By James Stinson
First customer deliveries of the new Jaecoo 8 SHS-P are now underway in the UK, marking another milestone in a remarkably rapid rise for the Chinese-backed brand.
Barely established in Britain, Jaecoo has already built significant momentum, helped in no small part by the success of its sibling model, the Jaecoo 7 – the UK’s best-selling car in March this year. The 8 now steps in as the brand’s range-topper, bringing three-row luxury and plug-in hybrid power to a segment crowded with established rivals.
Power and performance
At the heart of the Jaecoo 8 SHS-P is the firm’s Super Hybrid System, pairing a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a three-mode transmission, a sizeable battery and all-wheel drive. The headline figures are eye-catching: up to 422bhp and 580Nm, enough to push this sizeable SUV from 0-62mph in just 5.8 seconds.
Efficiency is part of the pitch too. CO2 emissions of 14g/km and a claimed combined driving range of more than 700 miles position it squarely in the sweet spot for buyers who aren’t quite ready to go fully electric. Claimed electric only range is a respectable 83 miles.
There’s also a nod to ruggedness, with lockable differentials and an adaptive terrain system introduced for the first time on a Jaecoo model – features that hint at genuine off-road capability rather than just SUV styling.
Space for seven… or six
Buyers can choose between two distinct layouts. The 5+2 ‘Luxury’ model focuses on flexibility, with family-friendly seating and multiple ISOFIX points, while the 4+2 ‘Executive’ version majors on comfort.
The latter swaps the traditional bench for four individual captain’s chairs, complete with heating, ventilation and massage functions, creating a more premium, lounge-like feel. Two additional fold-out seats remain for occasional use, although practicality inevitably takes a slight hit in this configuration.
A promising but unproven contender
Inside, the Jaecoo 8 aims to deliver a properly upmarket experience, bolstered by features such as a new cognac interior option designed to add warmth and visual richness. Build quality and long-term durability, however, are still question marks for a brand so new to UK buyers.
That caveat runs more broadly. Jaecoo’s rapid expansion – now supported by a 136-strong UK dealer network – is impressive, but brand recognition and customer confidence are still developing. Early demand suggests curiosity is high, yet the real test will come as these cars rack up miles in everyday use.
Prices and availability
The Jaecoo 8 SHS-P is available now, priced from £45,500 on the road for the Luxury model and £47,500 for the Executive. All versions are backed by a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, plus an eight-year battery warranty, helping to sweeten the deal for early adopters.
