2026 Jaecoo J5 Reviews

The global geopolitical climate is seeing significant pressures placed on Australia’s fuel infrastructure. Prices are rising and fuel availability is becoming more scarce, while EV sales numbers continue to climb.Does this make it the perfect time to take the plunge into the EV market?  Petrol pricesThe average price for Unleaded E10 petrol in Australia has risen beyond two dollars, with many prices hitting the $2.30s and beyond.Increasing demand and decreasing supply for fuel means it's not just more expensive to buy, but now it's harder to source as many stations run out of fuel ahead of schedule.There is speculation the Federal Government may pause the fuel excise in Australia, potentially providing temporary relief, but doing so is an internal solution to an external problem. There remains uncertainty as to how long oil supplies will continue to be impacted by the war in the Middle East, meaning the availability and price of fuel will continue to be volatile. EVs are getting cheaper The first New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) period has seen some brands hike the prices of its internal combustion models to account for the fines soon to be incurred. Further, the price of electric vehicles has also dropped significantly, making it more affordable than ever to step into the market. The cheapest EV on the market is the BYD Atto 1, which starts from $23,990, before on-road costs. BYD’s bigger hatch offering, the Dolphin also starts from under $30K. GWM’s Ora hatch currently has a $2000 cash-back offer, meaning it starts from $33,990 (drive-away) until March 31. If you are looking for an SUV, Chery’s Jaecoo J5 starts from $35,990 (before on-roads). Other brands are also dramatically reducing the prices of some EVs, such as Hyundai with its Kona compact SUV, which has seen at least $13K shaved off the price. The previous year’s Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUV received a sizable discount, while the Volkswagen ID. Buzz van has also experienced a $15k price cut.  Top 5 cheapest new EVs on sale in AustraliaEV driving range is increasingRange anxiety remains one of the biggest obstacles in the uptake of EVs. EV driving range has increased significantly, with battery technology improving constantly. Chinese manufacturers are leading the way, with many brands now boasting upcoming or future EVs with more than 1000km of range. This year in China Chery will launch its Exeed Liefeng shooting brake model, which has a range of 1500km. Driving range for Australian market EVs is getting better, with many offering a range of 400km or more. EV charging is faster and more availableThe EV charging landscape has changed in Australia over the past few years, with more than 1000 charging locations across Australia. Charging operators and infrastructure will continue to increase over the coming years as the government moves towards its plan to have five million EVs on the road by 2035. Major brands are also in talks to introduce more chargers in the network, such as Chinese carmaker BYD, which is looking to establish its charging presence in China. Late last year, the New South Wales government announced a program to deliver 159 new chargers in 48 locations. 

The new Jaecoo J7 PHEV offers efficiency and a sharp price point but does it nail everything else?

Jaecoo has announced it surpassed 1000 Australian orders for its new J5 EV around a month after examples started arriving at local dealers.The Chinese carmaker is offering the J5 EV at $36,990, drive-away, with free premium paint for the first 2000 orders.“The response to the Jaecoo J5 has exceeded our expectations,” said Omoda Jaecoo Australia Chief Commercial Officer Roy Munoz.“Hitting 1000 orders so quickly shows Australians are moving fast when an EV delivers the right mix of modern design, advanced technology and outstanding value.“We’re seeing customers act early to secure their place in the queue,” he said.Although Jaecoo claims to have 1000 orders now of the J5 EV, in January a total of 215 examples were sold.Over the same period BYD sold twice as many examples of the Atto 2 (562 sales), however MG sold 132 S5 EVs and Leapmotor sold 43 B10s.The Jaecoo J5 EV is powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor that produces 155kW and 288Nm.It’s fed by a 58.9kWh lithium-ion battery pack which can be fast-charged from 30 to 80 per cent in 28 minutes at rates up to 130kW.Jaecoo claims the J5 EV can travel up to 402km on a single charge, according to WLTP testing.While the electric version of the J5 launched in Australia first, there are also hybrid and petrol versions due to launch later this year.

The Jaecoo J7 SUV has undergone a model reshuffle, with its cheapest petrol variant cut from the range.

Jaecoo J7 recalled for potential "sudden loss of motive power."

Yet another Chinese EV for our shores. How will the Jaecoo J5 EV stand out from the crowded pack?

You can't fit 10kg of dirt into a 5kg bag. That feels like an appropriate metaphor for the Australian car industry, where seemingly every few weeks a new car brand arrives to stake its claim on a piece of the market.

The Australian new car market is going through one of its biggest changes to date.A wave of budget-focused Chinese brands has washed over the market in the past two years, eating away into the sales of many established carmakers.The emergence of new technologies such as hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles will change the cars we drive forever.Despite that, some things have stayed the same. Diesel-powered utes and 4WDs are the dominant force in Aussie motoring, but new models are snapping at their heels.Here are the best selling 100 vehicles in Australia during the past year.

It will come as no surprise that 2025 was a massive year for new-model launches. The sheer number of new cars arriving in Australian showrooms has been unprecedented.

Jaecoo has announced pricing for the electric version of its J5 small SUV, which will land in dealerships next month. The J5 EV comes as a single Summit variant and starts from $36,990, drive-away for the first 1000 customers.As part of this first offering, buyers will get a free premium paint upgrade on the car. This pricing sees Jaecoo’s latest offering come in cheaper than the similarly sized BYD Atto 3 ($39,990 before on-road costs) and slightly larger Geely EX5 ($40,990 before on-road costs) – at least for the time being. It has not been revealed what the price will be following this initial launch deal, but the brand has suggested to CarsGuide before it was targeting an early-$40k starting pricing. The car’s single electric motor produces 155kW and 288Nm, with a 0-100km/h sprint of 7.7 seconds. Its 58.9kWh battery offers a driving range of 402km (WLTP) and DC fast charging from 30-80 percent in 28 minutes. Jaecoo is the semi-premium arm of Chinese carmaker Chery, which also offers the Omoda brand in Australia.The J5 is the brand's first EV in Australia. It already offers the mid-size J7 and large J8 SUVs.With the EV joining in January, it is expected hybrid and petrol versions of the J5 will launch in March, adding greater variety to the line-up. 2026 Jaecoo J5 EV pricing Australia2026 Jaecoo J5 EV electric motor and efficiency2026 Jaecoo J5 EV Summit standard features: 18-inch alloy wheelsPower tailgateRemote start with air conditioning memoryGlass roof with power sunshadeDual-zone air conditioningSynthetic leatherHeated and ventilated front seats8.88-inch digital driver display13.2-inch central touchscreen8-speaker audio systemApple CarPlay and Android Auto2026 Jaecoo J5 EV safetyThe Jaecoo J5 EV has not been crash tested. Standard safety features: 7 airbagsAutonomous emergency brakingEmergency lane keepingAdaptive cruise controlForward collision awarding360-degree camera2026 Jaecoo J5 EV warranty and servicingThe Jaecoo J5 EV comes with an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, along with an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for the battery. There is an eight-year capped-price servicing schedule available. Pricing has not been disclosed yet.2026 Jaecoo J5 EV dimensions