By Xolile Hopa

JAECOO has officially launched the J5 BEV in South Africa, marking the brand’s first fully electric model available locally. The new electric SUV joins the existing J5 range, giving buyers a choice of petrol, hybrid and fully electric powertrains.

The J5 BEV features a redesigned front end with a closed-off grille and a full-width LED light bar, giving it a distinctive electric look while maintaining the familiar J5 styling. Standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, a powered tailgate, and heated, power-folding side mirrors.

Inside, the cabin offers a choice of black or white finishes, electrically adjustable front seats with ventilation, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and a leather multifunction steering wheel. A 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while an 8-inch digital instrument cluster provides key driving information. Other features include a 50W wireless phone charger, an eight-speaker sound system, and a 540-degree camera system.

Practicality is also a strong point, with a 480-litre boot that expands to 1,284 litres when the rear seats are folded.

The J5 BEV is powered by a single electric motor producing 155kW and 288Nm of torque, driving the front wheels. A 58.9kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery provides a claimed driving range of up to 402km on the WLTP cycle, making it suitable for everyday commuting and longer trips.

Charging options include 11kW AC charging and DC fast charging of up to 130kW. Using a compatible fast charger, the battery can be charged from 30% to 80% in around 28 minutes. The SUV also features Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, allowing it to power compatible electrical devices.

Safety equipment includes six airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, and a wide range of advanced driver assistance systems. These include Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Warning, and Traffic Jam Assist.

The JAECOO J5 BEV is priced from R549,900.

Customers who pre-order the vehicle will receive an incentive package worth more than R50,000. This includes a R12,000 purchase discount, R5,000 in public charging credit, and an EV Starter Kit featuring a 7kW home wallbox charger, a portable charger, and a Vehicle-to-Load adapter.

Pre-order customers will also benefit from the JAECOO Cares ownership programme, which includes roadside mobility support, selected courtesy transport services, and cosmetic vehicle care benefits.