JAECOO J7 SUV Launched - Premium quality SUV from RM138,800 onwards

JAECOO Malaysia, has finally, after many moons, test drives, roadshows and other teasers have finally revealed, the complete specifications of the Malaysian specced, locally assembled, J7 SUV as well as something most car buyers want to know - it's price.... Aaaand that is a real stunner, the Jaecoo J7 is very reasonably priced (for Malaysia that is), which is from MYR138,800 onwards. I believe this is very good pricing for a more premium looking, and feeling SUV.

The JACEOO brand is Chery's premium SUV brand. It is actually premium in its looks and what you get inside. It styling is reminiscent of something that Range Rover would come up with, and the interior feels very premium to look at in terms of equipment and those large infomation screens as well as how it feels when you run your fingers throughout the cabin. Add the fact that Chery Malaysia has put in a significant investment into the brand here in Malaysia, especially the state of Selangor by setting up an assembly line for the J7, as well as its build up of its dealer network, the Jaecoo/Chery brand is actually quite impressive on a personal level too.

According to the folks at JAECOO, there have received nods of approval from the state government of Selangor and the folks at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Malaysia as a significant investor to the country, the premium off road SUV brand seems to have also received overwhelming interest from the market towards the brand. This comes from months of building a solid network comprising 35 dealerships, a dedicated production plant and parts warehouse to support customers for the long-term. But I personally think we have to add the fact that the J7 looks pretty good from the outset too. Most people would buy a car or end up at a car showroom because of how the car looks and the J7 looks good enough to persuade many to a JAECOO outlet. Now with the very competitive prices, I think more people will be persuaded to give this new brand a shot.

“Malaysia now has a challenger premium off-road SUV brand. Backed by independent innovation, advanced technology, and commitment to quality, JAECOO embodies a refined urban appeal, evident with our brand philosophy of "From Classic, Beyond Classic”. In our aspiration for long-term growth, we have embarked on a journey of building a strong foundation for JAECOO in Malaysia over the past seven months. JAECOO is more than ready to excite the market!” said Chery CorpMalaysia, Executive Vice President, Leo Chen.

At the launch, JAECOO Malaysia announced that its J7 All-wheel Drive (AWD) variant will be priced competitively at MYR148,800, while the Two-wheel Drive variant is priced at MYR138,800. All JAECOO J7’s come with a seven-year warranty* or up to 150,000km mileage*.

In conjunction with the launch, a special early bird package was revealed which qualifies all existing bookings and bookings placed up to 21 July 2024 for a 10-year engine warranty* or up to 1,000,000km mileage. Offering customers added peace of mind, JAECOO Malaysia also announced a total of six panel insurers for its JAECOO Prime Protection Programme (J-PPP). *Terms and conditions apply

The Menteri Besar or Chief Minister of Selangor, Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari who officiated the launch of the J7, highlighted the state’s pleasure in the establishment of the brand’s production plant in Shah Alam recently. Reiterating the state’s strategic position as the gateway into ASEAN, he said the state viewed the move as positive investment for mutual growth, both for the brand and the Selangor state’s economy.

“JAECOO is well positioned as a challenger SUV brand that meets the market’s appetite for attainable luxury. We have invested significantly into building an extensive network of premium dealerships supported by an independent assembly plant and parts warehouse. To top this, we have chosen to position our maiden premium off road SUV at an attainable price well under RM150,000. We’re very excited for our customers to start enjoying the complete JAECOO ownership experience today,” said JAECOO Malaysia Vice President, Emily Lek.

JAECOO anticipates to begin delivering the first batch of J7 SUVs by the third quarter of 2024. The brand’s dealership network spans across the central, northern,  southern regions and East Malaysia.

The launch was also attended by Selangor Exco for Investment, Trade and Mobility, YB Ng Sze Han, Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) CEO, Azrul Reza Aziz, Invest Selangor CEO Dato’ Hasan Azhari Haji Idris and CEO and PUSPAKOM CEO, Tuan Mahmood Razak Bahman. Also present were Members of Parliament, YB Sim Tze Tzin, and YB Lim Chean Chung.

PRODUCT SUMMARY  OF THE J7 PREMIUM OFF-ROAD SUV

1 Drive modes 

● All-Road Drive Intelligent System (ARDIS), developed by the JAECOO brand to effortlessly navigate through complex terrains.

● AWD variant presented with seven driving  modes namely, Eco, Sport, Normal, Sand, Mud, Snow, and Off-Road.

● 2WD variant comes with three standard driving modes namely, Eco, Sport, and Normal.

● Each mode is crafted to enhance vehicle performance and the driving experience on diverse terrains, ensuring optimal control and efficiency.

2 Safety 

● With safety engineered into the fabric of the JAECOO brand, the J7 delivers a secured drive through its robust body structure to ensure safety from the ground up.

● The J7 measures 4,500mm in length, 1,865mm in width, and 1,680mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,672mm.

● Both variants are powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four petrol engine, delivering 194hp and 290Nm of torque.

● Paired with a 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission).

3 Exterior

● Four colour options : Moonlight Silver, Carbon Crystal Black, Khaki White, and Model Green.

● Rugged yet sporty appearance easily identifiable with a distinctive grille and signature checkered-flag LED headlights.

● The premium finish of the J7 is further accentuated by its minimalist body design and flush door handles, which stay hidden when the car is locked and in motion until it is unlocked.

● Comes with 19-inch aluminium alloy wheels and red brake calipers with ventilated discs. The front wheels are supported by the MacPherson Strut suspension, while the rear wheels are supported by a multi-link suspension.

4 Internal 

● Within the J7 cabin, the eye is immediately drawn to the SUVs fighter jet-like gear knob and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster along with a new W-HUD all-terrain head-up display.

● The head unit is a vertical 14.8-inch (AWD) and 13.2-inch (2WD) central display that supports wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto.

● The 540-degree camera showcases both the 360-degree view of the J7, as well as the undercarriage road conditions. This gives drivers added confidence with blind-spot-free safety assurance on uneven surfaces, and navigation through narrow spaces.

● Additionally, a 50W wireless charging pad with an air-cooling vent keeps any charging smart phone on the console at an optimal temperature.

● The cabin is spacious, endowing passengers with ample legroom to ensure comfortable long-distance travel.

● The luxury ambience is further enhanced with its 64-color ambient lighting, panoramicsunroof, a 8-speaker Sony sound system, a dual-zone climate system with rear vents and controls, and powered front seats.

● Designed to be a reliable companion for adventures off the beaten track, the J7 has 424 litres of boot space with the rear seats in place. When the rear seats are folded flat, the boot expands to 1,349 litres, capable of accommodating a double mattress measuring 1860 x 970mm.