OMODA & JAECOO South Africa has officially introduced the J5 SHS (Super Hybrid System) to local shores. The new-energy variant follows the recent debut of the fully electric J5 BEV, JAECOO’s first battery-electric vehicle in South Africa. The addition of the hybrid derivative expands the J5 lineup to three distinct powertrains, offering South African motorists a more accessible entry point into electrified motoring.
Powertrain and Efficiency: Under the Bonnet
The J5 SHS pairs a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, delivering combined outputs of 165 kW and 295 Nm of torque. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT).
Equipped with a 1.83 kWh battery, the system permits electric propulsion during low-speed maneuvers and heavy traffic.
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Key Efficiency Figures:
- Claimed Fuel Consumption: 5.3 L/100 km
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 51 litres
- Theoretical Range: Up to 980 km on a single tank
The vehicle utilizes MacPherson struts up front and a multilink suspension setup at the rear, calibrated to provide a balanced, supple ride with responsive handling dynamics. Braking is managed by disc brakes on all four corners, featuring ventilated discs at the front.
Exterior Styling and Practicality
Visually, the J5 SHS retains the minimalist design language seen on its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts.
Exterior visual highlights include:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Panoramic moonroof
- Automatic LED headlights
In terms of practicality, the crossover features a power-operated tailgate opening to 410 litres of boot space. With the 60/40 split-folding rear bench collapsed, available cargo volume expands to 1,214 litres.
Cabin Features and Technology
Inside, the J5 SHS comes equipped with black leather upholstery, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a four-way manually adjustable front passenger seat.
Standard Interior Appointments:
- 13.2-inch central infotainment touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 8-inch digital instrument cluster
- 50-watt wireless smartphone charging pad
- Dual-zone climate control with a power-operated sunshade
- Multi-colour ambient cabin lighting
- Six-speaker sound system
Comprehensive Safety and Driver Assistance
Safety equipment comprises six airbags (dual front, front side, and side curtain airbags), Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Brake Assist, traction control, and ISOFIX child-seat anchorages.
The model comes standard with a full suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS):
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Lane-Keep Assist (LKA) & Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) & Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK)
- Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) & Integrated Cruise Assist (ICA)
- Forward Vehicle Departure Reminder
- Intelligent Evasion System (IES)
- Secondary Collision Mitigation Multi-Collision Brake (MCB)
Brand Strategy and Pricing
Speaking on the model’s arrival, Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager for OMODA & JAECOO South Africa and iCAUR South Africa, highlighted the brand’s intent to provide varied propulsion choices as motorists transition toward alternative-energy vehicles.
“With the J5 range, we want to accommodate South African motorists as they begin moving towards electrified mobility,” said Gahagan. “The arrival of the J5 SHS gives customers an accessible route into new-energy motoring, while the broader J5 line-up ensures they are not limited to a single powertrain. Whether they prefer petrol, hybrid or fully electric, the J5 offers a compelling balance of affordability, comfort, safety and everyday practicality.”
Price and Warranty Packages
The JAECOO J5 SHS retails for R459,900. Included in the purchase price are:
- Vehicle Warranty: 5-year / 150,000 km
- Engine Warranty: 10-year / 1,000,000 km
- Service Plan: 5-year / 75,000 km
- Roadside Assistance: 5-year / Unlimited km
