Jaecoo has managed to carve out a niche for himself in the all-important SUV segment in Spain and now that it has made its virtues known, it expands its range with the most ambitious model To date, the Jaecoo 8.
To situate ourselves, we are before the first cousin of the Omoda 9 and the Ebro S900the standard bearers of both brands. We are talking about SUVs 4.8 meterswith a drive group high-power plug-in hybrid, electric autonomy more than enough for any daily use and a very complete equipment… still more than reasonable price for what it offers. In the case of our unit, 55,750 euros.
The Jaecoo 8 is the flagship of the Chinese brand
The best of the Jaecoo 8 is where you least expect it
Unlike Omoda, its sister brand, The Jaecoo 8 offers an above all resounding design. Its high front and vertical image grill with Jeep type columns gives it a lot of presence on the road (and also anticipates a quite high driving position). The side view accentuates its length, although in this area We like better how Omoda resolves the C-pillar area in its 9. The rear is elegant and with a modern touch that, Altogether, it makes the Jaecoo 8 have a ‘good look’.
If we pass inside…things get even better. Not so much because of the graphic presence of its two screens (both of 12.3 inches and, again, with a lot of wasted surface with the digits being too small, especially in the clock box) as by the solid presence of your dashboard.
The interior stands out for its really solid and quality construction.
An area of the car that, as also happened in the Omodareminds us a lot of that of the Mercedes-Benz from not so many years ago and that, at that time, praise for its feel and fit. It is true that years have passed but… the qualities have not been what has improved the most in the interiors of the most modern cars, precisely. So we have to say that the insidewith soft plastics in most parts, as well as details that imitate chrome on the vents, is the best of Jaecoo 8definitely.
Because, in addition, it is accompanied by some very comfortable seats and with a touch that convinces (it is Nappa leather). On, The space in the rear seats is huge.both for the knees and the head. It is true that we can play with the sliding rear bench, but even in a forward or intermediate position an adult of good height will be comfortable (Care has even been taken to ensure that there is good space under the front bench seats for the rear passenger’s feet).
The rear seats cost 850 euros extra.
Another quite different song is the two third row seatswhich fold to leave a almost flat space when they are not occupied (enabling a 738 liter trunk). But when you have to pull them… it better be to accommodate children. Because They are not easily accessible (it is better to do it on the passenger side, where the third of the rear bench in that area has a handle that allows the seat to be moved forward and the backrest to move forward to make it easier – so to speak – to ‘jump’ back, something that does not happen on the other side) and once there, there is very little height. In fact, the undersigned, with his average size of 1.75, was already touching his head to the roof recess that we are in that area.
In exchange there is plenty of room to leave objectsespecially in front, with a heated central glove box and a wide flat surface under the two wireless chargers for mobile (one of them refrigerated), as well as generous bags in the doors. Something that is always appreciated.
We drove 150 km without using a drop of gasoline
The Jaecoo 8 is only offered with a plug-in hybrid drive which offers invaluable versatility of use. because your 34.4 kWh battery It gives us a more than outstanding electrical autonomy. We get, without obsessing about efficiency but also without picking up the pace, 150 kilometers in comfort. More than enough for the most intensive daily use that we can do. Afterwards, we are left 1,000 kilometers – theoretical – with a tank of gasoline (about a generous 70 liters).
Six driving programs are added to the hybrid or electric modes for different types of road surface.
During our test days, when the battery no longer played as the main element (the Jaecoo always keeps an electrical remainder to continue operating as a hybrid), we get continue making good consumption, around 6 liters on urban and extra-urban routes.
The Jaecoo 8 is a car that It moves better than its volume suggests. Their 428 horses sets (from a 1.5 turbo gasoline engine and three electric ones) may not seem like too many considering how overpowered many electrified models are, but in progress the hybrid system allows the Chinese SUV to move with as much solvency… as smoothness.
Because if the Jaecoo 8 stands out for something, it is because of that, because of its silk nest. Of course with electric propulsion it comes as standard, but also with the HEV mode (hybrid, which can be operated manually or is activated when the battery range drops below 25 kilometers) maintains a running silence and a homogeneous thrust which maintains the level of when the car moves only with electricity.
Its 428 HP moves the Jaecoo 8 with solvency
Furthermore, in these cases The hybrid system continues to provide solvent performance. It doesn’t happen like in other Chinese SUVs (which prefer extended autonomy to the PHEV) that it seems that we have another car with less power, but here we have enough thrust at all times.
Dynamically We cannot ask for too much beyond a maximum comfort. Their suspensions are soft and they respond well in potholes or speed bumps, but at high speed and in curves with strong support their weaknesses. In general, Chinese manufacturers still have a way to go in terms of poise… and the Jaecoo 8 is no exception. Although, since the car is not made for that.
It is also not very designed for roll through the fieldbut you have some tools to do it. For example, the rear differential lock (up to 30 km/h makes the rear wheels rotate in solidarity even if there are differences in grip) or the sand, snow or off-road modes of traction control.
We must make a note about the rechargebecause if – as is foreseeable – we are going to mainly use the domestic one, it will not be a problem that the car does not support more than 3 kW… at least that is what has happened to us in our 11 charger. Although the one in the car it had to support up to 6.6 according to specificationswhenever we plugged it in it stayed below three. Which, under normal conditions, will be the most we will get at home.
The Jaecoo 8 is on sale in Spain from 54,900 euros, without aid.
It has practically everything… and that is one of its biggest arguments
What we are going to tell you to finish will not surprise you, because The Jaecoo 8 comes… with everything in terms of equipment (as is typical in the Chinese models at the top of their ranges).
In fact, it is only sold in one version, the Executivewhat do they bring all standard (the only detail to choose from is the brown upholstery instead of black): 20″ wheelsleather upholstery (The seats are electric, heated and with massage), electric and heated steering wheel, electric tailgate, keyless and mobile access, panoramic roofbrowser… come on, nothing is missing.
AND the price is not unreasonable (taking into account the environment in which we currently operate). He Jaecoo 8 in five-seater configuration It costs 54,900 euros without any discountbut depending on whether we finance it or not and whether we deduct the aid from the Auto + Planyou can stay in 44,490 euros. What is to think about it….
