Urban ease, alpine confidence
WORDS Sophie Petersen PHOTOS Dave Richards
Born from the German word Jäger, meaning hunter, the Jaecoo J7 SHS (Super Hybrid System) doesn’t just drive. It prowls. So on a crisp Christchurch afternoon, the Port Hills were still dusted with a powdered sprinkle from the previous day’s snow flurry, and the clouds had just begun to lift. I picked up the keys, slid into the driver’s seat of the Khaki White Jaecoo, and with the heated seat already warming, any lingering chill didn’t stand a chance.
First impressions: slick! From the retractable door handles to the waterfall grille and aero-style 19-inch alloys, the J7’s aesthetics lean confidently into the luxury SUV category. The cabin is sleek, cocooned in leather with a wide 14.8-inch infotainment screen, Sony speakers, and a panoramic sunroof that framed the clearing sky like a moving postcard.
There’s no ignition button, just a quiet readiness when you buckle up and settle in. The gear selector lives subtly to the right of the steering wheel, a detail so understated and a little futuristic. And speaking of forward thinking: the EV range? A staggering 1200 km, which makes day trips, detours, and spontaneous long weekends a very real possibility.
Christchurch city traffic gave me my first taste of the J7’s hybrid stealth mode. The 18.3 kWh LFP battery powered us smoothly and silently through the afternoon bustle, making it ideal for the stop-start hum of urban life. Cruising in full EV mode, I was gliding through green lights, quiet and confident.
But this wasn’t just a city run. With Summit Road calling, I started the climb toward the Sign of the Bellbird. As I drove, the snow still clung to the shaded edges of the hill, a beautiful contradiction to the warmth of the cabin. The cloud continued to lift, revealing Lyttelton Harbour’s sleepy blues, framed perfectly through the windscreen.
With its Global 5-star safety rating, the Jaecoo J7 Super Hybrid gave me added confidence behind the wheel. Backed by a 7-year unlimited km warranty and roadside assistance, it offers style, performance, and peace of mind. Inside, ambient lighting glowed, the Sony speakers were ready to queue up a road trip playlist with my phone already connected wirelessly. Seamless and instant. But in that moment, the silence felt just right.
Of course, there were other thoughtful touches, too. Illuminated vanity mirrors that felt tailor-made for reapplying lip gloss in cinematic lighting. Possibly the most glamorous my wind-chapped face has ever looked. And a retractable boot screen that doubles as a projector surface. Perfect for a camping trip, or for watching your favourite film under the stars while parked somewhere beautiful.
Coasting back downhill, the J7 recouped energy with that satisfying slight resistance. The Jaecoo J7 SHS is luxurious, capable, and quietly impressive. And after just one afternoon of clouds lifting, hills climbing, and snow spotting, handing the keys back to the delightful team at Blackwells Omoda Jaecoo was not something I was quite ready to do.