market, which converts directly to NZ$71,925.
But given the Omoda 9 SHS (that shares most of its mechanicals with the J8, is slightly more powerful at 395kW, but is only a 5 seater) is priced at AU$64,465 (NZ$77,261) in Australia, but lands here at NZ$68,990, and the Chery Tiggo 9 Ultimate (that is almost mechanically identical) costs AU$65,430 (NZ$78,445) in Aussie, but lands here at NZ$66,990, it wouldn't be an enormous surprise to see the Jaecoo land here at under the $70k mark as well.
And hopefully it does, as that will likely be key to the J8's success (or lack thereof) here, with a sub-$70k price point making the Jaecoo J8 a compelling package.
What's it like to drive?
The driving experience of the J8 SHS is defined by its powerful and refined, yet efficient hybrid system, which propels the seven-seat SUV from zero to 100km/h in a brisk 5.8 seconds, with a smooth EV-like power delivery, regardless of whether the impressively smooth petrol engine is running.
The intelligent powertrain typically prioritises the rear electric motor at low speeds, providing a distinct rear-drive feel in urban settings, bringing the front electric motors into play more at higher speeds for a stable, well calibrated AWD feel. The J8 boasts a combined range of over 1000km and has a pure electric range of 169 kilometres, although this is admittedly tested under the outdated NEDC cycle.
Refinement is a key focus in the J8, with newly tuned Continuous Damping Control (CDC) suspension for improved ride quality, which genuinely pays off and provides a smooth, compliant ride, particularly noticeable at open road speeds with impressive body control over undulations.
The various motors and engines interact seamlessly thanks to the slick DHT transmission, and picking where the power is coming from of going to is really only informed by a distant hum when the petrol engine is called on to help out. Otherwise it could be an EV.
The full suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) provides comprehensive safety, and are all impressively non-intrusive, with the radar cruise control and lane assists being particularly impressive on country roads - a situation where Chinese cars often still struggle.
What’s the pick of the range?
At launch, the choice is straightforward as the J8 is offered in a single, top-tier specification. Australia already get a straight petrol version of the J8, but that variant isn't currently on the menu for Jaecoo NZ, and the SHS is likely to remain the sole representative of the J8 range here.
As a flagship model it comes fully equipped with the super hybrid all-wheel-drive powertrain and a wealth of luxury features. Standard equipment in Australia includes 20-inch alloy wheels with Michelin tires, dual 12.3-inch interior displays, a head-up display and Nappa leather upholstery, as well as much, much more.
What other cars should I consider?
That all depends on the J8's eventual New Zealand pricing, but the most obvious ones are in-house in the form of the Omoda 9 SHS ($68,990) that packs a similar powertrain, but only has a five-seat configuration, and the Chery Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid ($66,990) that is a 7 seater and packs the same power outputs as the J8 SHS.
Otherwise, the Mazda CX-80 PHEV ($80,990 to $83,490) and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 7 seater ($71,990 to $81,990) offer PHEV 7 seat options from established brands.
