BY Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe
Prepare to be swept away by the latest automotive marvel to grace South African roads – the JAECOO J7. In a landscape where innovation meets affordability, JAECOO is a game changer. It offers motorists a fusion of cutting-edge technology, sleek design, and value for money.
One of the much-anticipated car launches in South Africa this year almost brought Johannesburg to a standstill. The JAECOO, a premium subsidiary of the Chinese OEM, Cherry, was unveiled on a cloudy Friday morning to a bunch of motoring journalists. Later that evening, the brand and its current star, the J7, were introduced to Joburg’s celebrities and influencers to marvel at the sheer innovation.
In recent times, Chinese car brands have not only occupied the center stage but have also found favour among motorists looking to get much more for less. The prevailing narrative has been around their innovation and value for money. Judging by the amount of new cars with Chinese heritage on our roads, the early adopters have definitely been influencing. While healthy competition is always welcome and keeps people on their toes, I don’t suppose the OEMs that have called South Africa home for many decades are enjoying the pointe work. It doesn’t help that the economy is looking gloomy and sales of new cars continue to shrink. Now, the launch of a new car brand during unpredictable times would be confusing. But not for JAECOO, a name borne from the mash-up of two words – Jäger (meaning hunter in German) and cool. The brand embraces adventure and cutting-edge style, and it certainly brought those two elements to the South African market.
First impressions
The J7 is an impressive SUV and one that also looks very familiar. It resembles a ‘baby Range Rover’, thanks to a recent collaboration between the two brands. The unique selling points of the J7 are forward-thinking technologies and cutting-edge design. Traces of these are evident from subtle design cues such as the hidden door handles and the massive 13.2-inch touchscreen that becomes the focal point in the car’s interior. However, nature seems to be the center of JAECOO J7. At launch, the folks from JAECOO presented three derivatives named after nature’s elements – Vortex (wind), Glacier (ice), and the range-topping Inferno (fire). All these share the same turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine. Having connected the dots behind the naming of the brand, it was not surprising to learn that the target market is affluent individuals who love the great outdoors and enjoy activities such as hiking and going to the Kruger National Parks. However, they should not be mistaken for extreme adventurers who prefer to go off-roading and sand-dune surfing with their expensive vehicles.
Sophistication and performance
The brand is all about comfort, performance, and affordability. They target the business leader or professional who wants a car that is highly capable on urban roads and is equally able to hold its own on gravel roads when necessary. The drive from Houghton via the freeways and some of Gauteng’s back roads to the North West proved the car’s capabilities. It is a solid drive and cannot be faulted. During the drive, the organisers threw a bit of a curveball to the Lion & Safari Park. A large convoy of shiny SUV’s became the attraction, taking the spotlight away from the lions, giraffes, and other animals that roam around the park. The J7 navigated the roads with ease, proving to be comfortable and at home on different surfaces.
Apart from the imposing touchscreen, the car comes standard with an impressive list of features. These include a 360° panoramic camera system, wireless smartphone charging, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, front fog lamps, automatic windscreen wipers, 7 airbags (including a driver’s knee airbag), front radar, and lots of safety features.
Verdict:
From a price point of R549 900, the JAECOO seems to be on to something. They are so confident that the fickle South African market will go ga-ga over the J7 and were open to making ours the first right-hand-drive market to launch the J7. Judging by how many celebrities and influencers showed up to welcome the J7, they are definitely on the money.
JAECOO J7 1.6T Vortex FWD 7DCT: R549 900
JAECOO J7 1.6T Glacier FWD 7DCT: R599 900
JAECOO J7 1.6T Inferno AWD 7DCT: R679 900
