Jaecoo (by Nishat Group) shattered the existing formula. They have launched the Jaecoo J5 HEV—a proper Hybrid SUV—for a starting price of PKR 6.69 Million. This isn’t just “affordable” for an SUV; it is cheaper than the top-spec Honda City.For the last three years, the formula in Pakistan was simple. The old formula was:
- Want a Sedan? Pay PKR 80-90 Lakhs (Civic/Corolla).
- Want a Hybrid SUV? Pay PKR 1.2 Crore (Haval/Cross).
Here is why the J5 is currently the most talked-about car in the local market.
1. Jaecoo J5 Price Tag Shock
Let’s look at the numbers.
- Jaecoo J5 Comfort (HEV): PKR 6,699,000
- Jaecoo J5 Premium (HEV): PKR 7,699,000
Comparison: A Honda Civic RS is currently PKR 9.8 Million. A Kia Sportage is PKR 9.0 Million. Jaecoo is offering you a Hybrid Crossover for 20 Lakhs less than a petrol sedan. This is aggressive pricing designed to kill the competition.
2. It’s a Proper Hybrid (Not Mild)
Unlike the “Mild Hybrid” stickers some brands slap on their cars, this is a Super Hybrid System (SHS).
- Engine: 1.5L Turbo + Electric Motor.
- Power: A massive 221 HP and 295 Nm torque. (For context, the Sportage only has 150 HP).
- Mileage: The company claims 18-20 km/l in city driving. If you drive in Lahore or Karachi traffic, this car will cut your fuel bill in half compared to a Sportage or Tucson.
3. Features: What Do You Get?
Usually, “affordable” means “stripped down.” Not here. Even in the base variant, you get:
- 13.2-inch Vertical Touchscreen (Tesla style).
- Voice Control (“Hello Jaecoo”).
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 Chip (No lag in the screen).
- Premium Variant Adds: Panoramic Sunroof, Ventilated Seats, and a 540-degree camera (which sees under the car).
4. The “China Car” Risk?
The biggest hesitation buyers have is: “Will the parts be available?” This is where the Nishat Group backing matters. Jaecoo is being assembled in the same plant as Hyundai. This isn’t a fly-by-night importer. Nishat has a massive dealership network (Hyundai/Chery/Jaecoo), meaning parts availability should be better than Haval or MG.
Verdict
The Jaecoo J5 is the “Market Correction” we needed. It exposes just how overpriced the “Big 3” sedans have become. If you have a budget of 70 Lakhs and you buy a Toyota Yaris instead of this, you are making a mistake. The J5 offers Luxury, Power, and Fuel Savings at a price we haven’t seen since 2023.
Would you risk buying a new brand like Jaecoo to save 20 Lakhs? Let me know in the comments.