On the plus side, for a mid-sized SUV, the 7 is hugely roomy front and back, while the boot, although not massive, at 412 litres, is practically square in shape, and beneath the floor there’s a spare wheel – an increasingly rare sight these days.
Plenty of glazing and huge mirrors afford excellent vision, ideal in the urban landscapes in which, despite its off-road promise, the 7 is most likely to be found.
All the controls are effortless, but the steering feels vague – add in plenty of body roll, and a B-road weapon this is not – and the ride around town is a bit crotchety. It smooths out noticeably at speed, however, making it a comfortable cruiser, even if the engine occasionally labours at pushing its 1795kg up to the national speed limit.
That said, dynamic perfection would be a big ask for £33k. Over the coming months, I will be answering the much more important question of whether the 7 stands up to the rigours of family life.
Handles like a boat, drinks like a fish!
My mission to discover how the Jaecoo 7 stands up to the rigours of family life got off to a good start with a trip to Somerset to visit my parents for a few days over a long weekend. That meant kids, dogs, bags, walking gear and more, which would provide a stern test for the 145bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine…
