JAECOO E5 review: The electric crossover that wants to win over you and your dog

Join us as we take a closer look at the JAECOO E5 — the electric SUV loaded with kit and ready to impress

JAECOO is no stranger to making an impression. The JAECOO 7 is already one of the UK's best-selling cars, and the brand has wasted no time in proving it belongs on our roads.

And now? The E5. JAECOO's first pure electric vehicle, and a very different proposition to the 7.

At 4.38 metres long, it sits squarely in Kia EV3 and SKODA Elroq territory — compact electric SUV, five seats, and a genuinely impressive 480-litre boot. The 61.1kWh battery delivers 248 miles of range (WLTP Comb), with 207PS and a 0-62mph time of 7.7 seconds.

There are two trims to choose from: Pure at £27,505 and Luxury at £30,505. Both represent serious value in this class, but the Luxury adds the headline-grabbers.

We're talking panoramic sunroof, Sony audio, heated and ventilated seats, Pet Mode, Camping Mode, and a bumper-mounted speaker for karaoke.

Yes, really.

JAECOO pitches itself as the active, outdoorsy brand — and the E5 embraces that identity wholeheartedly.

But kit lists only tell part of the story. The real question is whether it delivers where it matters most: On the road.

We took it for a spin to find out.

What we drove:

Model: JAECOO E5 Luxury

Body style: SUV

Power: Electric (207PS)

Battery: 61.1kWh

Range: 248 miles (WLTP Comb)

Colour: Granite White

Specifications correct at the time of publication

Bold, clean, and built to turn heads

You can't deny that the JAECOO E5 is one good-looking car: Clean, modern, and more refined than you might expect at this price point.

The waterfall grille that was loved on the JAECOO 7 is gone. In its place is a cleaner front end with improved aerodynamics; increasing efficiency, but also making it feel fresher and more premium.

Sharp, distinctive LED lighting front and rear leaves an impression from both ends.

The design is thoughtful, with intentional styling lines along the side profile: The Skyline, Discovery line and lower horizon, giving it a sculpted, dynamic look without trying hard.

Hidden wipers front and rear keep everything clean and modern. A small detail, but one that matters.

We had it in Granite White, which looked properly smart in person and suited the E5's personality perfectly.

At 4.38 metres, it's compact — but it wears its size well. It has road presence without being intimidating.

A cabin that means business

Step inside and the cabin feels genuinely premium. You’ll find a minimalist dashboard with a clean, uncluttered feel — but it's still thoughtfully designed, not just the bare minimum.

A 13.2-inch infotainment screen dominates the dashboard, tilted at a steep angle that means craning your neck slightly in use. A small trade-off at this price point, but worth knowing about.

Most controls live in the screen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard alongside a Sony eight-speaker sound system.

The panoramic roof at 1.45m² floods the cabin with light, and the ambient lighting adds a premium touch. Heated and ventilated seats on Luxury trim are a welcome addition for the unpredictable British weather.

There are a whopping 35 storage spaces dotted around the cabin. And in the back? A 480-litre boot which expands to 1,180 litres with the rear seats folded.

This cabin isn't just a nice place for humans, though. Luxury trim gets scratch-resistant, antibacterial upholstery, Pet Mode to keep the cabin at a safe temperature when you leave the car, plus a full pet accessory kit: Cargo liner, cargo barrier, non-slip water bowl, foldable pet bed, and a pet harness set.

It's a proper pet ecosystem, and one that genuinely sets the E5 apart. Tesla has Pet Mode too. But JAECOO? They take it to the next level.

Smooth, capable, and more fun than you'd expect

Put your foot down and the JAECOO E5 is as smooth as butter.

207PS gives it more punch than some of its rivals in this class, and you truly feel this power when you put your foot down. But push it too hard and you'll notice it scrabble for traction.

There are three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. The biggest difference between them is the level of regenerative braking rather than anything dramatic in the chassis, though.

Regenerative braking is strong and takes some adjustment; especially coming from a combustion engine car. Plus, the settings to adjust it are buried in the infotainment rather than on paddles or a button, which is frustrating in practice.

Around town, the ride is compliant and comfortable, soaking up bumps with ease.

At higher speeds it gets a little jittery and less settled. Motorway refinement isn't its strongest suit. Road noise is also notable, louder than you'd expect at speed.

The steering is decently weighted and feels secure, and the demanding road presence means it feels like a bigger car than its dimensions suggest.

It's not a sports car and doesn't pretend to be. But as an everyday electric, it's a genuinely capable and comfortable car to drive.

Range that works hard for you

At this price point, the range is decent — and more than enough for an average week of driving.

With its 61.1kWh battery providing 248 miles of range (WLTP Comb), you don't need to worry about charging constantly. And when it does come to charging, 80kW DC fast charging gets it from 30-80% in around 27 minutes.

This is more than competitive for this class.

A 7kW home wallbox takes around 10 hours for a full charge; 11kW cuts that to around eight. Simply plug it in when you get home and it'll be ready by morning.

It's not the longest range in class; the Renault 4 E-Tech edges it, and the Kia EV3 and SKODA Elroq are comparable. But 248 miles is genuinely usable for daily driving, and most drivers won't worry about where they’re going to get their next charge.

The 61.1kWh unit is a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, which is worth knowing about. LFP chemistry is more durable long-term and can be charged to 100% regularly without degrading — a genuine advantage over rivals using different battery tech.

Luxury trim also gets vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, meaning you can power devices directly from the car. Handy for Camping Mode enthusiasts.

And with a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty (with no mileage cap for the first three years) there's real peace of mind on the battery front too.

What's good, and what's not

The E5 has a lot going for it — but it's not without its flaws:

The good bits:

• 207PS — more punch than most rivals at this price point
• Kit list that shames cars costing considerably more
• 480-litre boot — practical and generous for the class
• LFP battery — charge to 100% regularly without worry
• Pet ecosystem on Luxury is genuinely unique in this class

The not-so-good bits:

• Road noise is notable — louder than you'd expect at speed
• Touchscreen does too much — physical buttons are missed
• Scrabbles for traction if you push it hard
• Screen angle means craning your neck in use

What’s the verdict?

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

The JAECOO E5 has a lot going for it — and at this price, the value proposition is genuinely hard to argue with.

The cabin feels premium, the design is confident, and the pet ecosystem is unlike anything else in this class. 207PS gives it more punch than you might expect, and the smooth, comfortable ride makes it a genuinely pleasant daily driver.

The road noise and motorway refinement are the biggest weaknesses. But at this price? Neither are deal-breakers.

Rivals like the Kia EV3 and SKODA Elroq are strong, but neither can match the E5 on kit for the money. The seven-year warranty and LFP battery longevity add real long-term confidence too.

JAECOO is a young brand on UK roads, but the E5 is a serious statement of intent.

Top five reasons to consider the JAECOO E5:

1. Kit list that shames cars costing considerably more
2. 207PS — more punch than rivals at this price point
3. Unique pet ecosystem — genuinely nothing else like it in class
4. LFP battery with seven-year/100,000-mile warranty for long-term peace of mind
5. Clean, confident design that looks premium above its price tag

Would we recommend leasing a JAECOO E5?

Absolutely — especially if you want maximum value from a compact electric SUV.

The 248 miles of range (WLTP Comb) covers most weekly driving without a second thought, the Luxury trim's kit list at £30,505 is genuinely exceptional value, and the 80kW DC charging means top-ups on the go are quick and painless.

The seven-year/100,000-mile warranty makes it a low-risk proposition for a newer brand — and for pet owners specifically, there is simply nothing else on the market quite like it.