JAECOO 7

Holiday trip presents first stern test for our cheap Chinese petrol SUV

- ALASTAIR CLEMENTS

My mission to discover how the Jaecoo 7 stands up to the rigours of family life got off to a good start with a trip to Somerset to visit my parents for a few days over a long weekend. That meant kids, dogs, bags, walking gear and more, which would provide a stern test for the 145bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

With those ‘kids’ now aged 19 and 16, the prospect of a long motorway journey in the back seats is usually greeted with groans, but both daughters were impressed by the Jaecoo. Although the rear bench is fairly low-set, they were pleased with both how much elbow and leg room they had and the amount of creature comforts: even rear-seat passengers get heated seats and a pair of USB charging ports. And in spite of their maturing years, they were thrilled to discover the additional set of controls on the side of the front passenger seat (in China, being chauffeured in your car is a sign of success), which meant they could move Mum's seat into uncomfortable positions while she dozed to give her a surprise upon waking.