The Jaecoo J5 EV is the brand’s first fully electric model for Malaysia, officially launched on 2 September 2026 as the electric counterpart to the petrol-powered J5.

It is offered in a single locally assembled CKD variant, produced at Chery Corporate Malaysia’s Shah Alam facility and priced at RM118,800 on-the-road without insurance – approximately RM10,000 more than the petrol J5.

Power comes from a single front-mounted electric motor producing 155 KW (208 HP) and 288 NM, paired with a 58.9 KWH CATL LFP battery. It delivers 402 KM WLTP range, accelerates from 0-100 KM/H in 7.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 175 KM/H.

The cabin adopts the same minimalist layout as the petrol J5.

A large 13.2-INCH portrait-format central touchscreen dominates the dashboard, while an 8.88-INCH digital instrument display sits directly ahead of the driver.

Physical switchgear is kept to a minimum, giving the cabin a clean and contemporary appearance.

A waterfall-style centre console separates the two front occupants.

It incorporates storage areas, cup holders and a powerful 50 W ventilated Qi wireless smartphone charger.

The electronic gear selector and minimal switchgear help maintain the clean interior layout.

An 8.88-INCH digital instrument display provides essential information such as speed, selected gear and battery status.

It uses a relatively simple seven-segment-style presentation rather than a fully graphical multifunction interface.

More detailed trip and vehicle information is instead accessed through the larger 13.2-inch central touchscreen.

Both front seats feature electric adjustment and ventilation.

The driver receives six-way powered adjustment, while the front passenger receives four-way powered adjustment.

Upholstery uses TÜV-certified synthetic leather claimed to be anti-bacterial, scratch-resistant and low in VOCs, with the EV gaining distinctive blue piping and stitching.

The J5 EV accommodates five occupants.

Its 2,620 MM wheelbase provides useful second-row legroom, while the relatively upright roofline offers good headroom compared with many coupé-styled compact SUVs.

The flat rear floor also improves accommodation for the centre passenger.

The multifunction steering wheel provides controls for audio, infotainment and driver-assistance functions.

Both tilt and telescopic adjustment are provided.

Electric power steering is standard.

Jaecoo claims the J5 EV provides approximately 35 individual storage spaces throughout the cabin.

These include door pockets, centre-console compartments, a glove box and various smaller storage areas for personal belongings.

The absence of a combustion engine also allows additional storage beneath the bonnet.

The cabin provides two front cup holders and two rear cup holders.

The rear pair is integrated into the folding centre armrest, while the door pockets provide additional bottle storage.

USB connectivity is provided for both front and rear occupants.

The cabin also features a 50 W ventilated wireless smartphone charging pad, reducing device overheating during higher-output wireless charging.

The traction battery additionally supports 3.3 KW Vehicle-to-Load functionality for external electrical equipment.

The cabin combines soft-touch surfaces with the brand’s distinctive TÜV-certified pet-friendly synthetic leather upholstery.

The material is designed to resist scratches while offering anti-bacterial properties and low VOC emissions.

Blue stitching distinguishes the EV, while multi-colour ambient lighting and a large panoramic glass roof improve the overall cabin atmosphere.

Rear luggage capacity stands at a generous 480 L with the second-row seats upright.

Folding the rear seats expands maximum capacity to 1,284 L.

A further 35 L front luggage compartment is available beneath the bonnet, providing convenient storage for charging cables and smaller items.

The J5 EV measures 4,380 MM long, 1,860 MM wide and 1,650 MM tall, with a 2,620 MM wheelbase.

Ground clearance stands at approximately 174 MM, positioning it within the larger end of the B-segment SUV category.

Its proportions are similar to the petrol J5, although EV-specific exterior details distinguish the two versions.

The J5 EV receives a unique front fascia in place of the petrol J5’s large waterfall-style grille.

A slim closed-off upper grille incorporates the Jaecoo branding, while a rectangular lower intake features an Active Grille Shutter that opens or closes according to cooling and aerodynamic requirements.

Perforated body-coloured sections and discreet air curtains further distinguish the electric version.

The rear largely retains the upright, Range Rover-inspired styling of the regular J5.

A subtle EV badge appears on the lower right of the tailgate, while the numeral “5” within the J5 badge receives blue detailing to identify the electric version.

A hands-free powered tailgate is fitted as standard.

The J5 EV features slim LED projector headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights.

Automatic headlamp operation is provided, while the clean horizontal lighting arrangement complements the EV-specific closed front fascia.

Slim full-LED tail lamps extend horizontally across the outer sections of the rear body.

A high-mounted LED brake lamp and integrated rear fog lamp complete the lighting package.

Exterior mirrors are electrically adjustable, automatically folding and heated.

Memory functionality is also included, allowing mirror positions to be stored together with the driver’s seating position.

Integrated LED turn indicators and Blind Spot Detection warnings further improve visibility.

The J5 EV uses disc brakes at all four wheels.

Regenerative braking from the electric drivetrain supplements the conventional braking system, allowing energy to be recovered during deceleration.

An Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold is also standard.

The J5 EV rides on distinctive 18-INCH two-tone aerodynamic alloy wheels.

These are fitted with 235/55 R18 Giti tyres, differentiating the EV from the wheel design and tyre specification used by its petrol-powered sibling.

The J5 EV features ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control and traction management.

Autonomous Emergency Braking and Multi-Collision Braking can intervene when an accident risk is detected.

A 540-degree HD Surround View camera system, combining a 360-degree exterior view with a transparent-chassis perspective, assists during parking and low-speed manoeuvres.

The Malaysian J5 EV comes with six airbags, comprising dual front airbags, front-side airbags and full-length curtain airbags.

Five three-point seat belts, ISOFIX child-seat mounting points and rear child-safety locks are also provided.

The J5 structure has a claimed torsional rigidity of approximately 23,500 NM per degree.

The J5 EV provides selectable driving settings for different operating conditions.

Dedicated Pet Mode keeps the climate-control system running when a pet needs to remain safely inside the locked vehicle.

Camping Mode is also provided, allowing selected electrical and climate functions to remain active while stationary.

These functions work particularly well alongside the vehicle’s 3.3 KW V2L capability.

The 13.2-INCH portrait touchscreen serves as the main infotainment interface.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, together with Bluetooth and connected vehicle functionality.

The J5 EV also retains the petrol model’s unusual in-car karaoke function.

The J5 EV receives a comprehensive Level 2+ ADAS package with 19 assistance functions.

Functions include Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control, Integrated Cruise Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning and Front Vehicle Departure Alert.

Also included are Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Prevention, Emergency Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Evasive Steering Assist.

Rear protection includes Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Rear Cross-Traffic Braking, Rear Collision Warning and Door Opening Warning, while an Active Speed Limiter is also provided.

Audio is delivered through an eight-speaker sound system.

The system supports connected media through Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the built-in karaoke functionality adds an unusual entertainment feature for the segment.

Being fully electric, the J5 EV replaces the petrol J5’s 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with a single front-mounted electric motor.

Maximum output stands at 155 KW (208 HP) and 288 NM.

The motor provides significantly stronger performance than the petrol-powered J5 while retaining a front-wheel-drive layout.

The motor is paired with a single-speed automatic electric reduction transmission.

Electric torque is delivered directly without conventional multi-speed gear changes.

The J5 EV uses front-wheel drive.

Its single traction motor exclusively powers the front axle, prioritising packaging simplicity and efficiency over the additional performance and traction of a dual-motor AWD configuration.

The J5 EV accelerates from 0-100 KM/H in 7.7 seconds.

Maximum speed stands at 175 KM/H.

This makes the electric version noticeably quicker than the petrol J5, which requires 10.2 seconds to reach 100 KM/H.

As a fully electric vehicle, the J5 EV consumes no petrol or diesel.

It uses a 58.9 KWH CATL lithium iron phosphate battery, providing 402 KM WLTP range.

Maximum AC charging reaches 11 KW, with a 10-100% recharge requiring approximately seven hours.

DC fast charging reaches 130 KW, allowing the battery to charge from 30-80% in approximately 28 minutes.

A 3.3 KW V2L function allows the vehicle to power compatible appliances and external equipment.

Standard convenience equipment includes keyless operation, electrically adjustable and ventilated front seats, automatic wipers, heated and memory-equipped exterior mirrors and a hands-free powered tailgate.

A huge 1.45 M² panoramic glass roof with powered sunshade creates a more open cabin environment.

The charging flap is also electrically operated.

The J5 EV features dual-zone automatic climate control with dedicated rear air-conditioning vents.

Automatic windscreen defogging is also provided.

Pet Mode can maintain cabin climate while the vehicle is parked and locked, while Camping Mode supports longer stationary use.

The J5 EV uses MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension.

The suspension has been recalibrated to account for the electric model’s additional battery weight while maintaining the same basic chassis architecture as the petrol J5.

The multi-link rear arrangement is relatively sophisticated for a B-segment SUV and helps provide improved wheel control over uneven road surfaces.

The electric drivetrain eliminates conventional combustion-engine noise and vibration.

The J5 EV additionally features double-glazed acoustic front side windows, helping reduce wind and external traffic noise.

Its 23,500 NM/degree body rigidity also contributes to reduced structural vibration and a more composed cabin environment.

The Jaecoo J5 EV enters Malaysia as a particularly aggressively priced compact electric SUV, especially given its extensive standard specification.

At RM118,800 OTR without insurance, it provides a 208 HP and 288 NM front motor, 58.9 KWH CATL LFP battery and 402 KM WLTP range, together with respectable 130 KW DC charging.

Its value proposition extends well beyond the drivetrain, with ventilated powered front seats, a 1.45 M² panoramic roof, 540-degree camera, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 50 W wireless charging, powered tailgate, eight-speaker audio and extensive Level 2+ ADAS all included as standard.

Practicality is another strength, with a 480 L boot, 1,284 L maximum cargo capacity and additional 35 L frunk.

Although its 7.7-second 0-100 KM/H performance is relatively modest by EV standards and the 8.88-inch instrument display is unusually basic, the J5 EV's combination of 402 KM WLTP range, CKD pricing and substantial equipment for RM118,800 makes it one of the strongest-value B-segment electric SUVs currently offered in Malaysia.