Tesla Model Y vs Jaecoo J7

What's the difference?

Tesla promised wholesale improvements to the Model Y, and this Juniper update delivers where it counts. But with increased, and sometimes cheaper, competition arriving every day, the pressure remains on Tesla to keep the Model Y ahead of the pack.

Based on our initial drive I certainly think the J7, especially the SHS Summit, does make a pretty compelling case to be on the consideration list for anyone looking to buy a mid-size hybrid SUV - plug-in or not.

It has a polished design, loads of tech and a fuel-efficient powertrain that provides adequate performance. But the real selling point is the price, which undercuts its key rivals to ensure it has your attention, especially in these days of increasingly expensive family vehicles.

And while the J7 certainly has appeal to design-oriented buyers and people that want something ‘cool’ or just different, the value it offers gives it mainstream appeal.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.

We’re not talking massive changes here – more a modernising of the Model Y offering that doesn’t really change the shape or dimensions. 

The most noticeable changes outside are the front and rear light bars, spanning the width of both the bonnet and the boot. They’re a nice touch, and seriously soften what many (including me) consider the worst angles of the Model Y. There are also new headlights, a refreshed front bumper and a new look for the alloy wheels.

Inside, it is the absolute definition of pared-back minimalism. In fact, some could argue it’s gone a little bit too far.

There are no physical buttons anywhere but on the steering wheel, and there's just the one stalk, which has the sole function of operating the indicators. Everything else - mirrors, windscreen wipers, headlights etc - are accessed either through the steering wheel, or through the central screen.

And that includes the gear selector, which is now a swipe-down-for-reverse, swipe-up-for-drive function on the central screen. You might love that, but I don't. I'm sure I'd get more used to it, but initially it did nothing but slow down how quickly I could get the car moving.

Helpfully, the central screen is big and very easy use, and logging into Spotify and Apple CarPlay does largely negate the missing phone mirroring – though if the function exists, I couldn't get it to read my incoming texts to me.

Our test car's cabin was black but highlighted with quality-feeling fabric panels in the doors and on the dash, which are then framed by a metallic-feeling mesh, helping the Model Y's cabin feel definitely elevated from the vehicles that came before it.

Design is an interesting subject to discuss with the J7, as it manages to simultaneously have a bold and distinctive look from some angles and yet has clearly been inspired by some other, more famous, premium brands from others.

To be blunt, from certain angles - namely the side profile and rear three-quarter - the J7 could be mistaken for a Range Rover Evoque at a distance. Obviously taking inspiration from rivals is nothing new in the car industry and the Jaecoo designers have also managed to give the J7 its own look when you get a bit closer and notice the details.

The most noticeable of these is the ‘waterfall-like’ grille, that the brand says symbolises “the life force of nature”, but also gives it a front profile that can’t be mistaken for anything else. Especially with the prominent ‘Jaecoo’ badge large and proudly placed in the middle of the grille - leaving you in no doubt what this is.

Overall, I’d call the exterior look of the J7 cohesive and leaving a more premium impression that what we’ve seen with Chery.

Inside, Jaecoo has followed the modern trend of going digital, with a small digital instrument display and then a larger central touchscreen. It provides a clean, modern look that leaves a good impression.

The Jaecoo designers also focused their attention on the touchpoints, elements like the door handles and arm rests, to try and give them a more premium feel. The trims used inside are also a cut above what we’ve experienced on other Chery models, and while not at a true luxury level, do stand out for what is a mainstream SUV.

One other major element of the SHS interior design worth mentioning is the central console, between the front seats. That’s because it’s unique in the SHS, offering a completely different layout to the petrol-powered models. The SHS moves the gear selector to the steering column, freeing up more small item storage space and cup holders, as well as a split-opening central storage box (instead of a rear-hinged one).

The new Model Y stretches 4792mm long, 1982mm wide and 1624mm tall, and the practicality perks of the outgoing model still shine strongly in this new version.

Climb into the backseat and you’ll find a seriously spacious area, and one that feels even bigger and lighter thanks to the completely flat floor and the glass roof.

Even sitting behind my own 175cm driving position, there was ample knee and headroom, and the addition of the 8.0-inch rear screen, which supports two headphone connections, is a clever touch. Gone are the mind-numbing days of staring out the window on long family road trips. Now, kids get access to YouTube, Netflix and a heap of games.

There are also two USB charge points, and a pull-down divider that separates the comfortable rear seats. The door pockets front and rear are sizeable, and cabin storage abounds, including a hugely deep storage bin that separates the front seats.

Open the boot, and remove the shade, and you'll find another fairly massive storage area, including a deep hidden area under the boot floor. But you won't find a spare tyre – instead Tesla offers a 24-hour call-out service for the life of the warranty, where someone will come and repair or replace your tyre, should you have an issue.

Tesla isn't good at detailing specifics about its vehicles, but says you can expect a total 2138 litres of storage space in the Model Y, presumably with the rear seats folded flat and measured to the ceiling.

From a space perspective the J7 offers up reasonable room for an SUV of this size, but falls short of the class-leaders in a few key areas. The front seats are nice and comfortable, and while the rear seats are well-appointed (with air-con vents and USB inputs) space is adequate rather than generous.

The same can be said about the boot, at least on the SHS grade. It’s on the smaller side for an SUV of this size, measuring 500 litres, compared to 542 litres offered by the RAV4 and 574 litres in the Sealion 6. And it’s even more disappointing when you factor in the lack of a spare wheel, with only a tyre repair kit under the floor.

Thankfully the 4WD offers the same space (500L) but gets a full-size spare, while the 2WD models have a claimed 584L and a temporary spare. 

As for the technology, the decision to go for the one big central screen for all infotainment provides a hi-tech, clean look but it does lead to some obvious compromises.

Namely, the lack of any physical buttons (save for the hazards, unlocking and EV function) is disappointing from a user experience perspective. As many brands have found, screens have a ‘wow factor’ and save on the cost of buttons but are more challenging to operate when you’re on the move and that’s the case with the J7.

Obviously having Apple CarPlay or Android Auto makes for a familiar experience, but if you have to dive into the extensive Jaecoo-specific menus it can become difficult and distracting.

The J7 line-up will consist of four grades initially, the 2WD Core, 2WD Track, AWD Ridge and SHS Summit, with the choice of two powertrains.

The range will begin at just $34,990 drive-away for the 2WD Core and $37,990 drive-away for the 2WD Track. These are powered by a 137kW/275Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and powering the front wheels.

The AWD Ridge is priced from $42,990 and has the same 1.6-litre engine, with the same performance but obviously powering all four wheels. The range is topped by the SHS Summit, priced from $47,990 drive-away. 

For context, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (which isn’t a plug-in) is priced between $42,260 and $51,410, while the BYD Sealion 6 PHEV starts at $48,890 - so it’s clear where Jaecoo is hoping to woo buyers from.

Standard equipment on the J7 Core includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, a 10.2-inch digital instrument display and a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, which incorporates wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Track trim level adds a power tailgate, front parking sensors, 360-degree surround-view monitor, heated front seats, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, plus a wireless smartphone charger and an eight-speaker Sony sound system.

Stepping up to the AWD Ridge brings torque vectoring all-wheel drive, 19-inch alloy wheels, a full-size spare, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, in-built dashcam and a 14.8-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The SHS Summit matches much of the specification of the Ridge, but gets unique 19-inch ‘aero’ alloy wheels, a head-up display and perforated synthetic leather seats.

All models are equipped with ‘Hello Jaecoo’, the brand’s voice-activated assistant.

Again, Tesla keeps its cards close to its chest on specific outputs, but data we've seen points to this Tesla's rear-mounted electric motor producing 255kW, a smallish increase from the 220kW of the outgoing model.

Tesla says that's enough to produce a sprint to 100km/h time of 5.9 seconds.

The J7 range has a choice of two powertrains, an internal combustion engine and the plug-in hybrid.

The 2WD and AWD are powered by the same 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 137kW and 275Nm. It’s paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, with the only major difference between the two models (obviously) being the driven wheels.

The SHS combines a newly-developed 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which makes 105kW, with a 150kW electric motor and a single-speed transmission.

Despite the electric motor, the SHS isn’t what you’d call ‘fast’ with a 0-100km/h time of 8.5 seconds, which the 2WD can reportedly better by taking just 8.1 seconds.

Again, more cloak and dagger from Tesla here, but most reporting suggests a 75kWh battery is housed beneath the new Model Y.

We do know that our rear-drive Model Y will deliver a claimed 466km driving range on the WLTP cycle.

Charging is capped at a reported 220kW, with the brand suggesting 238km in driving range can be added in 15 minutes when using a 175kW Supercharger. Home AC charging is capped at 11kW.

The SHS is equipped with an 18.3kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery that provides a claimed 90km of electric-only driving range and helps the J7 achieve a claimed fuel consumption figure of just 1.0L/100km.

Jaecoo also quotes an EV-only range of up to 106km, but that is on the NEDC cycle, which is not as relevant for real-world driving than the WLTP test cycle that returns the lower figure. Even with the lesser number, 90km of EV-only driving will be more than enough for most people to do their daily commutes.

Jaecoo claims the SHS has a theoretical driving range of 1200km, thanks to its 60-litre fuel tank. However, to achieve that economy you need to run the J7 in its hybrid state, so somewhere closer to 1000km is more realistic - if you have a really light right foot.

As for the petrol-only models, the 2WD uses a claimed 7.0L/100km and the AWD 7.8L/100km.

Reviewing a Tesla Model Y at the moment is no mean feat. The company's very public figurehead is fighting for a front-row grid position in the battle for world's most unlikeable human at the moment.

But anyway, journalist hat on, personal views aside, Tesla has done a good job with the new Model Y. I actually didn't much like the outgoing model – the ride was too harsh, the steering too darty and the cabin too austere – but Tesla has comprehensively overhauled each of those drawbacks to create a car that is genuinely much better than it has ever been before.

Let's start with the cabin. It's still austere, but the quality feels higher and more premium, and while I'll die on a hill of the screen-controlled drive selector being a bad idea, it is otherwise now a nice place to spend time. The screen and the software powering it largely replace the perks of Apple CarPlay, and the addition of the rear screen is a very good one, too.

But the biggest improvements are in the way the Model Y drives. It's far more compliant on Sydney roads, while the steering sensitivity has been dialled back so it doesn't feel as though you're constantly making corrections.

I also like the power delivery in the RWD. It's not lightning fast, but the grunt is constant and feels really instantaneous and usable.

It's no sports car, though. Our test car took in some of the windiest roads in greater Sydney and beyond, and while the body roll and composure feels on point, the Model Y does struggle with really sharp cornering. The aggressive traction control was a constant passenger on the really challenging stuff.

Overall, the improvements are good, and very noticeable.

This is one area where the entire Chinese car industry, not just Chery/Jaecoo, have a ways to go to become not only competitive but genuinely stand out. Dynamically the J7 is average, not bad, just very ‘mid’ as the kids say. It doesn’t do anything particularly badly, but nor does it do anything particularly well.

The steering is nice and light, which will be good for navigating traffic and car parks, the ride lacks control but isn’t uncomfortable and the performance of the SHS powertrain is smooth but not spectacular, at least from a performance perspective.

This might sound like a ‘motoring journalist’ argument, but we’ve seen in the past when brands, specifically Hyundai and Kia, hired local experts to fine-tune the ride and handling of vehicles it resulted in a better experience and helped translate into sales.

With some more fine-tuning to improve the ride, and therefore the comfort, the J7 could be near the top of the class not only in terms of value but also the driving experience.

Safety across the range includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. However, notably the 2WD Core is equipped with seven airbags, but the Track, Ridge and SHS models all have an additional driver’s knee airbag, something to be mindful of if you’re on a budget.

However, having active safety systems, and having active safety systems that are well-calibrated and usable are different things, especially given the sub-par experience we had with the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro and its erratic lane keeping assist.

Thankfully, part of the more premium Jaecoo experience is a smoother, better calibrated safety system. The lane keeping was much more capable of holding the J7 in the centre of the lane, providing a more seamless driving experience.

The driver attention system also seemed well calibrated, capable of tracking eye movement through sunglasses, and didn’t seem as hyperactive as many of these systems can be.

However, given the complex nature of the central infotainment screen, there is a chance you’ll set the attention alert off if you have to start looking through the various menus. That’s obviously a good thing, to keep your eyes on the road, but adding some physical buttons for the air-con and stereo would feel like a better, safer solution.

The J7 hasn’t been crash tested by ANCAP but Chery’s previous models have received five stars, so anything less would be a shock result given the premium positioning of the brand. Chery knows which boxes ANCAP likes ticked, so don't be surprised if it gets top marks from the safety body.

Underwhelming, I'm afraid. A four-year/80,000km warranty might be the worst offered by any mainstream brand in the country. For the record, five-year/unlimited km is now the minimum standard, with many brands far exceeding that.

Servicing intervals are a bit scattered, with the brand instead listing when things need to be done, rather than a traditional schedule.

Jaecoo is giving would-be buyers every reason to take a chance on a new name. The J7 will be covered by an eight-year warranty, which again, adds to the premium experience as that’s an extra year to what Chery offers.

Jaecoo is also offering eight years of capped-price servicing and roadside assistance for J7 buyers. The vehicle will require annual services, but you’ll be paying $3372 to keep the SHS maintained those first eight years. 

Naturally, the less-complex 2WD and 4WD models are slightly cheaper, with the 2WD servicing tallying $2952 and the 4WD setting you back $3332.