Review: Jaecoo J7 AWD – Rugged Charm Meets Modern Tech
What Is This?
The SUV market in Malaysia is a hotly contested arena, with no lack of choices and competitive value offerings. When the Jaecoo J7 first showed up in preview sessions here, it certainly caught the attention of many. This isn’t just another crossover aimed at the soft-roading crowd; it was presented as a vehicle that blends robust aesthetics with advanced technology, and off-road capability. In fact, one of the first hands-on sessions for the media was an excursion at the Malaysia 4WD Training and Experience Centre (M4TREC) to show off its off-roading capability, and it impressed. 
First impressions matter, and beyond its off-roading ability, the Jaecoo J7 also doesn’t shy away from making a statement. The boxy silhouette, sharp lines, and prominent grille confidently project a sense of ruggedness and purpose. The Jaecoo J7 is a C-segment 5-seater SUV that has a 2,672 mm wheelbase, with a body measuring 4,500 mm long, 1,865 mm wide, and 1,680 mm tall.
Its slim LED lighting signature, both front and rear, adds a touch of modernity, while the high 200 mm ground clearance further add to its off-road-ready demeanour. The Jaecoo J7 AWD is also fitted with 19″ alloy wheels that fill up the arches nicely. Though some will argue that the overall design is somewhat derivative, referencing another automotive brand that Jaecoo has actual working relations with, it’s still hard to deny the J7’s overall visual appeal.
What Is Inside?
Inside, the J7 showcases a welcoming environment complete with soft-touch surfaces and perforated leather-clad seats to add a premium feel. The dashboard layout is clean and uncluttered, and dominated by a rather large 14.8″ touchscreen infotainment system that is powered by a Qualcomm 8155 chip and includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connection. This is also where you will find most of the vehicle functions, including controls for the dual-zone climate system which have a dedicated space at the bottom of the screen.
Personally, I would like for some functions to be represented by physical buttons for a better tactile experience, but fortunately the user interface is fairly uncluttered and easy to navigate. And there’s always the “Hello Jaecoo” voice command for some actions. The 10.25″ digital instrument cluster too is crisp and clear, providing the necessary information to the driver, as is the head-up display. If there is any nitpicking of the interior, it would be the haptic touch ‘buttons’ on the steering wheel (again, this is a personal preference for more tactility), as well as the driver monitoring system which thinks I’m always distracted when my eyes are frequently darting between the mirrors. I just resign myself to accept this as part of a larger suite of driving safety systems to keep me safe.
Interior space is generous, with ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The rear seats are also comfortable for long journeys; the front passenger seat is equipped with a boss switch to allow rear passengers to move it to adjust rear space. The ventilated seats in front, as well as the sunroof, work with the climate control to make short work of cooling down the cabin fast on a sunny day. The rear air vent however, is only a singular one though that didn’t impact cooling performance.
The inner door panels also show off some rugged character with grab handles in a rough, tough off-roader-esque design. In terms of practicality, the J7 has a usable 424 litres of boot space (CKD version), with the rear seats folded nearly flat, it offers up to 1,349 litres. It should be noted that the review unit is an imported one with a smaller 412-litre boot due to the larger protrusions at the sides. Running changes are common and in this case, the locally assembled version benefits from the latest improvements. Further, the removable tonneau cover can be housed on the boot floor when vertical space is required.
Other conveniences include a 50W wireless phone charger with active cooling vent (just don’t fill that spot with coins and keys), a slot between the front cup holders to hold your phone (when you’re not charging on the wireless pad), built-in teh tarik hooks, full-sized spare tyre, D rings for tying down cargo, 12V socket in the front as well as the boot, a tissue packet holder on the centre console, 64-colour ambient lighting system, a 2-tiered centre console compartment (with cooling function), and enough USB ports to keep most people satisfied.
What Makes It Go?
Under the hood, the Jaecoo J7 AWD has a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, producing 194 hp (197 PS) and 290 Nm of torque, adequate for most users within the normal band of things. This engine is paired with a Getrag 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that is relatively smooth and quick-shifting.
True to its form as an ‘urban off-roader’, this all-wheel-drive variant comes with the ARDIS (All-Road Drive Intelligent System) system which has various drive and terrain modes (7 of them i.e. Normal, Sport, Eco, Off-road, Sand, Mud, & Snow) that activate in as quick as 0.1 seconds. These can be easily accessed via the dial aft of the gear selector. Or you can do that within the Quick Controls menu in the infotainment system, if you’re the sort that likes poking screens.
On the road, the J7 feels pleasantly refined. The engine delivers adequate power, and acceleration is brisk enough for both city driving and highway cruising (official 0 to 100 km/h is claimed at 8.0 seconds). On the whole, the dual-clutch transmission provides smooth and relatively quick shifts (0.2 seconds according to Jaecoo), though there are instances of slight hesitation in city speed situations. But I put that as “one of those DCT things”. Incidentally, Jaecoo states that the rear axle is rated for up to 3,000 Nm to highlight the robustness of the vehicle.
As for efficiency, I had nearly emptied the fuel tank over the testing period, covering 452 km and averaging about 7.4l/100km (or 13.5km/l) according to the trip computer. On a smooth highway run, efficiency was as high as 6.6l/100km (15.2km/l) which I consider admirable given the baggage of the all-wheel-drive components. Of course, fuel efficiency varies according to driving styles and conditions, and how heavy your lunch was.
How Does It Feel?
Thus, the ride quality is generally good, with the J7 absorbing bumps and imperfections well and without the vehicle occupants experiencing the ‘crashy’ feel. The suspension setup is biased towards comfort, making it suitable for long-distance driving. However, some might find the suspension a bit soft but it’s likely only those who are more enthusiastic at taking corners. For the most part, the vehicle is very well composed. Handling is stable and predictable, and the brake feel is quite progressive. Furthermore, the heating function of the steering wheel is appreciated on long drives.
While this is touted to have off-roading capabilities, let’s be realistic and admit that maybe only a small fraction of buyers would ever need to go hardcore. At most, the ARDIS all-wheel-drive system will be appreciated in a durian orchard, at the beach, a pseudo camping site, and a highway on a rainy day. As well as a random road in Bangsar or Sri Hartamas. And in those situations, you will be glad that you chose the AWD variant. Way before its official launch, we did get a chance to test the AWD system at the off-road course in M4TREC, including its 600 mm water wading ability, and it performed admirably, punching above its (now known) price tag. While this is no replacement for a dedicated off-roader, the Jaecoo J7 AWD definitely has more than sufficient capability to handle light to moderate off-road excursions.
For the occupants, the cabin ambience is enhanced with 64-colour ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof (with retractable sunshade), and 8-speaker Sony sound system. The experience is mostly on the more premium side though you only need to contend with the sound of the mechanism that retracts the door handles every time you drive away. A small concession for aerodynamic improvement, I guess.
Other notable convenience features include a 540-degree camera system which shows the terrain under the vehicle, and a suite of Level 2.5 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). These safety features include adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, emergency lane keeping, intelligent evasion system, curve speed assistance, and rear cross traffic alert and braking.
What Is There To Like?
Overall, the Jaecoo J7 AWD is a fairly capable and comfortable SUV, giving a premium feel at an attainable price. Interior design is pretty user-friendly, with an infotainment system that is mostly intuitive, and has logically placed controls. The seating position is comfortable too, which is great for long distance driving.
It is by no means perfect, but the overall package and value it offers makes it a strong contender in the very competitive C-segment SUV field (launched at RM148,800). And the fact that it is a familiar sight on the roads here now clues you in on how many are attracted to its styling, features and the promised lifestyle.
