Chinese vehicle manufacturer Chery will launch the Jaecoo J5 in Australia early next year, a new compact SUV that will be available in three powertrains including a battery electric vehicle (BEV) and hybrid.
Jaecoo, a new Chery sub-brand, says the J5 will go on sale in early 2026, though full specifications and pricing are being held until closer to launch in February.
The J5 supposedly builds on the success of the mid-size J7, incorporating the same design language such as the car’s upright silhouette, wide shoulders, and signature waterfall grille.
The Jaecoo J5 will be available in three separate powertrain options, including a BEV with 402 kilometres of range (WLTP), a 1.5-litre series-parallel hybrid, and a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
Government approval for the J5 was reported earlier this month, with approval documentation suggesting that the BEV will come with a 155 kilowatt (kW) front-mounted motor. And although battery pack specifications were not disclosed in the approval documentation, it is expected to be a 60.9 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) pack.
According to Jaecoo’s press release this week, the J5 will seat five adults “comfortably” thanks to a generous 2620mm wheelbase and include 480 litres of luggage space in the boot when the rear seats are in place – expanding to 1,284 litres when the rear bench is folded flat.
Up front, standard features include a 13.2-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8.0-inch digital driver’s cluster, and a 6-speaker audio system.
The J5 will also include a number of driver assistance and safety features that the company says is designed to “reduce driver fatigue and enhance focus on the road”. Jaecoo failed to actually identify any of these features, however, but did add that its safety suite uses “the latest technologies available to support drivers when needed”.
“The J5 represents a significant step forward for Jaecoo in Australia, bringing greater choice in new energy and a more accessible path to premium motoring,” said Roy Munoz, chief commercial officer for Chery sub-brands Omoda and Jaecoo.
“It carries the design, quality and features that have made our J7 so popular into a more compact and attainable package. With the J5, we’re giving Australians broader options without compromising on refinement, practicality or performance.
“Whether you’re travelling solo, with family, or four-legged passengers in tow, it has been engineered with thoughtful features for every journey, complemented by advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies. It delivers the modern premium SUV experience, without the bulk.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.