JAECOO 7

Omoda's tougher-looking sibling brand starts with Tucson-rivalling SUV

-  SAM PHILLIPS

The influx of Chinese cars arriving in the UK shows no signs of abating. This week's is the Jaecoo 7. Created by Chery, one of China's largest car makers, Jaecoo is the sister brand of Omoda, which launched its 5 SUV here towards the end of last year.

While Omoda is pitched at fashion-focused buyers, Jaecoo (the name is a blend of 'jäger', German for 'hunter', and 'cool') is aiming to undercut rivals in the premium SUV space with the off-road-focused, Range Rover Velar-inspired 7.

At 4500mm long, it's a bit shorter than the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson or Volkswagen Tiguan and 100mm longer than the 5, with which it shares its platform.

Buyers can choose either a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with an automatic gearbox or a 1.5-litre-engined plug-in hybrid powertrain. The latter is set to be the more popular choice in the UK.

Affordability is high on the agenda for both versions of the 7. The petrol costs from £29,495, undercutting the equivalent Tucson, while the PHEV trumps its Sportage and Tiguan contemporaries at a hair over £35,000.

Using Chery's Super Hybrid System, the PHEV combines a turbo petrol four with a single electric motor for combined outputs of 201bhp and 228lb ft. Energy is drawn from a CATL-made 18.3kWh battery pack for an electric-only range of 57 miles. With it fully charged and the 60-litre fuel tank brimmed, Jaecoo claims an overall range of 745 miles.