Jaecoo 8 Review & Prices
The upcoming Jaecoo 8 promises loads of standard kit and generous interior space, but it’s not as stylish as the smaller Jaecoo 7
Find out more about the Jaecoo 8
As the forthcoming flagship of Jaecoo’s UK range, the Jaecoo 8 has some big shoes to fill. It’s an enormous SUV with a classy-looking interior, seven seats and impressive plug-in hybrid range, but it looks very generic.
It’s a large SUV that’s already sold in China as the Chery Tiggo 9…not to be confused with the Tiggo 9 which we get over here in the UK, available in China as the Chery Fulwin T10. Confused? As are we, because at this point the Chery, Jaecoo and Omoda range is becoming the equivalent of a film in a variety of cuts and with different dubbing. There are small differences between whichever one you opt for, but they all do the same thing, really.
There is also a range of stand-out alternatives to consider from closer to home, including the Volkswagen Tayron and Skoda Kodiaq, while the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Nissan X-Trail are all worth a look, too.
All of the other seven-seater cars are more distinctively-styled than the Jaecoo 8, because unlike the head-turning Jaecoo 5 and Jaecoo 7, there aren’t that many design highlights. There’s a cool American-ness to its sheer heft and large grille, almost like the SUVs you see in the President’s motorcade, but you could still easily lose it in a car park.
The interior is more interesting to look at, with a swoopy dashboard that curves down towards the wide, high-set centre console. You get a pair of 12.3-inch displays in a single unit mounted on the dash, while the five rectangular air vents feature funky crosshair-like inserts. If it’s anything like the Jaecoo 7, you can expect a very good fit-and-finish to the Jaecoo 8’s cabin; lots of upholstered surfaces and - hopefully - less scratchy plastics low down, to reflect its range-topping status.
It's a shame the Jaecoo 8 isn't as squared-off as the smaller Jaecoo 7. It looks more generic as a result
Entry-level Jaecoo 8s sold abroad feature standard-fit quilted leather trim, massaging, heated and ventilating front seats, wireless phone charging, ambient lighting, Sony sound system and a head-up display. We anticipate the same level of equipment once the Jaecoo lands on British soil.
As it’s a comparative size to the Chery Tiggo 9, there should be a huge amount of room to get comfortable inside the Jaecoo 8. While sold as a five-, six- or seven-seater in some markets, the Jaecoo 8 will only be offered in seven-seater guise in the UK. There’s the now-typical hidden cubby and lower storage in the centre console we’ve come to expect from Chinese brands, while the door pockets look big enough to take a large water bottle.
Expect the Jaecoo 8 to be available with the impressive 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid engine available in the Omoda 9 and Chery Tiggo 9, which offers over 90 miles of electric-only driving.
While we wait to get our hands behind the wheel of the range-topper, check out the latest deals on other Jaecoo models available now, or Jaecoo lease deals instead. There are used Jaecoo models to choose from, too, and Carwow can help you sell your current car when it’s time to switch.
How much is the Jaecoo 8?
The Jaecoo 8 costs a bit under £45,000 mark, around £1,500 more than the Chery Tiggo 9. This puts it in-line with flagship Omoda 9, which again, shares a lot of oily bits under the skin.
UK trim levels haven’t been announced yet, but given the standard kit available in other countries where the Jaecoo 8 is already sold, as well as the Jaecoos available over here, you can expect generous equipment levels.
Leather trim comes as standard, as well as the twin 12.3-inch displays, heated front seats, LED exteriors lights, customisable ambient lighting, a 14-speaker stereo which plays music through the front headrests and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.