Pricing scoop! The new Jaecoo J7 SHS PHEV will soon launch in South Africa, offering a claimed single-tank range of 1 200 km. Here’s what this plug-in hybrid will cost you…
The new Jaecoo J7 SHS PHEV is expected to hit the market in South Africa in early June 2025, but we’ve managed to unearth pricing a little early. And we can confirm this newcomer is poised to launch as Mzansi’s 2nd most affordable plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
Yes, Chinese firm Jaecoo will soon expand into SA’s growing PHEV segment, interestingly beating parent company Chery’s core brand to the punch. According to our information, the front-wheel-drive J7 SHS PHEV will be priced from R689 900, making it R10 000 more than the purely petrol-powered J7 1.6T Inferno AWD.
That price will effectively see the J7 SHS PHEV launch as the local market’s 2nd most affordable PHEV, behind only the base “Comfort” version of the BYD Sealion 6 (currently priced at R639 900). For the record, the mid-tier BYD Sealion 6 Dynamic also comes in at R689 900, while the flagship Sealion 6 Premium AWD costs R789 900.
Currently, the only other sub-R1-million PHEVs on the market are the BYD Shark 6 bakkie (R959 900) and Toyota RAV4 2.5 PHEV (R989 800), though GWM SA will soon also launch the Haval H6 GT PHEV (which our information suggests will be priced at R799 900). The Chery brand will likewise likely enter this space in the near future, while Jaecoo’s sister marque Omoda could throw its hat into the ring, too.
But back to the J7 SHS PHEV. According to Jaecoo, the newcomer’s SHS (that’s “Super Hybrid System”) arrangement comprises a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, an electric motor (integrated into the transmission) and an 18.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack.
Total system outputs stand at 255 kW and 525 Nm, with the forced-induction petrol engine generating 105 kW and 215 Nm, and the electric motor contributing 150 kW and 310 Nm. The all-electric range comes in at a claimed 90 km (WLTP), pushing the combined single-tank range to 1 200 km, according to Jaecoo. The listed economy figure is 4.7 L/100 km.
The Chinese automaker says the battery pack can be recharged from 30- to 80% in 20 minutes when using a 40 kW DC charger. Plug in to a 6.6 kW AC charger, meanwhile, and the state of charge will move from 25- to 100% in a claimed 160 minutes. With the battery above 30%, the J7 SHS PHEV can run in fully electric mode “up to speeds of 120 kph”.
At launch in South Africa, we expect the J7 SHS PHEV to be available in a single grade only. While equipment levels have yet to be officially released, we do know the newcomer will ride on “aerodynamically optimised” 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/50 R19 tyres. In addition, this model looks set to ship with faux-leather upholstery, ambient cabin lighting, an 8-speaker Sony sound system and a 14.8-inch touchscreen (with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto).
Plenty of driver-assistance technology – including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning and rear cross-traffic assist (with braking) – will also be part of the package. We furthermore wouldn’t be surprised to find items such as a panoramic sunroof, a powered tailgate, electrically adjustable front seats and a head-up display on the lengthy list of standard features.
As a reminder, the Jaecoo J7 – initially available in 3 purely petrol-powered derivatives – arrived in South Africa in April 2024, seeing Mzansi become the nameplate’s very first right-hand-drive market. More than 1 270 units were sold in SA in 2024 (Jaecoo started reporting sales to Naamsa consistently from only July of last year), while a further 673 examples were registered locally over the opening 4 months of 2025.
How much will the new Jaecoo J7 SHS PHEV cost in SA?
Jaecoo J7 1.5T SHS PHEV DHT – R689 900
The price above includes a 7-year/200 000 km warranty, a 10-year/unlimited km battery-pack warranty (specific to the first owner, with these parameters changing to 10 years or 200 000 km for subsequent owners), a 10-year/1 million km engine warranty (linked to the first owner) and a 5-year/75 000 km service plan.
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