In December 2025, Chinese automotive giant Chery launched its second electric vehicle in the Australian market under the Omoda Jaecoo sub-brand called the J5 EV.
It quickly gained traction, receiving more than 1,000 orders within a couple of weeks of launch, with the most recent reports showing over 4,000 orders on this model, with fuel price spikes being a key driver of a surge in interest, as well as an aggressive $36,990 driveaway launch price.
This offer has now been extended to the end of the financial year (EOFY) or 30 June 2026.
The Jaecoo J5 EV was launched in late 2025 with first deliveries starting in January 2026. It has a front-mounted 155 kW motor that produces 288 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, which is quite good for an electric mid-size SUV.
The J5 claims up to 402 km of WLTP range, powered by a 58.9 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, which also offers vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability.
Inside, there is a 13.2-inch vertical screen that controls things such as air conditioning, digital radio and vehicle settings.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard for those wanting seamless smartphone integration, and there is also a 50 W wireless charger, which sits just under the screen inside the minimalist cabin.
The new J5 comes with a few standard safety features, including:
- 7 airbags
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK)
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Jaecoo is Chery’s more lifestyle-oriented sub-brand, and the J5 features pet-friendly synthetic leather made from a special silicone-based material. According to the brand, this material makes the car seats antibacterial, wear-resistant, and easier to clean.
On the warranty front, it comes with a quite long 8-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, 8 years of capped-priced servicing, and an 8-year, unlimited-kilometre battery pack warranty.
Earlier this year, we tested the J5 EV in Melbourne, and it is a great, well-rounded package given what it delivers at an under $37,000 price point.
See : Jaecoo J5 EV review: Head-turning electric SUV from $36,990 driveaway
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See The Driven’s detailed EV sales data here: Australian electric vehicle sales by month in 2026; by model and by brand.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.