SUVs are incredibly popular today, but how often do you actually get to test the "Sport" in "Sport Utility Vehicle"? We found ourselves at Hongyangshan Vehicle Recreation Park in Wuhu, China, to test a trio of Jaecoo SUVs - the J6, J7, and J8 - on a deep, thick mud course featuring S-turns and hill climbs - not something your average econobox could handle.
The Jaecoo Trio
For the day, we tested three models. First was the compact J6, a 4,406mm-long dual-motor BEV. Sold in China under a different Chery brand, it's also known as the iCar 03. Inspired by classic off-roaders, it boasts a retro, boxy design with modern touches, such as a blacked-out slatted front face leading into a right-angled light cluster with 'i'-shaped DRLs. Its chunky bumper underlines its rugged nature. The dedicated i-MSEV platform gives it a larger wheelbase than its peers. Inside, as the newest of the three models, it stands out with a distinctive green-gold-black interior, a floating center console with wireless charging, a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, and an overall plush feel.
The second model was the 4,500mm-long J7 (a petrol version; Singapore will receive the PHEV variant with an updated interior). Featuring angular designs around the lights and grille, it has an imposing, muscular look, like a bigger sibling of the J5. Catch it in your rear-view mirror and it looks like a titan bearing down. Peer closely at the front and rear lights, and you'll see a chequered race-flag pattern. The interior is a subdued black with minimal grey accents, and of the three models, it has the most dated design elements, including an oddly angled gearshift and robotic-like door handles. However, the rear seats offer ample legroom, an improvement over the J6.
Finally, we tested the J8, a 4,820mm-long large SUV that envelops the driver with a high, cocooning center console. It features the widest HUD I've seen in any car to date. The two-toned black-beige interior adds refinement, enhanced by silver trim accents. In the rear, the middle bench is swapped out for two captain's chairs with quilted leather upholstery, and seat adjustment and memory buttons on the door add to the luxurious feel. The third-row seats fold in a 50/50 split and are accessed through a narrow central gap.
The Gauntlet Experience
The mud track starts with a steep descent into thick, loose mud, leading into a series of hairpin S-turns banked by muddy walls, kicked up by each vehicle as they struggled to gain traction out of the curves. Next came two hill climbs: The first was relatively dry and manageable for most cars with sufficient clearance, while the second was a full-on, muddy incline leading back to the starting point. The mud was so thick it would pull your boots off if you tried to walk it.
Around the short course, the J6 stood out as the most agile and characterful of the three. Its platform provided excellent stiffness, and the wheel positioning in relation to the cabin made it nimble and responsive, further supported by the eagerness of the dual-motor AWD system.
In comparison, the J7 felt a bit sluggish and unwieldy on the track (all cars were on stock tyres rather than off-road ones, so performance was understandably limited). Nevertheless, as a family-friendly SUV, it handled the course competently. Expectedly, it exhibited slightly more flex than the J6.
The J8, a large barge, performed as expected on the mud track - somewhat aloof and reserved. While it was more challenging to pilot compared to the nimble J6, it provided the smoothest ride for passengers. Experiencing the mud track as a passenger in the J8 felt almost like a slow-motion scene from Inception.
A Clear Winner: J6
While the goal wasn't to compare the three head-to-head, I found myself most impressed with the J6 - not only for its performance but for its unique character. From its retro-inspired styling to the dual-motor setup and vibrant interior, it left a strong impression.
It's been a few days since the drive, but I'm still eagerly anticipating how the J6 will fare in Singapore. Its 279hp dual-motor output isn't the most powerful in its class (for comparison, the single-motor #1 Pro+ delivers 268bhp, while the dual-motor #1 Brabus offers 422bhp), but its flair more than compensates. In Cat B, it should have a relatively reasonable road tax.
For those who want a more affordable road tax, a single-motor Cat A variant of the J6 is planned. Based on similar models in China, I estimate that the J6 could debut in Singapore at under S$200,000, given the current COE. The dual-motor J6 has a WLTP city-driving range of 470km.
Both the J6 dual-motor BEV and J7 PHEV are set to launch in Singapore by end-2024, while the three-row J8 remains unconfirmed for this market currently.
