Baby, I Love Your Way

Introduction: Although it is a Chery marque/ sub brand, from China, the Jaecoo comes flying into South Africa, at the perfect time stabled all on its own, (as with Omoda, the other Chery marque) but with the backing and thirty two dealership network of the, Omoda and Jaecoo brands, affectionately known as O & J, countrywide. South Africa is one of the first countries to be blessed with the J7 which is available for the worldwide market, except China, the US and Canada. There is no way that I can describe the Jaecoo vehicle line up better than Jaecoo’s excellent marketing Team itself. Our design philosophy melds technology with aesthetics, transforming vehicles into art. We focus on functional elegance and innovative user experiences. Every curve and feature is engineered for sophistication and ease, promising an unmatched driving experience. Discover the intersection of elegance and innovation in automotive design. They absolutely nail what the vehicle is all about, and I can see how this description marries the test units’ dual purpose of being a great outdoor Legend and urban run-around, owning both scenarios with style and panache. I feel that Jaecoo have done enough to offer an attractive proposition to their target market and would liken the demand in South Africa, to that of the need for boerie rolls at Springbok rugby matches!

Engine/ Economy/ Drive/ Comfort: The gutsy turbo charged 1.6 Liter petrol engine comes paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), with performance figures of 145 kW and 290 Nm., giving the driver an awesome, 0 to 100 km/hr in just 8 seconds. Jaecoo claim a 7.8 Liters per 100 kms but I raised that a tad to 9, due to my persistent and intolerable thirst for speed up to the speed limits, naturally! When proudly cruising the streets of Durban, the J7 drove with confidence and the all-around comfort levels were outstanding, with the vehicle gripping to the road like a bull terrier to a rope, thanks to the intelligent tech-driven seven mode AWD system. It was a tough day when Jacques arrived to collect the vehicle on Friday, as it felt like I should be buying one for my wife as a “Father’s Day” present! Linda, actually thought it was the same as another car manufactured by a well-known brand, driven by Posh people who love spicy 4x4’s!

Features: My goodness, the list goes on and on, but here are some: A HUGE 37 cm infotainment system, Dash cam record, 8 speaker Sony sound system, Voice command, Head Up Display (HUD), Wireless charging, Wireless android auto & CarPlay, Traffic sign recognition, Intelligent speed Assist, Intelligent High beam control, Integrated cruise Assist, Multi-Collision Brake, Forward collision warning, Adaptive cruise control, Heated Steering Wheel, Leather Steering Wheel, 540 HD panoramic image, Electric seat adjustment with memory, Front seats ventilated and heated, Leather Seats, Rear Cross Traffic Assist with Braking, Emergency lane keeping, Lane Change Assist, Blind spot detection, Panoramic sunroof, Sensor powered tailgate, Dual-zone automatic climate control, Steering wheel with multifunction, Ambient Lights, Tire pressure monitoring, Downhill Assist, Brake Assist System, Luggage rack and more.


Interior/ Exterior/ Boot: Beautiful, inside, and out! If you are into style, quality, and ergonomics, then the J7 is a must to test drive and buy. It literally felt like wherever I drove or parked, there were people staring at the beautiful vehicle. The exterior lines of the car are stunning and rival many competitors with price tags over a million ZAR. I loved its boxy guise and solid feel, both inside and out. Boot space is a respectable 412 Liters, so get out there with the family or mates and thanks to a ground clearance of 200 mms the J7 can get you to where you want to go, and with the standard Cooper tires, grab your e bikes and head for the valleys and hills! 

Price/ Warranty/ Service Plan: R679900/ 5-year/70 000 km service plan plus a 5-year/150 000 km factory warranty (as well as Roadside Assist for 5 years) and Engine is covered by an industry beating 10-year/1-million km warranty.

In Summary: Impressed beyond all reasonable doubt. What a car that turns heads, looks stunning and is priced so well. With the premium feel, 5-star safety rating and comfortable AWD ride, the J7 should sell plenty in South Africa. Some of the chorus in the awesome song, Baby, I Love Your Way by Big Mountain, says it all for me, ….” Ooh, baby, I love your way, every day, yeah, I wanna tell you I love your way, every day yeah, I wanna be with you night and day…”

*This article is written in my opinion only. For detailed information on the specs, please contact Chery/ Omado & Jaecoo SA*