The Jaecoo J6 is a new off-road challenger from the east, and it packs a serious punch.
The rapid rise of Chinese automakers has been unsettling legacy car brands for a while now, but if there is one vehicle that should really be making product planners in the US, Germany, Japan, and Korea sit up in alarm, it is the Jaecoo J6.
The sheer speed at which Chery Automobile Co. Ltd. has brought this SUV to market is staggering. The Jaecoo brand was only announced at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2023, alongside the concept version of this very model.
Yet, in just ten months, the production-ready Jaecoo J6 (also known as the Chery iCar 03) was already rolling into showrooms. That is an almost unheard-of turnaround in the industry.
Let’s find out what the fuss is all about.
This looks fantastic
At a glance, the Jaecoo J6 is compact, muscular, and unmistakably rugged. The boxy silhouette is reminiscent of a Suzuki Jimny, being about the same length as a Toyota RAV4.
Its squared-off wheel arches and wheels have been pushed further to the corners, creating a taut and well-proportioned stance that exudes a “urban adventurer” appeal.
If Land Rover’s designers are not already paying attention, they should be.
It gets better on the inside
Chinese automakers have been rapidly improving their interior designs, and the J6 fares well with nice upholstery, metallic accents, and wood-like inserts.
The airy greenhouse effect from the large windows makes the cabin feel even more spacious, and while the J6 is not a massive SUV, it certainly does not feel cramped.
There are no glaring cost-cutting measures, no cheap plastics that feel like they might crack in a year, and no ill-fitting panels that betray its price point. In fact, its interior refinement would not feel out of place in vehicles costing twice as much.
The J6’s 15.6-inch dashboard-mounted touchscreen is another highlight, although its resolution is not quite as sharp as some competitors.
Drive modes can be accessed via a central knob, and cubby spaces are abundant for all of your loose items.
Big on practicality
Unlike other EVs, the J6 does not have a front trunk (frunk), but it does feature a clever storage solution at the rear.
Instead of a spare tyre, there is a rugged backpack-like compartment mounted on the tailgate, perfect for storing dirty or wet gear.
Inside, the cargo floor is slightly high, but the second-row seats fold down flat to create a long cargo bay or sleeping space for two.
Keep the seats up, and you still have 450 litres of boot space to play around with.
Performance That Surprises
For a car weighing almost 1.9 tonnes, the Jaecoo J6 moves with an unexpected liveliness. Its all-wheel-drive system is powered by a 275bhp electric motor, allowing it to rock the century sprint in just 6.5 seconds.
Handling-wise, it is equally surprising. One might expect a budget-friendly SUV to wallow through corners with the enthusiasm of a shopping trolley, but the J6 is surprisingly well-balanced.
The traction control does kick in quite enthusiastically if you wring it too hard, but disable it and the J6 delivers fun in spades.
The low centre of gravity and smart weight distribution inherent to EV architecture also keeps it weighted on rough terrain, giving you added confidence to push harder.
Fun, redefined
One of the biggest surprises about the Jaecoo J6 is how well-rounded it is. It is not just a cheap, high-spec alternative to Western SUVs, but genuinely delivers on multiple fronts.
It is attractively designed, packed with features, practical enough for daily life, and, crucially, drives far better than one might expect for its price.
If this is what China’s car industry can produce in just ten months, the global SUV market is in for a serious shake-up.
Technical Specifications
Jaecoo J6
Powertrain: Dual Electric Motors, All-Wheel Drive
Power: 205 kW (275 bhp)
Torque: 385 Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 6.5 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 150 km/h
Battery Capacity: 69.77 kWh
Drive Range: 342 km
Energy Consumption: 4.2 km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$192,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Omoda Jaecoo Singapore
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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