The Jaecoo 7 topped the UK new car sales chart in March 2026 - a remarkable achievement for a brand that barely anyone had heard of two years ago. Built by Chinese giant Chery, it styles itself as a Range Rover-adjacent SUV at a fraction of the price. The question is whether the substance matches the sales numbers.
On the Road
The driving experience is where the Jaecoo 7 shows its limitations. The standard 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol (145bhp) is adequate in town but feels strained at higher speeds - the official 0–62mph time of 10.3 seconds is noticeably slow for a car of this size, and real-world economy of around 31–33mpg is disappointing compared with rivals.
The PHEV (Super Hybrid System) is a considerably better proposition. A 1.5-litre petrol engine combines with an electric motor for a combined 201bhp and a genuine 57 miles of electric-only range - more than the Kia Sportage PHEV and Hyundai Tucson PHEV. In electric mode, the car is smooth and refined. Once the battery depletes, it operates like a self-charging hybrid, which helps maintain reasonable efficiency. We recorded 0–62mph in 7.6 seconds during testing - markedly quicker than the petrol.
The ride is comfortable at motorway speeds but fidgety over urban potholes, particularly in the PHEV due to its added battery weight. Steering is light and lacks feel, which makes it less engaging on winding roads.
Efficiency and Running Costs
The PHEV sits in a 9% BiK tax bracket, which makes it attractive for company car drivers. It is comfortably cheaper than equivalent PHEV SUVs from Kia, Hyundai and Volkswagen - the PHEV Volkswagen Tiguan costs around £42,000 versus the Jaecoo 7 PHEV's £35,065.
Road tax on the petrol versions is £190 per year. Insurance groups range from 22 (petrol FWD) to 31 (PHEV), with the latter noticeably expensive to insure - worth factoring in before purchasing.
Jaecoo backs the 7 with a seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty, with an eight-year warranty on the PHEV battery - competitive with the best in class.
Interior and Equipment
Inside, the Jaecoo 7 punches above its price. The cabin uses soft-touch materials on upper surfaces and the overall quality feels solid, if not quite as refined as the best European alternatives on closer inspection. The 13.2-inch (Deluxe) or 14.8-inch (Luxury) infotainment screen is large and responsive, and the 19-inch alloys, LED headlights, heated seats and full-length glass sunroof are all standard - even on the entry-level Deluxe trim.
Boot space is 500 litres on the petrol (1,423 litres seats down) and 410 litres on the PHEV. The PHEV also moves the gear selector to the steering column, freeing up console space.
Verdict
The Jaecoo 7's success makes more sense once you spend time with it. It is genuinely well-equipped, offers strong PHEV value, and has a premium-aspiring interior that most buyers will find impressive for the price. The driving dynamics and petrol engine economy are weaknesses, but for buyers who will primarily use the PHEV on electric power, day-to-day ownership will be easy.
If you are drawn to the value proposition and can charge at home, the PHEV is the only version worth considering.