Chinese brand Omoda Jacobo will foray into the seven-seat SUV market this year with the launch of a three-row plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the recently launched Jaecoo J8.
So far, Omoda Jaecoo has only sold SUVs with two rows of seats – the Jaecoo J7 and J8 and the Omoda 9 – but that will change later this year when the Chery-owned brand introduces its rivals to popular family haulers such as the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda CX-80.
“Yes, there are plans,” Chery Australia chief commercial officer Roy Muñoz said.
“We are evaluating the 7-seater version of the J8 Super Hybrid for local launch – most likely in the second half of the year,” added Tim Krieger, head of public relations and communications for the brand.
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Two variants of the three-row J8 are sold in other markets – a six-seat configuration with second-row captain’s chairs (pictured below) and a seven-seat configuration with a second-row bench seat.
Australian government documents show the six-seat configuration has already been approved for sale in Australia.
The J8 PHEV, unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show last year, is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors with a total system output of 450kW and 915Nm.
Should these performances remain, the J8 PHEV would sit alongside luxury models such as the Range Rover, Mercedes-AMG GLS63, BMW
The seven-seat J8 Super Hybrid, on the other hand, will almost certainly cost less than half that amount.
Local pricing and specifications for the J8 Super Hybrid will be announced closer to launch, but the five-seat versions feature two 12.3-inch screens, adaptive damping, a power liftgate, a mobile phone charger, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display and heated, ventilated and power-adjustable front seats.
The price for the current top trim Ridge AWD is $54,990, which is the same as the starting price of the Kia Sorento.
Confusingly, the Jaecoo J8 is sold in China as the Chery Tiggo 9, while here a slightly different but related SUV carries that nameplate.
Launching in Australia in 2025, the Chery Tiggo 9 will only be offered with seven seats and a 315kW/580Nm plug-in hybrid powertrain.
In addition to the J8 Super Hybrid, Omoda Jaecoo’s 2026 launch plan also includes the J5 – a small SUV available with a choice of turbo petrol, hybrid and electric powertrains.
MORE: Jaecoo J8: The new Chinese brand’s flagship SUV range could be expanded
