With the South African EV space growing faster than a toddler with sneakers on backwards, it was only a matter of time before the new kids on the block flexed their hybrid muscles. Enter the Omoda C9 PHEV and Jaecoo J7 SHS, both recently introduced.
The two may wear different badges, but they share more than a family resemblance. Both fall under the Chery Group umbrella and feature bold styling, lavish spec sheets and enough electric range to make your local petrol station miss you. But while they’re closely related under the skin, they offer two very distinct takes on the plug-in hybrid experience.
Big brother Omoda C9: serious muscle, serious luxury
The Omoda C9 PHEV doesn’t tiptoe onto the stage – it power-poses straight in, flexing a combined 440kW and 915Nm thanks to a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine and three electric motors. That’s more power than a BMW X5 M60i, but it claims fuel consumption of just 1.4 litres/100km and an all-electric range of 150km. In other words, you could theoretically do a week’s worth of school runs without sipping a drop of unleaded.
Charging is painless. DC fast charging (70kW) tops you up from 30% to 80% in just 25 minutes, and a wall box at home gets the job done overnight. But it’s on the road where the C9 impresses most: silky power delivery and zero turbo lag.
The cabin is no less dramatic. Nappa leather, heated and ventilated seats, a dual-screen setup with a slick UI, and a Sony 12-speaker sound system make it feel properly premium. It even smells posh, thanks to a built-in fragrance diffuser. Honestly, I’ve stayed in hotels with less to offer.
Factor in dual-zone climate control, acoustic glass, a panoramic sunroof and enough USB ports to charge a scout troop, and it’s clear the C9 is chasing the likes of Volvo, Lexus, and even the Germans, but at a far more reasonable R999 000.
Enter the Jaecoo J7: little brother with a punchy attitude
While the Omoda comes dressed for the opera, the Jaecoo J7 SHS is more of a hip brunch date; still stylish, but more laid-back and approachable. It’s powered by a similar 1.5-litre turbo petrol setup with an electric motor, offering a combined 255kW and 525Nm. That’s more than enough grunt for overtakes, on-ramps, and impressing the teenagers at school pick-up. It’s front-wheel drive, but the three-mode setup (Sport, Eco and Standard) means it can adapt to your mood… or your partner’s driving style.
Its electric-only range sits at 90km – perfect for day-to-day driving in urban areas – and the smaller 18.3kWh battery charges in around 20 minutes on DC. So yes, it’s a little more practical and a little less shouty, but it’s not short on flair.
Inside, it borrows a few tricks from its big brother: heated and ventilated leather seats, panoramic roof, large infotainment system (14.8-inch), digital cluster, and a wireless charging pad. There’s also a nifty mini fridge in the centre console for your Red Bulls or biltong, depending on the flavour of the day.
The rear seats are spacious, and boot space comes in at 500 litres (growing to over 1 200 litres with the seats down), so it’s just as happy hauling gear as it is people. Safety-wise, the J7 gets the full Euro NCAP five-star treatment, with 17 ADAS systems including adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic braking, and 540-degree cameras.
And the cherry on top? It’ll set you back R689 900, making it a compelling alternative for families who want hybrid benefits without the C9’s grand price tag.
Family values: same DNA, different personalities
Despite their shared underpinnings and plug-in hybrid systems, the Omoda C9 PHEV and Jaecoo J7 SHS feel like siblings who took different paths in life. The C9 is the high achiever: powerful, poised and dressed to impress. It’s the kind of SUV you valet park at a wine estate. The J7, meanwhile, is more chilled, slightly rebellious, and ready for a weekend road trip with mates or messy kids and muddy boots.
Both offer impressive all-electric range, enough for most South Africans to commute during the week without dipping into their petrol reserves. The Omoda’s 150km electric-only range is especially noteworthy, outlasting most PHEVs in this price range by a country mile.
So, which one is for you?
If your budget allows and you’re after something with punchy power, plush finishes and enough tech to launch a satellite, the Omoda C9 PHEV is a solid contender. It blends performance, comfort and cutting-edge hybrid tech in a very attractive package.
But if you’re more about practicality, value and keeping your carbon footprint low without breaking the bank, the Jaecoo J7 SHS is a clever buy. It’s smartly specced, fun to drive, and – at under R700k – represents excellent bang for your hybrid buck.
In short, both are strong entries in the growing NEV segment. Whether you choose the suave older sibling or the sporty upstart, you’re in for a greener, quieter, and surprisingly stylish drive.
