New Jaecoo J5 hybrid SUV launched in South Africa – Pricing and features

Jaecoo has officially launched the new J5 SHS in South Africa, adding a new hybrid option to its most affordable SUV.

The SHS (Super Hybrid System) is the second electrified model to join the J5 family, following the recent introduction of the all-electric J5 BEV.

The new J5 SHS is available in a single specification at a starting price of R459,900, making it a mid-range option in the series, positioned below the petrol J5 Inferno and the BEV.

Engine

Under the hood of the SHS is a 1.5-litre petrol engine, which is paired with a single electric motor, resulting in a combined output of 165kW and 295Nm.

For context, the standard 1.5-litre turbo-petrol models produce 115kW and 230Nm, while the BEV puts out 155kW and 288Nm, meaning the SHS is the most powerful option of the group.

The e-motor, which is powered by a small 1.83kWh battery, can drive the car at low speeds, greatly improving the car’s fuel consumption in traffic conditions.

Because of this, the new J5 achieves an average fuel economy of 5.3l/100km, enough to travel 980km on a single tank.

It is front-wheel-drive and uses a dedicated hybrid transmission. The suspension comprises MacPherson struts at the front and a multilink configuration at the rear.

Features

The SHS’s appearance is almost identical to the standard petrol models with a vertical grille, rather than the closed-off front end seen on the BEV.

Exterior features on the SUV include LED headlights and daytime running lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic moonroof, and an electric tailgate that opens to a 410-litre boot (1,214 litres with the rear seats folded).

Inside, you’ll find black leather upholstery, a six-way electronically adjustable driver’s seat, multi-colour ambient lighting, a leather multifunction steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, a 50W wireless charger, and a power-operated sunshade.

The dashboard boasts an 8-inch digital driver display and a 13.2-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which connects to a six-speaker stereo.

It also has an advanced driver assistance suite with the following:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Lane-Keep Assist
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Departure Prevention
• Traffic Jam Assist
• Emergency Lane Keeping
• Forward Vehicle Departure Reminder
• Integrated Cruise Assist
• Secondary Collision Mitigation Multi-Collision Brake
• Intelligent Evasion System

Other safety fittings include six airbags, a rearview camera, and rear parking sensors.

Pricing

The South African pricing for the Jaecoo J5 series is as follows:

• Jaecoo J5 1.5T Core – R339,900
• Jaecoo J5 1.5T Vortex – R379,900
• Jaecoo J5 1.5T Glacier – R439,900
• Jaecoo J5 1.5 SHS – R459,900 (New)
• Jaecoo J5 1.5T Inferno – R479,900
• Jaecoo J5 BEV – R549,900

This includes a 5-year/150,000km warranty, a 5-year/75,000km service plan, a 5-year/unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance plan, and a 10-year/1-million-kilometre engine warranty.

Jaecoo J5 SHS