Jaecoo E5 - a car from the range of China's leading Chery Group
The JAECOO 5 is a compact SUV that was presented in two powertrain versions right from its launch: combustion and electric. It is yet another of the many Chinese cars that may appeal to Polish buyers.
The brand's owners stress that the car was designed for drivers looking for a combination of modern design, advanced technology and everyday practicality. We had the opportunity to test the zero-emission version and see whether these claims are borne out in reality.
As mentioned, the JAECOO 5 is available with two powertrains: a 1.6TGDi engine, or in electric form as the JAECOO E5. Both are offered in two trim levels, Comfort and Premium, the latter being the one we tested. An intermediate hybrid version is also expected.
Power, the 61 kWh battery and 402 km range
The zero-emission JAECOO E5 has a maximum output of 211 hp (155 kW) and 288 Nm of torque, sent to the front wheels. The drivetrain is powered by a 61 kWh battery, giving a homologated range of 402 km (WLTP). The JAECOO E5 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds. The on-board charging system allows the car to be charged at up to 130 kW from a DC source.
The JAECOO E5 is available in 5 body colours with a dark interior finish, which makes the offer somewhat poorer, as the combustion version comes in 7 body colour configurations and 2 interior colour schemes.
Cockpit, interior and dimensions
The driver gets a well-designed cockpit in which the number of buttons has been kept to a minimum; the controls are operated via the touchscreen. It is a pity that a few buttons or knobs were not retained, for example for the steering wheel and seat heating, which gets a lot of use in the colder months. A button was, however, kept for selecting the driving modes: normal, eco and sport. There is no way to set an individual level of regenerative braking.
In front of the driver is a small, rectangular screen, similar to the one used in the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The small letters and numbers take concentration to read.
On the centre console there is a wireless charging pad with a smartphone cooling function, so the likelihood of charging being interrupted because the phone overheats is very low. This vent is a small but very welcome touch.
Looking at the rear of the car, you will notice that the rear wiper arm is unusually mounted above the window, which does not impair its ability to clear the glass.
The car has compact dimensions: length 4380 mm, width 1860 mm, height 1650 mm and wheelbase 2620 mm. It is worth pointing out that the electric version has an additional 35-litre front boot.
Standard equipment and the Premium version
As standard, the Chinese model comes with 7 airbags, adaptive cruise control with lane keeping (ACC), a full set of safety and driver assistance systems, 18-inch alloy wheels; LED headlights and tail lights; front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, an infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen and keyless entry. The car has no “start” button: selecting a driving mode switches on the car's systems, and getting out switches them off.
The Premium version we tested adds dual-zone automatic climate control; electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats upholstered in eco-leather, a Sony audio system with 8 speakers, a power tailgate, a heated steering wheel, a camera system and a panoramic roof.
Finally, it is worth adding that the OMODA and JAECOO brands belong to the leading Chinese car manufacturer, the CHERY Group. In 2024, the CHERY Group's cumulative car sales exceeded 2,600,000 units, an increase of almost 40% year on year, and almost half of the cars it produces are exported outside China. These facts may reduce the risk of the models on offer being withdrawn from the Polish market and suggest that the brand, with its dealer network and service offer, will remain a permanent part of Poland's motoring landscape.
