Auto tested more than 90 cars in 2025. As is tradition, we now re-publish our favourite tests of the year as our six Best Tests over the first weeks of December. We will then present three Auto Special Awards in the Best EV, Best Bakkie and Performance car of the year 2025. And then we announce the overall Best Test 2025 on 19 December. So come back for your daily Auto entertainment!
AUTO BEST TESTS 2025 #5: JAECOO J7 1.6T INFERNO AWD
BEST TEST 5: Not much changed. What did, is important
If this Jaecoo J7 is anything to go by, Chinese cars are evolving by the minute in their effort to keep up as the market they have disturbed fights back. Every new car launched by the traditional carmakers these days, seems to have an anti-Chinese slant to it. Cut price, extra spec, bla-di-bla-di bla. So it’s interesting to note how this Chinese model has progressed in the few months since we last drove it.
Not much is different on the face of it. But dig a little and there are some vital little changes that make all the difference. Gerring back to what we originally loved about the J7, is how much attention it still attracts. ‘What is it?’ they ask. ‘A new Land Rover?’ Followed by stunned silence. And then, ‘nice, hey?’
An almost unnatural value proposition
Then, they ask, what does it cost? Six hundred and eighty grand. Blank stare. But this is the all-wheel drive J7 and you can get all this for five hundred and fifty K in the base front drive model . Now, considering that you will have to drop one point four million for the equivalent Evoque most people think this is, that’s pretty scary!
We tested this 145 kW 290 Nm 1600cc turbo petrol 7-speed double-clutch automatic all-wheel drive Jaecoo J7 1.6T Inferno to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds. They quite reasonably claim 7.8 litres per 100 fuel consumption. There are also seven eco, standard, sport, snow, mud, sand and off-road driving modes, as well as hill descent and downhill brake control for that bundu bashing.
For the record, the 4500 mm long, 1865 mm wide and 1680 mm tall Jaecoo J7 rides on a 2672 mm wheelbase at 212 mm ride hight and weighs 1709 kg. Load volume is 412 litres with the rear bench up. And 1335 litres with it down.
The Jaecoo J7 quite literally has it all
This half-price Chinaman’s biggest plus, however, is that it has almost everything, if not more than you’d ever expect aboard. The driver gets a faux leather clad heated and ventilated power adjustable memory front seat with power lumbar. It sits under a panoramic sliding sunroof and climate control, and of course, there are cup holders front and rear too.
Boing down to interface, bar some dodgy Mandarin to English interpretation, the multifunction steering and voice run Auto, Carplay and Bluetooth friendly touchscreen entertainment are top drawer stuff. As are the dials, trip computer and heads-up display. A splendid augmented reality image even pops up to help navigate tight turns or junctions. Add wireless charging, four USB ports and front and boot power sockets.
J7 packs in auto on-off high beam assist LED DRL Xenon headlights, LED foglamps and a high level brake lights and rear fog lights. Its smart nineteen-inch alloy wheels in 235/50 rubber have tyre pressure sensors. You also get keyless central locking with button start, power windows all round, a hands free power tailgate, rain sensor wipers and folding heated wing mirrors.
J7 has made subtle, but significant progress
A glimpse at safety spec reveals ABS with brake assist, stability and traction control. There are also eight airbags and Isofix child seat mountings on the outer rear seats. And a surround view reversing camera with front and rear park distance control. Which brings us back to the opening line of this test. About how the J7 has progressed in the few months since we last drove it.
While we lauded J7’s adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, emergency-brake flashing hazard lights, lane change and blind spot warning; we hated that it was nigh impossible to switch all that off. And when we did, it simply all went back on again when we fired up again.
Well, somebody, somewhere was paying attention and took note of our grievances that we said spoiled an otherwise brilliant package. Because now it is far easier to extinguish all those nannies, if and when you no longer want the interference. And it all stays off until you switch it back on again. Which is the way we think it should always have been.
Jaecoo has listened, acted & improved the J7
And then we get to back-up. Last time we looked, Jaecoo offered a 5-year 100,000 km warranty, plus a ten year million kilometre engine warranty to the first owner. And a 5-year 70,000 km service plan. Seems that the significant cover is working for the brand. Because they’ve now added a third more mileage to the warranty to make it a 5-year 150,000 km deal. But the price remains exactly the bargain it was before.
Surprisingly well built, this Jaecoo has a great feel to it. Yes, dynamically it is a bit blunt. And sure; there it still lacks in some areas. But that language on the screens, and strange logic, and the rest, has also improved by the generation. And we have heard of quality control concerns.
But that Jaecoo has noted and acted on our principal concerns of an over nannying driver assistance system, tells us that they’re listening to what we want and giving us exactly that. Never mind, added even more value to the backup proposition as a running change to the existing car. So just imagine what’s in store for the next major upgrade.
All of which is very good for the car buyer. Every time the Chinese do something new, the traditional carmakers now respond in due course, with improvements to their cars. And then the Chinese go one step further. Nowadays always with a value angle attached. And so on and so forth. Which makes you and us the winners, every time. – Michele Lupini
Data & Images: Giordano Lupini
AUTO BEST TEST #5 2025
ROAD TESTED: Jaecoo J7 1.6T Inferno AWD
Engine: 125 kW 290 Nm 1.6-litre turbo petrol I4
Drive: 7-speed DC Automatic AWD
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 3.86 sec
0-100 km/h: 8.10 sec
0-120 km/h: 11.05 sec
0-160 km/h: 18.98 sec
400m: 15.9 s @ 146 km/h
80-120 km/h: 5.22 sec
120-160 km/h: 7.93 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 185 km/h
Fuel: 7.8 l/100km
CO2: 181 g/km
Range: 650 km
Warranty: 5 years 150,000 km
Maintenance: 5 years 70,000km
LIST PRICE: R679K
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