The JAECOO J7 was introduced to Malaysians in July and by the end of October of 2024, it was the best-selling non-national SUV.

That is quite a feat considering that just a year ago the Chinese brand was non-existent in the Malaysian market.

Then again, that achievement is not all that surprising because the J7, JAECOO’s first salvo at the Malaysian C-Segment, packs quite a punch despite a price tag that starts from just RM138,800 for the two-wheel-drive model, and tops out at RM148,800 for the all-wheel-drive flagship variant.

So, what makes it so popular? If you have been contemplating trading up to the JAECOO but needed a gentle nudge to help you decide, we have compiled a list on why the J7 should be your next car:

Dashing Good Looks

It is said that the first thing that attracts us to a car is the way it looks. A car can be as well-built as a tank with features than can put a F-22 to shame, but if it looks like a cement barrel, chances are no one will buy it.

The JAECOO J7 isn’t only well-built with great features, but it is also fantastically good looking. JAECOO’S design team deserves credit for this because rather than copying what already works for the industry, they went their own way and created something spectacular in terms of design together with the design team from Land Rover.

In fact, we would argue that the J7 does not have a bad angle to it.

Futuristic Yet Minimalistic Interior

And the interior is well-built too. It may seem contradicting, because how can the interior be minimalistic yet be futuristic at the same time? The real question here is, why not? JAECOO has proven that it can.

Car design has changed tremendously in the past couple of years, and nowhere is this most evident than the interiors of cars.

Step inside the J7 and you are greeted by an understated interior, yet one that is entirely dominated by the gargantuan 14.8-inch infotainment screen.

That is the control centre of the car, everything from the air-conditioning controls to selecting your favourite music, you can even change the ambient colours through the screen.

Speaking of ambient colours, the J7 offers 64 different colours. It was just a few years ago where premium brands use to charge upwards of RM300,000 for a car that had the same number of interior colours.

Quality feels great too, everything from the door handles to the window switches and indicator stalks feel solid. In fact, they are reminiscent of how cars used to be built; they were built to last a lifetime. And even though there is no data on how long the J7 will last because of how young the JAECOO brand is, but at least there is clear intention of it lasting a while with the way the interior looks and feels.

Powerful Yet Efficient Engine

Propelling the J7 is a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged, petrol engine producing 197PS and 290Nm of torque.

It sends power to the wheels through a smooth-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission provided by Getrag. If you don’t already know, you can find a Getrag transmission in such legendary cars as the early 2000s BMW M cars, Toyota Supra Twin Turbo, Porsche 924 and 968 and plenty of other such legends.

In terms of efficiency, the official power figures from JAECOO say that the all-wheel-drive variant needs 7.7-litres of fuel to travel 100km while the two-wheel-drive model needs just seven litres.

Considering the price tag and the fact that the all-wheel-drive model has seven drive modes dedicated to tackling obstacles like mud, rocks and even snow, the J7 now seems like a bargain, doesn’t it? We thought so too.

Refined Ride Quality

If there is one thing, we can all agree besides the looks of the J7, is the fact that it drives really well.

The J7 boasts exceptional refinement thanks to double-glazed windows and a suspension system that soaks up all the horrors of Malaysian roads like a marshmallow soaks up chocolate milk. This results in a ride quality that is almost unsurpassable in its segment.

The suspension is made up of MacPherson Struts and Multi-link Controls, which is basically the holy grail of comfortable cars. Any self-respecting car maker that wants to build a comfortable car will use this suspension set up, and JAECOO is no different.

Whether you are seated up front or at the back, the ride quality of the J7 is simply brilliant to say the least.

But what is a comfortable car if it isn’t safe? Of course, JAECOO thought of that and equipped the J7 with an arsenal of 21 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that include Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control and more. That is just the ADAS functions, the J7 also has another armada of passive safety systems working in unison to always keep its occupants safe.

Packs Plenty of Great Features

This might seem like we are stating the obvious because a lot of modern cars are packed with features but stay with us.

Let’s start with those daytime running lights, we can bet a shiny coin that those are quite original in design and look like nothing else in its segment. That just adds to its appeal.

Then there is the eight-speaker Sony sound system which may not sound like a big deal, but branded audio systems are rare if not unheard of at this price range and in this segment. That’s not to mention that the entertainment system consists of wireless Carplay and Android Auto.

Even the seats are on point – big and broad, they are also ventilated, which makes them perfectly adapted to Malaysian weather. You really can’t beat having cool air blown down your back on a hot afternoon.

Then there is the most important part, for us at least – the full-sized spare tyre. Yes, you do not get any of that nonsensical tyre repair kits or space saver wheels, you get the real deal here. A classic full-sized tyre wheel lets you change your tyre, continue your journey and deal with the damaged tyre once you reach your destination, just like the good old days.

Warranty Package

And finally, the JAECOO J7 comes with a seven-year or 150,000km warranty on the car and a 10-year or one-million kilometre warranty on the powertrain. For us, that is the cream topping on a very yummy cake.

Schedule a test drive of the JAECOO J7 at the closest showroom to you, click here for more information.