2026 Jaecoo J8 SHS seven-seat SUV to take aim at Kia Sorento PHEV in Australia

The Jaecoo J8 large SUV lineup is set to expand later this year with the introduction of the Chinese brand’s first seven-seat model, the J8 SHS – which will use the same ‘Super Hybrid System’ (SHS) plug-in hybrid powertrain as the Omoda 9 already on sale here.

Due in Australian showrooms in the third quarter (July to September) of 2026, the seven-seat J8 SHS is based on the same platform as the Chery Tiggo 9, which is sold exclusively in Australia with a lower-output plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain.

Omoda Jaecoo is a sister brand of Chery in Australia, launched locally in 2025.

Built on the same T1X platform as the Chery Tiggo 9 – and a raft of other SUVs – the seven-seat J8 SHS will rival the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Kluger.

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It comes with the same body as the current five-seat J8 petrol variants already in local showrooms, which measure 4820mm long, 1930mm wide and 1710mm tall on a 2820mm wheelbase.

Pricing hasn’t been announced, but it’s expected to sit between the petrol J8 – offered here in two front-wheel drive model grades at $49,990 and $54,990 before on-road costs – and the sole Omoda 9 priced at $61,990 before on-roads.

Specific details including equipment levels and variants haven’t been announced, but Chery Australia has confirmed the SHS PHEV system used in the Omoda 9 will also feature in the seven-seat J8.

This combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a three-speed, hybrid-specific automatic transmission, three electric motors and all-wheel drive.

Overseas, the J8 SHS produces the same 395kW of power and 650Nm of torque as the Australian-spec Omoda 9, offering a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.4 seconds.

A 34.36kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack brings 6.6kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, and – with a 70-litre fuel tank – a claimed total driving range of 1400km.

The cabin in overseas models includes power front seats with Nappa leather upholstery across all three rows, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

A 12.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen sits alongside a matching 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and there’s also a head-up display (HUD) and 50W wireless phone charging.

Driver assist technology includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist, while the J8 SHS rides on continuously controlled magnetic suspension, like the Australian-spec Omoda 9.

Chery also showed the Tiggo 9 Pro at last week’s 2026 Auto China motor show in Beijing, using the same underpinnings as the Jaecoo J8 but fitted only with a petrol engine – though it’s not yet confirmed for Australia. MORE: Explore the Jaecoo showroom