Check out the Jaecoo J5 EV’s strengths, weaknesses

As shown at its initial local appearance at the 10th Philippine International Motor Show, there’s plenty to like about the Jaecoo J5 electric vehicle (EV). 

At a glance, it carries over the attractive proportions of its Super Hybrid System (SHS) variant. It likewise has a strong warranty package, which covers up to 7 years or 200,000 kilometers (km) for the vehicle itself, and eight years or 160,000 km specifically for its powertrain and battery. 

Sounds impressive so far, but does the Jaecoo J5 EV have any weaknesses? Also, what are its key strengths? Let’s find out here. 

Other stories: 3 reasons to like the next-gen Toyota Hilux EDITORIAL: Mitsubishi Xforce HEV to require strong will to enter PH market Denza B5: 3 reasons to buy

 

Pros

Peppy powertrain, good range

The key strength of the Jaecoo J5 EV is, of course, its powertrain. Specifically, it uses a front-wheel single permanent magnet synchronous motor linked to a 58.9-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery. 

With this setup, the Jaecoo J5 EV produces up to 207 horsepower and 288 Newton-meters of torque, making it one of the peppier all-electric compact crossovers in its price range. Additionally, the model also has a considerable amount of range, with up to 461 km, according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). 

This amount of oomph, combined with the good range makes for a highly versatile ride that can handle day-to-day in-city driving with ease. Plus, it can also make for a potentially decent road-trip chariot, at least for destinations that have EV charging stations. 

Speaking of charging, the Jaecoo model can be topped up via an alternating current (AC) port or a direct current (DC) port. When charged via its DC port, the J5 EV can increase its state-of-charge from 30-80 percent in just 28 minutes. The aforementioned means less downtime for those who are always on the go. 

In addition, the Jaecoo J5 EV can also make for a good “glamping” buddy. This is because it comes with a vehicle-to-load system, which is more than enough for powering small gadgets and tools. 

Rich in features

For the price, the Jaecoo J5 comes with plenty of creature comforts and safety gear. 

To start, the model’s five-seater layout is adorned with leather upholstery and numerous soft-touch surfaces. Occupants, meanwhile, are kept cool and comfortable by an automatic climate control system with front-seat ventilation. 

Dreary days are also made more livelier thanks to the car’s multi-color ambient lighting system and its panoramic sunroof. On the one hand, the vehicle's interior remains peaceful and quiet thanks to dual-layer acoustic glass windows. 

Navigation and on-board entertainment for this nameplate is handled by a sizeable 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sound quality inside the vehicle is likewise assured by an eight-piece Sony speaker set. 

On a more practical note, keeping gadgets in the car powered up is easy thanks to its numerous USB ports and wireless smartphone charging pad. Plus, the model boasts a default carrying capacity of 480 liters, which is more than enough for day trips or chores like grocery shopping or laundry runs. 

The driver of the Jaecoo J5 EV has access to a lot of nifty features as well. The aforementioned includes a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel, an eight-inch digital gauge cluster, a drive mode selector, an anti-glare rearview mirror, power-adjustable front seats, and an electronic parking brake - among others.

Regarding safety equipment, the Jaecoo J5 EV offers a pretty extensive set. On the passive side, it has what you’d expect from a modern all-electric crossover. Its suite of advanced driver assist systems, meanwhile, consists of the following: 

• Adaptive cruise control
• Integrated cruise assist
• Forward collision warning
• Rear cross-traffic braking
• Traffic jam assist
• Emergency lane-keep assist
• Active speed limiter
• Multi-collision braking

Highly accessible price-wise

In all probability, the one key thing about the Jaecoo J5 EV that might sway many adopters is its price tag. 

For reference, the said vehicle is currently retailed at P1.4 million. This means that it is slightly more affordable than the VinFast VF 6, Dongfeng Vigo EV, and the MG ZS EV. Sure, the other crossover EV nameplates mentioned here have their own set of appealing qualities, but do remember that price is a major consideration for Filipino buyers. 

Cons

Minimal physical controls

If the Jaecoo J5 EV has one weakness, it is its lack of physical controls for its climate control system. 

We’ve already said this time and time again, but having physical controls that one can manipulate without looking at them is much safer in general than fiddling with a touchscreen while driving. 

On the flip side, we understand that having some car functions tied to the touchscreen can be great for packaging and making the cockpit neat, but physical buttons are always preferable. 

Jaecoo J5 EV: specifications

Model	Jaecoo J5 EV
Exterior
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	4,380 x 1,860 x 1,650
Wheelbase (mm)	2,620
Ground clearance (mm)	184 (unladen), 166 (fully loaded)
Wheel size	18-inch
Lighting system	LED
Interior
Material	Leather
Amenities	V2L system Automatic headlamps Roof rails Power tailgate Automatic climate control Ventilated front seats Power-adjustable front seats Panoramic sunroof Ambient lighting Wireless smartphone charging pad Electronic parking brake Drive mode selector Eight-inch digital gauge Anti-glare rearview mirror Active aero
Infotainment system	13.2-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Seating capacity	Five
Powertrain
Electric motor setup	Single PMSM
Electric vehicle range	461 km
Battery size	58.9 kilowatt-hour
Horsepower	207
Torque	288 Nm
Technology
ADAS	Adaptive cruise control Integrated cruise assist Forward collision warning Rear cross-traffic braking Traffic jam assist Emergency lane-keep assist Active speed limiter Multi-collision braking
Price	P1.4 million

Final thoughts

To sum it all up, the Jaecoo J5 EV is a good buy and a potentially good first step for those wanting to get into fully electric vehicles. It has considerable power and range, plus, its abundance of creature comforts means more bang for the buck as well. 

So, those who like what they see in this EV model should visit the nearest Jaecoo dealership and ask for a test drive. Because who knows, this could just be the right EV crossover for you.

Also read:

Here are 3 reasons why you should consider the Jaecoo J8

3 big reasons to like the Jaecoo J5 EV

Check out the Jaecoo J5 SHS-H's 3 strong points

Connect with us through our various social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZigWheelsPhilippines

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zigwheelsph/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zigwheels

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZigWheelsPhilippines/