2025 Jaecoo J7: China’s latest Toyota RAV4 rival spotted in Australia

Chery-owned Jaecoo is one step closer to arriving in Australia, and its mid-size petrol SUV has already been spotted on local roads.

This Jaecoo J7 was seen in Brisbane, only a handful of months before customer deliveries are due to begin in the first quarter of 2025 (January to March).

It appears this example is a petrol-only version, not the plug-in hybrid (PHEV), though both are slated to arrive at the same time.

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While Australian pricing and most specifications are yet to be locked in, Jaecoo has confirmed the mid-sized J7 will be offered with either front- or all-wheel drive, powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

This produces 137kW of power and 275Nm of torque, a bit down from the Chinese market where it produces 145kW and 290Nm.

The J7 PHEV meanwhile mates a 115kW/220Nm turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine to a 150kW electric motor for its plug-in hybrid system – dubbed SHS for ‘Super Hybrid System’ – which produces 255kW and 525Nm combined.

The carmaker claims the J7 PHEV can achieve 90km of electric-only driving range on the WLTP cycle, and up to 1200km combined.

Measuring 4500mm long, 1865mm wide and 1680mm tall on a 2672mm wheelbase, the J7 is around 100mm shorter but 10mm wider than a Toyota RAV4.

Jaecoo has thus far only confirmed a small number of features for Australia, which includes:

• 8 airbags incl. driver’s knee airbag
• LED headlights
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Wireless phone charger
• 14.8-inch infotainment system
• Surround-view camera

In China, standard equipment includes a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a power-adjustable driver’s seat, while some models also include heated and ventilated front seats, 64-colour ambient lighting and a head-up display.

Available safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic assist, traffic sign recognition, and traffic jam assist.

While parent company Chery relaunched in Australia in 2022 with vehicles at the more affordable end of the spectrum, Jaecoo’s SUVs will be positioned at a higher price point.

“Jaecoo will be positioned as a more premium product offering than the Chery brand and will be targeted towards a more adventure focused consumer,” a company spokesperson previously told CarExpert.

The J7 will be followed by the smaller J5 at a yet-to-be confirmed time.

MORE: Everything Jaecoo J7