Jaecoo confirms sharp pricing for electric SUV

Jaecoo’s local line-up will soon have a fresh nameplate in its ranks, with the brand’s local arm confirming pricing for its first New Zealand-bound fully electric SUV.

Arriving next month, the Jaecoo J5 EV enters the rapidly growing electric compact crossover segment, with pricing that places it at the pointy end for value amongst its peers. 

The J5 EV will launch here in a single specification, priced at $42,990 plus on-road costs. This places it in the same circle as the $39,990 BYD Atto 2, $37,990 Dongfeng Vigo, the $44,990 Leapmotor B10, and the $44,990 MGS5.

Under its sleek (and rather Land Rover-esque) bodywork, the J5 combines a single front-mounted 155kW/288Nm electric motor with a 58.9kWh battery pack and front-wheel drive. 

Range is rated at 402km on the WLTP cycle, with the brand stating it can be charged from 30% to 80% capacity in 28 minutes when connected to a DC fast charger. 

Relative to its aforementioned rivals, the J5 is larger than the Atto 2 and Vigo, and packs a healthy range advantage over the entry-level B10 and MGS5. The B10 and MGS5 are available with larger batteries, but are both priced higher than the J5 EV.

Jaecoo is also quick to tout the J5’s cabin space, and how it positions the model closer to being a mid-size SUV, rather than merely a compact crossover. The J5’s 480-litres of boot space is certainly impressive, although the Vigo’s 500-litres edges it out.

Standard equipment in the single Kiwi-bound J5 includes a 13.2-inch portrait touchscreen, ambient lighting, and a panoramic glass roof. More interesting is the J5’s upholstery, which is made from a silicone-based synthetic leather that the brand says is antibacterial and wear resistant.

As with the rest of its line-up, the J5 comes with a 7-year unlimited kilometre warranty with roadside assist, plus an 8-year unlimited kilometer battery warranty. 

Jaecoo entered the New Zealand market in mid-2024, debuting with the pure combustion J7. A plug-in ‘super hybrid’ version of the J7 landed last year. There has been no word from Jaecoo whether the pure combustion or hybrid variants of the J5 are destined for our market.

Jaecoo is the sister company of Omoda, and both sub-brands are owned by Chery. Chery itself relaunched in New Zealand in 2025, quickly confirming a four-car line-up consisting of the Tiggo 4, Tiggo 7, Tiggo 8, and Tiggo 9.