Chinese automotive giant Chery in December launched its second electric vehicle in the Australian market under the Omoda Jaecoo sub-brand, the J5 EV. It quickly gained traction after receiving 1,000 orders in a couple of weeks after launch.

Now, the rugged-looking J5 EV has surpassed 2,000 orders at its aggressive $36,990 driveaway launch price and with the milestone being celebrated by an extension of the offer until the end of April.

Initially, the offer was limited to 1,000 orders, and last month it was extended to 2,000 cars.

According to Omoda Jaecoo, the latest extension of the very attractive driveaway price could help more Australians get behind the wheel of an affordable family electric SUV, “amid the current fuel price pressures”.

Omoda Jaecoo’s Chief Commercial Officer, Roy Munoz said reaching 2,000 orders in just three months is a fantastic achievement and a clear reflection of how strongly the Jaecoo J5 EV has connected with Australian customers.

“We are seeing increasing demand from drivers who value premium features, smart electric technology, and outstanding value in their vehicles,” he said.

“In light of this strong momentum and recognising the ongoing fuel price pressures facing many Australians, we have decided to extend the current J5 EV launch offer until the end of April to give even more customers the opportunity to make the switch to electric driving.”
Jaecoo J5
Image Credit: Omoda Jaecoo

Powering the J5 EV is a front-mounted 155 kW motor that produces 288 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, which is quite respectable for an electric mid-size SUV.

The J5 claims up to 402 km of WLTP range, powered by a 58.9 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack. Vehicle-to-load is also available.

Inside, there is a 13.2-inch vertical screen that controls things such as air conditioning, digital radio and vehicle settings.
Image: Riz Akhtar

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard for those wanting seamless smartphone integration, and there is also a 50 W wireless charger which sits just under the screen inside the minimalist cabin.

The new J5 comes with a few safety features as standard, including:

7 airbags
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

Jaecoo is Chery’s more rugged, lifestyle-oriented sub-brand, and the J5 features a pet-friendly synthetic leather made from a special silicone-based material. This material makes the car seats antibacterial, wear-resistant, and easier to clean.

The Jaecoo J5 EV will also come with a quite long 8-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, 8 years of capped-priced servicing, and an 8-year, unlimited-kilometre battery pack warranty.

We recently tested the new J5 EV, it is a great, well-rounded package given what it delivers at an under $37,000 price point. Similar ICE rivals with these features are easily above $40,000, before on-road costs.

Factor in those costs and the J5 is at-least 20% more affordable, helping many more drivers to make the switch to an EV for the first time.

Jaecoo J5 EV Features

18-inch “aero” alloy wheels with Continental tyres
Power tailgate
V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) functionality*
Remote Start with air con. memory
LED Headlights (projector type) and Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
Acoustic Glass Front Doors
Glass Roof with Powered Sunshade
Dual-zone air conditioning
Pet-Friendly Synthetic Leather
Heated and ventilated front seats
8.88″ LCD Driver Instrument Cluster
13.2″ LCD Infotainment Touchscreen
8 Speaker Sound System (4x Speakers, 4x Tweeters)
Apple Carplay & Android Auto (Wired + Wireless)
Intelligent Voice Command (Hello Jaecoo)
50W Wireless Charger
360° Around View Monitor

by ApprehensiveSize7662