Jaecoo 7 Review | Leasing.com’s Car of the Year put to the test
if you’re looking for a well-equipped family SUV that offers something a little different, the Jaecoo 7 makes a very compelling case. If you’re looking for a well-equipped family SUV that offers something a little different, the Jaecoo 7 makes a very compelling case. And judging by how quickly it’s climbed the leasing charts, plenty of drivers seem to agree.
The Jaecoo 7 is one of those cars that seems to have arrived almost out of nowhere. A brand few UK drivers had heard of a year ago is suddenly producing one of the most talked-about SUVs on the leasing market – and in the case of the Jaecoo 7, one that’s already picked up Leasing.com’s Car of the Year 2025 award.
What’s particularly interesting is that the Jaecoo isn’t trying to be a bargain-basement SUV. Instead, it aims to blend premium-leaning design, solid build quality and generous tech with the kind of lease pricing that undercuts many established rivals.
So what’s it actually like to live with – and does the Jaecoo 7 deserve all the attention it’s getting? Here’s our first-drive review.
Jaecoo 7 styling: Rugged but premium
If you saw the Jaecoo 7 in a car park without knowing the badge, you’d probably assume it came from a far more established brand. Its styling leans heavily into the rugged SUV aesthetic that’s become popular in recent years, with upright proportions and plenty of visual presence.
The front end is dominated by a large vertical-slat grille and slim LED headlights that give the car a slightly premium look. It’s a far more assertive design than many of the softer, rounded crossovers currently on sale.
From the side, the Jaecoo looks chunky and purposeful. Squared-off wheel arches, a relatively upright stance and strong character lines all help reinforce the slightly off-road-inspired vibe.
It’s not pretending to be a hardcore 4x4, but it definitely has more visual character than some rivals.
Round the back there’s a full-width light bar and simple badging that keeps things looking clean and modern. Overall, the design strikes a neat balance between rugged SUV and modern family crossover – and it gives the Jaecoo 7 far more presence than you might expect from a newcomer brand.
Inside the Jaecoo 7: Surprisingly high quality
Step inside the Jaecoo 7 and the first impression is simple: this doesn’t feel like a budget SUV.
The dashboard is dominated by a large vertical touchscreen that handles most of the car’s infotainment and vehicle settings. It looks slick and modern, and the interface itself is generally quick to respond.
Crucially, Jaecoo hasn’t gone quite as minimalist as some EV-style interiors. There are still physical controls for key functions like climate and drive modes, which makes everyday use much easier than constantly diving through menus.
Material quality is another area where the Jaecoo stands out.
Soft-touch materials appear across much of the dashboard and door cards, and the switchgear feels solid and well damped. Compared with some other newer Chinese-built SUVs entering the UK market, the Jaecoo’s interior feels notably more polished.
It might not quite match the absolute refinement of premium German SUVs, but it gets surprisingly close – especially considering the price point.
Space is also generous. Rear passengers get plenty of legroom, and the wide cabin makes it comfortable for three across the back on shorter journeys.
Boot capacity sits at around 500–580 litres depending on configuration, which is very competitive for a car of this size and easily enough for everyday family duties.
Driving the Jaecoo 7: Comfort comes first
Out on the road, the Jaecoo 7 quickly makes its priorities clear. Like many family SUVs in this segment, it focuses primarily on comfort and refinement rather than outright sportiness.
The suspension is tuned to deal well with everyday roads, soaking up potholes and rough surfaces with ease. Around town it feels relaxed and easy to drive, while motorway cruising is quiet and composed.
Performance is perfectly respectable for everyday use. The entry-level 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine produces around 145bhp and 275Nm of torque, delivering a 0–62mph time of roughly 10.3 seconds and a top speed of around 112mph.
For those wanting something a little more punchy, the plug-in hybrid version boosts output to around 201bhp, cutting the 0–62mph sprint to roughly 8.5 seconds while also allowing for up to 56 miles of electric-only driving.
Where the Jaecoo really impresses, though, is how solid and planted it feels on the road. The braking performance in particular stands out. The pedal feel is reassuringly firm and progressive, and the brakes themselves feel powerful and confidence-inspiring – something that becomes noticeable very quickly when slowing a relatively large SUV from motorway speeds.
Steering is light and easy to manage, which makes parking and urban driving straightforward. On twisty roads it remains stable and predictable, though enthusiastic drivers may find it a little lacking in feedback.
That said, the Jaecoo isn’t trying to be a hot hatch in disguise. Its mission is to deliver relaxed, comfortable family transport – and in that regard it does a very respectable job.
Tech, powertrains and efficiency
One of the reasons the Jaecoo 7 has gained so much traction in the leasing market is its combination of generous equipment and relatively competitive running costs.
Depending on the version, buyers can choose between traditional petrol power and plug-in hybrid options. The latter pairs a turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and battery, allowing for short daily commutes to be completed almost entirely on electric power.
Technology is another major selling point. Even entry-level models tend to include features that would be optional extras on many rivals – things like large infotainment screens, advanced driver assistance systems and premium interior trim.
The result is a car that feels well equipped straight out of the box. For drivers considering leasing, that level of standard kit helps the Jaecoo 7 represent particularly strong value.
Should you lease a Jaecoo 7?
The Jaecoo 7 has quickly become one of the most interesting new SUVs on the leasing market.
It combines bold styling, strong interior quality and generous technology with competitive lease pricing – a formula that has already made it one of the most popular lease cars on Leasing.com and helped it secure Car of the Year 2025.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is just how polished the overall package feels. Unlike some newer brands entering the UK market, the Jaecoo doesn’t feel like an early draft. The build quality is solid, the cabin is impressively finished and the driving experience is refined and comfortable.
It’s not the most exciting SUV to drive, and brand recognition still has some catching up to do compared with more established manufacturers. But if you’re looking for a well-equipped family SUV that offers something a little different, the Jaecoo 7 makes a very compelling case.
And judging by how quickly it’s climbed the leasing charts, plenty of drivers seem to agree.
