2026 Jaecoo J8: Family SUV to gain seven seats, PHEV powertrain

Chinese brand Omoda Jaecoo will branch out into the seven-seat SUV market this year by introducing a three-row, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the recently launched Jaecoo J8.

Up until now, Omoda Jaecoo has only sold SUVs with two rows of seating – the Jaecoo J7 and J8 and Omoda 9 – but that will change later this year when the Chery-owned brand introduces its rival to popular family haulers including the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Mazda CX-80.

"Yes, there are plans," said Chery Australia chief commercial officer Roy Muñoz.

"We are evaluating the J8 Super Hybrid 7-seat version for local introduction – most likely second half of the year," added the brand's head of public relations and communications Tim Krieger.

CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.

Two variants of the three-row J8 are sold in other markets – a six-seat configuration with second-row captain’s chairs (pictured below) and a seven-seat configuration with a second-row bench.

Australian Government documents show the six-seat configuration has already been approved for sale in Australia.

Revealed at last year’s Beijing motor show, the J8 PHEV is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors for total system outputs of 450kW and 915Nm.

Should those outputs remain, the J8 PHEV would become one of Australia's most potent seven-seat SUVs alongside luxury models such as the Range Rover, Mercedes-AMG GLS63, BMW X7 M60i, and Audi SQ7, all of which command in excess of $150,000 before on-road costs.

The seven-seat J8 Super Hybrid, on the other hand, will almost certainly cost less than half that amount.

Local pricing and specification for the J8 Super Hybrid will be revealed closer to launch, but five-seat versions get dual 12.3-inch screens, adaptive damping, a power tailgate, wireless phone charger, panoramic sunroof, head-up display and heated, ventilated and power-adjustable front seats.

The current top-spec Ridge AWD is priced at $54,990 drive-away, which is in line with the entry-level Kia Sorento. 

Confusingly, the Jaecoo J8 is sold in China as the Chery Tiggo 9, while a slightly different but related SUV wears that nameplate here.

Launched in 2025, the Australian-market Chery Tiggo 9 is offered exclusively with seven seats and a 315kW/580Nm plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Aside from the J8 Super Hybrid, Omoda Jaecoo's launch schedule for 2026 also includes the J5 – a small SUV that will be offered with a choice of turbo-petrol, hybrid, and electric powertrains.

MORE: Jaecoo J8: New Chinese brand’s flagship SUV lineup could expand