Jaecoo 8: A Premium SUV with Substance and Surprising Polish
The arrival of the Jaecoo 8 SHS-P in the UK says something about where the car market is heading here, writes motoring journalist Tim Barnes-Clay.
Chinese brands are no longer content with building budget alternatives. They want a place at the top table, and after spending time with Jaecoo’s new plug-in hybrid flagship, I came away thinking it has every right to pull up a pew.
The Jaecoo 8 SHS (Super Hybrid System), often referred to as SHS-P for ‘Plug-in’, is priced from £45,500 for the seven-seat Luxury SUV model, while the six-seat Executive model I drove costs £47,500. This price range drops the 8 plumb into territory occupied by some European legacy marques. It also arrives with features that would have more than a handful of prestige foes swallowing hard. The real question is whether the new kid on the block can truly stand up to the competition.
Jaecoo 8: A premium feel without the premium price
The first thing that struck me was how mature the Jaecoo 8 SHS feels. There is a restrained confidence about its styling. Park it outside a golf and country club or an upmarket London restaurant, and it doesn’t look like a fish out of water.
Inside is where Jaecoo has clearly spent its money. The Executive’s Nappa leather seats, finished in a warm tan that reminded me of grand tourers from the 1970s, lift the ambience immediately. Soft-touch materials cover most of the surfaces you interact with, and the solid build quality genuinely surprised me.
Technology is incorporated without becoming too much. The twin 12.3-inch displays are sharp and responsive, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect without difficulty, and the Sony 14-speaker audio system delivers a full-bodied soundscape whether you’re listening to Pink Floyd on the way home from the office or de-stressing with Mozart on the M4 to Heathrow.
The Executive also throws in a few treats that you seldom find at this price. Heated and ventilated front seats, massage functions, a panoramic roof and a soothing zero-gravity passenger seat with its own “Boss Button” all inject an air of VIP treatment.
Comfort comes first
Driving the Jaecoo 8 SHS on Britain’s traumatised tarmac quickly points to where the car’s priorities lie. The suspension has been tuned with comfort at the top of the memo, so the Chinese-made SUV almost glides over potholes, making journeys feel effortless. Motorway refinement is also remarkable, with little wind howl or tyre rumble invading the cabin. However, the steering is lighter than I would choose and doesn’t offer much feedback. Keen drivers may also be left wanting a little more involvement when the road starts to twist and turn. But no shakes, because body control remains good enough for such a sizable SUV, and the 8 always feels predictable. That will largely suit the sort of driver I suspect Jaecoo has in its crosshairs. After all, most buyers will appreciate arriving relaxed rather than frazzled after chasing split times on a hairpin-laden rural route.
Strong performance with impressive efficiency
Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol mill combined with electric motors, a 34kWh battery and all-wheel drive. The output of 428PS means zero to 62mph takes 5.8 seconds, which is pacey enough to overtake without batting an eye.
What impressed me more was how smoothly everything works together. The transition between petrol and electric power is discreet, helping the Jaecoo maintain its refined character. In addition, the 8 features adaptive suspension and driving modes designed for different terrains, including sand, mud, snow, and off-road conditions. When summer fades into autumn and winter’s darker days approach, the SUV could enhance the safety and convenience of your commute to the train station for travel into London.
But if you’re anything like me, the bigger story will be the running costs. With up to 83 miles of electric driving on tap, daily travels could be made without using any petrol at all. Longer trips benefit from a combined driving range of more than 700 miles, while DC charging takes the battery from 30 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes. A figure of over 500mpg is possible when the battery is kept charged, but once it’s depleted, around 50mpg remains entirely realistic, which isn’t bad at all.
Life made easy
Practicality is another area where the Jaecoo 8 is worth its salt. The Executive feels especially deluxe thanks to its individual middle-row captain’s chairs, while the seven-seat version will appeal to larger families. Whichever layout you choose, there’s substantial space throughout.
The driving position is imperious, second-row passengers experience excellent legroom, and the third row is useful for children or infrequent adult use.
With the rear seats collapsed, the well-sized boot swells to a yawning 2,021 litres. Whether you’re carrying golf clubs or luggage to the airport for a fortnight of business meetings, there’s little likelihood of running out of room.
Where the Jaecoo 8 falls short
No car is flawless, and the Jaecoo 8 has a few drawbacks. I have already mentioned the light steering and the possible need for more driver involvement, but, in addition, the badge lacks the status enjoyed by time-honoured European models. Let’s face it, image carries value, and that may take time to form. It is also a sizeable vehicle, so navigating London’s compact multi-storey car parks and narrow streets requires laser-like focus.
Verdict
The Jaecoo 8 left me impressed because it delivers comfort in spades, decent technology, substantial space and running costs that make sense, all packaged in a cabin that feels every bit as classy as many SUVs costing considerably more.
While I admire the quality of Mercedes-Benz and respect the legacy of the Range Rover, I wouldn’t overlook a Jaecoo 8 just because it comes from a newer Chinese marque.
If you judge a car by what it delivers rather than its badge, the Jaecoo deserves serious consideration. It is a vehicle that exudes premium quality without the luxury price tag – and that in itself brings a rather lovely kind of financial satisfaction.