The Jaecoo J5 is one of the new rising stars of Omoda & Jaecoo in the country. Aimed straight at the sub-compact crossover segment, Omoda and Jaecoo Philippines recently expanded its stylish urban SUV range to include the smaller J5 which begins at a much more accessible sub-million peso price range. We’ll be pitting the new small Jaecoo against another in-between-sized electrified sports utility vehicle, the Toyota Corolla Cross HEV. For this comparo we’ll be using the J5 SHS-H Luxury priced at P1.109M and the Corolla Cross 1.8 G HEV which has a P1.514M starting price.
The J5 measures 4,380mm long, 1,860mm wide, and 1,650mm tall. This makes it 80mm shorter, 35mm wider, and 30mm taller than the Corolla Cross. The Jaecoo has a 2,620mm wheelbase, and this is 20mm less between the axles than its Toyota rival. The J5 rolls on 28.2-inch-diameter 235/55 R18 tires, which is one inch taller than the Corolla Cross G variant’s 27.2-inch-diameter 215/60 R17 rubber. Since these are crossover SUVs, we need to talk ground clearance: The Jaecoo sits 176mm off the ground, which is 15mm greater than its Toyota rival.
Here’s a little overview of the two main featured vehicles: The J5 is currently Jaecoo’s smallest offering; it was developed as an export market model. The new Jaecoo is marketed as a subcompact SUV, but it belongs to the upper region of the B-segment. It also features an independent multi-link rear suspension, something you rarely see in crossover SUVs in this price segment. The J5 Luxury variant featured here boasts of pet-friendly Super EcoClean Skin seats, a plus point for pet owners.
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Toyota’s Corolla Cross also straddles the B and small C segments. While it is related to the C-segment Corolla hatchback’s TNGA platform, Toyota’s crossover sticks to a more basic torsion beam rear suspension in place of its car sibling’s independent multi-link setup.
Both are front-wheel-drive full-hybrid crossover SUVs. The Jaecoo’s primary power source is its powerful 201hp electric motor, while the Corolla Cross HEV’s is its 97hp 1.8-liter gasoline mill. The total system output of the J5 SHS-H is 221hp, while the Corolla Cross HEV pumps out 122hp.
Here’s a bonus comparison: The J5 is 80mm longer, 100mm wider, and 40mm taller than the new Nissan Kicks e-Power. Despite its larger overall exterior dimensions, the Jaecoo SUV’s wheelbase is exactly identical to that of its Nissan rival.
What do you think of the new Jaecoo J5 SHS-H? Would you consider it over the Toyota Corolla Cross HEV? Let us know in the comments.
