New Jaecoo J5 Previewed – B-SUV Rival to Proton X50 & HR-V

The Jaecoo J5 has just been previewed in Malaysia as a smaller sibling to the J7. While countries like Indonesia and Thailand already sell the J5 as a pure EV, the unit showcased at the Omoda | Jaecoo Carnival (Aug 21–24 at Desa Park City) is fitted with a petrol engine.

For Malaysia, the J5 will come with a 1.5L turbo engine (147 PS, 210 Nm) paired with a CVT gearbox driving the front wheels. Fuel consumption is claimed at 7.5L/100 km (WLTC). This setup is different from the UK market, where the ICE version uses a 1.6L turbo engine (147 PS, 275 Nm) with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. For comparison, the bigger J7 (2WD) sold here also uses a 1.6T + 7DCT combo, but with stronger output (197 PS, 290 Nm).

One highlight of the J5 is its suspension setup. Unlike rivals such as the Honda HR-V, Proton X50 and Chery Tiggo Cross that use a torsion beam at the rear, the J5 features MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link setup at the back—something not common in this class.

Size-wise, the J5 measures 4,380 mm long, 1,860 mm wide, 1,650 mm tall with a 2,620 mm wheelbase—slightly longer than the HR-V, X50 and Tiggo Cross, though still smaller than the Omoda 5 and J7.

Design-wise, it follows the Range Rover Evoque-inspired style seen on the J7, but with some tweaks. The J5 gets a large grille with vertical lines meeting the main headlights, plus normal door handles (instead of flush ones). A two-tone paint option is also available.

Inside, the J5’s cabin is a bit simpler and cleaner compared to the J7. There’s a large vertical infotainment screen in the centre, slim air vents that blend into the dash, and a steering column gear stalk that frees up the centre console. The J5 also uses pet-friendly, TUV-certified materials.

On the tech side, you’ll find an 8-inch digital meter panel, a 13.2-inch 2K infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, plus a built-in karaoke feature. It also boasts the largest panoramic sunroof in its class (1.45 m²). Safety is covered with Level 2.5 ADAS, including AEB, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assist.

Practicality is decent with 480L boot space (expandable to 1,180L). The spare wheel takes up the underfloor storage space.

At around RM120,000, the Jaecoo J5 won’t be cheap compared to rivals like the Proton X50 and Chery Tiggo Cross. But with its premium features and bold design, it may just carve out a spot in Malaysia’s crowded SUV scene. Would you consider it?