A decade ago, a Chinese SUV parked beside a Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 or Hyundai Tucson would have been laughed at.
Indeed, they were laughed at, and treated as a bit of a joke. Today, that comparison looks very different. China went away, reinvented itself and re-entered the Australian market to become the dominant country of origin.
Chinese manufacturers are still budget alternatives, but are becoming leaders across almost every major segment. They are selling electric vehicles, hybrids, family SUVs and utes with equipment levels, safety credentials and warranties that have forced some of the world’s biggest car makers to rethink how they approach the market.
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ABOVE: The Jaecoo J5
The Jaecoo J5 Hybrid is the latest example and gives the buyer something the likes of Toyota, VW, and the Koreans said couldn’t be done. It seems that it could be done, but not by them and the legacy brands continue to fall behind, flailing about trying to find a price to tempt buyers back. Sadly, price isn’t the only issue.
The arrival of another Chinese SUV is just another day ending in “Y”. How quickly these brands have improved, and buyers are very happy to notice. Chinese brands have combined low price with acceptable quality, advanced technology and up-to-date safety. Most now score five-star ANCAP or Euro NCAP safety ratings too.
That change has been driven by enormous investment. China’s automotive industry has benefited from a huge home market, rapid development of battery technology and intense competition between manufacturers. Companies that once focused on building the cheap’n’cheerful have been pushed to be better by their own market. Those improvements are now being seen worldwide as exports explode.
BYD has become one of the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturers. MG has rebuilt itself under Chinese ownership and become a major Australian seller. GWM, Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo and others are expanding their line-ups with dizzying pace.
The J5 Hybrid costs from $34,990 driveaway, and the Hybrid joins petrol and electric versions of the J5, giving buyers a choice between three different powertrains. For many drivers, a hybrid is the easiest step towards electrification because it gives them relative economy compared to the same sized ICE car without schlepping to a charger.
Unlike the Japanese who have not developed hybrid much past the first models 30 years ago, the J5 drivetrain uses a 105kW/215Nm 1.5-litre 4-pot turbo petrol engine and a 150kW/310Nm permanent magnet synchronous electric motor. Combined power of 165kW and 295Nm, drives front wheels through a dedicated hybrid transmission.
Equivalent Spec & Trim Comparison Table with Power Output
| Brand & Model | Specific Comparable Trim Level | Power Output (kW) | Drive-away Price (AUD)* | J5 Hybrid Price Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaecoo J5 Summit Hybrid | Summit (Standard Flagship) | 165 kW | $34,990 | Baseline ($0) |
| Chery Tiggo 4 Ultimate Hybrid | Ultimate (Top Spec) | 115 kW | $32,990 | -$2,000 (J5 costs more) |
| Omoda C5 Ultimate Hybrid | Ultimate (Top Spec) | 165 kW | $34,990 | $0 (Price Match) |
| GWM Haval Jolion Ultra Hybrid | Ultra (Top Spec) | 139 kW | $35,990 | +$1,000 |
| Forthing Taikon 5 Luxury Hybrid | Luxury (Top Spec Range Extender) | 120 kW | $36,990 | +$2,000 |
| MG ZS Essence Hybrid+ | Essence (Top Spec) | 143 kW | $36,990 | +$2,000 |
| Suzuki Vitara Ultra Hybrid | AllGrip Ultra (Top Spec AWD) | 95 kW | $43,490 | +$8,500 |
| Honda HR-V e:HEV L | e:HEV L (Top Spec) | 96 kW | $43,900 | +$8,910 |
| Hyundai Kona Premium Hybrid | Premium (Top Spec Luxury) | 104 kW | $47,500 | +$12,510 |
| Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid S | Hybrid S (Top Spec) | 110 kW | $48,750 | +$13,760 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid | Atmos (Top Spec Luxury 2WD) | 146 kW | $53,170 | +$18,180 |
*Drive-away calculations rely on current national fixed campaigns or baseline state setups (NSW).
Fuel consumption is claimed at 5.6L/100km, which may be slightly higher than the same Toyota-sized SUV, but at far lower cost.
The Summit Hybrid includes an 8.8-inch digital instrument display, 13.2-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, intelligent voice control, panoramic glass roof, 50W wireless phone charging, heated and ventilated front seats, powered tailgate and a 360-degree camera.
Chinese cabins have changed the way that we see automotive interiors. The J5 Summit Hybrid cabin reflects changing priorities, tastes, and manufacturing ability. Jaecoo uses a silicone-based synthetic leather that is claimed to resist wear, reduce bacterial growth and make cleaning easier. Drivers with pets, children, or elderly friends will regularly deal with muddy shoes, spills, and general chaos. Easy wipe covers a world of sin.
The J5 Hybrid safety includes seven airbags, and a full suite of driver assistance systems including Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control and Emergency Lane Keeping.
The idea that Chinese vehicles are zero-star sardine cans with wheels is one conservative media is still keen to peddle, but buyers are talking with their wallets.
The buyer shift has created a panic situation for all traditional brands. Japanese and European manufacturers built their reputations through decades of engineering, reliability and customer trust, but reputation alone cannot prevent buyers comparing equipment lists, warranties and prices. Try Googling Diesel-gate, DSG-gate, DPF issues, and new car engine problems if you want to see what is really happening.
The J5 Hybrid enters a market where customers have more information than ever. With more choice, the buyer who once automatically chose a badge is now looking at value instead.
The J5 Hybrid will be in by August with an 8-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, 8-year unlimited-kilometre battery warranty, 8 years of capped-priced servicing and up to 8 years of roadside assistance.
To put this all in perspective, Tesla Model Y has been the top selling car 2 months running, an EV the conservatives said would never catch on. 4 Chinese brands are now in the top 10, something else those same people said would never happen. China accounts for 1/3 of cars sold here now.
It is no longer a matter of if, but when. If legacy brands can’t match the Chinese price, tech, and warranty, like Holden, they will simply slip into history.
Summit Hybrid Standard Equipment
| Standard equipment |
|---|
| 18″ ‘Aero’ Alloy Wheels |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) |
| Panoramic Glass Roof (fixed) |
| 8.8″ LCD Instrument Cluster |
| 13.2″ Central LCD Display |
| Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay |
| Intelligent Voice Command (Hello Jaecoo) |
| 50W Wireless Charger |
| Colour Selectable Ambient Lighting (Dashboard + Front Doors) |
| Acoustic Glass (Front Doors) |
| Pet-friendly Synthetic Leather Seats (TUV certification) |
| Heated + Ventilated Front Seats |
| Powered Tailgate |
| 360 Degree panoramic view camera |
More Jaecoo Stories
- Jaecoo J5 SHS-H Runs Hybrid Marathon Before Australian Launch
- Omoda Jaecoo in Beijing with More hybrids and tech
- Jaecoo J5 EV Hits 4,000 Orders in Australia: Another Chinese Brand Finding Its Feet
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Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.
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