Jaecoo J7 SHS vs Kia EV3
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.
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.
Track the Jaecoo J7 SHS & Kia EV3
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Jaecoo J7 SHS starts from $43,990 before on-road costs, while the Kia EV3 opens at $48,315. That makes the Jaecoo J7 SHS the more affordable entry point by $4,325.
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 $48,389 and $53,147 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
Both the Jaecoo J7 SHS and Kia EV3 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 81% for the Jaecoo J7 SHS and 83% for the Kia EV3.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Jaecoo J7 SHS packs more ADAS features with 9 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 6 in the Kia EV3.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 8 in the Jaecoo J7 SHS and 7 in the Kia EV3. The Jaecoo J7 SHS adds a 360-degree camera that the Kia EV3 misses.
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
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.
How long to charge
81.4kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 101kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 101kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Jaecoo J7 SHS features a 13.2-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia EV3 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Jaecoo J7 SHS stands out with wireless charging that you will not find on the Kia EV3. The Kia EV3 counters with V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Jaecoo J7 SHS gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Kia EV3 offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Jaecoo J7 SHS uses a Plug-in Hybrid producing 255kW and 525Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.5 seconds.
The Kia EV3 responds with a Electric making 150kW and 283Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds.
The Jaecoo J7 SHS has the clear power advantage at 255kW vs 150kW. In the real-world sprint, the Kia EV3 is 2.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 18.3kWh (Jaecoo J7 SHS) vs 58.3kWh (Kia EV3), giving WLTP ranges of 90km and 559km. DC fast charging peaks at 40kW (Jaecoo J7 SHS) vs 101kW (Kia EV3).
Space & Comfort
The Jaecoo J7 SHS measures 4,500mm long on a 2,672mm wheelbase, 200mm longer than the Kia EV3 at 4,300mm (2,680mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 340L in the Jaecoo J7 SHS and 460L in the Kia EV3, giving the Kia EV3 a 120L advantage.
For towing, the Jaecoo J7 SHS leads with a 750kg braked capacity vs 500kg. That 250kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m to 11.2m
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 8 years / 999,999km (Jaecoo J7 SHS) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia EV3). The Jaecoo J7 SHS has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Jaecoo J7 SHS if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Jaecoo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia EV3 if: You need more boot space, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia EV3 takes 6 of 10 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the Kia EV3 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, Jaecoo J7 SHS and Kia EV3?
The Jaecoo J7 SHS is the cheapest at $43,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia EV3 by $4,325.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Jaecoo J7 SHS uses the least fuel at 1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Jaecoo J7 SHS and Kia EV3 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia EV3 has the largest boot at 460L.
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 255kW. The Kia EV3 is quickest to 100km/h in 7.5s.
Free: Chinese Cars in Australia Cheat Sheet
Sign up free and we'll email you our Chinese Cars Cheat Sheet (PDF) — all 22 brands ranked on service, parts, warranty and dealer experience. Plus new-car launches, reviews and founding-member pricing on the upcoming CarSorted Pro Report. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
