Key highlights
- Chery Jaecoo J5 spied testing with ICE powertrain
- It is likely to be launched by JSW Motors in India
- Based on a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 1.8 kWh battery
Chery Automobile’s sub-brand, Jaecoo, is soon going to be introduced in India by JSW Motors, an upcoming car brand. We have already spotted the Jaecoo J5 test mules multiple times in India, and now the latest spy shots have emerged showing that the petrol-hybrid engine is also under testing. While the exact debut timeline of the the J5 remains unclear, we know a few things about it already.
What to expect from the JSW-Chery Jaecoo J5?
As you can see from the camouflaged test car in the spy shots, the overall silhouette of the J5 looks identical to the global model. We suspect that the Indian version will only get a slight makeover, especially re-badging for the JSW brand. The J5 is a mid-size SUV, and it can be positioned against the Tata Harrier and the Mahindra XUV 7XO in India.
The overall design is quite generic, but the road presence looks promising for the SUV. The front design will remind you of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, albeit it is a far more affordable Chinese version of it, as it gets a vertical slatted grille and sleek LED headlights.
The global spec J5 comes with a streamlined three-box design, and we can see the same underneath its camouflage. Despite its big size, the J5 will remain a five-seater initially, but depending on the customer response, a seven-seater version can also be introduced in the future.
Like most Chinese cars, the J5 also comes with a plush, feature-loaded, and comfortable interior. In China, it gets a large floating infotainment screen that controls all functions, including the climate control and seat ventilation. Other features include Level 2 ADAS, wireless charging, a big panoramic sunroof, an electric tailgate, etc.
All these features have become quite the norm now, and we think that the J5 could have an edge over the rivals with its AI-assisted voice commands. Let’s see how JSW will tune it for the Indian customers.
Coming to the most important part. It will come with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine that is paired with a 1.8 kWh battery. This self-charging hybrid technology is likely to offer around 218 bhp and 295 Nm, which will make it the most powerful in the segment. The biggest draw here is its 18.9 km/l claimed mileage, which can return over 1,000 km of range on a full tank. This is astonishing as per the segment standards.
As of now, JSW is working on launching its footprint in India. The brand has tied up with Chery to bring rebadged cars here. The first car will be the Jetour T2 Hybrid, which is likely to be followed by the iCar V23 EV, and later by the Jaecoo J5. The J5 will also get launched in an EV avatar, but most probably by late 2027.
Also read: Volkswagen unveils ID Cross, its smallest electric SUV yet
