With its striking design and premium interior, the Jaecoo J7 1.6T Glacier aims to deliver an experience that feels more expensive than its R600k price tag suggests. Does it hit the mark?
The Jaecoo J7 1.6T Glacier steps into the fiercely competitive compact SUV segment, aiming to challenge well-established favourites like the Toyota Corolla Cross, Chery Tiggo 7, and Haval Jolion. However, taking on such popular models, which dominate the market with impressive sales figures, is no small task. So, what does the J7 Glacier bring to the table to stand out? Let’s take a closer look.
A stunning exterior
One of the first things I notice about the Jaecoo J7 Glacier test car is its extraordinary “Moonlight Silver” paintwork. It’s a mesmerizing, a silvery-blue hue that shimmers and shifts depending on the angle and intensity of the light. It’s a shade typically reserved for high-end luxury vehicles, and it makes the Glacier stand out on the road.
The design of the Glacier itself draws clear inspiration from premium SUVs like the Range Rover. The blacked-out pillars create a floating roof effect, and the overall shape leans toward angular, square lines.
However, Jaecoo’s designers have avoided making the car look slab-sided by introducing subtle organic curves, especially in the profile, where slightly sloping lines add a sense of dynamism.
The protruding door handles, a trend popularised by Tesla, are sleek and functional. They operate effortlessly and feel sturdy, avoiding the clunky operation found in some premium vehicles, such as the Mercedes-Benz EQS.
Interior comfort and luxury
Stepping into the Glacier reveals a cabin that rivals higher-end competitors in terms of perceived quality. The materials are soft to the touch and thoughtfully chosen, giving the interior a refined atmosphere. Comfort is clearly a priority.
The driver’s seat offers electric adjustments, including lumbar support. The passenger seat can be adjusted by the front passenger (naturally), driver, or rear passengers using two sets of buttons. The wide vanity mirrors, complete with lights, are another thoughtful touch, though the fabric on the sunshades feels like it might attract dirt over time.
The panoramic sunroof is truly massive, flooding the cabin with light and enhancing the sense of spaciousness. Ambient lighting, reminiscent of systems found in Mercedes-Benz vehicles, can be easily adjusted and even synchronised with music.
However, the driving position could use a redesign. The seat sits slightly too high, and the telescopic steering adjustment has limited reach, making it difficult for some drivers to find their ideal position.
Technology
On the technology front, the Glacier is both impressive and frustrating. The digital instrument cluster features a wide, tablet-style display that is sharp, colourful, and packed with information but – but therein lies the problem.
The sheer amount of info, combined with small icons and unclear labels, makes it difficult to interpret at a glance. It’s not an intuitive system, and it’s likely you’ll need to consult the owner’s manual or dealership staff to fully understand its operation.
Usability
The infotainment system, while visually striking, suffers from similar usability issues. For instance, the steering wheel volume controls can inadvertently switch to adjusting the “voice volume,” which left me wondering which voice it refers to. And it was a challenge to revert to the default volume control of the sound system!
Despite these peculiarities, the inclusion of features like built-in navigation and a head-up display is a welcome addition, especially when Android Auto decided to misbehave.
Practicality isn’t overlooked, though, as evidenced by the refrigerated compartment under the front armrest. There’s a convenient power supply near the rear-view mirror, likely designed for a dash-cam, but locating the USB-C port below the centre console proved to be a challenge. While regular owners will quickly adapt to its placement, anyone encountering the J7 for the first time – such as a car rental customer – might find themselves thoroughly puzzled.
Driving performance
The J7 gets its powered from a 1,6ℓ turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 145 kW and 290 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. While the engine’s power is adequate for most situations, the Glacier falters in delivering true driving confidence.
The steering feels vague, with too much play and a disconnected sensation that undermines the car’s ability to handle corners at speed, although I did get used to it. Throttle inputs can also feel overly sensitive, often making the car lurch forward.
The ride itself is a mixed experience. The Glacier’s 19-inch wheels with low-profile tires contribute to a firm ride, especially on rough surfaces, but the cabin remains impressively quiet, with minimal wind or engine noise intruding. Real-world fuel consumption hovers around 8,5 ℓ/100 km, slightly above the manufacturer’s claim of 7ℓ/100 km but reasonable for a vehicle of this size and capability.
Practicality and safety
The J7 Glacier is a practical car. The 412ℓ boot is easily accessible thanks to an electric tailgate, and the 200 mm ground clearance makes it suitable for pavement parking. To keep occupants safe, the car includes eight airbags and electronic stability control among other safety features.
Standout features include heated and ventilated front seats, a surround-view camera system, and a wide-angle rear-view mirror that offers an excellent view of rear-seat passengers. The Glacier’s automatic defogging system is particularly clever, activating itself when it senses that the cabin is about to fog up.
While the Glacier does many things well, the Sony sound system is a letdown. It’s passable for casual listening but lacks the depth and clarity that competitors like JBL systems often deliver. This is a missed opportunity to elevate the Glacier’s luxury credentials further.
Final thoughts
The Jaecoo J7 1.6T Glacier is an interesting blend of premium features and keen pricing. Its stunning design, luxurious interior, and practical touches make it a strong contender in its segment. However, its vague steering, firm ride, and frustrating technology detract from an otherwise compelling package.
For R599 900, the J7 Glacier isn’t perfect, but for those willing to overlook its quirks, it offers a stylish alternative to more established rivals. (You can read about other Jaecoo models coming in 2025 here.)
However, the Toyota Corolla Cross, one of the J7’s main rivals, offers a package that’s hard to resist – specifically the R527 200 Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XR and the R543 700 Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid GR-Sport (shown below).
These vehicles offer features like adaptive cruise control and lane assist that are absent in the J7 Glacier. With its massive support network, legendary reliability, and impressive fuel consumption, many customers will view the Toyota as the superior option. But for someone who wants a car that makes a visual statement, the Jaecoo J7 is hard to beat.
The Jaecoo J7 1.6T Glacier scores 3 out of 5.
3.0 out of 5.0 stars
