You might remember Jaecoo’s fully electric J5, which got its start in July of this year. You might also remember the R550,000 price tag, which likely turned a whole lot of potential customers off. If that’s the case, Jaecoo hopes to tempt you into spending a smaller chunk of that on its new J5 SHS, the only hybrid offering in the family.
The Jaecoo J5 SHS (AKA J5 HEV) sits above three petrol variants in the J5 range (Core, Vortex, and Glacier). It’s still cheaper than the J5 Inferno and the aforementioned J5 BEV, which is the only model to cross R500,000. It’s technically the most powerful of the bunch, delivering a combined output of 165kW and 295Nm.
Jaecoo beans
That’s all down to the “turbocharged” 1.5-litre petrol engine, paired with a single electric motor. It’s powered by a relatively small 1.83kWh battery — leading to an average fuel consumption of 5.3L/100km. Couple that with the 51L tank, and the J5 SHS is technically capable of reaching 980km in one go before it’ll need filling again.
There’s not much to distinguish the J5 SHS from the petrol and battery variants, apart from a new vertical grille on the front. It’s still repping 18in alloy wheels, a panoramic moonroof, and LED headlights. Black leather covers the seats inside, bolstered by six-way electric adjustment — though only for the driver’s seat. The J5 SHS also boasts a 410L boot and electric tailgate, which can be bumped to 1,214L with the rear seats folded down.
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Tech-wise, it’s no slouch. The centre console houses a 13.2in display, ready to hook up wirelessly via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Tunes’ll blast out of the six-speaker sound system. Behind the steering wheel, you’ll find a 8in screen. A 50W wireless charger sits below the centre screen, with USB-A and -C ports backing it up. It’s fitted with a camera and rear parking sensors, and all manner of advanced driver-assistance systems.
“The arrival of the J5 SHS gives customers an accessible route into new-energy motoring, while the broader J5 line-up ensures they are not limited to a single powertrain. Whether they prefer petrol, hybrid or fully electric, the J5 offers a compelling balance of affordability, comfort, safety and everyday practicality,” said Shannon Gahagan, national brand and marketing manager for Jaecoo.
The Jaecoo J5 SHS is currently available in South Africa for R460,000.
