The parking lot near Grozny Airport fills up fast in the morning. Taxi drivers crowd the area with travelers, blocking entrances and exits as the next flight approaches. An elderly man, carrying a set of keys to an aging Lada Granta, spotted the parked car and asked what make it was and where people were headed with it. After learning the brand, he wondered aloud if it made sense to drive a Chinese car into the mountains but wished them safe travels and warned that the road ahead would be tough.
Jaecoo is a fresh member of the Chery family, aimed at offering urban crossovers with capable off-road performance for the Russian market. Official statements say the brand’s name blends two ideas: the German word Jaeger for “hunter” and the English word Cool, suggesting a stylish, ready-for-adventure character. It is a playful nod, crafted in a distinctly Chinese style of wordplay.
whalebone
In Russia, the Jaecoo J7 marks the brand’s debut, presenting a mid-size SUV with a length of about 4500 mm and a wheelbase of 2672 mm. Its standout feature is a bold radiator grille, nicknamed in local circles as a “whalebone,” paired with narrow LED headlights arranged in a checkerboard pattern, a prominent hood, and 19-inch wheels.
From a distance, the J7 can resemble a Jeep crossover, thanks to its rugged silhouette.
Along the sides, there are protective linings around the wheel arches, sill protections, and bumpers, along with slim body trim and red brake calipers visible on the top trim. Tall, retractable door handles draw attention, though there were initial concerns about their reliability in cold climates. The manufacturer confirms the cars were winter-tested and should withstand harsh conditions. The rear mirrors LED-enhanced tail lights and dual exhaust outlets built into the bumper contribute to a modern finish.
Technically, the Jaecoo J7 isn’t groundbreaking. It rides on the same platform as the well‑known Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max in Russia, sharing similar overall dimensions. Yet the debutant appears noticeably larger than its donor when viewed side by side.
wheeled gadget
The interior catches the eye with a towering vertical infotainment screen, nearly 15 inches in diagonal. Performance isn’t in question: the system runs on an octa‑core Qualcomm 8155 processor with 16 GB of RAM. The interface responds swiftly, and features are activated instantaneously.
Cabin materials feel solid: the plastics are moderately soft, the fabric and eco‑leather surfaces read as high quality. The chrome accents brighten the space but can come off as a touch flashy for some tastes.
Seat adjustment is quick and electronically powered. The driver seat offers good support, though the cushion is a bit firm and the side support could be stronger. The steering column provides adjustable reach and tilt, allowing a comfortable driving position.
From the driver’s position, visibility is excellent thanks to large exterior mirrors and a surround camera system. This helps reduce the risk of mishaps when maneuvering in tight spaces.
The Chinese rear bench proves surprisingly practical. A tall passenger can sit behind the driver with knee clearance, while longer legs won’t press into the front seats thanks to a roomy cabin layout.
The nearly flat floor allows three adults to ride in the back, though the middle occupant may feel the center lintel and tunnel intrusion. The rear seats recline, there is a wide center armrest with cupholders, three-stage seat heating, and two USB ports. LED lighting on the rear doors activates to alert pedestrians when the car passes from either side, helping to prevent unexpected stepping into the roadway.
The trunk is the weak point: with the second-row seats up, it holds 412 liters, and folding the seats expands to 1332 liters. By comparison, a Volkswagen Tiguan offers 615 and 1665 liters. A full-size spare fits under the floor, and removable shelves let users create a split cargo setup for organization.
The fifth door includes an electric drive, with adjustable opening height controlled from the multimedia system.
How does it ride?
Under the hood sits a proven 1.6-liter turbo petrol engine delivering 186 horsepower from the third-generation Acteco family. This same engine powers rivals like the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and Exeed TXL. A key advantage is that it was the first engine in its class to meet Euro-6 emission standards. A seven-speed Getrag multi‑clutch automatic handles the transmission, while the AWD system uses a multi‑plate clutch engineered with help from ZF engineers.
On Grozny’s congested streets, the J7 sits higher than typical crossovers, offering a commanding view and a relatively compact steering wheel. Once away from the city, the road quality improves and the vehicle offers smooth, predictable responses to throttle input. Acceleration is measured, and overtakes occur without drama, though the sport mode does not deliver a dramatic performance boost—feel is steady rather than sprinting.
The suspension is firm and short‑travel, absorbing road irregularities with precision and following the surface closely. A notable merit is the cabin’s insulation: road noise remains mostly outside the cabin, while the engine remains audible at higher speeds.
Progressing through Chechnya into North Ossetia, the J7 demonstrates solid capability on rougher roads. A stated ground clearance of 196 mm helps clear shallow pits and water-filled ruts. Four off‑road modes—Snow, Sand, Rocks, and Off‑Road—are available, engaged via a central tunnel control. In practice, the feel of these modes is quite similar across settings.
A curious claim from Jaecoo is that the J7’s AWD engages about 1.5 seconds faster than its rivals, with electronics able to mimic a differential lock for enhanced traction.
During a long ascent, a few J7s briefly stalled due to throttle response lag and heat, triggering a temporary shutdown to let the systems cool. The manufacturer indicated that software updates would address this issue and refine electronics performance.
Despite these hiccups, the Jaecoo J7 shows strong potential, provided price stability remains in check. In addition to the all‑wheel‑drive model, a front‑wheel‑drive version is offered as the more affordable option, priced around 3.34 million rubles, or roughly 2.7 million after incentives and financing assumptions.
The base package includes 18‑inch wheels, LED headlights, a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, a modern multimedia system, cruise control, ventilated driver’s seat, heated all seats, six speakers, and dual‑zone climate control. In top trim with AWD, panoramic sunroof, head‑up display, adaptive cruise control, and enhanced comfort, the price rises to about 3.75 million rubles. While the sticker may deter some buyers, the market trend suggests prices will continue to climb as demand grows.