Jaecoo 7 vs Range Rover Evoque: Why This £35K Chinese SUV Is Killing the Luxury Car Industry

Can a Chinese automaker build a better Range Rover than Land Rover itself? That’s the provocative question we set out to answer by putting the Jaecoo 7 head-to-head against the Range Rover Evoque in a comprehensive comparison test.

The results are genuinely shocking. While the Range Rover costs up to £58,000, the Jaecoo 7 delivers comparable luxury, better practicality, and similar performance for just £35,000. That’s a £23,000 price difference for what many buyers will consider an equivalent vehicle.

Let’s break down exactly how the Jaecoo 7 is disrupting the luxury SUV segment and why established brands should be worried.

The Price Shock: £35K vs £58K for Similar Spec

Before diving into the comparison, let’s establish the financial reality that makes this test so important.

Base Prices

• Jaecoo 7: Starting from £30,000
• Range Rover Evoque: Starting from £44,000

As-Tested Prices

• Jaecoo 7 Luxury Plug-in Hybrid: £35,000
• Range Rover Evoque Autobiography Plug-in Hybrid: Over £58,000

That’s already a massive difference, but the leasing costs tell an even more dramatic story.

Lease Cost Comparison (3 Years, 30,000 Miles)

Read that again: You could lease three Jaecoo 7s for the same cost as one Range Rover Evoque over three years. This isn’t a small pricing advantage—it’s a complete market disruption.

Our Take: Even if the Jaecoo 7 were significantly inferior (spoiler: it isn’t), the price difference alone would make it impossible to ignore.

Design Comparison: Imitation or Innovation?

Range Rover Evoque: Established Luxury

The current-generation Evoque was launched in 2018 and has received a mid-life facelift since then. Despite its age, it remains a handsome vehicle with distinctive Range Rover DNA.

Evoque Design Highlights:

• Classic floating roof design (all pillars blacked out)
• Pop-out door handles (pioneered this trend)
• 18-inch wheels standard (20-inch optional, as tested)
• Proud Range Rover badge signaling prestige
• Clamshell bonnet with gas struts

Design Issues Noted:

• Condensation in headlamps (quality concern)
• Some plasticky trim pieces that feel cheap for the price
• Body panel fit could be better in places

Jaecoo 7: Familiar but Different

There’s no denying it: the Jaecoo 7 takes significant design inspiration from the Evoque. But is that necessarily bad?

Jaecoo 7 Design Highlights:

• Modern upside-down lighting (DRLs on top, main beams below)
• More distinctive front grille (arguably better than Evoque)
• Pop-out door handles (similar style to Range Rover)
• 19-inch wheels standard
• Floating roof design with blacked-out pillars
• Clamshell bonnet with gas struts
• Similar rear-end styling with roof spoiler

Design Issues Noted:

• Orange peel paint finish is visible on close inspection
• Charging port doesn’t close flush (fit and finish issue)
• The boot rattles slightly when closing
• Body panel gaps are not quite as tight as the Evoque
• Paint matching between panels is inconsistent on some units

Sound Test Results

We conducted door-slam tests to evaluate perceived quality:

Front Doors:

• Range Rover: Solid, premium “thunk.”
• Jaecoo 7: Good, but slightly less substantial

Rear Doors:

• Range Rover: Consistently premium feel
• Jaecoo 7: Slightly tinnier sound

Boot/Tailgate:

• Range Rover: Solid, confident closure
• Jaecoo 7: Noticeable rattle on closure (quality concern)

Design Verdict

For Car Enthusiasts: The Range Rover feels more expensive and better-built when you inspect it closely. Panel gaps, paint quality, and closure sounds reveal the price difference.

For Regular Buyers: Most people won’t notice these differences. The Jaecoo 7 looks expensive, modern, and premium at a glance—which is what matters most to typical buyers.

Winner: Range Rover for absolute quality, but Jaecoo 7 for value-conscious buyers who prioritize appearance over nitpicky details.

Interior Quality: Surprisingly Close

Range Rover Evoque Interior

Despite being several years old, the Evoque’s interior remains impressive:

Premium Materials:

• Soft, squidgy leather throughout high-contact areas
• Expensive-feeling genuine leather seats
• Felt lining in glove box (prevents rattling)
• Rubber lining in door bins
• Damped control stalks
• Solid metal gear shift paddles
• Electric steering wheel adjustment

Design Weaknesses:

• Large gear selector takes up center console space
• No cover for cup holders
• Small vanity mirror
• Sea of plastic around the gear selector

Jaecoo 7 Interior

The Jaecoo cabin delivers a more modern aesthetic with impressive materials:

Premium Materials:

• Soft-touch materials throughout the upper surfaces
• High-quality synthetic leather (surprisingly close to real leather)
• Excellent damping on switches and controls
• Gear selector on steering column (better ergonomics)
• Larger vanity mirror with better lighting

Where It Falls Short:

• Lower dashboard plastics are scratchier than Evoque
• No rubber lining in door bins
• Glove box lacks felt lining
• Carpet quality is noticeably inferior
• Stitching doesn’t extend fully on some trim pieces
• No electric steering wheel adjustment

Technology Comparison

Range Rover Infotainment:

• Feels dated and laggy
• Slow response times
• Cluttered interface with unnecessary off-road info
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ✓
• Digital driver display with traditional dials
• Climate controls through touchscreen only

Jaecoo 7 Infotainment:

• Significantly better system overall
• Brighter, sharper, more responsive screen
• Intuitive menu structure with quick access
• Easy customization options
• Logical climate control layout
• Better navigation system
• Heads-up display standard
• 50-watt wireless charging (incredibly fast)

Connectivity:

• Range Rover: 1x USB front, wireless charging, 2x USB rear
• Jaecoo 7: 1x USB-C front, 1x USB-A front, 50W wireless charging, 1x USB-C and 1x USB-A rear

Standard Features Comparison

Jaecoo 7 Standard Equipment (£35K): ✓ Ventilated front seats
✓ Sony premium sound system
✓ Panoramic opening glass roof
✓ Heads-up display
✓ Advanced infotainment with a larger screen
✓ 50-watt wireless charging

Range Rover Evoque (£35K Equivalent): ✗ Glass roof costs £1,100 extra
✗ Opening the glass roof costs an additional £1,600
✗ To match the Jaecoo spec, need £58K Autobiography trim

Interior Verdict

Winner: Jaecoo 7. While the Range Rover has superior carpet quality and more refined lower trim pieces, the Jaecoo delivers a more modern cabin with vastly better technology and more standard features for dramatically less money.

Engine Options and Performance

Range Rover Evoque Powertrain Options

The Evoque offers four engine choices:

1. 1.5L Turbo Petrol (Front-wheel drive only)
2. 2.0L Diesel (Two power outputs, four-wheel drive)
3. 2.0L Diesel High-Power (Four-wheel drive)
4. 1.5L Plug-in Hybrid (12 kWh battery, 309 hp in 2023 model tested, 269 hp in current models)

Jaecoo 7 Powertrain Options

The Jaecoo offers simpler choices:

1. 1.6L Turbo Petrol (Front or all-wheel drive)
2. 1.5L Plug-in Hybrid (18 kWh battery, front-wheel drive only)

Note: The Jaecoo PHEV has a larger battery pack (18 kWh vs 12 kWh), providing more electric-only range.

Performance Testing: The Surprising Results

We conducted acceleration testing with both plug-in hybrid models to see how they compare in real-world performance.

Test Conditions

• Both vehicles tested on the same day, same location
• Professional testing equipment used
• Multiple runs averaged for accuracy

Acceleration Results

Analysis: Despite the Range Rover having 40+ horsepower more in the 2023 model tested, the performance difference is negligible. The Jaecoo’s front-wheel drive system proves surprisingly effective.

Braking Performance Results

Shock Result: The Jaecoo 7 actually out-braked the Range Rover in both tests. This is unexpected and impressive, especially given the price difference.

Performance Verdict

Winner: Draw. The performance is so similar that most drivers won’t notice any difference. The Jaecoo’s superior braking performance is a genuine surprise that tips the balance in its favor.

Practicality: Space and Functionality

Rear Seat Space Comparison

Range Rover Evoque:

• Adequate headroom
• Acceptable knee room
• Feels somewhat cramped overall
• Limited foot space under front seats
• Three adults fit, but the shoulder room is tight

Jaecoo 7:

• Noticeably more spacious
• Better headroom
• Improved knee room
• More generous footwell space
• Three adults are more comfortable

Three-Adult Test: When asked which vehicle they’d rather travel in for a long journey with three passengers in the back, testers unanimously chose the Jaecoo 7.

Boot/Cargo Space

Jaecoo 7 PHEV:

• 415 liters (plug-in hybrid model)
• 500 liters (standard petrol model)
• Including underfloor storage
• Unique “cinema screen” feature (projection screen attachment)

Range Rover Evoque:

• 472 liters (all models)
• Less underfloor storage
• Deeper boot space
• Appears more usable for luggage

Luggage Test: When a human “test dummy” was placed in both boots to simulate luggage, he preferred the Range Rover’s boot for comfort (more room, better shape).

Practicality Verdict

Winner: Split decision. Jaecoo 7 wins comprehensively on rear passenger space, while the Range Rover edges ahead on cargo capacity. Most buyers will prioritize passenger comfort over the 57-liter boot difference.

Driving Dynamics: Where the Difference Shows

This is where the price premium of the Range Rover becomes more apparent—though perhaps not as much as you’d expect.

Range Rover Evoque Driving Experience

Ride Quality:

• Surprisingly jiggly for a Range Rover
• Doesn’t offer the “float over bumps” luxury of larger Range Rovers
• Always slightly unsettled, never truly serene
• Not the typical Range Rover experience

Steering and Controls:

• Responsive and well-weighted
• Car turns precisely when you want
• Smooth, well-judged brakes (no grabbiness common in PHEVs)
• Overall refined feel

Handling:

• Moderate body lean in corners
• Nicely balanced setup
• Not sporty, but competent and predictable

Jaecoo 7 Driving Experience

Ride Quality:

• Jiggly suspension surprisingly similar to Evoque
• Shows how un-Range Rover-like the Evoque has become
• Slightly less refined overall

Road Noise:

• Noticeably more tire noise at highway speeds
• More wind noise at higher velocities
• Less acoustic insulation than Range Rover

Steering and Controls:

• Vaguer steering feel (less connected to front wheels)
• Doesn’t self-center as naturally
• Slightly grabbier brakes (common in Chinese vehicles)
• Feels more like suggestions than commands

Driving Verdict

Winner: Range Rover Evoque. The steering feel, brake modulation, and overall refinement are noticeably better. However, the gap is smaller than expected, and most buyers in this segment prioritize comfort and features over driving dynamics.

Important Note: The driving experience differences that bother automotive journalists may not concern typical buyers who prioritize value, technology, and practicality.

Fuel Efficiency and Real-World Costs

Official Fuel Economy Claims

Analysis: Official PHEV figures are always wildly optimistic. In real-world use without regular charging, both vehicles deliver similar fuel economy around 60 MPG.

Electric Range:

• Jaecoo 7: Longer range (18 kWh battery vs 12 kWh)
• Range Rover: Shorter electric-only range

For buyers who charge regularly, Jaecoo’s larger battery provides a meaningful advantage.

Reliability Concerns: The Unknown Factor

Range Rover Reliability Data

2025 Driver Power Survey Results:

• Range Rover ranked 24th out of 31 manufacturers for reliability
• Consistent quality control issues reported
• Electrical problems common
• Test vehicle alarm randomly activated (frustrating quality issue)

Jaecoo Reliability Data

Current Status: No data available yet (brand too new in UK market)

Concerns:

• Unknown long-term reliability
• Limited service network
• Parts availability uncertain
• Resale value unpredictable

Reliability Verdict

This is the great unknown. Range Rover has a documented reliability problem, but at least you know what you’re getting into. Jaecoo’s reliability remains to be proven.

Leasing Advantage: This uncertainty makes leasing the Jaecoo particularly attractive—if problems arise, it’s easier to replace than if you bought outright.

Used Car Market Reality Check

Jaecoo 7 Used Market

• Very few available (brand new to market)
• Nearly-new examples with low mileage
• Approximately £5,000 discount from new
• Starting around £30,000 used

Range Rover Evoque Used Market

• Abundant availability (years of sales history)
• One-year-old with 11,000 miles: £35,000 (same as new Jaecoo!)
• Significant depreciation from new
• Clean history checks essential (some write-offs in market)

Used Car Verdict

Tempting Option: A one-year-old Range Rover Evoque at £35,000 is genuinely compelling if you’re comfortable buying used. You get the prestige badge and proven platform at Jaecoo money.

Risk Factor: Always conduct a vehicle history check when buying used (write-offs, outstanding finance, mileage discrepancies).

The Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

This comparison reveals an uncomfortable truth for established luxury brands: Chinese automakers have closed the gap faster than anyone expected.

Buy the Range Rover Evoque If:

✅ Brand prestige matters to you
✅ You want superior steering feel and driving refinement
✅ Better carpet quality and interior niggles matter
✅ You prefer established reliability data (even if it’s not great)
✅ Resale value is a priority
✅ You’re buying used at £35K (genuinely competitive)
✅ You value the Range Rover ownership experience

Buy the Jaecoo 7 If:

✅ Value for money is your top priority
✅ You want more rear passenger space
✅ Modern technology matters more than brand
✅ You prefer better standard features for less money
✅ Leasing is your preferred ownership method
✅ You don’t care about badge snobbery
✅ Superior braking performance appeals
✅ You want an opening panoramic roof without paying extra

Final Thoughts: A Market Disruption

From a Journalist’s Perspective: The Range Rover Evoque is the better vehicle. It has superior build quality, better driving dynamics, and more refined details throughout.

From a Consumer’s Perspective: The Jaecoo 7 is the smarter buy. It delivers 90% of the Range Rover experience for 60% of the price (or less on lease).

The Real Winner

Jaecoo 7 wins this comparison for one simple reason: value.

When you can lease three Jaecoo 7s for the price of one Range Rover Evoque, when you get more standard features, better technology, superior rear-seat space, and nearly identical performance, the equation is clear.

The Jaecoo 7 doesn’t have to be better than the Range Rover to win. It just has to be close enough, and it absolutely is.

What This Means for the Industry

Chinese automakers like Jaecoo are proving they can deliver luxury-adjacent vehicles at prices that make established brands look overpriced. This isn’t a future threat—it’s happening right now.

Land Rover, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes should be worried. If a brand nobody’s heard of can deliver this much car for this little money, the traditional luxury model is under serious threat

Specifications Comparison Table

Our Final Rating

Jaecoo 7: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)
Range Rover Evoque: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)

Both earn four stars, but for very different reasons. The Evoque is a better-executed vehicle; the Jaecoo 7 is a better value proposition.

Winner: Jaecoo 7 for representing the better choice for most buyers.

Should You Test Drive Both?

Absolutely. The only way to know if the Range Rover’s refinement is worth the premium is to experience both vehicles yourself.

Our Prediction: Most buyers who test both will walk away impressed that the Jaecoo gets so close to the Range Rover for so much less money—and many will choose the Chinese upstart over the British icon.

That’s why the Jaecoo 7 is “killing the luxury car industry.” Not because it’s better, but because it’s good enough for far less money.

And in today’s market, that’s all that matters.

Have you driven the Jaecoo 7 or Range Rover Evoque? Which would you choose? Let us know in the comments!