Jaecoo 8 Review: China's New Audi Killer?

[00:02] bit like the supermarket's own brand version of an Audi Q7. You know, it's a whole lot cheaper, but it does get close in many areas and I'll show you why. in many areas and I'll show you why. Now,

[00:18] car's competitors that are similar in price. Now, let's see what this car does. First of all, I'm going to whack it into sport mode. There's no launch control. I just floor it. 3 2 1, let's go.

[00:30] Slight delay on pickup, but it's hot now. And we're going It's just on another level in terms of performance. Seems like a bargain. Thing

[00:45] is though, can it stop? Right. We're going to do a brake test from 60 mph. Now, this thing is 2.2 tons, so it is a bit of a lump. We're looking for a bit of a lump. We're looking for a braking distance of around 35 m.

[01:02] Let's see what we got. I think it's going to be more. Oh no. So wrong. 34 m. you can't fault it. The naugh to 60 time is actually better than an Audi Q7 3 L hybrid. And that car is almost twice the price

[01:17] of this. Wow. And you know what? There is an Audi theme going on with the exterior as well. I know at the beginning of this video I said this car was like a budget Audi Q7. Reason I said that is because look at it. Shape of the

[01:29] grill, the headlight design. I am getting pure Audi vibes here and maybe a bit of Mercedes AMG with the vertical slats in the grill. That said though, it here at the front. Look, these vents here, they they do serve a purpose.

[01:43] These vents here serve a purpose. And I like this contrasting trim here. Just makes it look a bit classy. Now, as with other cars, like an Audi Q7, you will have different trim levels depending on how much you pay. With this though, what

[01:56] you see is what you get. The only thing you can change is the paint, the wheel designs, not the size. They're all 20 in. Or you can have a black roof if you want to. Do you know what the price of this is? Starts from £45,000. You

[02:10] wouldn't believe it looking at it, would you? Now, with a car wow discount, that you? Now, with a car wow discount, that falls to £43,000. doesn't it? Come have a look around the back because the thing continues around

[02:23] here. So, I like the rear light bar like that. The way they've written JU recessed in there looks smart. It's got nice roof spoiler. And I love the meaty nice roof spoiler. And I love the meaty twin exhausts though. Wait a minute.

[02:37] Stick of truth. It's going to be shameful. I tell you, Ju are copying Audi from about four years ago. Cuz look at that fakery underneath of the real exhaust from the little 1.5 L 4-cylinder engine. Can you see it? Oh, yes. That's

[02:51] the only thing that annoys me. Actually, it's not. This does too. Don't like the eight badge. The way they try to make it look electric. It's a shame because otherwise smart looking car. Hopefully, the same can be said about the inside.

[03:04] The JQ8's interior is less Audi and more Mercedes. Mercedes GLE in particular. Just the design of the vents, the step dash. Look at the wheel. The position of the seat controls, and just the door cards themselves, the window switches,

[03:18] the light switch, the gear selector, just like in a Mercedes, apart from the quality, obviously feels better than a Mercedes. The materials just feel nicer, feels more solid, less cheap buttons. Yeah, the damping

[03:33] feels more expensive. The only thing that feels cheap to me is the click of plasticky. Everything else though, lovely and solid. Look, no wobble here impressed. Now, you do have quite a bit of adjustment in the steering wheel, but

[03:47] despite that, I do find that it's still a bit too far away from me. It's like this has been designed for people with really really really really short legs. That's better. But no, my my legs are a bit cramped. Let's put that back. In

[04:00] two infotainment screens. It's okay. The menus are quite easy to navigate, and through this menu down the side here. It's rather easy. I just wish some of easier to press. Now, one thing that's annoying is there's no buttons. So, to

[04:14] control the climate control, you do have to do this. You have to swipe up on the screen and then do that when you're driving, which isn't the easiest. You can use the voice commands, but I prefer to operate things with my hands than my

[04:28] display, it's fine. It's clear. Doesn't have loads of information. You can than that, that's it. And it does have your like driving information for the cars around you. But as standard on all models, you get a heads up display as

[04:41] speedo really. Overall, I'm really impressed with this car. One of the touch buttons on the steering wheel. I wish there were actual physical buttons operating everything. >> Hello.

[04:54] >> Okay. >> Yeah. Set fan speed to high. >> Please continue. >> Set fan speed to high. This is why you end up having to do it with your blooming fingers. Also, if you

[05:09] happens. >> Please continue. >> That was quick. The car also gets a Sony sound system with speakers in the driver's headrest, so you can take calls and people can't hear your conversation.

[05:23] Terms of storage, it's pretty good. Underneath here, lookie, we have a big conditioning and it does get quite cold. The door bins are big as well. Look,

[05:35] enough space for a large bottle. You've got extra storage under there. And you've got two USBC's. And that dial there is to turn the airbag off for the front passenger seat. Right in here, you got a glove box. And look at this.

[05:47] isn't it? And it's lined with felt, continuing that premium feel. All cars roof, which opens. And it opens really wide like this much. Actually, this

[05:59] six-seater version comes with Alcantar. Well, Alcantara like which are on the headlining and on the sun visors and you get nice big vanity mirror. Even that

[06:11] feels nice here in the middle row for me in this six-seater version. I'm feeling good. Seats are comfy. We've got armrests. Very nice. You can recline them here like that. Look how far they recline. Ooh,

[06:28] that. Very comfy. Nice. And if you press a button down there, you've got lumbar support and a massage function. Nice. Now, if you want the car to be more practical, you can get a seven- seater version with a bench across the middle.

[06:42] Looks like this. But what's it like when it comes to fitting a child seat? Well, it comes to fitting a child seat? Well, let's find out by trying to fit one.

[06:55] come here. This is madness. It has the sign, but there's no actual ISOIX anchor there's none. >> What? Oh, that's crazy. What? >> There's nothing there. >> Okay. Right. We've dug deep and we've

[07:09] found the Iceix anchor points here. You have to separate some of the fabric cuz if we can fit the child seat in now? We got one. Got this side. Two. We're in. got one. Got this side. Two. We're in. Look, we are locked and loaded now.

[07:32] Jake. I'll take it all back. Anyway, let's continue. You can actually move the front passenger seat forward like that and recline it. Get it out the way foot space, it's good. You can slide your feet under the seat in front and

[07:46] quality in the front extends here to the rear. They haven't cheaped out at all. The door bins are big as well. And you get some blindsides built in. They're not an optional extra. They come with the car. And my daughter's particular

[07:59] down. She always likes the window all the way down. There is something really weird about this though. To get into the back, you don't jump out and then slide the seat forward because you end up going, "Where's the button? Where's

[08:12] what?" There is no button to slide this forward. But let me just check this. Right. So, I'm okay for knee room. This is what it's like in the back. This is the only way you can get through. What?

[08:36] It's all right. This seat's quite close to the floor, so I do feel like I'm in a stressed most of all about the lack of headroom. It's super tight in here. And while I've got cup holders here, there's no like USBs or anything to charge your

[08:49] phone. This is not very good in the back seat. It's a a Hyundai Santa Fe is a lot video review of that car, follow the link in the description of this video. but I don't think it's going to be big capacity with all the seats up is just

[09:03] 110 L small. And you know, you going to have space for your cables and and this which is your tire sealant and jackie thingy. Yeah, because underneath here

[09:15] thingy. Yeah, because underneath here there is no space cuz I don't that might be to do with the stereo or whatever. Anyway, not much space as you can see. With the rearmost seats folded, you get 738 L of space, which is better, but

[09:28] it's still less than you get with a Scoda Kodiak or a Kia Sarrento. And if reviews of those cars, links are in the description of this video. If you want a get the seven seat version of this car. Also, you can get into the rearmost row

[09:43] by folding forward the 40 of this 60/40 split. Though, that is the only side back. But it's better than the situation in this six-seater. And that brings on The cup holders do not grip tightly

[09:56] whenever you're going over bumps or around corners, it's just like wobbling about like, come on, stand up. Stand up. Stand up. You're going to get drink everywhere. Compared to other JUS, the quality of this car is way better. It's

[10:09] harder to find faults with this, but it still does do the JQU trait of this look. When you shut the rear door, the boot wobbles. Look at that. I have to say the door shut itself sounds really solid and expensive. However, there is

[10:21] one area of trim where the quality control hasn't been particularly good. Look at this. Right. Oh, you have to climb in. Can you climb in? Climb in, Louis. We'll shut the door and you'll see exactly what I mean. Ready? Ready

[10:33] see exactly what I mean. Ready? Ready for it? Ready for it? available with up to seven seats, you only get two ISOIX anchor points, and they're on the outer two middle row. Some sevenseaters will have ISOIX in the

[10:50] third row as well. Some have them on the front passenger seat, but no, not here in the JQ8. According to the official test cycle, this car can achieve an test cycle, this car can achieve an incredible 543 mp gallon. But what's the

[11:03] >> I'm getting 45.6. The seat base between the bolsters, the front seats seems slightly narrower than in the middle seats. So, when you sit in

[11:15] it, I just find it's gripping my buttocks a little bit too tightly. buttocks a little bit too tightly. Whereas in here,

[11:27] wireless charging and it's cold. It's fine. that slot for an iPhone, even bigger phones. But for some reason, this big Sony, it's just too long. Doesn't quite fit. Doesn't say it's charging. No, it's not

[11:41] >> Thankfully, there's plenty of cool things on this JU that help make up for all this. Unlike many other plug-in hybrids, you have the facility for DC fast charging. It can charge at up to 70 kW. Also, you can get an adapter which

[11:55] you can plug in there that you can then plug in household appliances into with a three pin socket. As with other JQs, the car comes with a seven-year 100,000 mi warranty. The warranty on the battery is actually 8 years. This car comes with

[12:09] surround view cameras with a 3D mode which allows you to look around it. Also, it's got a virtual bottomless bottom. Anyway, allows you to see you're off-roading, so you can place your wheels in the exact right place.

[12:24] Speaking of which, this car has a waiting depth of 600 mm. Like with many cars, you've got keyless go, so you can just keep the key in your pocket. Car opens as you walk towards it, but unlike a lot of cars with keyless go, you don't

[12:37] have to press a start button to make it go. Don't know why they do that. Just go. Don't know why they do that. Just put on the brake, put into drive, and uh voila. Oh, and um if you want to stop all those annoying beeps and bongs from

[12:49] the safety system, swipe down, click lane departure warning off and click that driver attention monitor off. And now we're good to go. I've configured my favorite version of the JQ8 using Car Wow. If you want to find out what it is,

[13:01] the color, the seating configuration, and the saving through CarWow, then just follow the link in the description of this video. Scan the QR code on screen you might want to browse used cars to see what you can get for the same money

[13:14] or similar to this. and I found an Audi Q7 four-year-old about 30,000 miles on the clock for a couple of grand less than this particular JQ8. However, car and that's it might have a dodgy pass and that's why you need to do a car

[13:27] vertical history check on any used car you're thinking of buying because here's a car vertical history report for an Audi Q7 which has some damage on it. might not know and then you might be overpaying for the car. So, it's better

[13:39] about buying a used car, used car vertical, there is a link in the description of this video and use the code car wow for 20% off. Now, though, let's see if this JQU is any good to drive. The JQ8 comes with adaptive

[13:52] dampers, and that means that when you put it into sports mode, it firms things much. You hardly notice it, but it does So, I suggest always having it in sports mode, especially because it adds weight

[14:05] horrible and vague and it makes the throttle respond. Otherwise, you press the throttle and nothing happens for a split second. Now, once you're driving this on a twisty road, even though it's quite heavy, grips well. It really does.

[14:18] throw the throttle because of the four-wheel drive and the quick pickup from those electric motors. You can actually fire this thing down a country road surprisingly quickly. quick enough to get a severe telling off from your

[14:31] other half, but look at this. I mean, blime me. I'm actually amazed. Now, I've long said that Chinese cars of how they drive, but when you're comparing it to the competitors at this

[14:46] them matched. It has. What it doesn't match though are the premium German cars. It just doesn't quite go down the road with such a plum. And you could say in a way it's a little bit like a really really good piano player in a pub. You

[14:59] great. You're like, "Oh my god, they're amazing on the piano." But then you swap them out for a proper concert pianist and you you're like, "Okay, yeah, I do difference between this and the real high-end premium Germans. But like I

[15:13] Even though I'm driving through a village, I've left the car in sport mode identical. There is a little bit of jiggle over rough surfaces, but it's not terrible. It's fine. It's quite an interesting car in the way that you sit

[15:27] a really good view forward. It is large, but I've got a good idea where the corners of the car are. Door mirrors are brilliant as well. Huge, but that window is small. The ledge is quite high. So, lower cars, if there was like an MX5

[15:40] wouldn't know it was there. That is a bit annoying. What's not annoying is the bit vague for when you're wzing down a twisty road, it's fine for just maneuvering in town. Obviously, when you're going slowly because you're

[15:55] powered by electric motors, you get that woo electric noise to warn people that you are creeping along. It's actually quite quiet in here, but I can't really hear what's going on outside. A Cherry Tigo 8 and a Scoda Kodiak has a slightly

[16:09] really not much in it. And of course, I've got fabulous surround view cameras Let's do the turning circle check. I do have a car right behind me which is First of all, can I get past there? Yes. Can I get round without No, I'm going to

[16:24] go at the curb. I'm just going at the curb. This is I can see underneath the at the curb. If I hit the curb, that would be a driving test failure. I think I'm going to make it. That was actually really good. I've

[16:38] of this car is impressive when you're going from 0 to 60. But what's more useful for realw world driving is pick up like from 40 to say 70 when you're joining a dual carriage. So here we are at 40. I'm going to floor it in 3 2 1

[16:52] at 40. I'm going to floor it in 3 2 1 go. an electric car with a generator. Well, this car doing 80 mi on a full charge but it often does kick in if you want more power. But that's quite quiet. It's

[17:08] fine this car. There is a bit of road noise from the big wheels and sometimes bit wind whistle but it's not bad at all. So then what's my final verdict on the JQ8? Well, you're getting a premium feeling car with premium performance for

[17:22] mainstream money and overall it's a good car. It's just not great at being a sevenseater especially in six-seater guys if that makes any sense at all. If being a seven-seater, check out my review of the Hyundai Santa Fe. In some

[17:39] areas, this is better, but in others, that is, and you'll see why in the video, and let me know if you agree my verdict in the comments below. If you subscribe to this channel because there's more reviews incoming. Anyway,

[17:53] thanks for watching. We'll see you next time.