Jaecoo J7 SHS gets cheaper as BYD, Geely heat up PHEV segment

Omoda Jaecoo Australia is catering to increased demand for plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) in Australia, announcing a more affordable version of its mid-size Jaecoo J7 SHS crossover SUV.

The Jaecoo J7 SHS Track is priced from $43,990 drive-away, $4000 less than the SHS Summit which was previously the only PHEV variant of the J7 available; it’s worth noting, however, the SHS Summit is currently being offered at $45,990 drive-away this month as part of a Black Friday sale.

The new variant is eligible for this same $2000 cashback offer, along with three years of free scheduled servicing.

Arriving in showrooms this month, the new, more affordable plug-in hybrid ditches some of the Summit’s luxury features.

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It drops from a 14.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system to a 13.2-inch unit, though it still has wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It also downgrades from an eight-speaker Sony sound system to an unbranded six-speaker unit.

Additionally, it isn’t offered with the following equipment:

• Front fog lights
• Panoramic sunroof
• Power tailgate
• Head-up display
• Built-in dashcam
• 50W wireless phone charger
• Colour-adjustable ambient lighting

However, it still offers the following equipment:

• 19-inch ‘aero’ alloy wheels
• Automatic LED headlights with automatic high-beam
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
• Leatherette upholstery
• 6-way power driver’s seat with memory
• 4-way power passenger seat
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Surround-view camera

The petrol-powered Track and the new plug-in hybrid Track aren’t identically specified. For example, the former gets the eight-speaker Sony sound system, while the latter gets ventilated front seats.

Both Jaecoo J7 SHS variants feature the same powertrain: a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 105kW of power and 215Nm of torque, mated with a 150kW/310Nm electric motor, a one-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission, and an 18.3kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.

Claimed electric-only range is 90km on the WLTP cycle, while the J7 SHS uses a claimed 1.0L/100km on the combined cycle and requires only 91-octane regular unleaded fuel.

The new variant also come with the same eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, eight years of capped-price servicing, and up to eight years of roadside assistance.

Unlike rivals like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, there’s no all-wheel drive option available – the Jaecoo J7 SHS is exclusively front-wheel drive.

The Mitsubishi Outlander once dominated the mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV segment, but as PHEV demand grows in Australia, the segment is now brimming with new options.

The MG HS, the first model to pose a serious threat to the Outlander PHEV, is now in its second generation; it’s now being marketed a Super Hybrid, like the Jaecoo J7.

BYD’s popular Sealion 6 is being joined early next year by the Sealion 5. Given the former is priced from $42,990 before on-road costs, the latter is almost certain to slide under the $40k barrier.

Omoda Jaecoo’s sister brand Chery is already there with its Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid, priced at $39,990 drive-away, as is newcomer Geely with its Starray EM-i (priced from $37,490 before on-roads).

MORE: Explore the Jaecoo J7 showroom