Watch out Corolla Cross? Jaecoo announces hybrid J5 SUV

Following on from the introduction of the fully electric Jaecoo J5 earlier this year, the Chinese carmaker’s local arm has confirmed a second variant for the line-up — powered by a hybrid petrol powertrain. 

The brand has confirmed the J5 Hybrid for local showrooms, with its arrival slated for next month. The model will be offered in a single specification, and enters a busy electrified compact crossover segment. 

The J5 Hybrid will be sold in a single generously optioned trim called the Summit. It is priced from $39,990 plus on-road costs, and comes with both a lengthy list of standard equipment and a 7-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

Under the bonnet, the J5 Hybrid is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired to an electric motor, hybrid system, and hybrid transmission. Combined, it produces 165kW of power and 295Nm of torque. 

This is the first parallel series hybrid Jaecoo has brought to the New Zealand market, following on from the introduction of the J7 SHS plug-in hybrid last year. The brand claims a fuel economy figure of 5.6L/100km. 

Standard kit in the J5 Hybrid Summit includes a 13.2-inch touchscreen, 8.8-inch digital cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ambient lighting, acoustic glass, a wireless phone charger, 360-degree camera, faux leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, and a power tailgate.

The model also comes with a loaded active safety suite, which includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, and more. 

At 4380mm long and 1860mm wide, the J5 Hybrid is a smidge smaller than the conventional mid-size SUV segment populated by the likes of its J7 sibling and the popular Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage. 

Instead, the J5 Hybrid plays in the same segment as the Toyota Corolla Cross, Honda HR-V and Nissan Qashqai hybrids.

It undercuts each of these models, with the base variants of each nameplate priced from $44,990 (Corolla Cross GX), $43,500 (HR-V L), and $53,990 (Qashqai ST-L e-Power) respectively. 

The J5 Hybrid will also play in the same sandpit as the upcoming replacement for the Kia Seltos, which will mark the nameplate’s introduction to the hybrid segment. Pricing for the Korean rival has yet to be confirmed.