Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit Review: Testing Range Reliability in 2025

In a world where electric and hybrid tech is revolutionizing transportation, grand assertions abound. None are more daring than Jaecoo’s promise that its new 2025 J7 SHS Summit A mid-sized hybrid SUV can provide as much as 1200 kilometers of actual driving distance.

Therefore, we opted to thoroughly test the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUV during an unforgettable Australian adventure—from the trendy urban landscape of Surry Hills in Sydney, where we began our journey with a stop for coffee at the renowned Bourke Street Bakery, right through to the remote outpost of—yes—the far-flung township of Bourke.

Covering a distance of 759 kilometers each way, this journey starts with navigating through Sydney’s bustling cityscape and its busy highways. It continues over the challenging terrains of the Blue Mountains towards Lithgow, then winds through the productive farmlands surrounding Mudgee, Dubbo, and Nyngan. The final leg takes you northwest toward Bourke, crossing some of the longest and least populated roads anywhere in the world.

The Jaecoo ought to effortlessly travel all the way to Bourke without needing to stop, thanks to its stated electric-only range of 90km provided by an 18.3kWh battery, allowing us to leave the city limits without consuming any fuel.

The task at hand is to determine how far we can travel towards Bourke before requiring either a refill or recharge.

What is the price of the Jaecoon J7?

The J7 SHS Summit Is Jaecoo’s premier model, combining tough off-road design with contemporary electrification.

If you're interested in comparing the Jaecoo J7 with its competitors, take a look at our comparison guide. comparison tool

How does the interior of the Jaecoo J7 feel?

The J7 fits seamlessly into the lush urban landscape of Sydney’s tree-lined city center even before you unlock its doors.

The robust posture, striking grill, and slender LED headlamps adorned with a checkered motif along with the floating rooftop evoke associations with a miniature Range Rover.

Inside, the cabin exudes elegance, featuring a straightforward T-shaped design where the dashboard seamlessly integrates with the center console, all crafted from high-quality materials.

These materials feature chrome accent details along with a dual digital screen setup, which includes a 10.25-inch instrument panel paired with a vertical-oriented 14.8-inch touchscreen for infotainment.

The front seats come with heating and ventilation features, providing great comfort along with extensive adjustability options. Additionally, the three-spoke steering wheel can be adjusted in terms of reach and rake, making it simple to achieve your ideal driving stance.

Fortunately, there are two cup holders in the center console designed for the double-shot lattes from the bakery that I required to jump-start this road trip, along with dual device chargers at the front of the center console – the charger on the left provides wireless charging capabilities.

The last step before heading out is connecting my phone to the infotainment system—a straightforward process that grants access to wireless smartphone mirroring. Just what I needed.

What’s under the bonnet?

Beneath the hood lies a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine delivering 105 kilowatts of power and 215 newton-meters of torque, coupled with an electric motor rated at 150 kilowatts/310 newton-meters and a battery pack with a capacity of 18.3 kilowatt-hours.

Combined, these components provide substantial peak power output at 255 kW and torque of 525 Nm, propelling the front wheels via a smart one-speed hybrid gearbox capable of effortlessly transitioning among all-electric, hybrid, and gasoline-driven modes.

If you're interested in comparing the Jaecoo J7 with its competitors, take a look at our comparison guide. comparison tool

What is the driving experience like with the Jaecoo J7?

Currently, with slightly under a full tank of fuel and a battery indicating a remaining range of 1116 kilometers, it's time to embark on our journey as we leave Sydney during the crisp autumn dawn.

When I activate the column-mounted gear shifter and begin moving, I'm quickly startled by a strange sound coming from outside the window as though I've hit an obstacle. I halt the vehicle and step out to investigate but find nothing apparent.

It occurs once more as soon as I start moving, and then I recognize it's the noise of the electrically operated pop-out door handles sliding back into the car's frame.

Allow me to say, something seems off. Even after spending a week with the Jaecoo, I was still taken aback every single time.

InEV mode activated, initial thoughts on driving the J7 are highly favorable, thanks to its smooth navigation through the bustling urban environment of Sydney’s dense downtown area using only electric power. The electric engine delivers a robust and immediate response, while the one-speed gearbox ensures a fluid transfer of power to the pavement.

It might cause some pulling at the steering wheel during hard acceleration, but I try to restrain my enthusiasm for the sake of getting the most out of the battery’s range.

An additional peculiarity is the altered perspective provided by the central rearview mirror. Due to its thick convex surface, this mirror shows an extensive view of the back seat area compared to what one typically sees. Consequently, vehicles trailing behind appear significantly farther off than they actually are.

At first glance, it might seem strange, yet it grows increasingly comfortable with use. This feature certainly benefits households frequently transporting young children in the rear seats since the driver can maintain better visibility of them all without needing to turn away from the front window.

The J7 keeps using its battery when we join the freeway and maintains the same smooth performance at high speeds as it does in city driving.

The gasoline engine remains silent until we start climbing into the Blue Mountains. By setting the battery to keep at least 25 kilometers of range available (which you can modify in the energy settings), we managed over 65 kilometers of combined driving conditions using just electric power mode.

We had the potential to reach even higher – nearing its advertised top speed of 90 km – but I was curious about experiencing the rest of the journey using both petrol and electric power, rather than depending solely on the conventional gasoline engine.

Given that many Australians travel less than 40 kilometers for their daily commutes, the Jaecoo J7 provides all the usual advantages of an electric car without causing concerns about running out of battery.

The activation of the engine can be almost imperceptible. Actually, the Jaecoo J7 remains surprisingly silent at high speeds, including when driving on rough rural roads.

Plus, it's quite comfy overall. You might find the suspension gets a bit bouncy on ripples, and the steering could use more weight with better feedback, yet generally, it cruises smoothly and handles corners confidently.

The significant drop along Mount Victoria helped recover much of the lost energy and replenished nearly one-fourth of the battery’s charge due to the regenerative braking system. This feature, even when set at its maximum level, operates more smoothly compared to those found in many competing models.

Nevertheless, the active lane keeping assistance can be somewhat overly sensitive, frequently pulling at the steering wheel when it detects a white line.

The adaptive cruise control struggles with curves and tends to decelerate the vehicle more abruptly than necessary. Additionally, the driver monitoring system continuously alerts as soon as you look at the infotainment display.

Fortunately, both options can be disabled via the driving menu on the primary screen. However, you must perform this action every time you initiate the vehicle.

As they drove towards the west, the J7 smoothly transitioned into highway mode. The luxurious seating, expansive panoramic sunroof, and reliable Sony sound system transformed the interior into an enjoyable space for long stretches of driving.

We arrived in Dubbo – marking our midpoint journey – and stopped for some fuel at the Pastoral Hotel on Talbragar Street (a side note: their steak sandwiches were fantastic). However, Jaecoo’s petrol gauge hadn’t budged much; we still had over three-quarters of a tank left. Quite impressive.

We didn't start paying close attention to the landscape until we found ourselves well into the Outback of New South Wales, traveling along the desolate stretch of highway between Nyngan—where the iconic Big Bogan statue stands prominently on the main street—and Bourke. The scenery consisted solely of red earth and scattered groups of wild goats flanking the roadway, providing us little else for entertainment as we kept our eyes peeled on the horizon ahead.

As we approached Bourke, the J7 didn’t show much worry yet. We reached one of Australia’s most isolated electric vehicle charging stations located in Bourke—a facility that harnesses both solar power and battery storage for energy needs. By this point, our vehicle still boasted over a quarter of a tank left with an expected range exceeding 300 kilometers before running out of fuel.

A swift boost to the battery should allow us to comfortably meet—and possibly surpass—Jaecoo’s advertised 1200km range.

After an overnight stay at the charming Darling River Motel and enjoying dinner at the Port of Bourke hotel, we awoke to a huge sandstorm forming on the distant horizon.

The dark expanse of the night sky contrasted sharply with the charred crimson ground beneath us. Before long, heavy rain began pouring down, reducing our pace well under the legal threshold. The deluge also generated a strong headwind and increased friction within the drivetrain, significantly undermining our mission.

Before the fuel warning light illuminated, the rain drove us right up to the edge of Dubbo city limits, leaving us with no choice but to halt once more and refill not just my tank but also the vehicle’s.

Nevertheless, our vehicle managed an impressive distance of 1128 kilometers before needing fuel, coming very near to the advertised range of 1200 kilometers. This achievement stands out particularly when accounting for less-than-ideal actual driving circumstances such as altitude variations, opposing winds, and a fully laden automobile.

If you're interested in comparing the Jaecoo J7 with its competitors, take a look at our comparison guide. comparison tool

What do you get?

There are a total of four different versions of the Jaecoo J7 model available.

2025 Jaecoo J7 Core 2WD key features include:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Temporary spare wheel
• Roof rails
• Power-retracting door handles
• Gloss black side mirrors
• Gloss black rear spoiler
• Projector LED headlights
• LED tail-lights
• Rear fog light
• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
• 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Connected via both wired and wireless means, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported.
• 6-speaker sound system
• Intelligent voice assistant
• Satellite navigation
• AM/FM/DAB+ radio
• Front and back USB-A and USB-C ports
• Manual air-conditioning
• Electronic gear shifter
• Premium steering wheel
• Synthetic leather upholstery
• 6-way power driver’s seat
• 4-way adjustable power seat for the front passenger side

J7 Track 2WD highlights:

• Rain-sensing wipers
• Acoustic glass windscreen
• Power tailgate
• 50W wireless charger
• 8-speaker Sony sound system
• Dual-zone climate control
• Colour-selectable interior ambient lighting
• Illuminated vanity mirrors
• Heated front seats
• Power child safety locks
• Boot 12V power outlet

J7 Ridge AWD highlights:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Full-sized spare wheel
• Red brake calipers
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• Privacy glass
• Puddle lights
• 14.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Head-up display
• Alloy pedals
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Heated steering wheel
• Perforated synthetic leather upholstery
• Ventilated front seats
• 4-way adjustable powered driver's seat with lumbar support
• Memory for driver seat and mirror positions

J7 SHS Summit adds:

• Unique aero-design side mirrors
• Dark grey roof rails
• 19-inch aero wheels
• Tyre repair kit
• J7 SHS-exclusive interior design
• Steering column-mounted gear selector
• *Removes heated steering wheel

If you're interested in comparing the Jaecoo J7 with its competitors, take a look at our comparison guide. comparison tool

Is the Jaecoo J7 secure?

The Jaecoo J7 PHEV has recently received a five-star safety rating from ANCAP following tests conducted in 2025.

Standard safety features include:

• 7 airbags incl. front-centre
• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian
  • Cyclist
  • Junction
  • Reverse pedestrian (backover)
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver monitoring system
• Lane departure warning
• Emergency Lane Keeping assist
• Lane centring
• Lane change assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reversing camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Traffic Jam Assist
• Tyre pressure monitoring system

J7 Track 2WD adds:

• 8 airbags including the driver’s knee bag are included.
• Surround-view camera
• Front parking sensors

J7 Ridge AWD along with SHS Summit have been added:

• Built-in dashcam

If you're interested in comparing the Jaecoo J7 with its competitors, take a look at our comparison guide. comparison tool

What is the running cost of the Jaecoon J7?

The Jaecoo J7 comes with a robust commitment from a newly established brand.

If you're interested in comparing the Jaecoo J7 with its competitors, take a look at our comparison guide. comparison tool

CarExpert’s Perspective on the Jaecoo J7

Considering that much of our journey was spent cruising at highway speeds – which typically pose challenges for hybrids relative to conventional petrol engines – the outcome is quite impressive.

Apart from the figures, the J7 SHS Summit exceeded our expectations with its sophistication. The comfort level during rides was outstanding, and the interior remained hushed even when driving over uneven terrain. Additionally, the practical technology functioned flawlessly without any complications.

For an upfront cost of $47,990 drive-away, the Jaecoo J7 SHS Summit stands out as one of the most budget-friendly plug-in hybrid options currently on offer in Australia. Moreover, this model distinguishes itself from certain competitors by offering much more than just affordability; it also excels in performance and quality.

To begin with, this demonstrates that plug-ins can provide the perfect blend of serving as a daily electric vehicle and a long-haul, transcontinental tourer. It also impresses with its extensive array of standard features, build quality, and general sophistication.

It clearly feels more at ease in Bourke Street than it does in Bourke itself. However, it will surely transport you there – and further – without halting.

If you're thinking about purchasing a Jaecoo J7, consider contacting one of CarExpert’s reliable dealership partners. here

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