2026 Jaecoo J5 BEV Approved for Australian Sale: New Electric SUV to Rival Geely EX5, Skoa Elroq and Kia EV3

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Chinese automotive giant Chery is expanding its electric vehicle (EV) footprint in Australia, with its premium sub-brand Jaecoo officially gaining regulatory approval to sell its first all-electric model - the Jaecoo J5 BEV. The J5 BEV joins the Omoda E5 as the second fully-electric vehicle under the broader Chery umbrella.

The Jaecoo J5 BEV will enter the premium small SUV segment, competing against models like the Geely EX5, Skoda Elroq and Kia EV3. It is positioned as the first pure-electric offering in the growing Omoda / Jaecoo lineup, joining the mid-size J7 SUV, the larger J8 SUV, and the upcoming Omoda 9 hybrid crossover.

Specs

2025 Chery Omoda E5 Price and Specs: Undercuts BYD Atto 3 by $1,500

Chery has launched the the OMODA E5 SUV with a starting price of $42,990 plus on-road costs. It has a 430km range and 0-100km/h time of 7.6 seconds.

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Australian Approval and Launch Timeline

Documentation published in Australia confirms that the Jaecoo J5 BEV has been approved for sale, with pricing and final specifications expected to be announced closer to its Q1 2026 launch. The approval lists a 155 kW front-mounted motor variant, the more powerful of the two versions offered internationally.

A Chery Australia spokesperson confirmed that “the Jaecoo J5 will be introduced to Australia, but the model lineup is still to be confirmed.”

Design and Dimensions

Visually, the J5 carries strong Land Rover-inspired styling cues: upright proportions, squared wheel arches, and a premium minimalist interior. Measuring around 4.35–4.4 m long, 1.9 m wide, and 1.6 m tall, it sits firmly in the compact SUV class but offers more ground clearance (180 mm) than most hatchbacks.

Powertrain and Performance

Two powertrain options are available globally:

• Base version: 103 kW / 275 Nm, 0–100 km/h in 7.7 s
• Australia-approved version: 155 kW / 288 Nm, front-wheel drive

Both variants are paired with a 60.9 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery pack,offering an estimated 400 km WLTP range. DC fast charging (up to 80 kW) can replenish the battery from 30–80% in around 27 minutes.

Features and Technology

The J5 BEV includes vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, allowing it to power external devices, and boot space of 480 L, expanding to 1180 L with the rear seats folded.

In international trims, the entry-level Pure includes:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Acoustic glass
• Six-speaker sound system (with in-car karaoke)
• 13.2-inch multimedia screen
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

The Luxury adds:

• LED headlights
• Power tailgate
• Heated/ventilated electric front seats
• Panoramic sunroof (1.45 m²)
• Sony 8-speaker system
• Configurable ambient lighting

UK pricing starts from £27,505 (~A$54,000) for the Pure and £30,505 (~A$63,500) for the Luxury. Australian pricing has yet to be confirmed but lineup could start from under $40,000.