In September 2025, the Jaecoo J5 officially made local landfall, with the three-strong model range exclusively employing a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 115 kW and 230 N.m of torque. However, now, this Chery sub-brand is looking to expand its South African J5 product portfolio; announcing that the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) version is en route to Mzansi.
When will the Jaecoo J5 HEV launch in South Africa?
The Chinese automaker has confirmed the J5 HEV will arrive in Mzansi in 2026. Local pricing has yet to confirmed, and will be announced closer to the official launch date, though the firm has said pricing will be “attainable”. As a reminder, the most affordable petrol-electric passenger car currently available in South Africa is a product from Omoda & Jaecoo’s parent company, and it comes in the shape of the Chery Tiggo Cross CSH, which is priced from R439 900.
Employing the manufacturer’s SHS (Super Hybrid System), the petrol-electric J5’s HEV powertrain allows for a combined operating range of “more than” 1 000 km on a single tank of fuel, the carmaker says. That’s over 320 km more than the non-electrified variants. The J5 HEV has a claimed average fuel consumption figure of “just” 5.3 L/100 km, making it 2.2 L/100 km more frugal than its internal combustion engined (ICE) siblings.
According to Omoda & Jaecoo, the SHS powertrain was designed to prioritise electric-like smoothness in most scenarios, with the ICE only engaging when necessary. “The SHS system intelligently adapts to different driving conditions,” the firm says.
While detailed specifications have yet to be revealed, the automaker has said the J5 HEV package will include a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen and 20 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
“Following the successful introduction of the J7 SHS and Omoda C9 SHS plug-in hybrids, the Jaecoo J5 HEV represents the next step in expanding our electrified offerings,” said Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager at Omoda & Jaecoo South Africa. “With its blend of hybrid efficiency, smooth performance, and attainable pricing, it brings electrified mobility to a wider audience when it arrives in South Africa next year.”