Jaecoo 8 Plug-In Hybrid Review

Introduction and model history

It hardly feels like any time at all since Jaecoo made its big splash in January 2025 with the 7 and yet here we are, three models later, with the flagship Jaecoo 8. We were impressed by its value proposition and standard features of the 7 but when it came to the driving experience, we were left a little disappointed. Despite mixed critical reception, the strong appearance and feature set of the Jaecoo 7 were enough to earn it the title of the bestselling new car in the UK just a year later.

At 4.8 metres long, the Jaecoo 8 seats either six or seven depending on trim (spending more gets you fewer seats). Both versions are offered with the same plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ‘Super Hybrid System’ system consisting of a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and two electric motors sending power to all four wheels.

While the Jaecoo 7 before it targeted (and conquered) the mid-sized SUV market, the Jaecoo 8 is gunning for the largest family SUVs you can buy such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-80 and its own cousin, the Omoda 9. Only with luxury features to rival something like a Volvo EX90.

Range, battery and charging

While not quite on the same level as the Omoda 9’s incredible 93 miles of electric-only range, the Jaecoo 8 still ekes out an impressive 83 miles from the same size 34.5kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery on the WLTP cycle.

In practice, the Jaecoo 8 seemed to be rather efficient too. I didn’t have enough time to drain it from full to empty for a range test but can say in my mixed driving conditions on A roads, B roads and around villages, it was on track to get close to 80 miles on a single charge. Of course, loading it up with people and luggage or driving in wintery conditions will bring that number down to a likely 65 miles or so.

You get 70kW DC rapid charging is included as standard on both trims of the Jaecoo 8 which is claimed to charge from 30-80% in 20 minutes or 5.5 hours with a 6.6kW AC charger. Jaecoo is unfortunately unable to provide the traditional 10-80% charging metric we’re used to seeing on other PHEVs and EVs alike because the SHS-P system will not allow a state of charge below 20% before firing up the petrol engine to charge up again.

​Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities are also included as standard on the Jaecoo 8 and it supports a class-leading output of up to 6.6kW. More than enough for everything from charging electrical devices on the go to powering a big screen and speakers for a campsite movie night.

Practicality and boot space

The Jaecoo 8 packs acres of room for passengers and cargo alike with seating for up to seven in the ‘Luxury’ base trim or six in the top ‘Executive’ spec.

Why fewer seats for your money, I hear you ask. Well, as standard, the front seats on both trips are heated, ventilated, and massaging while the second row has heated and ventilated seating for three abreast. Step up to the Executive model though, and that front row is copied over to the second row. So you lose the central seat but exchange it for the same massage function as the front seats as well as an aisle between the captain’s chairs to aid access to the third row.

Behind that third row, luggage space is surprisingly strong. The Jaecoo 8’s 4.8-metre length means you’ll have to choose between carrying seven and carrying five with all their luggage. But even with the third row in place, you get an impressive 738 litres of space and with the seats folded down, space shoots up to 2,021 litres.

Interior, design and technology

The interior of the Jaecoo 8 is where it really starts to shine. I’ve already mentioned those seats with their choice of six different massage functions but materials and build quality feel strong overall too. As standard, you get the choice between black and brown eco leather upholstery throughout the cabin, though stepping up to the executive model will get you nappa leather and a suede headliner as well as a heated steering wheel.

Behind that steering wheel, you get a 12.3in binnacle display and a second, centrally mounted display of the same size for your infotainment functions. Those functions include wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay for maps and pumping tunes through the 14-speaker Sony audio system.

To keep your phone juiced up in the meantime, there is a single central 50W wireless charging pad with active cooling which had no problems charging through my Magsafe phone case.

Also standard on both trims is the panoramic glass sunroof which both tilts and slides to make the cabin feel light and airy in more ways than one.

Stepping outside for a second, the same waterfall grille from Jaecoos of the past adorns the front of the car and I’m pleased to say, the Jaecoo 8 is rather good looking for a large SUV. It’s safe to say that the shouts of ‘Temu Range Rover’ hurled at the Jaecoo 7 won’t be making a return as the 8 very much has its own look. Imposing, but not aggressive.

The Jaecoo comes with a host of safety features including 10 airbags and a full suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including front collision warning and autonomous emergency braking. Most of which can be turned off with a swipe down and five taps on the central display. It would definitely be nicer to have a button shortcut to silence the beeps and boops though.

Motors, performance, and handling

On the road, the Jaecoo 8 is a largely enjoyable drive – 428hp and 580Nm of torque is sent through all four wheels to achieve a 0–62mph time of 5.8 seconds. A little less explosive than the Omoda 9’s 4.9-second sprint but still more than adequate for getting you up to motorway speeds or passing the odd tractor.

There is a slight delay between putting your foot down and the car springing from a standstill but once you’re on the move, things feel much more responsive. Along with that accessible speed comes impressive refinement. Road and engine noise are also difficult to notice if you’re listening to any music at all, no doubt helped by the Jaecoo 8’s built-in active noise cancellation system much like what you find on high-end headphones.

Jaecoo’s ‘Continuous Damping Control’ system means that the Jaecoo 8 remains composed and settled in a variety of driving conditions. It’s surprisingly flat through corners and remains level under braking and acceleration. There are four drive modes to choose from which alter the response from the suspension and the weight of the steering. It’s by no means a sports car and nor is it a Rolls-Royce, but the Jaecoo 8 offers an ease of progress regardless of the road quality ahead of it.

The only gripe I found with the Jaecoo 8’s driving experience is with initial turn-in and quick steering adjustments. There’s a slight unsettledness coming from the rear end, almost as if it has a poorly calibrated rear steering system (which it doesn't). Perhaps the Jaecoo 8 can be a little too wafty at times but in the context of the Jaecoo 7, it’s a marked improvement.

Running costs and pricing

Much like Jaecoo and wider Chery Group products of the past, pricing for the Jaecoo 8 is very competitive. Especially so when you consider the impressive range of standard equipment.

The Luxury variant can be had for £45,000 and the Executive trim goes for just £47,500. The simple lineup keeps options to a minimum which is no bad thing considering the base model comes with almost all the equipment you could ever need.

PCP pricing scales well with the on the road figures too. With a deposit of £6,521 and a 48-month term, the monthly payments on an Executive model come in at £549 with an annual mileage of 8,000. Compare that with even the base ‘Premium’ model of the Hyundai Santa Fe and monthlies go up by £80 with the same deposit and term. The only way the Santa Fe wins out is with its higher 10,000 mile annual mileage allowance.

A similar story emerges when considering the Jaecoo 8 as a company car – the 2026/27 BIK rate is just 7% which on a basic tax rate translates to £55 a month.

Verdict

I feel a duty to stress that if you don’t need 6+ seats or the kind of car you might use to drive high profile celebrities around, you probably don’t need a car as big as the Jaecoo 8.

But in the same breath, the sheer amount of car you get for your money makes the space, comfort and luxury of the Jaecoo 8 more accessible than almost any car before it so, given the choice between this and something smaller of the same price, anybody would be forgiven for springing for such a lavish and sizeable option.

If you do need the space for 7, then the Jaecoo 8 is a pretty tough car to beat. The features on offer are just as plentiful and enticing as the Jaecoo E5 and 7 but here, they come without the same compromises on ride and handling we encountered in the Jaecoo 7.

I’m of very little doubt that the Jaecoo 8 will only accelerate the meteoric success Jaecoo has seen in the UK so far. If 2025 was a strong start for the brand, 2026 is looking to be a blistering sophomore year.