If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then somebody at Jaecoo must have spent a fair amount of time admiring a Range Rover Evoque.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing.
The Jaecoo J5 1.5T Inferno has a premium look about it that immediately catches your eye. The upright stance, clean body lines and modern lighting signatures give it the appearance of a vehicle that should cost considerably more than it does. In a crowded parking lot, it’s the sort of SUV that has people glancing twice before checking the badge. And that’s before they discover the price tag.
Step inside and the positive first impression continues. The cabin feels modern, well laid out and loaded with technology. The centrepiece is a large infotainment display complemented by a digital instrument cluster, while the overall design manages to look clean without feeling minimalist for the sake of being trendy.
The flagship Inferno derivative comes exceptionally well equipped. Ventilated front seats are included as standard, along with a panoramic moonroof that helps fill the cabin with natural light. A powered tailgate adds convenience when your hands are full of shopping bags, sports gear or whatever else life decides to throw at you.
Then there’s the long list of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. Features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are all included, helping the J5 feel more sophisticated than its price point might suggest.
Practicality hasn’t been forgotten either. The boot offers 480 litres of luggage space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1,284 litres when they’re folded flat. Whether you’re loading up for a weekend away or attempting to justify yet another trip to Builders Warehouse, there’s plenty of room to work with.
Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 115kW and 230Nm. Drive is sent to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
On paper, those figures are more than adequate for a vehicle of this size, and in everyday driving the J5 feels eager enough. Around town it moves off smartly, while overtaking slower traffic doesn’t require a lengthy run-up and a prayer.
The engine itself is willing, and for the most part the drivetrain delivers smooth progress. However, the CVT’s familiar characteristics do make themselves known when you’re demanding more performance. Put your foot down and the transmission tends to hold onto revs, creating the well-known CVT drone that many motorists will already be familiar with. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it is noticeable, particularly during harder acceleration.
Thankfully, when driven at a more relaxed pace, the J5 settles into an easy-going rhythm. Ride quality is comfortable, road noise is generally well controlled and the overall driving experience is geared more towards comfort than outright excitement.
Verdict
At R479,900, the Jaecoo J5 1.5T Inferno represents excellent value for money.
It combines eye-catching styling, generous standard equipment, useful practicality and a long list of safety features into a package that feels more expensive than its asking price suggests. Yes, the CVT drone is apparent under hard acceleration, but it’s a small compromise in an otherwise well-rounded package.
The J5 may resemble a baby Range Rover Evoque from certain angles, but its value proposition is entirely its own. For buyers looking for a feature-packed family SUV without stretching their budget, the Jaecoo J5 1.5T Inferno deserves serious consideration.
