Electric vehicles under RM120,000 are still rare in Malaysia, which is why the Jaecoo J5 EV, launched on 2 September 2026, is attracting attention. Assembled locally (CKD) at Chery Corporate Malaysia's Shah Alam plant, it is priced at RM118,800 on-the-road without insurance, which is lower than the RM125,000 estimate given when bookings opened in July.
Jaecoo J5 EV Price
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| J5 EV (single variant) | RM118,800 OTR without insurance |
| J5 ICE (for reference) | RM108,000 nett (excluding OTR costs and insurance) |
The EV is about RM10,000 more than the petrol J5, a gap that fuel savings could close within a few years depending on mileage.
Motor and Performance
A single front-mounted motor produces 211 PS (155 kW) and 288 Nm, good for 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 175 km/h. That is brisk for the price, and the instant torque of an EV makes city driving effortless. The J5 EV is front-wheel drive only.
Battery, Range and Charging
The 58.9 kWh LFP battery from CATL delivers 402 km of WLTP range (461 km NEDC). DC charging peaks at 130 kW, taking 30% to 80% in 28 minutes. AC charging at up to 11 kW takes roughly seven hours for 10% to 100%. A vehicle-to-load function supplies 3.3 kW, and the battery is covered by a ten-year, 200,000 km warranty, among the longest on sale.
Size and Practicality
The J5 is compact at 4,380 mm long and 1,860 mm wide on a 2,620 mm wheelbase, with 174 mm of ground clearance. The boot holds 480 litres and expands to 1,284 litres with the rear seats folded, and there is a useful 35-litre frunk. There is no spare tyre.
Interior and Features
Equipment is the J5 EV's strongest card. It gets 18-inch two-tone aero wheels, an 8.88-inch digital cluster, a 13.2-inch portrait touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 50W wireless charger, a 540-degree camera and a powered tailgate. Comfort items include ventilated powered front seats, a 1.45 m panoramic glass roof with powered shade, dual-zone climate control, heated memory mirrors and double-glazed front windows. Quirky Pet and Camping climate modes keep the cabin comfortable while parked.
Safety
Six airbags and a Level 2+ ADAS pack are standard, including autonomous emergency braking, lane departure and lane keeping assist, blind-spot and lane-change assist and full-speed adaptive cruise control.
Warranty and Launch Package
The vehicle carries a seven-year, 150,000 km warranty. The first 1,000 buyers, until 31 October, receive a package including one year of unlimited JomCharge charging, one year of insurance, three years of data, a 7 kW home charger, a V2L cable and accessories such as a karaoke set and subwoofer, which Jaecoo values at RM10,000.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: low EV price, locally assembled, generous features, long battery warranty, brisk performance
- Cons: 402 km WLTP is average, 130 kW DC speed is moderate, compact rear space, no spare tyre
Verdict
The J5 EV is a strong entry-level electric choice. It lacks a headline battery or charging figure, but the combination of price, equipment and warranty makes it one of the most compelling EVs under RM120,000. Anyone with home charging should test drive it.
Note: This article summarises official launch pricing and specifications reported in September 2026 and is not an extended road test. Prices and promotions may change; please verify with a Jaecoo dealer.
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