Name: Jaecoo 7 (2025 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Jaecoo 7
Rating: 68.0

Summary

The Jaecoo 7 is a mid-sized SUV/crossover, with the aim of competing with cars like the Range Rover Evoque and Audi Q3, but for the price of something more like a Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage.

It’s the first model for new Chinese car brand Jaecoo, which launched in the UK in early 2025 and is the sister brand to Omoda, which itself only launched in 2024. Both are owned by Chinese giant Chery, and have plans for rapid growth in the UK in coming years.

The Jaecoo 7 was launched with a choice of a petrol engine or petrol/electric plug-in hybrid powertrain, and two trim levels. The company says that it remains flexible with regard to future powertrain options, so if there is demand for a basic (no plug) hybrid, for example, it can react quickly to customer demand.

Initial reviews at the car’s UK launch were broadly positive, with scores that are average to good. Mark Nichol at Auto Trader points out that the Jaecoo 7 “feels a lot of car for the money, and – vitally – a lot of pretty good car at that”.

Our own editor at The Car Expert, Stuart Masson, described the 7 as “an impressive new entrant into the compact SUV segment” and “well-placed to succeed”.

As of April 2025, the Jaecoo 7 holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 68%. It scores top marks for its excellent safety rating and low CO₂ emissions, although its media review scores are currently poor based on the launch event in February 2025. This may improve over time once longer reviews are published, so keep checking back for the latest information.

We also don’t yet have complete running cost data, while we won’t get valid reliability information for a couple of years as it’s a brand-new car.

More Jaecoo Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

Jaecoo 7 highlights

Very good value for money
Fit and finish more than a match for rivals
Excellent EV range on plug-in hybrid

Jaecoo 7 lowlights

Fuel economy not great on petrol models
Plug-in hybrid loses almost 90 litres of boot space
Petrol engine not particularly refined

Key specifications

Body style: Small-medium SUV
Engines: petrol, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £25,035 on-road

Launched: Winter 2024/25
Last updated: N/A
Next update due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“The Jaecoo 7 is an impressive new entrant into the burgeoning compact SUV segment. Based on our initial drive, it looks well-placed to succeed.”

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol automatic Deluxe

Score: 7 / 10

Read full review

The Car Expert

Stuart Masson

“The Jaecoo 7 is a funky-looking SUV with a great interior and clever hybrid system, but it’s a bit firm over bumps and there are more practical options out there.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 7 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

Jamie Edkins

More reviews

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“We expect more than a few potential buyers will be attracted to the Jaecoo 7 for its looks, and the amount of standard equipment could seal the deal for some. However, the driving experience isn’t as polished as the established rivals that are available for similar money and more practical.”
Author: Ellis Hyde
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Jaecoo 7 feels like a lot of car for the money, and – vitally – a lot of pretty good car, at that.”
Author: Mark Nichol
Read review

Business Car

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Luxury
Score: 7 / 10
“An appealing package, but the Jaecoo 7 falls behind in terms of refinement and running costs when compared to established rivals.”
Author: Martyn Collins
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“First impressions are the Jaecoo are positive, though it’s by no means perfect. The driving controls and assistance systems can be a little jarring at times. Factor in the price, though, and the Jaecoo becomes more compelling – or at least as compelling as something with looks this inoffensive can be. It’s certainly worth considering if you’re also looking a Skoda Kodiaq, and Citroen C5 Aircross, for example.”
Author: Curtis Moldrich
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Jaecoo 7 has presence, lots of kit and is frugal in hybrid form, but the driving experience isn’t the best on offer.”
Author: Charlie Harvey, Ellis Hyde
Read review

Electrifying.com

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 6 / 10
“The Jaecoo 7 looks like a lot of car for the money on paper, but it’s not great to drive and is a bit disappointing in reality.”
Author: Vicky Parrott
Read review

Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Jaecoo 7 is a high-value SUV with a few flaws from China.”
Author: Ivan Aistrop
Read review

Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s a family SUV you’ve probably never heard of, but chances are you’ll soon know the name. Jaecoo is a Chinese brand that has big plans in the UK and the Jaecoo 7 has what it takes to make an impact. Not only is it great value for money but crucially, it feels like a quality vehicle. Prepare to change your perceptions because the Jaecoo 7 is an impressive overall package.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Interesting newcomer with eye-catching plug-in hybrid price.”
Author: Keith Adams
Read review

The Independent

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 7 / 10
“Handsome plug-in hybrid SUV offers impressive value and quality, and a decent electric range, but poor ride quality and infuriating beeps and bongs.”
Author: Steve Fowler
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“A worthy effort and far from terrible, but the, um, err… Jaecoo isn’t memorable enough to offset its invisible badge kudos.”
Author: Ollie Kew
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: April 2025
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 81%
Child protection: 80%
Vulnerable road users: 80%
Safety assist: 80%

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of April 2025, the Jaecoo 7 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	37 mpg	D	35 – 38 mpg	D – D
Plug-in hybrid models	403 mpg	A	403 – 403 mpg	A – A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	176 g/km	C	169 – 182 g/km	C – C
Plug-in hybrid models	23 g/km	A	23 – 23 g/km	A – A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	56 miles	C	56 – 56 miles	C – C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	25	B	21 – 31	A – C

The Jaecoo 7 has a mixed bag of running costs, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions for the petrol-engined models are sub-par for this category, while the plug-in hybrid looks fantastic on paper but will very much depend on how much driving you can do on EV power rather than petrol power.

Insurance, on the other hand, looks pretty good. However, we don’t yet have servicing and maintenance data so check back again soon.

Reliability rating

No reliability rating

As of April 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Jaecoo 7 to generate a reliability rating. Being a brand-new model, we won’t have any meaningful data for some time yet.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Jaecoo 7, we’ll publish the results here.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Jaecoo 7

As of April 2025, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Jaecoo 7. However, this information is updated very regularly so this may have changed.

You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Jaecoo dealer.