Jaecoo J7 PHEV Set to Debut in Feb 2025 – Under RM170K?

The long-anticipated Jaecoo J7 PHEV SUV is slated to make its local debut this month.

The long-awaited Jaecoo J7 PHEV SUV is slated to make its local debut in Feb 2025. This was confirmed via Jaecoo Malaysia’s official Facebook page, with the Chinese automaker confirming the arrival of its first semi-electrified model sometime later this month.

Previewed locally back in Oct last year, the J7 PHEV is essentially the plug-in hybrid version of the brand’s C-segment SUV fighter. On the design front, the J7 PHEV looks very similar to its full ICE twin, with the only noticeable differences being the presence of a CCS2 charging port on the right side of the rear fender, as well as the new 19-inch alloy rolling stocks it comes with, which feature a more enclosed design.

Some changes can also be spotted inside the J7 PHEV, with the biggest difference being on its central console, as the J7 PHEV drops the jet fighter-style gear shifter for a steering-mounted column shifter, while the AWD drive selector dial is also missing. Nonetheless, users would still find several amenities like a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and some physical switches, including two for the HEV and EV driving modes, at the central console here.

Aside from those changes, other amenities like the massive 14.8-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with a head-up display (HUD), powered and ventilated front seats, an all-black faux leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and an 8-speaker Sony audio system are all still present on the J7 PHEV.

By far the biggest change the J7 PHEV brought over the standard J7 is in its powertrain setup, as this model is powered by Jaecoo’s new Super Hybrid System (SHS). The package consists first of Jaecoo’s fifth-gen 1.5-litre 4-cyl TGDi Dedicated Hybrid Engine (DHE), which features a sublime thermal efficiency rate of 44.5% and a single front-mounted e-motor plus a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT).

Combined, this PHEV setup delivers an astounding total system output of 347 PS and 525 NM, making the J7 PHEV much peppier than its ICE-powered twin. In contrast, the latter’s 1.6-litre 4-cyl TGDi mill is rated at just 197 PS and 290 NM.

What’s more impressive about the J7 PHEV’s powertrain setup is that it can deliver astounding combined driving ranges, as we’ve managed to clock almost 1,300 KM from a single full tank and charge in our long-range challenge in China. Similarly, Jaecoo Malaysia has also conducted a similar test closer to home, with the PHEV SUV charting an impressive 1,427 KM of range.

As of now, the upcoming Jaecoo J7 PHEV is slapped with a tentative price of RM170,000, thus making it slightly more expensive than its full ICE twin. Besides the J7 PHEV, Jaecoo Malaysia is also poised to debut several other models this year, including the J6 EV SUV and the J8 three-row SUV—both of which were already previewed locally last year.