Brand-new Jaecoo 8 Super Hybrid is a flagship SUV with purpose

Despite its newcomer status, Jaecoo’s momentum continues to gather pace with the imminent arrival of its most ambitious model yet.

Bigger, more luxurious and considerably more powerful than anything the brand has launched in the UK so far, it introduces three-row seating, a sophisticated plug-in hybrid system and a level of refinement aimed squarely at established premium rivals. For anyone weighing up a large SUV lease in 2026, the new Jaecoo 8 SHS-P should definitely be on your list.

The number 8 is closely associated with prosperity, progress and good fortune in Chinese culture, reflecting success and positive momentum. That symbolism sits well with the Jaecoo 8 SHS-P’s role at the top of the range, as a flagship model combining a commanding road presence with executive-level comfort and refinement.

The Jaecoo 8 SHS-P stays true to the brand’s bold design language, highlighted by its signature waterfall grille, crisp LED lighting, and upright stance. Hidden door handles, flowing lines, and a floating-roof effect give it a clean, modern look, while a panoramic sunroof adds to the sense of space inside.

Colour options include Amazonite Blue, Basalt Black, Granite White, Iced Slate Grey and Pearl Silver, with two-tone finishes available on the Luxury model and standard on the Executive.

It’s a distinctive, well-proportioned SUV that manages to look rugged without losing its premium edge.

The interior moves firmly into modern-luxury territory, with both versions featuring dual 12.3-inch displays, cooled wireless charging pads, massaging front seats, and a Sony 14-speaker audio system with two additional headrest speakers as part of the standard specification.

Which Jaecoo 8 is right for you?

When it comes to those two versions - Luxury or Standard - the final decision will depend entirely on your reasons for choosing the Jaecoo 8 in the first place.

The 7-seat ‘Luxury’ model is aimed at larger families who need space and flexibility. With generous room for passengers, prams, and luggage, it transforms school runs, family trips, and holidays into more comfortable and practical experiences, and without having to sacrifice on those touches of luxury.

The six-seat ‘Executive’ model takes a different approach, replacing the bench seating with four heated, ventilated and massaging captain’s chairs trimmed in Nappa leather. The driver also gets extendable thigh support, while the front passenger enjoys a zero-gravity seat with a 123-degree recline and a “Boss Button” for rear-seat adjustment. It’s pitched as first-class travel on wheels — and it looks like it.

With the rear seats folded, the Jaecoo 8 also offers up to 2,021 litres of boot space, making it one of the most practical SUVs in its class. Safety is equally comprehensive, with 10 airbags and up to 19 driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Beneath the luxury and refinement, both versions use the latest Super Hybrid System (SHS-P) from parent company Chery, pairing a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a three-speed DHT gearbox and all-wheel drive. Combined output is just over 420bhp, giving it a 0–62 mph time of 5.8 seconds, which is seriously quick for something this size.

Efficiency is also a major selling point, with its 700-mile range being just about enough to drive from London to Milan before you have to worry about stopping for fuel. You also get up to 83 miles of electric-only driving, 40kW DC fast-charging that can top up the battery from 30%–80% in around 20 minutes, and a 6.6 kW vehicle to load (V2L) function for powering outdoor kit.

With figures like that, the Jaecoo 8 looks like a sound company car proposition with company car tax in the 7% bracket for 2026/7, starting at £635 for the Luxury and £663 for the Executive.

On top of that, there is also the small matter of the lockable differentials, adaptive all-terrain response modes, adaptive suspension, and 600mm wading depth. The Jaecoo 8 doesn’t just look like a rugged, off-road SUV, it has the tools to perform like one too.

The new Jaecoo 8 SHS-P is a tempting blend of performance, comfort, and efficiency, especially for lease customers who want to lower running costs without sacrificing pace. It blends all of the benefits of power, refinement, practicality, and efficiency in a flagship package that’s worthy of attention from anyone exploring a large SUV lease in 2026.

And just so you know, order books are open now, with first deliveries expected from May 2026.