Jaecoo J7 vs Changan X5 Plus
Changan X5 Plus
Our verdict
The Jaecoo J7 suits buyers who want more technology and safety kit, plus the option of AWD on the Flagship trim. The Changan X5 Plus suits those who want the lowest price. In the UAE the J7 starts at AED 82,900 for the base trim, while the X5 Plus is listed at AED 49,500 with taxes and licensing included. On paper, performance is close: 197 hp for the J7 against 190 hp for the X5 Plus. The J7's LUX and Flagship trims add AEB, adaptive cruise and a 14.8-inch screen. For the X5 Plus, only a 360 camera is listed. Neither warranty is confirmed. The X5 Plus data comes from a reseller, and the listing is unclear about whether the transmission is manual or automatic. Our recommendation: choose the X5 Plus if budget comes first, after verifying the specs, warranty and transmission with an authorised dealer. Otherwise, the J7 LUX is the better-equipped choice.
Key specs
| Spec | Jaecoo J7 | Changan X5 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | AED 82,900 | AED 49,500 |
| Body type | SUV · Compact SUV | SUV · Compact crossover SUV |
| Dimensions | 4500 × 1865 × 1680 mm · 2672 mm wheelbase | Not disclosed |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Powertrain | 1.6L turbo petrol (1.6TGDI), 7DCT | 1.5L petrol |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
| Cargo space | 584 L | 584 L |
| Max power | 197 hp | 190 hp |
| Torque | 290 Nm | 300 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 8 s | 7.5 s |
| Top speed | 200 km/h | 205 km/h |
| Combined range | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| EV-only range | n/a | n/a |
| Consumption | About 7.0 L/100 km combined for FWD and 7.8 L/100 km for AWD (distributor-published; test cycle not stated) | Not disclosed |
| Charging | n/a | n/a |
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Driver assistance | COM trim: rear radar, blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and braking, lane change assist and door opening warning. LUX and Flagship add adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, integrated cruise assist, forward collision warning, AEB, lane departure prevention, emergency lane keeping, intelligent high beam, curve speed assist, rear collision warning, driver monitoring and front radar. All trims have a 540° camera. | 360-degree camera listed. No other driver-assistance features are stated on the supplied page. |
| Safety index | 7.5/10 | Not disclosed |
| Warranty | The UAE distributor says all vehicles carry a manufacturer warranty, but the years and km were not found in the sources I checked. | Not disclosed |
| Screens | 10.25-inch instrument cluster plus 14.8-inch central display, both in English, Arabic and Russian. Wireless and wired CarPlay and Android Auto, offline GCC navigation, offline voice control, Qibla compass. HUD on LUX and Flagship. | Not disclosed |
| Speakers | 6 | 8 |
| Comfort highlights | Beige leather interior, 6-way power driver seat and 4-way power passenger seat on all trims. LUX and Flagship add heated and ventilated front seats, driver memory and lumbar support, a 1.1 m² power panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, rear air vents with independent 2nd-row AC, and an air quality system. Front double-glazed glass and 50W wireless phone charging are standard. The Flagship adds a heated steering wheel. | Listing shows leather seats, a power-adjustable seat and an opening sunroof (red interior, white exterior in the listed unit). |
| MotorClash rating | ★ 3.6 / 5 | Not disclosed |
| Summary | Reviewers praise the strong value for money, the upright styling and the generous equipment for the price. They criticise the basic seat adjustability, the unremarkable ride and handling, and the fact that the petrol versions have no independent crash rating. The side curtain airbag also snagged on trim in the plug-in hybrid's crash test. This score is an editorial estimate based on the reviews listed. | Not disclosed |
Specs and prices change often; confirm with the dealer before buying.