The new Jaecoo J5 has officially launched in South Africa, offering consumers an entry-level SUV option below the J7, which debuted locally last year. The J5 is now available in three specifications, with prices starting at R379,900.
To provide context, the J7 starts at R519,900, making the J5 a more accessible choice with a price reduction of R140,000. Additionally, the company is offering a promotional discount of R10,000 for the first month, applicable only to the first two trim levels.
Engine Specifications
The J5 is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, producing 115 kW and 230 Nm of torque. This power is transmitted to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT), yielding an average fuel consumption of 7.5 l/100 km. Notably, this setup is similar to that of the pre-facelift Omoda C5, although newer X series C5 models have transitioned to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. There has been no announcement regarding a dual-clutch option for the J5, but it may be considered in future updates.
Design and Dimensions
The J5 shares a similar design with the J7, featuring a vertical grille, slim headlights, and horizontal daytime running lights. However, the J5 is the smaller of the two vehicles. Here are the dimensions for both models:
| Dimension | Jaecoo J5 | Jaecoo J7 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,380 mm | 4,500 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,650 mm | 1,680 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,620 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 174 mm | 200 mm |
| Boot Size (with/without seats) | 480-1,284 litres | 584-1,349 litres |
Features
The base model, J5 Vortex, comes equipped with:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Keyless entry and start
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Cloth seats
- Six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat
- Automatic air conditioning
- USB ports
- Four speakers
- Voice commands
- 8-inch digital driver display
- 13.2-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Safety features include cruise control, speed limiter, ABS, electronic stability control, four airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, traction control, hill start and descent control, rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera.
The mid-range Glacier adds:
- LED headlights
- Roof rails
- Panoramic moonroof
- Ambient lighting
- Leather upholstery
- Electric driver’s seat
- Leather steering wheel
- Two additional speakers (total of six)
- Side curtain airbags
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic emergency braking
- Front collision warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Traffic jam assist
The range-topping Inferno includes:
- 18-inch alloys
- Ventilated front seats
- Dual-zone climate control
- Wireless charging pad
- Eight-speaker stereo
- 540-degree camera
- Front parking sensors
- Rear collision warning
- Lane-change assist
- Blind spot detection
- Rear cross-traffic alert
Pricing
The pricing for the new Jaecoo J5 in South Africa is as follows:
- Jaecoo J5 1.5T Vortex: R379,900 (R369,900 with discount)
- Jaecoo J5 1.5T Glacier: R439,900 (R429,900 with discount)
- Jaecoo J5 1.5T Inferno: R479,900
This pricing includes a 5-year/150,000 km warranty, a 5-year/75,000 km service plan, and a 10-year/1-million km engine warranty valid for the first owner.