Mercedes-Benz Eqe300 vs Jaecoo J5

What's the difference?

The Mercedes-AMG EQE53 SUV has some serious tech inside and will fit the family in style. If you're after the AMG experience, you may be a little disappointed as this model leans heavily towards plush rather than sports-SUV. And it does plush extremely well but it begs the question whether the AMG factor is worth the extra cash.

The Jaecoo J5 EV makes a strong first impression and a quieter long-term one. The J5 looks the part, feels comfortable and covers all the basics well, making it an easy choice for buyers who want an affordable, practical EV without too many compromises.

It’s a solid effort overall, though even at this lower price point a few more rear-seat features would be welcome - especially given this is the only grade currently available. However, it hits the right notes when it comes to ownership and value which will be its strongest pull.

We affectionately nicknamed our test EQE53 model the Blue Tic Tac because of its… well, similarity to the mint.

While not uncommon in the EV market, the EQEs pillowy design doesn't exactly scream 'big personality'. However, it does feature some cool features like the massive 22-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers and the AMG badging at the rear. But that's all that separates it from its non-AMG siblings.

Head inside and it features all of the plush comforts and styling you’d expect from a Merc with some of the best ambient lighting in the business and a sunroof that manages to make the cabin feel airy despite all the black trims. 

Some of those trims, like the synthetic grey panels scattered liberally throughout the cabin, are found in all EQE models and don't reflect the grade level. A trim with better tactility and style would be a point of difference.

The dashboard features three screens in a ginormous panel, which surprisingly doesn’t catch the light but does show fingerprints and every spec of dust on it. Which might annoy you as it's 100 per cent the drawcard for the interior and when it's dirty, it's very obvious.

Although I'm not in love with some design choices, it's still a lovely cabin to spend time in.

The Jaecoo J5 EV is a handsome-looking small SUV. Its suite of LED lighting, 18-inch alloy wheels and upright, robust silhouette give it plenty of presence, particularly for something positioned at the affordable end of the EV market. That said, originality isn’t really its strong suit. The design, especially from the rear, feels heavily inspired by a Range Rover. Imitation may be the highest form of flattery but Jaecoo could have pushed the design in a slightly more distinctive direction.

It looks good on the road, though, and inside, the J5 has a genuinely airy feel. Light-coloured synthetic upholstery and the expansive panoramic glass roof help the cabin feel open and welcoming, particularly from the front seats. The design is modern and tech-focused, with the large 13.2-inch display taking centre stage on the dashboard.

The overall layout is clean and undeniably premium in its presentation, though it doesn’t bring a great deal of personality with it. That’s becoming a familiar theme, especially in this part of the EV market, where minimalism and screens often take priority over character.

The cabin of the EQE53 offers plenty of head- and legroom for its occupants. Using the armrests is also a civilised affair as there's not fighting for elbow positions!

Access to both rows is (annoyingly) more complicated than it needs to be because of the sidesteps - which are, quite frankly, useless on a car like the EQE. They hit your shins/calves when you're not using them and using them feels silly.

All seats offer a tremendous amount of comfort but the fronts benefit from heat and ventilation functions that keep you relaxed year-round. They extend everywhere you need them to to get into the best seating position.

Storage is excellent throughout the car and in the front there's an extra-deep middle console (it swallows most of my arm), a large centre console that features retractable cupholders and a big shelf underneath for bulky items, like a handbag, or as my mum joked, Saturday night’s takeout and a bottle of wine!

Each door pocket gets a dedicated bottle holder and the rear also gets two retractable cupholders and a pair of map pockets.

The boot has 520L of capacity available which is a good size for the class and the wide boot aperture and level loading space make it easy to slide things in and out. You miss out on underfloor storage in the EQE53 model but the back seat has a 40/20/40 split to open up storage options.

The technology looks daunting but is very user-friendly once you spend some time with it. The main multimedia system is responsive and you can access the menus from the steering wheel controls as well as the touchscreen.

The system has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and satellite navigation, all of which are easy to use. Charging is good with eight USB-C ports (six up front!) and a wireless charging pad.

Despite having four co-pilots this week, the additional screen in front of the passenger remained mostly unused and ended up being more of a novelty.

The real bugbear has been the air-conditioning system. Despite having a pre-climate function, it takes ages for the car to cool down and my eight-year old struggled in the rear the most. The rear vents just don't seem to pump much out, even on the top speed setting.

Once the system has cooled the cabin, though, it's like a fridge. But until it does... you really notice the 30+ degree days!

The Jaecoo J5 EV's cabin is spacious with both rows offering ample head- and legroom. A flat floor also helps the middle rear seat feel more usable than usual, which is always appreciated. Up front, the seats are very comfortable, with their added adjustment, heating and ventilation making a noticeable difference on longer drives. The rear seats are well padded with decent back support, so passengers in the second row shouldn’t feel short-changed.

Access to both rows is good with wide door apertures and an easy step in/step out height. My main quibble here is the keyless entry set-up. Unless you enable proximity unlocking through the multimedia system the doors aren’t truly keyless. Even then, the system can be inconsistent. That means occasionally having to reach for the key fob, which is frustrating when your hands are full.

Storage is one of the J5’s stronger suits. Up front, it’s easy to keep things neat thanks to a large glove box and a deep, if slightly narrow, middle console. There’s also a clever open shelf beneath a centre console that houses cupholders and phone storage, including a wireless charging pad. A small hidden pocket behind the media display adds to the storage count, although I’ll admit I regularly forget it exists.

Rear passengers get a couple of map pockets, drink bottle holders and cupholders. Beyond that, amenities are limited. There’s a single directional air vent and a USB-A port, but not much else to keep older kids or adults entertained.

Technology is fairly straightforward, although almost everything is accessed through the touchscreen. The multimedia system is crisp and responsive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto working well, however it misses out on built-in satellite navigation and any meaningful apps. That said, there is a karaoke app tucked away in the system, which will undoubtedly delight someone, somewhere.

Charging options up front include a USB-A and USB-C port, along with a 12-volt socket. There’s also a USB-A port near the rear-view mirror, which is handy if you’re planning to install an aftermarket dash cam.

Jaecoo pitches the J5 as pet-friendly, with upholstery designed to be easy to clean and resistant to wear. In practice, I’d say that claim comes with caveats. Jaecoo clearly hasn’t met my son or my German Shepherd, and it took a fair bit of elbow grease to properly clean the cabin. Staying on top of messes will be key if you want the interior to keep looking fresh.

The boot offers up to 480L of capacity, which is strong for the class, and the flat load floor makes it easy to slide items in and out. There are no power ports or sockets, which feels like an odd omission for an EV. You also get a repair kit instead of a spare tyre, despite there being enough space to accommodate one. A 35L frunk adds some extra storage flexibility, and the powered tailgate is a welcome inclusion.

We’re testing the only Jaecoo J5 EV variant available at the moment, ahead of petrol and hybrid versions due to arrive later this year. Right now, it’s being offered with a limited-time drive-away price of $36,990. Once that offer expires, it reverts to a $35,990 MSRP, which sees it tie with the BYD Atto 2 Premium as the most affordable EV in its segment.

Step up from there and you reach the J5’s sister model, the Chery E5 Ultimate, priced from $40,990 MSRP. The MG S5 EV Essence 62 sits close by, starting from $40,490 MSRP.

On paper, the J5 hits a few more notes than its key rivals and that’s worth acknowledging. There’s a solid list of premium-style features, including electrically adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a panoramic glass roof, powered tailgate and synthetic leather-style upholstery.

Technology is similarly generous. You get a large 13.2-inch touchscreen multimedia display paired with an 8.88-inch digital instrument cluster, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 360-degree camera system is standard, as are two USB-A ports, a single 12-volt socket up front and a wireless charging pad.

That said, there’s only one USB-C port in the entire cabin, and no charging ports or power sockets in the boot, which feels like an odd omission in an electric SUV. Accessing the vehicle-to-load function also requires an adapter via the external charging port, rather than a more user-friendly internal outlet.

Despite its sharp pricing, the J5 is offered in just one high-spec grade and that raises expectations. In that context, the rear seat feels a little underdone. It misses out on several amenities you’d reasonably expect in a flagship-style model. While that’s not unusual for an EV at this end of the market, it still feels like a missed opportunity to stand out.

The EQE53 is an AWD and has dual electric motors - one at the front and one at the rear.

Without the optioned AMG Dynamic Plus Package, the motors produce up to 460kW and 950Nm but with the package those outputs jump up to a staggering 505kW and 1000Nm!

That means the 3.7-second 0-100km/h sprint time also improves to 3.5-seconds. Suffice it to say, it's enough to blow your hair back and considering we have no roads in Australia you can really let this thing loose on, it's more than enough power for anyone.

The Jaecoo J5 EV is powered by a single electric motor sending 155kW/288Nm to the front wheels. That’s enough to see it sprint from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.7 seconds. Those figures stack up well relative to the J5's positioning in the segment.

This isn’t a performance-led EV and it doesn’t pretend to be. Instead, the J5 delivers its power in a way that feels competent and predictable rather than 'exciting'.

Non-AMG EQE models see decent driving ranges over the 500km mark, but the EQE53 has an official range of up to 485km which again positions it in the middle of its rivals. So, not bad, but a larger range would be welcome as the EQE53 is a comfortable road-tripper!

The EQE53 has a a claimed consumption figure range of 23.0 to 25.6kWh and a lithium-ion battery with a large 90.56kWh capacity.

After a week of open-roading, city-driving and not being shy in using its power, my average has been around 25.5kWh, which is solid for an electric performance SUV.

The EQE53 has a Type 2 CCS charging port which means you can hook it up to the faster DC chargers and it accepts up to 170kW on this type of system meaning it goes from 10-80 per cent in as little as 32 minutes. On an 11kW AC system, expect it to hit 100 per cent after 14.5 hours. 

The Jaecoo J5 EV uses a Type 2 CCS charging port and can accept up to 10.3kW on AC power via a three-phase connection, along with DC fast charging speeds of up to 130kW. On a suitable fast charger, Jaecoo claims a 30 to 80 per cent charge can be completed in as little as 28 minutes. That’s a solid result for this segment, with only the MG S5 EV offering higher DC charging capacity and quicker top-up times.

The J5 has a 58.9kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery and a 402km (WLTP) driving range. Both its sister model, the Chery E5, and the MG have slightly longer ranges. It's not surprising but it means it's an EV better suited to the city where you can keep it regularly topped up.

Official energy consumption is listed at 14.3kWh/100km. After a mix of longer drives and urban running, my average settled around 15.4kWh/100km, which is a respectable result overall and broadly in line with expectations.

I really wanted the AMG EQE to be crazy-fun like its petrol-powered cousins but while it has the specs to support that wish, it never feels wild.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, just unexpected for an AMG model. The 53 is still one cool customer and its composure on the road is wonderful but it's a model that a grandparent could get into and not feel overwhelmed by. Power is smoothly delivered and when you need to take off, it responds eagerly .

Steering is firm and responsive but it’s the rear axle steering that makes the EQE53 feel nimble in the city or a tight car park despite its bulky size. It corners well, without much roll and you can tackle a winding road at speed with confidence.

The ride comfort is very good with minimal outside noises finding their way inside and the suspension is plush without feeling like you’re floating on top of the road.

The visibility is mostly good but the wide A-pillar is annoyingly in the way for my driving position and I have to duck my head around it to see clearly on roundabouts.

The 360-camera system is top notch but the camera angle turns when you move the steering wheel, which takes some time to get used to. Otherwise, the EQE53 is an easy one to park.

The Jaecoo J5 EV has plenty of power on hand, with good pick-up when you need it for hills or overtaking. It feels responsive enough for everyday driving, without ever feeling aggressive or overly eager.

Steering is light, and the suspension leans towards the softer side. Around town that works well, offering a comfortable ride. On faster roads or through corners, however, it can feel a little unsettled, and the J5 isn’t particularly convincing on the open road.

Visibility out the front and sides is strong and the driving position gives you a fairly commanding view of the road, which makes day-to-day city driving straightforward.

There are three levels of regenerative braking, but even on the lowest setting it can feel abrupt. Some passengers reported feeling queasy and maintaining a smooth, consistent speed can be tricky as the car has a tendency to lurch.

Parking is generally easy thanks to the J5’s compact footprint and a clear 360-degree camera system. That said, the aggressive regen braking can make low-speed manoeuvres, particularly reversing, more challenging than necessary, as it’s hard to get the car to creep smoothly.

The J5 hasn’t been assessed by ANCAP yet and is unrated but it has a good suite of safety equipment included. There are seven airbags, intelligent seat belt reminders, ISOFIX anchors, three top-tether anchor points, front/rear parking sensors and a 360-degree view camera system.

There’s also blind-spot monitoring, lane departure alert, lane keeping aid, forward and rear collision warning, side exit assist, a driver monitoring system, autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The J5 EV misses out on emergency call capability.

Most of the driver assist systems aren’t intrusive, although the driver attention monitoring can ping more than it’s needed and the adaptive cruise control is best without the assisted steering on.

The EQE SUV is offered with a five-year/unlimited km warranty, which is not unusual for its grade level but it has a longer-than-usual battery warranty of up to 10-years or 250,000km.

You can pre-purchase a three-, four- or five-year servicing program. The three-year program costs a flat $2240, while the four-year program costs $3525 and the five-year option costs $4085.

All pricing is pretty competitive for the class but servicing intervals are odd at every 12-months or 25,000km as it's typical to see intervals on EVs at 24 months.

Ownership is one of the J5’s stronger points. The number eight is associated with good fortune in Chinese culture and Jaecoo has clearly leaned into it here!

It's offered with an eight-year/unlimited km warranty, eight years battery cover and roadside assistance, plus eight years of capped-price servicing where workshop visits average a low $190 per visit (which is very good).

Servicing is required every 12 months or 20,000 kilometres and for now the service network is fairly small, with around 50 centres nationwide. They’re mostly found in major cities, which is something to keep in mind depending on where you live.