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Australia lends itself perfectly to long drives. Winding coastal paths and vast rural highways create that special local appeal of loading up an SUV for a family escape.

The endpoint often takes second place. The experience along the way counts most. Journeys of this kind suit the new Jaecoo J8 SHS exceptionally well.

As the brand's top seven-seat model, the J8 SHS targets what local families now seek in a modern vehicle: true comfort, upscale features, strong efficiency, and the assurance to handle extended travel without fuss.

To see how it performs in daily use, I drove it to a beloved coastal area - the striking New South Wales South Coast. The target was the charming Motel Molly in scenic Mollymook.

Such a route soon shows if an SUV lives up to its claims.

Premium feel at an accessible cost

Initial views count, and the J8 SHS delivers a solid impact straight away.

At nearly five metres long, it commands attention on the road without appearing too large. The striking waterfall grille, narrow projector LED lights, hidden door handles and sleek full-width tail lamps create a refined look that avoids flashiness.

Even small elements received careful attention.

The attractive 20-inch wheels come fitted with Michelin tyres - a quiet quality choice that keen drivers spot at once. This shows Jaecoo paid attention to components, not just styling.

The design stays tidy, balanced and pleasingly understated. Instead of forcing attention, the J8 SHS simply resembles a much costlier SUV.

A cabin that surprises positively

Step inside and the real revelation starts. The space feels closer to a high-end hotel than a standard family vehicle.

Attractive quilted leather upholstery sets a welcoming tone, while the pair of 12.3-inch digital screens anchor the dash without dominating it.

Soft lighting enhances the mood after sunset, and the wide glass roof brings in plenty of daylight.

One standout touch is the suede-style material that runs across the ceiling, dash and door areas. This finish usually appears in luxury European cars and immediately improves the atmosphere.

Additional features prove useful every day.

The front seats offer heating, ventilation and a strong massage setting that works well after hours of driving.

A clear head-up display helps keep focus on the road, while the 14-speaker Sony audio system, with units built into the driver's headrest, provides rich sound that adds enjoyment to every trip.

Wireless phone mirroring comes as standard, together with a capable 50W wireless charger that matches current device needs.

An onboard scent diffuser adds another refined note that lifts the cabin experience. Useful when pets have been active outside.

Together these elements go beyond brochure points. They genuinely enhance time spent driving.

Designed with family needs in mind

The key advantage of the SHS lies in its true seven-seat layout. Growing households value flexibility.

Whether carrying kids, relatives, guests or sports gear, the extra seats prove handy for daily life.

With all seats in use there remains enough boot space for routine tasks and shopping. Dropping the rear row creates a large cargo area suited to holidays, bigger loads or equipment.

Multiple USB ports keep devices charged, and the middle row offers good space for adults on longer trips.

Planning to tow a trailer or watercraft at weekends? The J8 SHS handles a 1600kg braked load, confirming its role as a capable touring vehicle.

The Super Hybrid advantage

The main highlight sits under the bonnet.

Jaecoo's Super Hybrid System pairs a turbo 1.5-litre petrol engine with three electric motors for combined outputs of 315kW and 580Nm.

While the figures impress, the natural behaviour of the system stood out more during testing.

In urban driving the J8 SHS feels mostly electric. Often I could not detect whether the petrol unit was active. Quick electric response makes starts smooth, and passing needs only light throttle input.

Power flows without interruption, yet highway overtaking proves strong. Steep climbs are handled with ease.

Shifts between power sources stay almost unnoticed, delivering refinement that many electrified cars struggle to match.

Smart electric all-wheel drive manages grip across all wheels, providing confidence in dry or wet conditions. Heavy rain on the return to Sydney did not affect traction.

The plug-in hybrid setup stays simple to use and operates without issues.

Built for everyday Australian use

The SHS system excels by fitting easily into normal family routines.

The 34kWh battery supports roughly 114km of electric range (WLTP), so many drivers could cover daily commutes on battery power alone.

Overnight home charging may remove the need for fuel stops during the week - a welcome benefit.

For longer holidays or interstate travel the petrol engine extends total range beyond 1000km.

This mix reduces concerns linked to pure electric cars while preserving the quiet feel of electric driving when desired.

Charging integrates smoothly into ownership.

An AC wallbox at home allows convenient overnight top-ups. On longer trips, DC fast charging takes the battery from 30 to 80 per cent in about 25 minutes, adding around 85km of electric range during a short stop.

The approach suits Australian driving habits well.

Comfort built for every kilometre

Long-trip comfort involves more than seat padding. It depends on how the vehicle handles imperfect roads.

The J8 SHS uses Continuous Damping Control that automatically tunes suspension firmness to match road and driving conditions.

The system works quietly yet delivers clear results.

On rough rural roads it maintains good ride quality and reduces harshness. In corners it limits body movement, and under braking it cuts forward pitch for a more stable feel.

This comfort over uneven surfaces exceeds expectations and matches or betters some European luxury models.

Paired with strong cabin quietness and the smooth hybrid powertrain, it creates a vehicle that feels relaxing over long distances.

After hours at the wheel this quality becomes especially noticeable.

Safety features included as standard

The J8 SHS comes well equipped for safety.

Ten airbags are fitted, along with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alerts, lane-keeping assistance and other driver aids that ease workload.

The 360-degree camera system simplifies parking and tight manoeuvres at shopping centres or holiday spots.

Long-term ownership support

Purchasing a vehicle involves future considerations too.

Jaecoo provides an eight-year unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, the same term for the high-voltage battery, eight years of capped-price servicing and up to eight years of roadside assistance.

For those new to electrified vehicles this offers solid reassurance.

Final assessment

The large family SUV market is highly competitive, yet occasional models genuinely raise the bar.

The Jaecoo J8 SHS appears to be one such vehicle.

It blends genuine seven-seat versatility with a high-quality interior, a refined and strong Super Hybrid system, intelligent electric all-wheel drive and long-distance comfort that suits Australian road trips.

Crucially it delivers these qualities at a price that challenges established competitors.

At $59,990 before on-road costs the Jaecoo J8 SHS offers strong value and has the potential to rank among Australia's most appealing large family SUVs.

For households seeking upscale comfort, daily efficiency and the ability to travel further, the package is hard to overlook.