Jaecoo J7 SHS vs Jetour T1 i-DM

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Jaecoo J7 SHS in South Africa

Jaecoo J7 SHS

SHS Plug-in Hybrid Current
ZAR 689,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 255 kW 🔧 525 Nm ⛽ 100.0 km/l
VS
Jetour T1 i-DM in South Africa

Jetour T1 i-DM

T1 i-DM Plug-in Hybrid Current
ZAR 689,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 100 kW 🔧 220 Nm ⛽ 90.9 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Jaecoo J7 SHS vs Jetour T1 i-DM: the short answer

J7 SHS has a modest catalogue-index lead, while T1 i-DM remains close.

Both models start at the same price: ZAR 689,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification J7 SHS T1 i-DM
Maximum Power J7 SHS255 kW @ 5500 rpm T1 i-DM100 kW @ 5200 rpm
Maximum Torque J7 SHS525 Nm T1 i-DM220 Nm @ 2500 rpm
Engine Size J7 SHS1500 cc T1 i-DM1499 cc
Combined Fuel Economy J7 SHS100.0 km/l T1 i-DM90.9 km/l
Ground Clearance J7 SHS174 mm T1 i-DM190 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

J7 SHS

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance

T1 i-DM

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

J7 SHS

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

T1 i-DM

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec J7 SHS T1 i-DM
Model Introduced Year 2025 2026
Generation Current South Africa J7 SHS range Current local listing
Facelift History Current South Africa version listed by official source Not listed by current South African source page.
Facelift Launched Since 2025 2026
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 Current
Production Status active Active
Segment SUV SUV
Tare Mass Kg Not Available 2048 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Gross Combined Mass Kg - 3948 kg
Spec J7 SHS T1 i-DM
Length 4500 mm 4705 mm
Width 1865 mm 1967 mm
Height 1670 mm 1843 mm
Wheelbase 2672 mm 2800 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 174 mm 190 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 170 mm 190 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 60 l 70 l
Boot/Cargo Space 500 l 574 l
Kerb Weight 1795 kg 2048 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2210 kg 2348 kg
Payload Capacity 420 kg 300 kg
Towing Capacity 1300 kg 1600 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.4 m 5.7 m
Front Headroom 1010 mm 1030 mm
Rear Headroom 975 mm 1010 mm
Front Legroom 1050 mm 1050 mm
Rear Legroom 910 mm 930 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This J7 SHS and T1 i-DM comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: J7 SHS 91 vs T1 i-DM 41.

Efficiency index: J7 SHS 96 vs T1 i-DM 98.

Safety-equipment index: J7 SHS 94 vs T1 i-DM 93.

Practicality index: J7 SHS 62 vs T1 i-DM 66.

Ownership-cover index: J7 SHS not separately scored vs T1 i-DM not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

J7 SHS leads by 13 points

J7 SHS has a modest catalogue-index lead, while T1 i-DM remains close.

Evidence leader 85 /100
Lead 13 points
Data 68% source coverage
85
#1 Evidence leader

J7 SHS

68% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 96 Check Practicality 62
Performance 91
Efficiency 96
Safety 94
Practicality 62
Leads by 13 points
72
#2

T1 i-DM

64% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 98 Check Performance 41
Performance 41
Efficiency 98
Safety 93
Practicality 66
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance J7 SHS +50 Efficiency T1 i-DM +2 Safety J7 SHS +1 Practicality T1 i-DM +4

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

J7 SHS

Performance 91/100
Efficiency 96/100
Safety 94/100
Practicality 62/100

T1 i-DM

Performance 41/100
Efficiency 98/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 66/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Jaecoo J7 SHS leads the specification evidence index with 85 pts vs 72 pts for T1 i-DM

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, J7 SHS leads. However, T1 i-DM may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

J7 SHS vs T1 i-DM questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.