Jaecoo 5 (2025) Review

Introduction

Chinese carmaker Jaecoo might be new to British roads, but it’s wasted no time making an impression. Its first model, the Jaecoo 7, has flown out of showrooms since the brand’s UK debut in early 2025, and now the smaller, more affordable Jaecoo 5 aims to build on that momentum.

Where the larger 7 plays in the premium SUV bracket, the 5 keeps things more down to earth. It uses a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a seven-speed automatic gearbox to drive the front wheels, wrapped up in a stylish, Range Rover-inspired body (not officially, but… well, look at it).

The price is the real hook, though – starting at £24,505, it massively undercuts the Nissan Qashqai, SEAT Ateca, and Skoda Kamiq while promising generous kit levels and smart design. Jaecoo will be hoping that the 5 introduces the brand to the mainstream – families, commuters and downsizers that want SUV looks and tech but without paying SUV money.

An electric version – the Jaecoo E5 – is also available, and we’ve covered that in a separate review. For now, let’s look at the petrol model and how it stacks up in a very competitive part of the car market.

At a Glance

Size-wise, the Jaecoo 5 fits squarely into the compact SUV segment, measuring 4380 mm long and 1860 mm wide – much the same footprint as the Qashqai or the Ateca. What’s very different is the cost. Even the high-spec Luxury version comes in at lease than £28,000, meaning you can have a near-fully loaded model for the price of a mid-range rival.

Under the bonnet sits a 1.6-litre turbo petrol with 147PS and 275Nm of torque, linked to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The benchmark 0-62mph sprint takes around 10 seconds, and it’ll deliver around 41mpg.

Jaecoo’s design team says the 5 takes inspiration from nature, but most will see shades of Range Rover – an upright stance, bold surfaces and crisp detailing. The petrol version keeps the brand’s now-signature ‘waterfall’ grille, unlike the blank-fronted electric E5, and rides on 18-inch alloys as standard.

Inside, both models get an impressive array of features, including a big 13.2-inch portrait touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a big 480-litre boot and myriad storage spaces.

Key Features

Like its electric sibling, the Jaecoo 5 has a single powertrain and two trim levels – Pure and Luxury – both of which are well kitted out with features.

The Pure model includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED rear lights, halogen headlights (a rarity in an age where LED is the norm), a 13.2-inch portrait touchscreen with an 8.8-inch driver display, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get adaptive cruise control, hill-descent control, lane-departure prevention, a 540-degree panoramic camera system, and multiple driving modes (Eco, Normal and Sport).

Move up to Luxury trim and the 5 begins to feel distinctly upmarket. Highlights include LED headlights, heated and ventilated front seats, electric seat adjustment, dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, eco-leather upholstery, and a Sony eight-speaker audio system. A panoramic sunroof and power-operated boot lid round off a strong specification.

Engines & Efficiency

The sole engine available in the Jaecoo 5 is a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine that makes 147PS and 275Nm of torque. It’s paired with a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox driving the front wheels. There’s no four-wheel-drive option.

Official fuel economy is around 40mpg combined, with CO₂ emissions of 159 g/km. That puts it on par with most petrol Qashqais and Atecas, though the Jaecoo’s lower purchase price offsets any difference in efficiency.

Performance & Drive

The power from the Jaecoo 5’s engine is comparable to most rivals, and the delivery and performance is fine. As long as you take things at a cruise, it does everything you want it to, with a generally slick shift from the gearbox.

Downsides? Well, the transmission can hesitate slightly in stop-start traffic, and if you try to accelerate hard, especially out of a corner, the front wheels can scrabble for grip. Most of the time though, it’s entirely acceptable.

The Jaecoo 5 was tuned by the brand’s German R&D team, and it feels safe and predictable if not particularly polished. Steering is light and accurate for parking and driving around town, though it lacks any substantial feedback.

Ride comfort is mixed. The suspension does a good job of soaking up larger bumps and potholes, but it can feel fidgety and unsettled over small imperfections. At higher speeds it settles down.

Body roll is kept well enough in check. It’s not a car that encourages spirited driving, but it’s easy and undemanding to drive, which, let’s face it, is exactly what most buyers will want.

Running Costs & Emissions

The Jaecoo 5’s fuel economy of around 40mpg isn’t spectacular but remember, you’re saving a lot elsewhere.

Servicing intervals are every 12 months or 10,000 miles, and the brand is supported in the UK by the same dealer network as its sister company Omoda.

With all models coming in well under the £40,000 threshold for the expensive car surcharge on Vehicle Excise Duty, your annual tax will be the flat rate of £195.

All Jaecoo 5s are covered by a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, giving buyers long-term peace of mind. Insurance groups are 25 (out of 50) for the Pure model and 26 for the Luxury, which puts the Jaecoo 5 broadly in line with mainstream rivals like the Nissan Qashqai and SEAT Ateca, and noticeably lower than many premium-badged crossovers.

Interior & Technology

The cabin of the Jaecoo 5 makes a strong first impression. It’s unsurprisingly almost identical to the electric E5, with the same 13.2-inch portrait touchscreen, clear-to-read 8.8-inch digital driver display and minimalist dashboard design. The infotainment system is quick to respond and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, although we haven’t had much of a chance to play with the system itself. We do know that you can sing karaoke through it. If you want.

The overall ambience feels more high-tech than you might expect at this price point, with a generally intuitive layout. There are, however, a few quirks – climate controls are accessed via the touchscreen rather than separate knobs or switches, which won’t suit everyone, though Jaecoo has at least added on-screen shortcuts to make adjustments easier on the move.

Material quality is generally good, especially in the upper trims. Soft-touch plastics and neat stitching help create a premium look, while the steering wheel and main controls feel solid. The plastic quality of some lower panels reveal the car’s cost-conscious roots, but the overall effect is smart and cohesive.

The seating position is upright with good visibility, and the front seats themselves are well-shaped and supportive for longer journeys, although we wish there was a bit more adjustment to get the driver’s seat lower and the steering wheel closer. In Luxury guise the front seats are also heated, ventilated and electrically adjustable, while a heated steering wheel is a welcome bonus for winter mornings.

Practicality & Boot Space

The Jaecoo 5 makes strong use of its large footprint, with generous space front and rear. The high driving position and large windows make visibility very good, and back-seat passengers benefit from plenty of legroom and headroom, although there’s a small hump in the floor for the middle-seat passenger to negotiate.

Boot space is 480 litres, expanding to 1180 litres with the 60:40 split rear seats folded. The adjustable boot floor creates an almost flat load area, and there’s a usefully wide boot opening. Roof rails are standard across the range, rated to carry up to 75 kg on the Luxury model.

Storage space is excellent – there are large door bins, a deep centre cubby, twin cupholders, and clever compartments beneath the screen and armrest. Jaecoo says there are some 35 storage spaces overall – we haven’t counted, but we can believe it. Luxury versions also add ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, and a panoramic roof that floods the cabin with light.

Safety

The Jaecoo 5 has yet to be tested by independent safety organisation Euro NCAP, but its larger sibling – the Jaecoo 7 – scored a full five stars, and the 5 carries much of the same tech. There are 19 driver-assistance systems in total, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and autonomous emergency braking.

Every version also features Jaecoo’s 540-degree panoramic camera system, which gives you under-body and all-round views when parking or manoeuvring. Six airbags are standard, including front-side and curtain units.

Options

There are two trim levels on the Jaecoo 5 – Pure and Luxury – and few options to choose from, too.

The entry-level model is the Pure trim, which comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, LED rear lights and halogen headlights. The interior features a synthetic-leather steering wheel, cloth upholstery, and air conditioning. A six-speaker sound system is included, and all models get adaptive cruise control, lane-departure prevention, hill descent control, multiple-collision defence and the 540-degree panoramic camera system.

The Luxury trim adds a decent amount of features, including heated and ventilated front seats with electric adjustment, a heated steering wheel and upgraded ECO-leather upholstery. Dual-zone climate control and wireless smartphone charging are also added, while sound quality improves with an eight-speaker Sony audio system. A panoramic glass roof and power-operated boot lid enhance practicality and style, and LED headlights.

Paint is the primary add-on: Granite White is standard, while Zircon Grey, Lazuli Blue, Copper Green and Basalt Black will set you back £500. Two-tone finishes (Granite White or Copper Green with a black roof) can be ordered for £1000.

Rival Cars

The Jaecoo 5 finds itself up against some serious competition in the small-to-mid-size SUV class. Cars like the Nissan Qashqai, the SEAT Ateca, the Skoda Kamiq and the Hyundai Kona all occupy similar territory, while the MG ZS and Dacia Bigster appeal to budget-minded buyers chasing maximum metal for their money.

What the Jaecoo 5 offers is something a bit different – and for very little cash. Its Range Rover-inspired styling stands out immediately, while its generous specification and low starting price give it a clear edge on value. Even the entry-level Pure trim includes technology that some rivals reserve for higher-end models.

The more established competition still leads on driving finesse and refinement, though. The Qashqai and Ateca, for example, feel more composed over broken roads and offer sharper steering responses. But when you consider the Jaecoo’s price, performance and equipment levels, it makes a rather persuasive case as a stylish, family-friendly alternative that brings an upmarket feel without the premium price tag.

Verdict & Next Steps

The Jaecoo 5 may not offer the last word in driving polish, but it delivers exactly what most lease customers want: space, style and specification at an accessible price. The petrol engine is smooth and efficient enough for everyday use, the interior feels smartly executed, and equipment levels are generous even on the entry-level trim.

Ride comfort could be more settled and the gearbox sharper at low speeds, but these are minor blemishes on an otherwise strong debut. Backed by a seven-year warranty and cracking value for money, the Jaecoo 5 looks set to continue the Chinese brand’s rapid UK rise.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Jaecoo 5 

**Correct as of 14/10/2025. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments, or £2,395.35 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.