Chery’s expansion in Europe has, in just over a year, gone from non-existent to including four brands: the latest arrivals are Chery and Lepas, following Omoda and Jaecoo. After the 7 and the smaller 5, the Jaecoo 8 moves the Chinese brand into a higher segment, explicitly aiming to challenge the German premium players with seven seats, the efficiency of a highly refined hybrid system, and solid build quality.
It will probably succeed in convincing some buyers, especially those who place pure driving pleasure low on their list of priorities, also considering its €53,900 price (Italy and the other European countries where the car is sold) tag and fully loaded specification. Because while the Jaecoo 8 is well built and highly technological, its chassis setup still leaves room for improvement. Note: this car is not available in Denmark and Norway, but will probably debut in Sweden.
Jaecoo 8 Super Hybrid: our tops & flops
The Jaecoo 8 positions itself as a highly ambitious entrant in the upper SUV segment, combining impressive technical sophistication and strong perceived quality with a driving experience that ultimately lacks engagement. On the positive side, the car stands out for its advanced plug-in hybrid “Super Hybrid” system, which promises over 1,100 km of combined range thanks to a large 70-liter fuel tank and a substantial 34.36 kWh battery capable of delivering more than 100 km in full electric mode, supported by fast charging up to 60 kW. In real-world initial impressions, efficiency appears excellent, with consumption staying well below 4 l/100 km.
Performance is also noteworthy on paper, with a combined output of 428 hp delivered through a sophisticated multi-motor setup and all-wheel drive, enabling a 0–100 km/h sprint in 5.8 seconds—remarkable for a large, three-row SUV. Build quality is another strong point, with a cabin that rivals or even surpasses some European competitors in materials and finish, highlighted by perforated Nappa leather seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions.
The interior is spacious and versatile with a 5+2 seating layout, while features such as a panoramic opening roof and a 14-speaker Sony sound system enhance long-distance comfort. The chassis engineering also deserves credit, offering high torsional rigidity and excellent sound insulation, contributing to a refined and quiet driving environment. Safety is clearly a priority, with 10 airbags and a robust structural design, while the Terrain Selector and adaptive magnetic suspension add a layer of versatility for light off-road use. However, these strengths are counterbalanced by several notable drawbacks.
Most significantly, the driving dynamics fall short of expectations, especially given the vehicle’s premium aspirations. The suspension, despite its adaptive magnetic technology, is tuned excessively soft, resulting in a floaty, unsettled behavior under braking and cornering, with noticeable body roll and a lack of composure that undermines driver confidence. Rather than delivering a smooth “flying carpet” sensation, the car often feels more like an over-softened platform, particularly when combined with its considerable weight. The steering and overall feedback are similarly muted, making the driving experience uninvolving and detached. Additionally, the infotainment system, while visually clean and reasonably responsive, suffers from poor usability due to overly complex menu structures, making it less intuitive than smaller models in the lineup.
Another surprising downside is the intrusive and often irritating sound alerts—from speed limit warnings to turn indicators—which detract significantly from the otherwise excellent cabin insulation. Finally, while the design is modern and cohesive, elements like the large front grille may not appeal to all tastes, particularly in European markets.
Design
It is immediately recognizable as a Jaecoo, particularly at the front thanks to the large vertical chrome grille, here more rounded and pronounced than on the other two models. It is paired with full LED headlights and, at the rear, a single full-width light bar, creating a design I would define as modern—not revolutionary, but overall successful, even if I am not a fan of these oversized grilles, which tend to align more with Eastern design preferences.
Other highlights include flush door handles, now increasingly common, 20-inch wheels, and Carbon Black finishes for the roof and pillars—choices made by designers to give a lighter, sleeker silhouette, despite it remaining a large 4.82-meter SUV. The extended opening panoramic roof is particularly appealing, adding plenty of light to the cabin.
Inside, you can appreciate the effort Chery consistently puts into delivering cars that, at least in these early impressions, feel pleasant and well built—arguably setting a benchmark that some European manufacturers could learn from. The Jaecoo 8 is the only model in the range to feature genuine perforated Nappa leather, indicating that the seats are heated, ventilated, and equipped with a massage function. Various color options are available, such as the Cognac red seen in the test car, alongside black and lighter grey-white combinations.
The dual 12.3-inch displays handle infotainment and instrumentation with a clean interface and reasonably quick response, although the system still gets lost in menus and submenus and, in my view, is far less intuitive than the one in the Jaecoo 7. The 14-speaker Sony Surround sound system performs convincingly, offering full sound and deep bass, perfectly matching the car’s focus on long journeys with friends or family.
In that sense, the cabin accommodates a 5+2 seating layout, with the third row folding flat into the floor when not in use.
428 hp on a soft setup
Like all vehicles in the group, the Jaecoo 8 features a plug-in hybrid system, here branded Super Hybrid, with a claimed 1,100 km of combined range made possible by a 70-liter fuel tank and a 34.36 kWh battery. In EV mode, it promises over 100 km of range and supports fast charging up to 60 kW. I will reserve final judgment for a longer test, but in this initial drive of just over an hour, I observed consumption staying well below 4 l/100 km. Total output reaches 428 hp—higher than other models due to its size—but this is by no means a sporty car.
The combustion engine is a 1.5 TGDi Miller-cycle unit producing 105 kW / 143 hp and 215 Nm. Supporting it are two electric units: a front motor (EM1) with 75 kW / 102 hp and a rear motor (EM2) with 90 kW / 122 hp. In addition, there is a further rear electric motor producing 175 kW / 238 hp, which is primarily responsible for the 0–100 km/h time of 5.8 seconds in a three-row SUV. The transmission is a dedicated 3-speed DHT350 system, paired with all-wheel drive—not a reworked conventional gearbox.
It is clear that the car is well engineered and comfort-oriented, with a body structure designed to absorb and deflect forces before they reach the cabin in the event of a crash, using stronger materials to increase torsional rigidity up to 25,000 Nm/deg while ensuring excellent sound insulation—an aspect I particularly appreciated. The car also features magnetically controlled suspension, which in theory should adapt almost instantly to road conditions.
It does, but the real issue is that the car is tuned far too softly. As a result, it feels somewhat clumsy: combined with its considerable weight, there is noticeable body movement under braking and in corners, creating a floating sensation. The intended “flying carpet” effect instead comes across more like an overly soft rocking motion.
On top of that, the sounds are genuinely irritating: the car “sings” when it detects speed limit changes or when you exceed them, and even the turn signal sounds are intrusive, to the point that they almost negate the excellent work done on sound insulation. A pity.
That said, there are two strong points in its favor: safety and versatility. With 10 airbags and the aforementioned chassis, it delivers above-average safety levels, while the Terrain Selector adds a degree of flexibility. It is not an extreme off-roader—certainly not meant for tackling steep muddy banks—but it has the credentials to leave the asphalt when needed, with all-wheel drive doing its job and the magnetic suspension adapting in real time to different surfaces. So yes, it can still offer a bit of fun when required.
