Jaecoo J5 set to rattle the cages

INTRODUCED: SOLID AND AFFORDABLE IT IMPRESSES

- Jaco van der Merwe

Chinese carmakers have been growing their local market share at the rate of knots over the last few years and the introduction of the Jaecoo J5 will further ensure the upward curve.

Speculated to be introduced “around R450 000” Chery-owned Omoda and Jaecoo (O&J) sprung a surprise by launching the Jaecoo J5 at a very competitive starting price of R379 900.

The launch offer knocks a further R10 000 off the price of the Vortex and Glacier, which sees these derivatives’ prices drop to R369 900 and R419 900 respectively. The flagship Inferno derivative stays unchanged at R479 900.

The Jaecoo J5 is the Chery sub-brand’s second local model after the J7. The latter starts at R519 900 and goes up to R689 900 for the plugin hybrid model.

While the J7 is positioned as a more rugged-styled SUV ready to tackle the dirt, the Jaecoo J5 according to O&J is more of an urban solution. The two do share the same design language starting with the familiar “waterfall” front grille.