Hyundai Kona Electric vs Jaecoo J7 SHS
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Hyundai Kona Electric
From $46,000
SUV
Electric
Electric
99kW
—
4★ ANCAP
407L
Jaecoo J7 SHS
From $43,990
SUV
Plug-in Hybrid
Plug-in Hybrid
105kW
1 kWh/100km
5★ ANCAP
340L
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
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Price Breakdown
The Hyundai Kona Electric starts from $46,000 before on-road costs, while the Jaecoo J7 SHS opens at $43,990. That makes the Jaecoo J7 SHS the more affordable entry point by $2,010.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $50,600 and $48,389 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Safety Rundown
The Jaecoo J7 SHS holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Hyundai Kona Electric. Adult occupant protection scored 80% for the Hyundai Kona Electric and 81% for the Jaecoo J7 SHS.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 9 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Jaecoo J7 SHS, against 5 on the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Hyundai Kona Electric and 8 in the Jaecoo J7 SHS.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
64.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
18.3kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 40kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 40kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Kona Electric features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Jaecoo J7 SHS gets a 13.2-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Kona Electric stands out with heated front seats and V2L that you will not find on the Jaecoo J7 SHS. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Hyundai Kona Electric gets cloth upholstery while the Jaecoo J7 SHS offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Kona Electric uses a Electric producing 99kW and 255Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.9 seconds.
The Jaecoo J7 SHS responds with a Plug-in Hybrid making 105kW and 215Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.5 seconds.
The Jaecoo J7 SHS has the clear power advantage at 105kW vs 99kW. In the real-world sprint, the Jaecoo J7 SHS is 0.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 48.6kWh (Hyundai Kona Electric) vs 18.3kWh (Jaecoo J7 SHS), giving WLTP ranges of 370km and 90km. DC fast charging peaks at 100kW (Hyundai Kona Electric) vs 40kW (Jaecoo J7 SHS).
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Kona Electric measures 4,350mm long on a 2,660mm wheelbase, 150mm shorter than the Jaecoo J7 SHS at 4,500mm (2,672mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Jaecoo J7 SHS generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 407L in the Hyundai Kona Electric and 340L in the Jaecoo J7 SHS, giving the Hyundai Kona Electric a 67L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 11.2m
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Kona Electric) vs 8 years / 999,999km (Jaecoo J7 SHS). The Jaecoo J7 SHS has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Kona Electric if: You need more boot space, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Jaecoo J7 SHS if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer Jaecoo's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Hyundai Kona Electric and Jaecoo J7 SHS trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. If boot space matters, the Hyundai Kona Electric has a clear edge. The Jaecoo J7 SHS adds peace of mind with a longer 8-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai Kona Electric and Jaecoo J7 SHS?
The Jaecoo J7 SHS is the cheapest at $43,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Kona Electric by $2,010.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Jaecoo J7 SHS uses the least fuel at 1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The Jaecoo J7 SHS has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Kona Electric has the largest boot at 407L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Jaecoo J7 SHS has the longest warranty at 8 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Jaecoo J7 SHS makes the most power at 105kW. The Jaecoo J7 SHS is quickest to 100km/h in 9.5s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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