Jaecoo J5 launched in Malaysia – “pet-friendly” B-segment SUV, 147 PS 1.5T, CVT, RM6k rebate, RM102k - O2O WP

Previewed all the way back in August, the Jaecoo J5 has at last been launched in Malaysia, entering a new segment for Chery’s premium-aspiring brand. This more compact B-segment SUV is taking aim at the likes of the Proton X50 and Honda HR-V, while being not much more expensive than the Chery Tiggo Cross on which it’s based.

The J5 is offered in a single 2WD variant priced at RM108,000 on-the-road without insurance. This figure includes a seven-year, 150,000 km warranty, as is standard for Omoda & Jaecoo Malaysia.

Additionally, the company is offering an RM8,000 launch package until March 15 that includes a duit Raya rebate of RM3,000, a choice of either first-year free insurance or additional duit Raya worth RM3,000 (bringing the price down to RM102,000), and a trio of accessories worth RM2,000. The latter consists of a boot-mounted subwoofer, a wireless karaoke microphone and a multi-functional flashlight that fits into a slot in the boot.

As previously reported, the J5 will be offered in Malaysia as a purely petrol-powered car, in stark to contrast to Thailand and Indonesia that get this model as an EV. Under the bonnet sits a 1.5 litre turbo four-cylinder engine making 147 PS and 210 Nm of torque, the same as the Tiggo Cross.

But whereas that car pairs this mill with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, the J5 makes do with a CVT. Still front-wheel drive, it nevertheless manages to get from zero to 100 km/h slightly quicker at 10.2 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 175 km/h. Fuel consumption is quoted at 7.5 litres per 100 km (13.3 km per litre).

The J5 sits at the larger end of the B-segment. Measuring 4,380 mm long, 1,860 mm wide and 1,650 mm tall, it’s five millimetres shorter but 70 mm wider and 60 mm taller than the HR-V, while its 2,620 mm wheelbase is ten millimetres longer. Against the X50, the J5 is exactly the same length, while being 65 mm wider and 41 mm taller; it also has a 20 mm longer wheelbase.

As for the other Chery Auto group vehicles, its larger J7 sibling is 120 mm longer and has a 52 mm longer wheelbase, whereas the Tiggo Cross is 62 mm shorter and has a 10 mm shorter wheelbase. The J5 is actually closer in size to the Chery O5 (née Omoda 5), which is only 20 mm longer and has a ten millimetre longer wheelbase.

Clearly inspired by the Range Rover series of luxe SUVs with its upright stance, clean lines and wraparound glasshouse design, the J5 features slim LED projector headlights and dual-bar daytime running lights flanking a large “waterfall” grille, a full-width air intake (the fog light “nodules” are unfortunately blank) and another pair of slim taillights joined together by a black bar.

It rolls on 18-inch two-tone multi-spoke alloy wheels with Chaoyang Aggressor tyres, connected to MacPherson strut front and multilink (rare for the segment) suspension and all-round disc brakes. Jaecoo claims torsional rigidity of 23,500 Nm per degree.

The minimalist design language continues on the inside with a horizontal dashboard design, a full-width air vent design and a waterfall centre console. The latter houses a 13.2-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, twin phone holders (only one of which is a 50-watt Qi wireless charger) and quirky diagonal cupholders and armrest. No colour instrument display, however, just an eight-inch seven-segment LCD.

The J5’s interior also features pet-friendly materials as certified by TÜV – the faux leather upholstery is anti-bacterial and scratch-resistant and has low volatile organic compounds (VOCs); buyers can also purchase accessories such as nets, mats and pet carriers. Boot space measures 480 litres, expandable to 1,284 litres with the rear seats folded.

Standard kit includes power-adjustable front seats with ventilation, dual-zone auto air con, multi-colour ambient lighting, acoustic double-glazed front windows, a panoramic glass roof, a 360-degree camera system with transparency, a powered tailgate and eight speakers.

In terms of driver assists, the J5 adds curve speed assist to the usual Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features such as adaptive cruise control with stop and go and lane centring assist. You also get autonomous emergency braking, evasive steering assist, blind spot monitoring with collision prevention, rear cross traffic alert with auto brake and a door opening warning.