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.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
J7
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
J7 SHS
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
Model Introduced Year
2024
2025
Generation
Current South Africa J7 range
Current South Africa J7 SHS range
Facelift History
Current South Africa version listed by official source
Current South Africa version listed by official source
Facelift Launched Since
2024
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
SUV
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
Not Available
Not Available
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
Length
4500 mm
4500 mm
Width
1865 mm
1865 mm
Height
1680 mm
1670 mm
Wheelbase
2672 mm
2672 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
200 mm
174 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
170 mm
170 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
60 l
Boot/Cargo Space
584 l
500 l
Kerb Weight
1531 kg
1795 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1939 kg
2210 kg
Payload Capacity
434 kg
420 kg
Towing Capacity
1300 kg
1300 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
5.4 m
Front Headroom
1010 mm
1010 mm
Rear Headroom
975 mm
975 mm
Front Legroom
1050 mm
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
910 mm
910 mm
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
Front Track Width
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Track Width
Not Available
Not Available
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Multi-link
Multi-link
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Climate Control
Manual / automatic by trim
Automatic
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Not Available
Standard
Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Available
Standard
Boot Space Seats Folded
1349 l
Not Available
AC Type
Manual / automatic by trim
Automatic
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
Engine
1.6-litre Turbocharged Petrol
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol Plug-in Hybrid
Engine Code
SQRF4J16C
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Plug-in Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Plug-in Hybrid
Engine Displacement
1600 cc
1500 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Petrol injection
Petrol injection
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
145 kW @ 5500 rpm
255 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
290 Nm
525 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
7-Speed DCT
Not Officially Disclosed
Top Speed
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport
Eco, Normal, Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Range
Not Applicable
90 km (WLTP)
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
6.6 kW
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
40 kW
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
160 min
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
20 min
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
Gearbox
7 DCT
DHT
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
FWD
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
7
Hybrid DHT
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Automatic clutch
Automatic clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Electric
Electric
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
7 DCT
DHT
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
FWD
FWD
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
7
Hybrid DHT
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
Claimed Mileage
14.3 km/l
100.0 km/l
City Mileage
11.5 km/l
17.4 km/l
Highway Mileage
16.8 km/l
23.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
60 l
Emission Standard
Euro VIb
Euro VIb
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Standard
Real-world Mileage
14.3 km/l
100.0 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Plug-in hybrid AC/DC
Charging Type
Not Applicable
AC/DC
Fuel Tank Litres
51
60
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
1200
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
18.7
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Available
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
1200 km
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
Airbags
Multiple airbags
Multiple airbags
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Standard
AEB
Not Available
Standard
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Standard
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Standard
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Standard
Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Standard
Auto Wipers
Not Available
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Standard
Park Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Standard
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
Seat Material
Fabric or cloth trim
Leatherette / leather
Heated Seats
Not Available
Standard
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Standard
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Standard
Front Shoulder Room
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Available
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Polyurethane / synthetic
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual
Power
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual
Power
Seat Trim
Fabric
Leatherette / leather
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
Infotainment System
Touchscreen infotainment
Touchscreen infotainment
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
4-6
8
Digital Instrument Cluster
Standard
Standard
USB Ports
Front and rear USB where listed
Front and rear USB where listed
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch or larger by trim
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Touchscreen
10.25-inch or larger by trim
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
LED Headlamps
Not Available
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Not Available
Standard
Roof Rails
Standard
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Khaki white, carbon crystal black, model green, olive grey, moonlight silver and two-tone colours where listed.
Khaki white, carbon crystal black, model green, olive grey, moonlight silver and two-tone colours where listed.
Headlights
Not Available
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
Approach Angle
Not Available
Not Available
Departure Angle
Not Available
Not Available
Wading Depth
Not Available
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Available
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
200 mm
174 mm
Ground Clearance Min
200 mm
174 mm
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
Tyre Size
235/55 R18
235/50 R19
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Not Available
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
235/55 R18
235/50 R19
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electronic parking brake
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
CO2 Emissions
163 g/km
Not Available
Fuel Octane Requirement
Petrol
Petrol
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
Service Plan
5 Year / 70 000 km
5 Year / 75 000 km
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
Ownership Role
entry-value
range-specific
Price Zar
519900 ZAR
689900 ZAR
Pricing Role
entry-value
range-specific
Starting Price
519900
689900
Starting Price Zar
519900
689900
Spec
J7
J7 SHS
Warranty
5 Year / 150 000 km
7 Year / 200 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This J7 and J7 SHS 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 59 vs J7 SHS 91.
Efficiency index: J7 56 vs J7 SHS 96.
Safety-equipment index: J7 91 vs J7 SHS 94.
Practicality index: J7 67 vs J7 SHS 62.
Ownership-cover index: J7 not separately scored vs J7 SHS 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 16 points
J7 SHS holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over J7.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
J7 SHS
Performance
91/100
Efficiency
96/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
62/100
J7
Performance
59/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
91/100
Practicality
67/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexJaecoo J7 SHS
leads the specification evidence index with 85 pts
vs 69 pts for J7
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, J7 SHS leads. However, J7 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South African models and comparable body styles.
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.
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