Australian release of 1200km range plug-in hybrid SUV inches closer: 2025 Jaecoo J7 pricing revealed in UK as Volkswagen Tiguan, Mazda CX-5 and BYD Sealion 6 rival gears up to launch Chery's premium sub-brand next year

Pricing of the Jaecoo J7 has been revealed in the UK ahead of its early 2025 Australian release.

The J7 is the first offering from Chery's new premium sub-brand, Jaecoo. Starting at £29,435 ($57,430) in the UK, the J7 will likely receive a considerable price cut once it arrives locally thanks to lower taxes and short transport distances.

The Chery Omoda 5, for example, starts at £25,235 ($49,219) in the UK, compared to just $27,990 drive-away in Australia.

Despite its more premium focus and Range Rover Evoque-like appearance, it's likely the J7 will be priced to compete with key rivals such as the Mazda CX-5 ($36,590), Volkswagen Tiguan ($43,990) and plug-in hybrid BYD Sealion 6 ($48,990, all before on-road costs).

The J7 is 4500mm long, 1865mm wide, 1680mm tall with a wheelbase of 2672mm. It is shorter than the CX-5, Tiguan and Sealion 6 in length and wheelbase but taller than a Tiguan.

In the UK, it will be offered with the choice of a four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (ICE) with the option of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, or a four-wheel drive plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine delivers approximately 106kW/275Nm, while the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) unit combines a four-cylinder 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine to a 18.3kWh battery pack, delivering 90km of electric range and 147kW/310Nm.

Jaecoo claims a total range of nearly 1200km on the plug-in hybrid, according to AutoCar UK. We are expected to receive both powertrain options in Australia.

The J7 doesn’t may emulate capable, premium off-roaders like the Range Rover Evoque in style but Jaecoo is promising a certain amount of off-road capability – at least on paper.

There are seven driving modes with unique suspension settings, approach and departure angles of 21 and 29 degrees, a ground clearance of 200mm and 600mm of wading depth.

A Bosch-developed power braking system also attempts to replicate a locking differential, says Jaecoo.

Inside, the J7 carries a 13.8-inch portrait-oriented multimedia touchscreen. It grows an extra inch in higher spec versions, which also receive an eight-speaker Sony audio system.

All variants receive surround-view cameras, synthetic leather seats and a panoramic sunroof.

The PHEV and ICE variants will differ slightly in interior configuration, with the ICE model featuring a steering column-mounted gear shifter while the PHEV’s gear selector will be in the centre console.

If you're wondering about the Jaecoo name, it's a combination of the German word for hunter (jäeger) and 'cool'.

Deliveries of the J7 will commence in the UK in January 2025, with Australian deliveries expected to follow in the first half of next year.