JaecooJaecoo 8

The Jaecoo 8 is the brand’s flagship: a large seven-seat SUV with all-wheel drive and a powerful plug-in hybrid system. It comes in two forms – the seven-seat Luxury at £45,500 and the six-seat Executive at £47,500, which swaps the middle bench for two captain’s chairs.

## Battery, range and charging

A battery of around 34 kWh gives up to 83 miles of electric range, one of the longest of any plug-in SUV in the UK, and Jaecoo quotes a total range of more than 700 miles with a full 70-litre fuel tank. DC rapid charging peaks at 70 kW, with 20–80% taking about 30 minutes; a home wallbox needs about five and a half hours. Parkers lists 50.5 mpg and a 7% benefit-in-kind rate.

## Performance and driving

The 1.5-litre turbo engine works with a three-speed dedicated hybrid transmission and electric motors front and rear to produce 428 PS and 580 Nm. That gives 0–62 mph in 5.8 seconds and a 112 mph top speed. Adaptive CDC dampers come as standard, along with a lockable differential and 550 mm wading depth. It feels EV-smooth most of the time, but reviewers say it wallows on uneven roads and the steering lacks feel.

## Interior and space

At 4,820 mm long, the Jaecoo 8 has 738 litres of boot space with the third row folded and 2,021 litres with only the front seats in use. The third row is the weak point: it is cramped, with little headroom, and suits children rather than adults. Up front, the cabin feels plush, with ventilated front seats, heated and ventilated second-row seats, a cooled armrest and a 14-speaker Sony system with headrest speakers.

## Technology and safety

A wide panel joins a 12.3-inch instrument display to the central touchscreen, with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, 50 W wireless charging, over-the-air updates and a 540-degree camera with a transparent-chassis view. The Executive adds a heated steering wheel, suede headlining and second-row blinds. Physical controls are scarce, which reviewers dislike.

## Who is it for?

Families who mainly need five seats plus occasional extra ones, and want long electric range and strong performance for less than premium-brand money. Rivals include the Skoda Kodiaq iV, Kia Sorento PHEV and Hyundai Santa Fe plug-in hybrid.