Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
In December 2025, we test drove a Khaki White 2025 Jaecoo J7 SHS Premium a week before the Christmas break. We wrote that the J7 SHS Premium “represents a value that is much greater than the sum total of its innovative features, purposeful craftsmanship, and cutting-edge safety technology.” Towards the end of February 2026, Omoda and Jaecoo Philippines lent us another J7 SHS Premium, this time finished in Moonlight Silver. Our second romp with this PHEV/REEV SUV made us realize that we would love to drive one every day!
Here are ten things that we love about the Jaecoo J7 SHS Premium:
1. It’s Just the Right Size.
The J7 SHS Premium measures around 15 feet (4.5 meters) long and around 6 feet (1.9 m) wide, which makes it easy to drive around a crowded metropolis, easy to maneuver in tight spaces, and easy to park anywhere. At five and a half feet tall, it will easily fit in parking structures that have low ceilings. We feel that it’s just the right size for a midsize SUV.
2. It Looks Like a Range Rover.
At first glance, its boxy shape makes it look like a Range Rover, albeit a smaller version. Onlookers often look twice before realizing that it’s not. Our Moonlight Silver test unit has such an upmarket vibe about it that our neighbors thought we’ve won the lottery and bought a high-end luxury SUV to reward ourselves. Oh, if we did win the lottery, we will reward ourselves but not with an ultra-expensive premium SUV. The J7 SHS Premium will be premium enough!
3. It Spoils Its Occupants.
The tan-and-black minimalist interior looks cool, clean and classy. The power-adjustable driver’s seat automatically resets to the pre-programmed memory position when we sit on it, close the door, and buckle the seatbelt. The large panoramic sunroof and expansive glass area provides an airy, spacious feel while the tinted glass at the rear side windows and hatchback provides some privacy for the backseat occupants. We really feel so spoiled!
4. Its Sony Audio System Sounds Great.
The J7 SHS Premium comes with a Sony audio system that channels music through 8 strategically-placed speakers to produce a rich musical experience. Suddenly, sitting in slow-moving or heavy traffic doesn’t seem like punishment when we have our favorite music playing in the cabin with such a rich sound and impressive clarity. Like the ad says, “It’s a Sony!”
5. It’s an SUV with Emphasis on “Utility”.
The J7 SHS Premium is a 2-row 5-seat SUV with a rear bench seat that has a folding center armrest and 60/40 folding seatbacks. There’s 14 cubic feet (410 dry liters) of luggage space behind the rear seats that can accommodate a wheelchair and canes for our elderly mothers among other stuff. Folding the seatback increases cargo capacity to 44 cu. ft. (1,254 L) to carry a couple of bicycles or bulky collectible items. We just absolutely love the utility it provides!
6. It Accelerates like a Crazy.
Its 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine, which also acts like an onboard generator, produces 141 horsepower and 215 Newton-meters of torque while its 150kW permanent magnet synchronous electric motor makes 201 hp and 310 Nm. Omoda and Jaecoo Philippines claims the combined power and torque output is just 275 hp and 365 Nm but when you stomp on the accelerator, it presses you into your seat, zooms ahead and leaves other traffic behind.
7. It Comes with Comprehensive Safety Features.
The J7 SHS Premium comes with comprehensive ADAS (advanced driver assistance system), that includes ACC (adaptive cruise control), FCW (forward collision warning), AEB (autonomous emergency braking), IES (intelligent evasive steering), LDW (lane departure warning), LCA (lane change assist), ELK (emergency lane keeping), BSD (blind spot detection), RCTA (rear cross traffic alert), IHC (intelligent high-beam control), TJA (traffic jam assist) and a 360° camera. These safety features help provide a smoother, safer and more satisfying drive.
8. One Full Tank of Fuel Can Travel 1,448 Kilometers.
Jaecoo’s unique “4 Drive Modes” turns the J7 SHS Premium into a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), REEV (Range Extender EV) and/or PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid EV) depending on the driving situation, road condition, and battery charge. Along with its Energy Recovery System, the J7 can travel around 1,488 kilometers on a single full tank (60 liters) of gasoline or around 24.8 kilometers per liter. We averaged around 21 km/L during our test drive, which is great fuel mileage during these times of uncertainty in the Middle East.
9. It’s Exempt from the MMDA Numbers Coding Scheme.
Because it’s registered as a PHEV and comes with a “green plate”, our J7 SHS Premium is exempt from the Numbers Coding or Vehicle Volume Reduction Scheme concocted by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). It simply means that we can drive it every day and that we don’t need a second car to beat the MMDA’s ineffective scheme to minimize traffic volume in the city. Of course, we understand that the exemption might later be lifted once a lot of motorists start driving EVs and Hybrids, but let’s enjoy it while we can.
10. The Price is Right… Just Right.
With all the technology, safety, luxury and looks that the Jaecoo J7 SHS Premium possesses, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that its SRP (suggested retail price) is an affordable P1,549,000 (or P1,449,000, if you were able to avail of the introductory price). That’s way below the prices of top-spec 2WD midsize SUVs with diesel engines offered by popular brands. When we add the fuel savings by driving round the city in EV mode, that’s more money saved, especially with the spiraling prices of diesel.
We Love It Even More!
Aside from its combined range of 1,488 kilometers, factory claimed 21.3 km/L fuel mileage, and 4 Drive Mode Super Hybrid System that eliminates range anxiety, the J7 SHS Premium comes with a bumper-to-bumper warranty of 7 years or 200,000 kilometers (whichever comes first) that eliminates any aftersales service concerns. Moreover, the 18.3 kW Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery pack can be charged from 30% to 80% in 180 minutes (3 hours) using an AC charger, or just 20 minutes using a DC charger. Best of all, the battery, motor and e-control system comes with a warranty of 8 years or 180,000 kilometers (whichever comes first).
Looking back at all these, we think that we should make a longer list of why we love the Jaecoo J7 SHS Premium!
For more information, log on to http://www.omodajaecoo.ph/ or visit the Omoda Jaecoo dealerships at Alabang, Marcos Highway, Santa Rosa and Cebu.
