Targeted at urban buyers drawn to old-school boxy SUVs and light off-road adventures, the Jaecoo J6 EV is a chunky compact SUV from Chery’s sub-brand. While the company is yet to announce local plans, we expect the car to eventually reach the UK, positioned above the Jaecoo E5.
Recently, we had the opportunity to check out a global-specification model in the Platinum Silver colour. Here are some interesting observations we made:
Design
At first glance, even a casual observer would catch the clear influence of the Land Rover Defender in the Jaecoo J6 EV’s proportions and stance. A closer look, however, reveals that the design goes beyond surface-level inspiration, with enough unique detailing to present the J6 EV with its own visual identity.
The J6 EV’s vertical headlamps, which look like real-life Tetris blocks, endow the front end with a modern, assertive character, moving it away from the era of circular off-road lighting design. Continuing this theme is an illuminated “i” logo at the centre, revealing the J6 EV’s origins as a rebadged model from sister brand iCar/iCaur, specifically the iCar/iCaur 03.
The rear-end of the Jaecoo J6 EV reminds us of the Hummer H2. The motif on the body above the tail lamps seems inspired by the louvres on the iconic American off-roader. The same goes for the upright windscreen and the external spare wheel-inspired storage box, which carries the “i” logo. When lit, the vertical tail lamps also read as a lowercase “i”.
Interior
The rugged and authentic SUV theme continues inside, but more in form than in function. The tall, upright dashboard with vertical corner air vents and door handles, and the rubber grips on the sides of the centre console, reinforce the proper SUV feel.
I felt that the lack of dedicated physical controls for basic functions such as air conditioning, steering wheel and seat heating, and audio volume isn’t a good decision.
Like the exterior, the interior shows little attempt at rebranding, with the “i” logo retained on the steering wheel centre pad and between the dashboard’s horizontal air vents. The green-and-black two-tone finish and bronze accents suit the rugged theme well, adding a tinge of an outdoorsy feel.
Specifications
The Jaecoo J6 EV is slightly bigger than the Jaecoo E5 sold in the UK in every dimension. It measures 4,406 mm in length (+26 mm), 1,910 mm (+50 mm) in width, and 1,715 mm (+65 mm) in height. It has a 95 mm longer wheelbase, though, spanning 2,715 mm.
More importantly, unlike the Jaecoo E5, the Jaecoo J6 EV is available with a dual-motor AWD setup. The Platinum Silver-coloured unit seen here has the same configuration, packing 205 kW (275 bhp) of system power and 385 Nm (284 lb.-ft.) of system torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in just 6.5 seconds but maxes out at just 150 km/h (93 mph).
Powering the two motors is a 69.77 kWh LFP battery pack that supports charging at up to just 6.6 kW (AC)/80 kW (DC). It delivers a WLTP range of 364 kilometres (226 miles), which feels modest, particularly for a model marketed as an off-road-oriented vehicle.
Price & Release date
Chery could launch the Jaecoo J6 EV in the UK sometime in 2026, possibly as the Jaecoo E6. We expect it to be priced around GBP 40,000, which would ensure a clear distinction from the Jaecoo E5.
Since 2014, I’ve worked as an international automotive editor, attending global motor shows, industry events, media drives, and tracking the latest developments across the sector, with a particular focus on electrified vehicles.
