Jaecoo E5 review: Small car, big value

October 8, 2025 Matt Allan

The Jaecoo E5 is aiming to storm the small SUV segment with its low price, but does it do enough in other areas to stand out?

If there are two segments in the car world that are exploding right now, they are electric cars and small SUVs.

Every week there seems to be another new compact EV looking to secure a foothold in a segment that houses everything from the Renault 4 and BYD Atto 2 to the Skoda Elroq and Volvo EX30.

And here we have another – the Jaecoo E5. Jaecoo is one of three brands recently launched in the UK by parent group Chery, along with Chery and Omoda. The distinction between the three is a little muddled but Jaecoo’s ambition with the E5 is to offer a big-value “all-rounder for young professionals, families and outdoor-loving customers”.

But in a packed field, does it do anything to stand out?

Jaecoo E5 design, interior and technology

Jaecoo describes the E5 and its petrol-powered equivalent as a smaller sibling to the hybrid-powered Jaecoo 7 and it shows in the design. In fact, the 5 looks like a 7 that’s gone through the photocopier on 75% scale. That’s not a problem, the square haunches and simple lines make for a pretty handsome car. The most obvious difference is that the battery-powered E5 doesn’t get the “waterfall” grille of the ICE models, since it doesn’t need the same cooling. That’s a shame because I think the slatted front end is actually better looking than the smooth face of the EV.

The Jaecoo E5 looks a lot like the larger Jaecoo 7

The interior is a little different from the larger car’s but follows a similar “less-is-more” philosophy. That means virtually no physical controls. There are a couple of buttons for the hazard lights and drive mode selection but almost everything is done via the 13.2-inch touchscreen or voice control. The portrait screen dominates the cabin but is nicely integrated so it doesn’t sit above the dashboard. Similarly, the digital instruments are neatly tucked beneath the dash line, giving good visibility ahead.

The overall interior look is decent but dull, with a design that could have been lifted from any number of Chinese rivals. The only colour in an otherwise all-black finish is a line of stitching on the seats and the ambient lighting. There are a few cheaper materials on the glovebox and lower down but eye-level fit and finish is decent for the price.

Jaecoo says the E5 straddles the B- and C-SUV segments at 4.38m long, with a 2.62m wheelbase. Externally, it is some way longer than the similarly priced Jeep Avenger or Renault 4, but there’s very little difference in the wheelbase, which means rear legroom is still tight. That’s particularly noticeable against other “big” B-SUVs like the Kia EV3 or Skoda Elroq. Where the E5 offers more space is in the boot, where there’s 480 litres of storage.

On the technology side, I was quite rude about the Jaecoo 7’s wide-ranging ADAS technology when I first reviewed it. The good news is that the E5 uses an updated system that has also been rolled out to the larger model and is a massive improvement. Features such as lane assist, speed limit warning and driver attention alert are less sensitive, less intrusive and generally less distracting. They’re still not perfect but a customisable swipe-down menu means they can be deactivated with a single press each.

Elsewhere there are familiar features such as app-controlled pre-conditioning, wireless Apple and Android support, plus more unusual functions such as Pet Mode and Camping Mode, and random nonsense such as a karaoke function.

Jaecoo E5 battery, motor and performance

The Jaecoo E5’s powertrain offering is a nice simple one. It uses a 201bhp motor to drive the front wheels, with energy supplied by a 61.1kWh battery. Jaecoo says that will return up to 248 miles on a single charge and will charge at up to 80kW.

Looking around its competitors, they are fairly familiar figures. Some similarly priced rivals offer less power but more range, while more expensive alternatives bring the promise of more power and more range, plus significantly faster charging.

In my time with it, the E5 returned an impressive 3.9m/kWh, which is actually more than the official WLTP consumption of 3.74m/kWh.

The 201bhp motor allows the Jaecoo E5 to get from standstill to 62mph in a respectable 7.7 seconds and feels more than sufficient for a car of this size. There’s a nice linear feel to acceleration too, and the E5 doesn’t run out of puff too quickly, unlike some rivals.

Sadly, the braking regeneration is less well calibrated, with an odd sharpness at first which fades quickly. It’s not helped by the fact the three levels of regen can only be adjusted via the screen, rather than using paddles or a switch like rivals.

The E5’s ride is also problematic. Like the larger 7, the ride exhibits a constant low-level jostle that means the E5 never feels properly settled on the road. The steering is far better than the 7 and it feels like the road wheels and steering wheel are actually connected, although it’s still some way from the best in class from the driving seat.

Jaecoo E5 price and specification

It’s when you get down to brass tacks that the Jaecoo starts to distinguish itself.

There are just two trim levels on the E5 – Pure and Luxury. Pure models start at £27,505 while Luxury grade costs from £30,505. Options are limited to four exterior colours at £500, or a £1,000 two-tone finish. Jaecoo claims that the average weighted price for a car in this class is £37,500, giving the E5 a clear appeal.

There are cheaper rivals – the Renault 4 costs from £25,495 (after the Electric Car Grant), and the Suzuki e Vitara starts at £26,249 after a generous manufacturer discount. But in both cases, those entry-level models offer less power, less range and less equipment than the Jaecoo E5.

Like many Chinese brands Jaecoo offers a generous level of kit in entry-level cars and ramps that up in the higher grade. All cars come with 18-inch alloy wheels; front and rear parking sensors; a 13.2-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring; two-zone air conditioning; plus vehicle-to-load and a heat pump. The Luxury grade adds self-dimming LED headlights, a surround view camera, powered tailgate, heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats and a panoramic sunroof.

Verdict

Whichever grade of the Jaecoo E5 you look at, there are better-driving, easier-to-use alternatives with more impressive range and better charging.

But they are consistently more expensive than the Jaecoo. For many drivers, a smoother ride, simpler controls or nicer interior will play second fiddle to the value offered by the Jaecoo.